Content Providers vs. Private Clients

[dmcgaw]

Originally Posted by TXWriter

2. Deadlines - Content providers usually have very broad deadlines. Some allow you to write whenever you want to and don't really work on a deadline system. Private clients tend to have very strict deadlines.

That's the exact reason why I prefer PRIVATE clients - deadlines motivate me. Without a deadline (like when I'm working on personal projects) I can procrastinate for days or even weeks. A deadline forces me to get it together on those days when I'd much rather crawl in bed for a nap!

[HWMM]

I guess I have been lucky. In reading some of the above posts I see that my experiences have been different. I have placed several ads on Craigslist over the years (SF, NY, Portland, and Seattle) and never received any spam. I used the CL generated email address instead of my own in the ads.

As for my private clients, I never have strict deadlines or any deadlines. They all asked me when I could get the articles to them. For me the whole point of being a freelancer is having control over my time. I am grateful I never had to deal with the stress of meeting clients’ deadlines.

While I agree that private clients probably expect more for the money, only 1 client ever asked for rewrites and he was in Germany. His English wasn't perfect and that was probably why I couldn't give him what he wanted. But he paid me anyway. Meanwhile at DS I have gotten many silly rewrite requests for a $5 Fact Sheet.

[debng]

This discussion inspired a blog post - I think I'll be further exploring content sites vs. clients. Thanks, guys! I'll be sure to give a hat tip to the WAHMs who write!

[wah0mer]

Great information, everyone! Thank you so much!

[technista]

My issue is, where do you find good private clients? I mean, those sites like Odesk pay way too little. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance and sorry if it doesn't fit in this post

[dmcgaw]

craigslist
freelancewritinggigs.com
freelancewriting.com

Lots of private clients advertise for writers on job boards.

I also get a lot of my clients from posting on a niche specific forum. I don't advertise my writing often but it is in my sig and once a few people tried it word got around.

You might want to try digitalpointforum.com - I have only used it a bit but have gotten a couple clients that lasted for a few months.

[aalexander]

Sounds like private clients are the way to go..lol
I know for my typing services it sure is...:-)

[dmcgaw]

The good thing about private clients is that if you do good work for them they are usually quite happy to recommend you when someone else needs a writer. And webmasters are often quite active on boards so you're name can get around. At least in one of the niches I work in.

[WAHMBrenda]

Originally Posted by aalexander

Sounds like private clients are the way to go..lol
I know for my typing services it sure is...:-)

I think it depends on what you need or want. I disagree that private clients are the way to go. I prefer the content companies myself. I also make a lot more money with them than with private clients.

[debng]

Originally Posted by technista

My issue is, where do you find good private clients? I mean, those sites like Odesk pay way too little. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance and sorry if it doesn't fit in this post

The job boards such as Craigslist list jobs from private clients. Also, you can seek them out for yourself. When I first began looking for private clients I remembered how when I worked in a graphic/web design studio we hired freelance writers all the time. We used them to help write sales copy, brochures, newsletters, web copy and more for our clients. So I decided to "sell" myself to local graphic and web design studios.

First, I sent them a package with a nice introductory letter. Included was some samples of my writing - relevant to their business, testimonials, a resume, and my contact info. A few days after sending these packages out, I followed up with phone calls. Out of 12 places I landed 2 clients. Both long term and lucrative.

This might help: 5 Places to Find Higher Paying Freelance Writing Jobs.