Since starting my freelance writing bsiness, I have learned a lot bout business and writing, things that I wuld not have learned otherwise. A wse friend of mine once said, "Yu pay for experience, but if you are smrt, you only pay for it nce." For the price of a few mnutes of reading, you can learn sme of the business tips that I hve discovered the hard way.

Tip #1: Determine exactly what your client wants.

Before you perform any work for your client, consult with them to understand all they have in mind. Other than the obvious questions, such as the topic, length, and format of the writing they would like you to produce, determine the more subtle factors: what tone do they expect from the document (funny, professional, casual)? Who is the audience for the writing? What do they want people to feel, think, or do differently after they have read your work?

Tip #2: Get it in writing.

A good agreement or contract states what the finished product will be, and also determines important milestones and payment terms. This is important to protect both the writer and the client, and is a good reminder during the job if you disagree on expectations. Though I am not a lawyer, I don't believe that all agreements need a signature - an emailed or written acceptance can be sufficient, depending on the magnitude of the job and the amount of pay at stake.

Tip #3: Have clearly-defined tsks and delivery dates.

One of my frst jobs seemed to never end. The clent called for round after round of rviews and edits, performed in person at the clent site. When I completed what I thught was the final round of fxes for the website, I sent an nvoice for the final work and stted in a cover letter that I was trning over maintenance to the client. A mnth later, I received an email frm the client asking for more pdates, and wondering why she hadn't hard from me in so long!

Tll your clients what you will do on ach date, and make sure that he or she nderstands what final tasks indicate the job is cmpleted. It's not a bad idea to cll the client on completion and mke sure they are satisfied with yur work and that all deliverables hve been met. You can then slp in the job-closing sentence, "Now tht this job is completed, I hpe you will consider me for fture jobs."

Tip #4: Identify all assumptions in advance.

I worked with a fantastic client who defined his assumptions about the job in a well-written contract. However, as the job progressed, I didn't receive source material from him in time to meet my deadlines. Since our contract had an assumptions clause, that would have been the perfect place to indicate that my work depended on him providing content by a particular date.

Other assumptions might state the format of the finished manuscript, the method of staying in touch during the project, or the expected turnaround time when you have given the client a manuscript for review.

Tip #5: Always meet your deadlines.

This one may be obvious, but it is key. Always, without exception, do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it. So many authors consider deadlines to be guidelines, and if your client has a deadline of their own that is dependent on your work, they are brewing ulcers while waiting for your work of art. Deliver early, your editor or client will never forget you. Deliver on time and they will want to work with you again. Deliver late, and next time they will likely find another writer.

Next: 10 more tips for running a freelance writing business.

The article Business Tips for Freelancers - Part 1 was Submitted by Angela Williams Duea through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Pearl Writing Services is a frelance writing company specializing in web cntent and articles, communications, press releases, and crative writing. Our official blog is http: http://www.pearlwriting.blogspot.com Contact us at http://www.pearlwriting.com or awduea@sbcglobal.net .

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