One of the skills you’ll need as a new freelancer is how to interview potential clients for your copywriting jobs. The process can seem daunting! But take a moment to read over the following suggestions, and you’ll have a big head start on the competition contemplating copywriter jobs!
Not All Money Is Good Money
Sure, you have bills to pay and subscriptions to maintain, and at times, copywriter jobs can be few and far between. In a profession that always feels like a feast or famine, during the slow periods we experience throughout the year, the natural response is to accept any work that might come up in your network. Be careful of this reflexive impulse. As freelancers, we all want to find clients and make money, but it’s important not to just accept a client or a project just because of the money. Finding the right fit will pay much higher dividends in the long run and is well worth a few slimmer weeks.
On the other hand, a bad client relationship will rarely be worth the money in the end. Not all money is good money! Fit is paramount in this process. And finding the client that fits you, your experience, and your writing style is just as important as how well you fit with their brand. Keep your priorities at the forefront!
Tips for Interviewing/Evaluating a Potential Client
Make sure to put yourself in the right state of mind when narrowing in on potential new copywriter jobs. Interviewing potential clients is like going on a first date, and you need to ask the right questions to figure out if it’s a good fit. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you begin your conversations:
- Be sure to thoroughly review any contracts or agreements the client provides to ensure that the terms are fair and clearly defined.
- Be honest about your availability and capabilities. If you’re not confident that you can complete the job within the timeframe or to the client’s expectations, it’s best to be upfront about it.
When looking for the right copywriter job for you, pay attention to your gut instincts. Sometimes if something doesn’t feel right, it just isn’t. As you move through the interviewing process, take note of the red flags you might see in conversations with a potential client. But don’t leave the green flags out of your considerations, either!
Red flags:
- Unclear about their expectations or unrealistic expectations
- Has an unrealistic timeline
- Requests an unreasonably low rate or expects work for free
- Hesitant to commit to a contract or a retainer (depending on what you’re looking for as a copywriter)
- Poor communication skills
- Little or no bandwidth for regular meetings or check-ins
- Doesn’t want to have a collaborative relationship or provide feedback on your work
Not all potential clients for copywriter jobs are negative nellies! Keep your ears open to the positives you may glean from these important, exploratory conversations.
Green flags:
- Client is organized and communicative
- Willing to provide feedback
- Gives clear details about their project (scope is reasonable and clear)
- Genuine interest in your services or professional goals
- Clear expectations expressed well in advance
- Open to suggestions/collaborations
- Flexible to accommodate changes that emerge in the creative process
- Commits to a contract and pays invoices on time
Will this contract benefit your goals? Might the client give you too much work? Will they pay you appropriately? Know your own value. Try not to make choices based strictly on money. We like to think matching with a new client is like dating someone new. How valued will you be on this team?
Preparing for your interview
Take some time to review their website. They will likely have blog posts, podcasts, white papers, and landing pages that will give you an idea of the voice they are looking for and the types of content they publish. Also, look at the past few months of posts on the organization’s social media platforms. Is their content video-heavy, or are there more links to written content like e-books and white papers? Is it accessible and punchy text, or does it read like an industry-specific case study with lots of technical jargon? Finally, conduct a thorough Google search on the potential client to see what others are saying about the organization. This background research will really fill you in on the ins and outs of your potential client and set you up for success when interviewing for your next copywriter job.
After having spent a few hours getting some depth of knowledge on your potential client, it’s time to consider the questions you will ask them. These questions are pretty standard, but with proper research, you can fine-tune the conversation to learn exactly what the client wants and if they’re a good fit.
Questions to consider asking when interviewing for copywriting jobs
- What are your organization’s goals for this project?
- What time zone do you prefer your copywriter to work in?
- How do you envision this project helping your business?
- What type of timeline are you expecting for this project?
- What is the budget for this project?
- What resources do you have available for this project?
- What is the preferred method of communication?
- Will there be standing project check-in meetings?
- What criteria will you use to evaluate the success of this project?
- Is there any existing data or research available that will help inform this project?
- Are subject matter experts available for consultation?
- Have you worked with a similar project in the past and what were the results?
- What challenges do you anticipate in completing this project?
While interviewing your potential client
- Keep an eye out for red flags (like you would when dating) that the relationship won’t go well and could easily go sour.
- Also, keep an eye out for green flags! You never know when a good client might come your way or when a potential client might surprise you. Be optimistic but grounded in reality.
- Ask questions to get a better understanding of the project scope and timeline and also to gauge the client’s level of commitment.
You are the boss of your freelancing career
As you begin your workflow of evaluating potential clients for copywriter jobs, remember that the money offer isn’t the number one consideration. Fit is key, and you shouldn’t be afraid to walk away from a copywriting job if it isn’t a good fit. It’s important to prioritize your own professional (and personal) needs and goals to ensure a successful and stress-free working relationship. One of the greatest benefits of being a freelancer is that you are the boss of your present and your future. Make sure you spend the time to see if the next opportunity is the right opportunity for you.
Author Bio
Doug Kenck-Crispin is a podcaster and freelance writer in Portland, Oregon. He pens features for newspapers and magazines, long reads, website copy, landing pages, email campaigns and other marketing mediums. You can find more about Doug on Linkedin, Twitter, or his website.
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