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Article writers (and those that work with them)

by mjsing3r
5 replies
Hi, there.

I'm a freelance ghost writer that, to this point, has operated exclusively through the internet. Every business owner I've worked with has not only been okay with communicating via e-mail and Skype, but every single one of them prefers it. I've been doing this for over a year now and I have yet to work with a client that wanted me to meet up with them in person. That is, until now...

Now, I wouldn't have any problem with a face-to-face meeting -- it's actually kinda exciting and I'll probably go through with it -- but this particular client lives 90 minutes away. That's 3 hours of driving time plus however long it takes to discuss the writing project. It's basically going to eat up my entire day. Plus, I stand to make next to nothing on the project after you factor in gas and the lost day of work. The only reason I'm considering it is because there's a chance it might lead to more work (or referrals) down the road.

To me, in-person meetings seem like a waste of time and money for everyone involved. There are obviously exceptions to this, but when we're talking about simple blog posts and articles I just don't see the advantage of meeting in person as opposed to discussing the matter on the phone, Skype, or through e-mail. We all have jobs to do. There's no reason to waste precious time that we could be using to do our work. That's my opinion, anyway. Maybe I just need to see it from a different perspective.

Anyway, my question is this: if you're an article writer, have you ever done a face-to-face meeting with a client? Do you do them on a regular basis? Or, if you're someone that hires article writers, how do you prefer to communicate with them?

If you have any thoughts on the matter, I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks for reading!

-Mike
#article #hire #work #writers
  • Profile picture of the author Micah Medina
    Now, I wouldn't have any problem with a face-to-face meeting -- it's actually kinda exciting and I'll probably go through with it -- but this particular client lives 90 minutes away. That's 3 hours of driving time plus however long it takes to discuss the writing project. It's basically going to eat up my entire day. Plus, I stand to make next to nothing on the project after you factor in gas and the lost day of work. The only reason I'm considering it is because there's a chance it might lead to more work (or referrals) down the road.
    You seriously need a forum thread to convince you to tell this dude no?

    Also "the potential for more work down the road!" is like the battlecry of the piss-broke freelancer. You can almost hear Ride of the Valkyries in the background...

    EDIT: The nice guy answer is "I'm very busy and the time I take driving out to Mordor or whatever to look you in the eye and shake your hand like a 1950's cartoon is time that other clients are willing to pay me for content or consultation. If you want me to drive to you, then my rate becomes..."
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      This ^^^.

      What's Skype for? My personal prediction, here: it really won't be easy for anyone sensible to add much to the post above.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kecia
    I've been freelancing off and on since 2008, and I've never had a client ask me to meet them face-to-face. I've never even used Skype for business - I've only used email for communication.

    With that being said, you have to decide if the 180 minute round trip will be worth it to you and your business. It may lead to a long-term relationship with the client as well as word of mouth advertising in the area if he really likes the services you provide. On the other hand, the meeting may amount to nothing.

    I personally wouldn't make the journey, but it's really your call.
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  • Profile picture of the author DTGeorge
    Originally Posted by mjsing3r View Post

    Hi, there.

    I'm a freelance ghost writer that, to this point, has operated exclusively through the internet. Every business owner I've worked with has not only been okay with communicating via e-mail and Skype, but every single one of them prefers it. I've been doing this for over a year now and I have yet to work with a client that wanted me to meet up with them in person. That is, until now...

    Now, I wouldn't have any problem with a face-to-face meeting -- it's actually kinda exciting and I'll probably go through with it -- but this particular client lives 90 minutes away. That's 3 hours of driving time plus however long it takes to discuss the writing project. It's basically going to eat up my entire day. Plus, I stand to make next to nothing on the project after you factor in gas and the lost day of work. The only reason I'm considering it is because there's a chance it might lead to more work (or referrals) down the road.

    To me, in-person meetings seem like a waste of time and money for everyone involved. There are obviously exceptions to this, but when we're talking about simple blog posts and articles I just don't see the advantage of meeting in person as opposed to discussing the matter on the phone, Skype, or through e-mail. We all have jobs to do. There's no reason to waste precious time that we could be using to do our work. That's my opinion, anyway. Maybe I just need to see it from a different perspective.

    Anyway, my question is this: if you're an article writer, have you ever done a face-to-face meeting with a client? Do you do them on a regular basis? Or, if you're someone that hires article writers, how do you prefer to communicate with them?

    If you have any thoughts on the matter, I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks for reading!

    -Mike
    No.

    I've never done a face to face meeting - due mainly to the fact that I currently don't live in any of the primary markets my customers live in (US and UK)

    They've never mentioned it as an issue.

    If you stand to make nothing when you factor in your cost, then simply let the client know that at this present time you cannot afford to make it to the meeting. HOWEVER, if he/she were to pay for travel costs, then you would be able to accommodate them.

    That being said, if I were in your position, I'd simply let the client know that I can't make a face to face meeting, but I'd be happy to give them a Skype call. If they are unwilling to do so, then there are more fish in the sea of clients.
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  • Profile picture of the author DeborahDera
    I've had a couple of face-to-face meetings, but they were very local - coffee at Dunkin Donuts in the morning, etc. Nothing more than 5-10 minutes away for established long-term relationships or those referred to me by already established relationships.

    You answered your own question. You won't make money off the project. I'd ask the guy if he would mind meeting on the phone instead. Seriously. Explain that it's a 90-minute drive each way and you don't feel like you could really fit a 4-5 hour block of time into your day. Does he realize how far away you are?

    Originally Posted by mjsing3r View Post

    Hi, there.

    I'm a freelance ghost writer that, to this point, has operated exclusively through the internet. Every business owner I've worked with has not only been okay with communicating via e-mail and Skype, but every single one of them prefers it. I've been doing this for over a year now and I have yet to work with a client that wanted me to meet up with them in person. That is, until now...

    Now, I wouldn't have any problem with a face-to-face meeting -- it's actually kinda exciting and I'll probably go through with it -- but this particular client lives 90 minutes away. That's 3 hours of driving time plus however long it takes to discuss the writing project. It's basically going to eat up my entire day. Plus, I stand to make next to nothing on the project after you factor in gas and the lost day of work. The only reason I'm considering it is because there's a chance it might lead to more work (or referrals) down the road.

    To me, in-person meetings seem like a waste of time and money for everyone involved. There are obviously exceptions to this, but when we're talking about simple blog posts and articles I just don't see the advantage of meeting in person as opposed to discussing the matter on the phone, Skype, or through e-mail. We all have jobs to do. There's no reason to waste precious time that we could be using to do our work. That's my opinion, anyway. Maybe I just need to see it from a different perspective.

    Anyway, my question is this: if you're an article writer, have you ever done a face-to-face meeting with a client? Do you do them on a regular basis? Or, if you're someone that hires article writers, how do you prefer to communicate with them?

    If you have any thoughts on the matter, I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks for reading!

    -Mike
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