The best clients are the busy clients. Why? Because they're the
ones with successful businesses, so they have enough money to
pay you. They're also the ones who are busy enough that they
really need you. And they?re the ones who are likely to have
ongoing work for you.

They?re also the ones who are the easiest to keep because you
know exactly what you need to do to keep them. It?s simple ?
just make their life easier and save them as much time as
possible and they?ll come back.

It may seem like a simple thing, but it will make a big
difference to clients. I know because I've spoken to hundreds
of clients and have constantly been told how busy they are.

Here's what three clients had to say.

?The Best Freelancer? ?Emma, Editor

?The difference between the freelancer I never call again and
the freelancer I call on month after month has nothing to do
with writing skill. The difference is that the great freelancer
gets done exactly what I need done without any hassle. If I can
give her the job, forget about it, and know it?ll get done
right, it will always go to her first.?

?Make it Easy for Me? -Josef, Business Manager

?I contracted someone to do an ad campaign a few months ago.
They started emailing me pictures all the time. ?What do you
think of this for the ad?? ?Could this work?? ?Do you like this
one?? ?Hey, here?s one you?ll like.?

I don?t have time for these constant interruptions. I?m sort of
glad they wanted my opinion, but do it right. Research and
choose a small selection of suitable ones. Then send me those
at the end of the week and ask for me to choose which one will
work best. That would have been a good (and business-like)
approach.?

?No Time to Waste? -George, Project Manager

?I work with some people who seem to think that the whole thing
is fun and games. I sort of understand that to them it might be.
They?re sitting at home and maybe time isn?t precious to them.
But it is to me.

I don?t have time for long phone calls. I don?t have time to
read long and detailed emails. I definitely don?t have time to
read long emails where you describe how you approached the
project and why you liked completing it. If it?s not on topic,
I don?t need to hear it. And if it is on topic, it?s still best
to keep it short and to the point.?

Making it Easy for Clients

Making a client's life easy is simple to do. All you have to do
is remember that the client is busy every time you contact them
and think about how you can make it easier for them. Here's a
good example for a freelancer who was asked to send a brief
overview stating the angle and content of the article.

First Example of Brief to Client

After a lot of thought and research, I have decided that the
angle of the article will focus on effective ways of trading
shares on a budget. I plan to cover three main topics. These
will be new floats, low-cost shares, and how to reduce trading
costs.

Second Example of Brief to Client

Angle: Trading Shares on a Budget

Content:

- New floats

- Low-cost shares

- Reducing trading costs

Both examples communicate the same meaning. But the example
with headings and bullets is much easier to read. The busy
client can learn exactly what they need to know with little
more than a glance. It also has a more professional and
organized look and so creates a better impression of you.

And as a final added bonus, the easiest way for the client is
also the easiest and quickest way for you. So, you win a little
extra time and quite possibly a long-term client.

A Final Tip

Remember that if clients seem rushed, they probably are. If
clients seem stressed, they probably are. Don?t think of it as
a bad thing ? think of it as a great opportunity.

If you can be one of the people that makes life easier and
takes away some of the stress, you?ve got yourself a client
that is likely to pay you well and pay you often. And that?s
what a successful freelancer needs to succeed.


About The Author:

Shelley Wake is the editor of Winning
Freelance Work, What Clients Want, and Where?s My Whale? The
Complete Guide to Catching Killer Clients. Shelley and her team
of researchers interviewed hundreds of clients for these books
and found out exactly what it takes to win great projects and
great clients. Link: http://www.writingstuff.com/books1.html