Finding work as a freelance writer is an exciting opportunity to show off your skills and make money from home. The career path offers numerous perks that make it a rewarding experience, but it can come with criticism in the form of requested revisions from clients.
Learning the basics of what most revisions entail and how common they are can prepare you when you start your first writing jobs that allow you to work from home. It’s the first step toward improving your skills and providing content that clients will want more of. Continue reading to learn more about revisions and how to handle them today.
What are revisions in freelancing?
Revisions in freelancing involve making changes to the written piece to match a client’s expectations. The changes could relate to the piece’s tone, content, word choice, or direction.
The purpose of the revisions is to refine the overall message and ensure you are delivering the best final product possible. It’s best to anticipate a process with back-and-forth dialogue between yourself and the client to implement the suggested changes and seek further feedback from the client before moving forward.
It can be beneficial for freelance writers to set or specify the number of revisions they are willing to do on a given piece as part of the original price. Be upfront with clients about the potential for more fees with additional revision requests to ensure you’re paid for your time when writing from home.
Do professional writers need to revise their writing?
The short answer is yes. Professional writers must make revisions to their pieces before submitting the final form to the client. It’s considered an integral and entirely normal part of the writing process.
Professional writers with extensive experience understand that revisions improve the final product and help them grow as writers. It’s an effective way to develop your craft while building relationships with existing clients and enhancing their skills for future opportunities.
Many professional writers go through multiple drafts before producing a piece in its final form for a client, and that’s before grammar checks and feedback from the client to tailor the piece for their brand voice.
How to handle revisions
There are several things you can do to manage revisions when you start your journey into the world of freelance writing. Setting expectations is a logical start, but there are other tips you can implement, like using a feedback system and remaining professional throughout the process. Let’s look at effective ways to manage revisions when writing from home.
1. Set expectations
It’s always best to be on the same page with clients as a professional writer. Be clear about the timeline, scale, and budget of the writing project you’re taking on, and include information about the number of revisions you’ve built into the agreed-upon price.
You can also set expectations by laying out your preferred feedback method to handle revision requests for the client. Setting expectations can prevent misunderstandings and conflict, helping you grow as a writer while building your name in the industry.
2. Create and use a feedback system
Revisions can be challenging when you are unsure of the client’s direction. Creating and implementing an effective feedback system can help you overcome those hurdles.
You can collect and organize revision requests and make the changes quickly. You can find several software options that allow you to receive feedback in real time. This is an effective step toward increasing relationships with clients while reducing stress on your end.
3. Remain professional and flexible
Clients will likely make unexpected requests no matter how effective your feedback system is. It’s vital to remain professional and flexible with these requests while trying to understand their needs.
Ask questions and offer alternatives to the client to get a clearer picture of what they want. Doing so politely and positively avoids conflict and maintains strong bonds, which can help you secure future work and grow your skills.
4. Charge for your time
Your time as a freelancer is invaluable. Do not be afraid to charge extra for revisions beyond the scale of the agreed-upon work. Consider setting an hourly rate for revisions or a value-based fee to ensure you receive a fair wage for your skills and time.
Grow your writing skills today
Becoming a successful freelance writer starts with learning to set expectations and handle feedback professionally and politely. Spend time creating a feedback system to make effective changes that meet client expectations. When accepting future writing jobs, don’t be afraid to charge extra for revisions outside the project’s scope. Combining these actionable steps is an effective way to gain new clients and grow your career.