Old friends as new clients

Depends.

Are they old friends for reasons I wouldn't take them on as a copywriter? Such as...

I already know they (can't/aren't capable/willing to) run a business?

In other words...

Will they actually let me write the copy...

And then mail it (or send it)...

By email, carrier pigeon, or telegram... Whatever the new gizmo we use to send things is this month...

Will they actually send the copy to their customers and prospects...

So that the damn thing I wrote for them...

BRINGS IN MONEY?

That's one thought that will "spring up" into my mind. I won't have to do anything. It will just happen to cross my mind. Very simple process.

Here's another thought:


So I can get my well-deserved royalty?

Or will they get the piece and go:

"Oh. Nice. Wow. I really like what you did there. But oh, no..."

"Can't have that. Okay, what about this?"

"Or how about this? Or this?"

And sit there (and squat on it) for the rest of our natural born lives?

By the way...

This isn't targeted at any particular person who might read this.

I'll be frank: There's like ten of you.

Thanks!
Marc

PS. Also, here's another point:

Do they expect me to do the work...

FOR FREE?

Screw that.

It's called work for a reason.

So I got one answer:

"Catch ya later! Bye!"

There's another bus coming. In other words...

I'm done doing any copy for free. No upfront payment? Fine. Find someone else.

"Good luck! "

Same thing goes for contracts: There is one. Or sayonara.

Here's my rationale:

Copywriting is a business.

....whether you want to or not, you often do.

(your friends ask and it's tough to say "no")


Steve

It's alwayst better to do business with casual business friends who you have a friendly relationship with rather than close, personal friends (who you would consider as family) as this could lead to hurt feelings. That's especially true if they feel you didn't do the job they wanted or somehow didn't provide the service expected. Best not to mix business with personal relationships.

I have mixed experience working with friends, both in a client/freelancer arrangement and a partner arrangement. Sometimes it's great, other times it's not so great.

But then again, that sounds like my experience with the rest of my clients.

It really just depends on your relationship and the person's personality. If you're honest with yourself, you probably already know if it's a good idea or not.

Saying no is the hard part. If you don't want to work with them, you could always just say you're way too busy and don't think you can fit them in.

If there's mutual respect between you both, why not?

--- Ross

No, I wouldn't. Friends expect discounts. Friends expect more of your time. Friends expect you to hold their hand.

Take an old friend on as a new client? No freakin' way. Too many ways it could go sideways. Quite frankly, it's not worth ruining a good friendship to me.

But seeing that my first copywriting client was the guy who introduced me to my wife and then guilted me into helping him (the longer version is on my copywriting website), I'd say I was forced to make an one-time exception purely due to emotional blackmail and guilt.