When you’re a freelance writer, you write alone. Sure, you meet your clients every now and then. Like earlier this month, I met – for the first time in 7 months – my client who is based in Johor Bahru. But when you’re your one man show, does it give you the right to run things as you like it?
I’m not sure of how you’d approach this, but here’s how I would do it:
Yes, I decide where to do my work: whether it’s in my SOHO or at a café like Starbucks or Coffee Bean. As long as it’s within the deadline, I decide as and when to work on it. But imagine doing this routine over and over again for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or even 15 years. People who crave a social life would be driven up even the Great Wall!
Some professionals call it client relations. In other industries, it’s known as customer relations. For me, it’s called being a team player. It’s not enough just to live in your own world. You have to go beyond your boundaries.
I write brochures on real estate. Some are high end. I’ve never lived in a mansion – but I’ve been into some. I’ve seen the big houses by the hills in Luak Bay, Miri. But how can I capture this and put it in a vocabulary spoken and used by the market group?
Besides doing the work, it’s the post-project relationship. You’re gonna have to send your invoice. Payments need to be made. You don’t want to have a bad working relationship.
The only way is to synchronise our approach. Your approach and mine.
So when you consider hiring a writer, don’t forget to think of the whole picture, not just the work. Ask yourself: are you really comfortable with this person?
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