Comments on: Which is Better: New Clients or Existing Ones?

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:33:47 +0000

I feel the same way! I love the old and the new and enjoy what I do so much that I have learned to be flexible and patient.

By: Ashwin

Ashwin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:22:44 +0000

I agree with the disadvantages of long-term clients above, but I see a great post idea here about what to do to counter these disadvantages:

1. Payments tend to slack-off. How to prevent this from happening?
2. Freelance writers might lose ” sparkle”. How to keep ourselves motivated and ensure that I still work as if this was a client I just signed-up with?
3. How to ask for price hikes with old, regular clients? Is “grandfather clause” the only way out?

By: Marvyn

Marvyn — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:28:18 +0000

The past several years I've been working with recurring clients exclusively and have a steady workflow. It's almost as if I am an employee of their company that I don't have to worry where the next paycheck is coming from. I dread hunting down new leads that I just don't do it anymore. It's too time consuming and the more I'm out wining and dining potential leads the less I am in the office doing paid work. Marvyns last blog post..Cyber Security: Are You Really Safe?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:31:58 +0000

I like a good mix of old and new, too.

That said, I think I like to have more old clients on my roster, proportionally speaking. Why? Because it gives me time to build a relationship with the editor; he or she gets to know me and my style, and I get to know and anticipate their needs. Often, I know what to expect, so it takes me less time to get an assignment finished; I know what direction to take it in. Having a new client means it’s going to take some time to break everybody in and get comfortable.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy getting new assignments and new challenges! Because I definitely do. I just got a new assignment recently from a new client, and even though it’s taking more time, I’m having a lot of fun. So there is that.