Writing for a client requires that you understand his/ her requirements, and use your writing prowess to produce stellar work. I share additional tips on the best writing strategy here…

Is Writing for a Client Different From Other Writing?

Yes. Writing for a client may be different from your ‘casual’ writing on other platforms for different reasons.

Why Shouldn’t I Use One Writing Formula When Writing for a Client?

• Each client has his/ her requirements. Whereas you may have been taught THAT ONE Writing Formula that fits all writing, it is paramount that you listen to your client and execute his/ her instructions for the best writing EVER!
• Time Element: Different clients have different deadlines for the work they give you. Whatever you do, keep communication channels open, and deliver the work on or before the deadline.
• Work Volume:

How Does a Masterpiece Writing Look Like?

• Organized: Your article/ post must be organized. Consider having subtitles, and splitting your content into paragraphs. If your client requests for photos, get royalty-free images (or photos that you have the right of use) and insert them in your content accordingly.

• Comprehensible: Your work MUST be comprehensible. Allow me to use the term ‘must flow’. The client, and the intended reader,  should find it easy to transition from one sentence/ paragraph to the next. Nothing puts off a reader than a disorganized, and hard-to-follow story no matter how short it is.

• Grammatically Flawless: Your work must be grammatically flawless. Do not  submit substandard work to your client, EVER!  An extra read of your work will let you see what needs editing.

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• Well-Researched/ Original: Your work must be Original. If your client wanted something copy-pasted, s/he would have gotten one of those spinning Software or copy-pasted the work instead of going through the trouble of finding a writer and paying a good amount for original work.

Read the writing tip ‘The art of Desktop Research‘ in my writing tips sections (below) to see how you can process researched information and compile it in palatable, non-plagiarized way.

• Additional Requirements: Some clients request references at the bottom of the post or in-text.

I have shown you how to hyperlink text on multiple platforms; hyperlink on Web-based platforms, hyperlink on PowerPoint, and Hyperlink on MS Word). Make use of these resources to boost your referencing power. Make sure you  get nothing but the best references. Find trustworthy/ authority sites in the specific niches.

• SEO: Some clients specify the keyword(s) for their content. Try to get the keyword(s) to a reasonable keyword density (between 1% and 2% is okay unless the client specifies the keyword density for his/ her content). Do NOT stuff the keyword(s).

It is a good idea to have the keyword in the Title, first paragraph, one or more subtitles, and definitely in the last paragraph. If you have a personal blog, install Yoast SEO Plugin to help you learn about SEO and what you need to look out for or edit.

There is more to SEO thank just keywords. Read widely starting with this post.

Efficiency Tips for Writing for a Client

This is what I have learnt in my long writing career.

The Art of Compiling

I have written (still writes) short posts (below 300 words) and long posts (2500 words and above).

I know how to compress information without losing meaning, and I know how to find relevant materials to long posts that are information-rich.

The Art of Desktop Research

I am a walking Google (search engine) 🙂

Years of desktop research, on multiple topics, have left me a wealth of knowledge on the diverse niches.

I can write about Real Estate Management as easily I can write about Medical Conditions, their diagnosis and their treatment.

I can (and do) write on other topics including how to conduct desktop research, process information, and compile stellar drafts that wow clients.

My experience in research have also taught me the swiftest, yet most productive research techniques, authority sites for different niches, information consumption, and stellar compilation.

My dear writer, you can only learn this from experience. Try a few projects and by the nth number, you will adopt tricks that work best for you.

Back Writing For a Client

In one of my blog posts, The Best Pitching Technique: Know Them, I went in-depth into how you can only produce a masterpiece pitch/ application, in this case, writing, only if you understand your client and his/ her requirements.

It does not matter how good a writer you are.

If you cannot be bothered to understand the specific client’s instructions, then you can’t deliver the best product for him/ her.

I have multiple blogs and I also contribute on other platforms; I can tell you from experience that different audiences consume information differently.

What to Look Out for in Client’s Instructions:

• Tone
• Audience
• Keyword
• Keyword Density
• Article Length
• Reference materials: Biography or hyperlinks
• Media: Images, videos, GIFs, etc.
• NB: Always seek clarification from the client if you are unsure of something.

In addition to the above list items, if a client has shared a website/ blog, you need to have a look at it to get a ‘feel’ of his/ her content ideas/ display. You can then customize your research, the clients instructions, and the knowledge of his/ her previous works to produce a masterpiece.

Stellar Writers = Happy Clients

Writing for a client can be one of the most satisfying things for both the writer and the client.

Take pride in your work. Nothing warms my heart than a client who is pleased with my work.

Happy clients may refer other clients to you or come back with more work.