Finding Angel Clients: How to Identify Your Ideal Collaborators
Written on
Chapter 1: The Importance of Client Screening
When working as a freelancer, it’s crucial to ensure that your efforts yield satisfactory results. After all, who wants to invest significant time and energy only to receive minimal compensation?
In the freelancing realm, there are challenging clients who drain your enthusiasm and energy, and then there are those who inspire you to produce your best work. My objective as a side-hustle copywriter is to steer clear of the former. Through experience, I've developed a series of questions that help me identify which clients are worth my time and commitment, allowing me to focus on those who truly appreciate quality work.
Section 1.1: Initial Questions
To kick things off, I always ask: "So that I can better assist you, may I ask a few questions?" This approach helps establish the purpose of our conversation and clarifies the client's needs. Clients who have a clear vision of their objectives tend to articulate their expectations for the final product effectively.
Consider two different clients I often encounter during consultations. Which one seems more appealing to collaborate with?
Me: Good evening, Will. Before we dive in, can you share why we're having this discussion today?
Will: I'm seeking a copywriter to enhance my website with SEO-focused content for my product and service pages. Additionally, I’d like to evaluate my "About Us" section and possibly rewrite it for a stronger call to action.
OR
Me: Good evening, Joe. Before we begin, can you tell me why we’re having this conversation?
Joe: I’m not quite sure how to attract more visitors to my website, and I’m curious about how copywriting could boost my online sales.
Clearly, I'd opt for Will every time. Clients who are decisive lead to projects with well-defined goals, which means a more productive and enjoyable working relationship.
Subsection 1.1.1: Defining Success
Understanding what success looks like for clients is a practical necessity. It goes beyond the tasks at hand and helps uncover their true expectations for results.
Let’s revisit Will and Joe:
Me: Will, how do you envision success for this copywriting project? What are your goals?
Will: I want visitors to engage with my website content without leaving immediately. Smooth and compelling writing is essential for me. I aim to improve my upsell rates per transaction, and I expect the copy on the transaction page to enhance sales during the checkout process.
OR
Me: Joe, what does success mean to you for this project?
Joe: Maybe more visitors to my website? I’m not really sure.
It may seem like I'm mocking Joe, but the reality is that many clients share his uncertainties. In fact, I often encounter numerous clients like Joe before meeting someone like Will.
Section 1.2: Addressing Expectations
Another critical question to ask is: "What will you do if this project fails to meet your expectations?"
"If you ask the right questions, you learn a lot about people." - Chirlane McCray
We need to understand prospective clients as individuals before committing to a partnership. Working with clients who lack clarity can lead to disastrous outcomes, jeopardizing not just time and resources but also your passion for your work.
Me: It’s great to see that you have a clear idea of what success looks like, Will. To ensure we work well together, how would you handle a situation where the project doesn’t meet your expectations?
Will: If that happens, I’ll review our earlier discussions to see if I missed anything. If I did, I’d want to address it with you. I’ll also try to understand why the final product didn’t align with my expectations; perhaps there’s something I overlooked. While I might ask for revisions, I’ll do so after hearing your perspective.
Will's responses demonstrate a thoughtful approach. Now, let’s hear from Joe.
Me: Joe, how would you handle a situation where the project doesn’t meet your expectations?
Joe: That's simple. I paid for the service, so if I’m unhappy, you need to fix it until I’m satisfied. Isn’t that how all clients think?
(Right, Joe. You’re not the right fit!)
Chapter 2: The Final Takeaway
I recently had a 20-minute call with Joe that left me uninterested in pursuing a working relationship, even though he offered a 50% deposit upfront. I would rather spend those 20 minutes wisely now than 20 days regretting a poor decision later.
Time is invaluable—both yours and mine. Strive to work with angel clients who appreciate your efforts, and you'll find joy in your side hustle.
About the Author:
As a content creator, I share insights from my daily experiences and professional journey, as our life stories shape our unique viewpoints. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter!
In this video titled "Personal Trainer Asks Client 15 Questions," the host outlines critical questions that can uncover a client's true motivations and expectations, helping to establish a productive partnership.
Terri Cole's video, "Confused About Your Relationship? How to Tell If You Should Stay or Leave," offers valuable insights into assessing relationships, paralleling the importance of understanding client expectations in a professional context.