6 Tips On Managing Multiple Clients As A Freelance Writer

As a freelance writer, juggling multiple clients can be a tough gig. But, with a few savvy tips and tricks, you can streamline your workflow, deliver quality work and keep those clients happy.

So, let's dive in and get personal with these six tips for managing multiple clients as a freelance writer:

Set Clear Expectations

When I first started freelancing, I made the mistake of not setting clear expectations with my clients. I would take on projects without discussing deadlines, payment terms, or the scope of the work. As a result, I found myself scrambling to complete projects at the last minute or dealing with difficult clients who didn't want to pay me what I was owed.

One incident that stands out in my mind was when I was working with a client who needed a whitepaper written. We agreed on a deadline, but I didn't clarify how many revisions were included in the fee. As it turned out, the client wanted multiple revisions, and I ended up spending much more time on the project than I had anticipated. If I had set clear expectations from the beginning, we could have avoided a ton of hassle and the project would have been much less stressful.

Lesson learned: always set clear expectations with your clients before starting a project. It may take a little extra time upfront, but it will save you headaches and stress down the road.

Communicate Regularly

When you're working with multiple clients, it's easy to get overwhelmed and fall behind on communication. But in my experience, regular communication is key to keeping clients happy and projects on track.

One example of this is when I was working with a client who needed regular blog posts written. We agreed to a schedule, but I soon realized that the topics they wanted me to cover were too broad and didn't align with their business goals. I could have just pushed through and written the posts as requested, but instead, I reached out to the client to suggest some adjustments to the content strategy. We had an open and honest conversation, and as a result, we were able to pivot the content strategy to better align with their goals.

By communicating regularly with your clients, you can stay on top of any changes or concerns and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Use Project Management Tools

When I first started freelancing, I relied on a hodgepodge of spreadsheets, notebooks, and post-it notes to manage my workload. But as my client list grew, I quickly realized that I needed a better system.

One tool that has been a game-changer for me is Trello (no, Trello hasn’t paid me to say this). With Trello, I can easily create boards for each client and projects within those boards. I can add due dates, checklists, and attachments, and even collaborate with clients and other freelancers on the same board. There are a lot of alternatives that you can check out.

Another tool I use is Google Calendar. I can schedule deadlines, set reminders, and block out time for focused work or personal commitments. By using these tools, I'm able to keep track of my workload and stay organized even when things get hectic.

Don't Overcommit

One of the biggest mistakes I see new freelancers make is taking on too much work. It's easy to get excited about new writing jobs and say yes to everything, but it's important to be realistic about how much you can handle.

I've been guilty of this myself. There have been times when I've taken on too much work and ended up feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. But by setting realistic expectations for myself and learning to say no when necessary, I've been able to create a more sustainable workload.

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is crucial when you’re a freelance writer. Let clients know when you're available and when you're not, and make sure they understand that you won't be responding to emails or working on projects outside of those hours.

Personally, I had to learn the hard way about setting boundaries. I used to work all hours of the day and night, and it was starting to take a toll on my health. But after a few burnouts, I realized I needed to start taking care of myself.

Now, I set clear boundaries with my clients, and I make sure to take breaks throughout the day to stretch, exercise, or just get outside for some fresh air.

You will have clients who say that a particular piece of content is super important and they need it pronto. Some clients will say that they just assumed that infinite edits were a part of the deal. Others will ask for something ridiculous and just say that’s how the industry works.

One of the biggest advantages of being a freelance writer is the fact that you get to set the rules. Communicate your boundaries before you sign a contract and then stick to them. It’s alright to go out of your way when the situation demands it. But most of the time, it doesn’t. So, set clear boundaries and stick to them.

Batch similar tasks

One way to maximize your efficiency when managing multiple clients is to batch similar tasks together. For example, if you have several clients who need social media posts created, you can batch these tasks together by setting aside a block of time to create all of the posts at once.

Similarly, if you have several clients who need research done, you can batch these tasks together by setting aside a block of time to conduct all of the research at once.

Batching similar tasks is a useful technique for several reasons. First, it can help you save time by reducing the amount of time you spend switching between different types of tasks.

Second, it can help you get into a flow state, which can increase your productivity and creativity.

Third, it can help you prioritize your workload by allowing you to tackle similar tasks at the same time, rather than having to jump back and forth between different types of assignments.

Conclusion

Managing multiple clients as a freelance writer can be challenging, but it’s also a great opportunity to build a successful writing career. By following these six tips, you can improve your productivity, build strong relationships with your clients, and create a successful freelance writing business. Remember to stay organized, communicate clearly, and prioritize your own well-being, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your writing goals.