What makes some freelance business writers more successful than others?
And why are some of them continually successful while others struggle in the feast-or-famine cycle for years?
In this episode I share some of the most important things successful B2B/commercial writers have in common.
What else would you add to this list? Please let me know in the comments area below.
The notes that follow are a very basic, unedited summary of the show. There’s a lot more detail in the audio version. You can listen to the show using the audio player below. Or you can subscribe in iTunes or on Stitcher to get this show delivered straight to the Podcasts app on your smart phone, tablet or iPod.
What makes some freelance business writers more successful than others? Today, I’m going to share what consistently successful B2B/commercial writers have in common.
#1: They’re Clear on Their Positioning
- They’ve clearly defined what they do, for whom and what makes them different.
- Many have defined a niche or specialty.
- They don’t waste time selling the value of great copy or content. Rather, they sell to the converted.
#2: They View High Income as a Reality
- They don’t stress about volatility, the bargain-basement market or downward fee pressure. They tell themselves a different story.
- For more on this, see High-Income Business Writing Podcast #33 and #34, The Spiritual Side to Freelance Success.
#3: They Have a High Degree of Self Respect
- They realize that just because the work comes easy to them doesn’t mean it’s low value.
- They quote high fees because that’s what the work is worth. They don’t feel bad about it.
#4: They Have a High Degree of Respect for Their Clients
- They deliver high-quality work on time, every time, as promised.
- They bring ideas to the table and develop peer-to-peer relationships with their clients.
#5: They’re Mindful of Their Productivity
- They recognize that time is their most important resource.
- When at work, they focus on work.
#6: They Go After Corporate Clients
- Corporate clients have a consistent need for content.
- Successful freelancers admire and “get into” their clients’ businesses.
#7: They’re Not Afraid to Let Go of Clients That Can No Longer Afford Them
- If you’re not continually looking for better-paying clients, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
- Money isn’t the only factor. But if the money isn’t there and other factors are missing, what’s keeping you there?
#8: They Focus on Lifetime Client Value
- They consider prospects’ long-term needs as part of their qualification process.
- As you gain institutional knowledge, your time per project drops. And because your fees remain the same, your internal hourly rate goes up.
#9: They Go After High-Priced Projects
- They have a good project mix, which includes several high-value projects.
- There’s a fixed cost to onboarding a new client, so you need to ensure you have several high-priced projects in the queue every quarter.
#10: They Value and Leverage Their Relationships
- If you’re spending a ton of time prospecting, you need to start leveraging existing relationships through referrals, word of mouth, etc.
- It’s about leveraging the goodwill you’ve built up over the years.
#11: They Don’t Rest on Their Laurels
- High-income writers love new challenges. They love to learn new skills and find better ways of doing things. They’re into self-improvement.
- They recognize that sometimes they need help.
What do you think? Is this about right? What else would you add to this list?
Please share your thoughts in the comments area below.
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Thanks again for your support!
Till next time,
-Ed
