Note from Jennifer: I’m on a hiking trip this week so I’ve arranged a guest post to keep up with my commitment to a new post each week. Being able to screen potential freelance writing clients effectively can be the difference between landing your dream client and winding up with a total PITA. While I have sometimes skipped some of these steps in vetting a new client, I don’t recommend it. Usually, spending the extra time to ask the right questions up front will save you loads of headaches down the road. Cat DiStasio, a freelance content marketing writer who focuses on human resources technology, shares five key questions to consider asking every potential writing client who comes your way. 

Finding the right clients isn’t easy and there are a lot of challenges along the way. The first step is to ensure you steer clear of those who aren’t a good fit for your work style, goals, and capabilities. At the same time, you want to quickly gather enough information to determine whether you should invest more time in the relationship. 

The best way to do that, often, is simply to ask. When and how you ask these questions may vary depending on your preferences. Some writers want to gather this info via email before they consider scheduling a phone call or Zoom meeting. Some might save them for that conversation. Others might split the difference, asking the most important question(s) in an email and diving deeper into the details with the potential client in real time. Whatever approach you decide, you can tailor it to your needs and comfort, and you can change it up anytime you like. 

Top 5 questions to ask potential writing clients. 

1. What types of deliverables do you need? Some writers focus exclusively on blog articles; others on case studies and whitepapers. Understanding the client’s content needs helps you determine whether you’re a good match.
2. What volume of work do they expect? Some brand content managers spread their content needs across large teams of writers, while others prefer to build a ‘staff’ of just a few writers. Ask how many deliverables they hope you can produce each month, and decide whether that aligns with your availability and interest.
3. How much information do they provide with an assignment? Brands might supply you with a detailed brief that includes an outline, data points, and interview sources. Or they may simply assign a topic with a short summary of the idea. Knowing how much information you’ll start with helps you determine the amount of work (i.e. time) required for each assignment. 
4. Will you have to find your own interview sources? When your client connects you with a source, you save a lot of time and energy. If you have to research, identify and approach your own sources, you’ll want to factor in the additional effort. 
5. Are you in the same ballpark in terms of rates? Many writers like to ask the rate question first and understandably so. Agreeing (or disagreeing) on rates can be the ultimate deciding factor even when everything else has a big green checkmark. I prefer to get as much information as possible on Questions 1-4 so I have a good understanding of the scope before we talk rates. Of course, I have my minimum rates in mind, but there can be a broad range depending on all those other factors—and having that information before rates come up often makes it easier for me to negotiate the best rate. 

Asking these questions won’t automatically guarantee that every client you bring onboard will be perfect for you, but they can help you reveal the red flags you want to avoid before you agree to an assignment. Likewise, gathering this info also helps you more easily identify a prospect who could potentially become a favorite anchor client down the road, and that gives you more confidence to invest a little extra time and TLC up front to foster a great relationship. 

What other questions do you always ask your potential writing clients?