Many people ask me many questions about content writing. They vary from the off the top of the head answers to “I actually need to research that” responses. So when our head honcho at Design Theory asked me about researching client industries, billing and how clients respond to issues surrounding that, what solutions to these problems look like and how to not cause heart failure with the billing from it all, I realized I had quite a bit to say. So rather than writing it all, Jean & I decided to give you an over the shoulder peek at our conversation on camera. Some of it you might already know while another facet may give you an Ah-ha moment. Either way, I hope it conveys some worthy considerations when you incur some of these same questions and frustrations with content writing, research and billing for your web and branding clients.
Here are some of the highlights:
Professionally Developed Content
*Clients need to understand the process & value of the necessary research & writing that will be critical to the success of their website.
*Not everyone who owns a business can necessarily write well about their business.
*Understand the importance of the potential consumers experience will be via the client’s website.
*Make the potential consumer/service recipient feel like “I want to do business with them or by their product.”
Content Writing Time & Research
*Do your due diligence in research to create great content to create traffic for the client
*Become intrigued and entrenched in the subject matter & then writing from a position of “seeming” expertise and authority.
*”Write It Like You Live It” positioning in content writing
Billing
*Use reportable billing software (i.e. Toggl) that report specifics to prove good utilization of time
*Consider incremental billing
*Establish a great rapport & trust so they so they don’t question the integrity of the work & the corresponding billing
I must say that I found lots of info from this post and like your this heading Content Writing Time & Research.
Thank you so much for your comment. I hoped to add solid information to the Content Writing Industry. All of these facets are important factors when dealing with clients and the nuances of what we do.
I like what Yvonne said that just because someone knows their business, doesn’t mean they’re good at writing about their business. I also appreciate her pointing out that there’s work to do before the writing even begins, as well as her pro-rated approach to billing. I do the same thing – charge an hourly rate and pro-rate by the quarter hour. It’s a fair way to do things and instills client trust. Thank you for an informative interview that drills down into the very real layers of what goes into content writing and cultivating client relationships. Nice job.
Good morning Jo! Thank you so much for your commentary on my blog post. When I made the statement in the interview I felt that A LOT of content writers know this but it’s a tender topic to convey to the client. This is where tact, tact and more tact are required – it’s about getting the autonomy to do what we do via trust. And when it comes to billing, trust goes a long way beyond the verbal promises. We have to prove ourselves via reporting, meeting deadlines, displaying our commitment to the project and finally the quality of the work product itself. Then once you’ve won them as fan of your work, they in turn commit to you as a long term client.
And research…whew! Sometimes its an easy road and other times it feels like studying for the LSATs! LOL. Either way, its all a labor of love for those of us that love to write. Aside from our writing skills, it truly impresses a client when you are honest enough to say you don’t know a whole lot about their industry at the beginning of the project but then your work product makes them want to hire you for their staff…lol.