Private Client Poll

[VeronicaM]

Do you have a private client (PC)?. If so, how many private clients do you have?

Do you enjoy working with PCs more than content mills, and what advice would you give to those looking to work with a PC?

I'm attaching an anonymous poll to this thread.

[maryalene]

I think private clients are the only way to survive as a freelancer. I can't imagine making a livable income off content mills.

Currently, I have two private clients. One is a corporate client that provides me a full-time writing workload. The other is a smaller side job that involves social media marketing. Prior to finding these clients, I would usually work with 3-4 private clients a month. A couple were longer projects, but most were one-time assignments. Almost all my private clients were found through elance.

Maryalene

[luvcamerasnic]

the trick with private clients is finding steady work. I am getting ready to interview with one who just might do that, but most of mine have hit or miss work. That is why I have about five or six (I lose track because sometimes they come for like a month then disappear for six only to return again). I also supplement with Writers Access and a few other mill type things (quality gal for one) when I can't get enough work with my PCs. I have not had any luck with Elance - the whole "no stars" thing is preventing me from landing gigs. Most of my PCs have come from one long standing PC I got on a fluke (and because I was really cheap back then) who has given my name to all of his web developer friends.

[beanandpumpkin]

Today, I have four private clients... but if you'd asked me last week, I would have answered that I only had one. And the week before that, two. This time last year, I had two or three, if memory serves correctly, but I'm not doing work for them anymore and have lost contact; I should email them to see if they need anything, now that I'm thinking about it! One of the ones for this week is a PC whom I've been working with for several months, regularly, and another is one who I did a fair amount of work for a few years ago and did not hear from again, and she called kind of out of the blue the other day with more work for me. Sometimes it can be hit or miss... right now I'm very busy and happy about that, even though it can be overwhelming at times.

I greatly prefer PCs over content mills! The rate of pay is higher, the service is more personal, and PCs are fun to work with and for (most of the time)! I also greatly prefer PC's who have regular work for me... this week, three out of my four need regular work done, at least for the time being.

I have one piece of advice. I just implemented this recently, but it seems to be working out well: if you have a fear of the phone, get over it, and put a phone number on your CL listings, website, business cards, etc. I set up a free Google Voice account and I have every call go into voicemail (another option is to have it ring your home or cell phone). This way, potential clients don't have your home phone number (though I do give it out once we establish that yes, they'd like to hire me). It seems as though those willing to pay higher rates would prefer to talk to you over the phone, rather than go strictly by email communication. Two of my clients right now communicate by phone more than email, and one likes occasional phone contact. I think that if someone is refusing to speak to clients on the phone, then they might be ignoring a large (high-paying) segment of potential customers!

[funmom91]

I always try to keep 4+ private clients available. Private clients are the way to survive but you have to have a lot to make sure that you never run out of work. Some PC's I work for daily, while other weekly, then still others that come and go as they need my services. Sometimes when they all need work done at the same time it can become stressful. But, when my inbox starts to look to clean I begin to fret.

[wyattsmommy]

Please give me your advice on how to land private clients. I've had no luck!!!! Thanks

[anng]

Originally Posted by wyattsmommy

Please give me your advice on how to land private clients. I've had no luck!!!! Thanks

One of my current clients posted an ad in 2009 on Craigslist, but I actually saw it on Deb Ng's freelance site, looking for writers who were not afraid to install software to their computer. They needed writers who would use their casino accounts, play the games and then write a review of all new casino offerings. Since then, many casinos have come out with casinos you don't have to download making it easier. My willingness to install the software landed me the job. Many writers said no way. Now I'm paid around 5 cents a word to play a game for 5 minutes and then do a 300 - 400 word write ups.

I had another client who saw my ad on Craigslist. He had a one-time job for me and wanted a local writer who could do lunch meetings. After finishing three sites with him, one for a national insurance company, his mother had work for me on a site she owned. It wasn't until Panda hit two years later that they dropped ties because they took a major hit and could no longer afford writers.

My other private client posted in Craigslist. The ad was very plain - simply said "Writer needed. Must be willing to do samples." I emailed with questions to find out more about rates, what the work entailed and if they were free samples or paid. Apparently, a lot of writers flamed the poster saying that any company asking for samples was a scam artist. Had they asked questions, they would have learned they were paid samples. I've been working with that company for a year now and in that time, they upgraded me to an editor, so it's paid off.

In past years, I've landed private clients by Googling "Writer needed" and other spins of those keywords. I've found work through FreelanceWritingGigs, FreelanceWriting and here in the WAHM forums. If an ad says "Degree only," I'll apply anyway and then state despite my lack of degree, I'm well suited for the job. I figure after spending countless hours in CareerTrack seminars and taking finance and computer courses through a bank where I worked, all that training should count for something.

[funmom91]

Originally Posted by wyattsmommy

Please give me your advice on how to land private clients. I've had no luck!!!! Thanks

One thing I have noticed from my experience is American client will not pay as much as clients from other countries.

Where I find my clients:

*webmaster forums
* referrals from established clients
* people contacting me after seeing my blog
*Twitter
* forums like this one
* LinkedIn
*craigslist
*checking blogs where they list daily jobs
*cold emailing

[anng]

Originally Posted by funmom91

One thing I have noticed from my experience is American client will not pay as much as clients from other countries.

I agree with that. I think the economy collapse has many companies on edge. I know one of my private clients said they want to pay more but income isn't coming in as fast as it was years ago. The travel market seems especially affected with them.

[funmom91]

Originally Posted by anng

I agree with that. I think the economy collapse has many companies on edge. I know one of my private clients said they want to pay more but income isn't coming in as fast as it was years ago. The travel market seems especially affected with them.

It has I think I am done to maybe 2 or 3 American clients. Everyone else is in other countries. However, I am not complaining because they pay really good and some are just looking for you to correct their English.