Comments on: Writing to sell (your writing)

By: Mel Fenson

Mel Fenson — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 06:11:42 +0000

I came up against this recently and have ended up meeting the client in the middle (such a fence sitter!) The copywriting stickler on my right shoulder was saying ‘no no no, this word is overused, lacks true meaning and is superfluous!’ The strokey client lover on my left shoulder whispered ‘give ’em what they want, it still sounds better than a lot of the fluff out there…’ I amalgamated the two personas and hopefully didn’t create a monster.

By: Angela McCann

Angela McCann — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 16:17:20 +0000

I’ve recently had this problem with one of my new clients. The person whom I’ve been asked to work with seems to think they’re also a copywriter. So frustrating! They have ideas that simply go against grammar, editing, and copywriting ‘rules’. Maybe I’m too much of a ‘follow the rules’ type, but if a client is paying for a top quality piece, that’s exactly what they’ll get – not second rate copy. Try telling them why they can’t use exclamation marks after each word; try telling them why they can’t use capital letters in a sentence. They simply don’t listen and still want to do their own thing. Why employ a freelance copywriter if you can do it yourself? Needless to say, I’ve hardly got any hair left 😉

By: Graham Soutar

Graham Soutar — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:14:49 +0000

Great post and have thought about this all day.
To be successful in selling, whether it’s products, ideas or yourself, you have to have a great relationship with your client. Both parties should be aware that neither has full control over the project and flexibility is the key. You have to ask the right questions and lots of them to really understand their needs & wants and then deliver.

By: Tom Albrighton

Tom Albrighton — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:59:15 +0000

In reply to Jackie Barrie. Yes person?

By: Jackie Barrie

Jackie Barrie — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:47:50 +0000

…or yes woman.

By: Alastaire Allday

Alastaire Allday — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:47:29 +0000

Good post. I find myself asking these questions a lot, too. My usual attitude is argue with the client up to a point, as most clients like to feel they’re getting an expert — but back down when the client shows clear inflexibility. Some clients are inflexible from the word go, others can be inflexible just to prove they’re the boss, you even get the occasonal client who gets angry if you ask for their opinion — as they are paying you to make the decisions!

Guess my point is it’s all about knowing the client — sometimes they want an expert, sometimes they want a yes man.