You're a Content Writer, Not a Mind Reader.

Ah, the wild world of freelance writing! Some gigs last longer than a season of your favorite TV show, while others fizzle out faster than a bowl of microwave popcorn. And let's not even talk about the dreaded absence of repeat business.

But you know what? Most of these breakdowns can be traced back to one pesky culprit: poor communication. It's like some clients expect us content writers to whip out our crystal balls and channel their deepest desires.

Now, don't get me wrong—I've got a pretty good imagination, but mind-reading isn't exactly in my job description. So, fellow scribblers, let's embark on a journey to enlightenment.

Here are four crucial areas you absolutely must discuss with your clients in those early stages of engagement, around the first week or two. Trust me, it's like laying a strong foundation for a writer-client love affair—minus the candlelit dinners and soft music.

Demand clear instructions

We all know the thrill of diving into a new writing project! As freelance writers, especially when starting out, we can get swept up in the excitement, thinking we've got all the resources and instructions necessary to conquer any content challenge. But here's the truth: sometimes, we find ourselves in the deep end, swimming without a lifeline.

Picture this: you're working directly with a founder who may not be well-versed in the intricacies of content marketing. They assume you possess all the best practices and industry secrets. But, lo and behold, when you proudly present your work, they shake their head and say, "Hmm, that's not quite us."

Sound familiar? We've all been there.

That's why it's crucial to ask enough questions, my friend. Going beyond understanding the target audience and their pain points, we must delve into the heart of the matter: things like the client’s desired tone and writing style.

Does the client want to sound like a New York Times reporter or a savvy wordsmith from Nerdwallet? Style and tone are the branding elements that help businesses stand out in a sea of competitors. And how you say something is just as vital as what you want to say.

Communicate When and How to Communicate

Expert writers know that failure to communicate your availability is the fastest route to burn-out and low productivity. Oh you didn't know? Well, now you do.

Imagine you’re rounding up an interview and the client asked you “what would you like us to know that we didn’t mention”. And you go “I sleep between 1pm and 4pm everyday” Haha, strange right?

Well, I have a friend who does this. He tells every client he meets upfront about his sleeping schedule. So far, he’s 5 years deep into freelance writing and has never had a kickback from any client.

But here is the catch: Communication is a two-way street. You must let your clients know when you're available to communicate and the channels you prefer and also inquire about your clients' preferred communication time and channels as well. By doing so, you lay the groundwork for a harmonious partnership that defies boundaries and conquers your industry.

You can even go further and agree with your client that you guys would never discuss sensitive issues like performance review over text. I strongly recommend this one!

Now that we've established a solid foundation for communication, let's dive into

Communicate how feedback is received and given

Content writers thrive on constructive feedback from our clients. Don’t we? It is the secret sauce for growth and refinement in the world of freelance writing. But constructive feedback is not a given. It’s either the client is bad at giving feedback or the writer cannot stomach less-constructive review. In rare apocalyptic cases, it’s both.

To avoid red faced moments that come with a poor feedback loop, it’s best to communicate this with your client upfront. This involves establishing a mutually agreed-upon revision process.

• Discuss the number of revisions allowed,

• How many people are involved in the feedback and review process.

• Who has the final say

This clarity sets the stage for efficient revisions and ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the desired outcome and prevents the dreaded content by committee.

Forget leads and traffic for a moment; what does success look like to us?

To avoid the classic “it’s not you, it’s me” situation, its important to communicate how we measure success beyond search traffic, and leads and other quantitative results. It’s critical to outline what you and the client agree the relationship would look like. Here are some success factors to consider:

Openness: Writers appreciate clients who value honest and transparent communication. And clients want writers who are confident in their craft and don’t hesitate to suggest contrarian opinions. So, make a pact—a promise to keep the doors of communication wide open. Share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns openly, and they’ll reciprocate in kind. This open dialogue fosters trust and lays the groundwork for a fruitful collaboration.

“Call me out on my BS”: If your client doesn’t like being challenged and you stomach their excessiveness, you’re most likely waiting for disaster to happen. Something that might hinder your chances of landing another role. I’ve been interviews where I was asked why I worked only three months with a client? That means people value people who can hold things together for a longer period. Having the freedom to call you client out on their excessiveness; and they doing the same to you, prevents the chances of epic failure that might lead to epic layoffs. But both of you must agree on that first.

Success is not just about numbers; it's about nurturing a relationship built on openness, trust, and longevity.

And there you have it—the four essential conversations that content writers must engage in with their clients before a single word is written. By embracing these conversations, we pave the way for successful partnerships, impactful communication, and the creation of remarkable content.

PS: I haven’t forgotten my promise to report to you on my content repurposing experiment. Things took a slightly wild turn on my end here– you might notice I didn’t send last week’s issue. I will be sending you an update in the next issue.

Cheers my friend.