Don’t get me wrong–I believe in writing “smart,” and I’ve developed a few tricks so that express delivery can be executed with perfection, too. I’ll share those with you in a moment. But that’s one of the questions (more politely phrased) that I ask my clients during the discovery process. I think it’s an important one, because it sets the tone for the work they receive and the relationship we’ll be having.
Writing as a subcontractor, my client said she’s very picky about the content her client–a business–posts while building a web presence. But her client is not. The business just wants content, as much and as often as is reasonable. Counseling hasn’t had much effect, so “fast” it is.
Another client wants each article written in a different way, and will ask for a revision to get it. The reason for the revisions? What she considers specific instructions are basically headlines and a few points she wants to include. Getting more is seldom possible. But because she’s willing to work with me to build my first draft into the final draft she’s looking for (and the pay is good), “well” it is.
You may have noticed how I put “fast” and “well” in quotes. That’s because each client has a different idea of what they are. For one, “fast” may mean “while I wait,” and for another it may mean “whenever you get to it.” For one, “well” may mean “anything you write is better than anything I write” and for another it means “anything you write must bow to my inevitable demands.”
But the two aren’t mutually exclusive. A couple of ways I’ve learned to write fast and well at the same time are:
Creating an outline while on the phone with a prospect, so I can get right to work when I hang up (“Uh-huh,” mutters my inner procrastinator).
Sharing the outline I’ve created with the client so there are no surprises (especially for longer work).
Researching any current content available for that client, so I can make it similar but better.
Setting a deadline at least a few days past what I know I can manage–and then delivering it before then.
How else do you ensure content is done both fast and well? I’d love to feature your tips in my next post.
Photo credit: Dianne Wong, courtesy of Flickr, CC 2.0.
Wow am I glad you posted this. I find myself constantly underestimating the amount of time it takes to do anything language-related. And my clients cannot afford the trade off. Thanks for the great advice!
Michelle Baker recently posted..Are You Ready for Your Public?
Right, these are the tricks I pull out for those clients in particular!
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Wondering What’s Become Of Exclusivity? Join The Club
Really, really liked this. When I first read the headline, I thought, “why not both?” And then you went into the differences and the nuances. I saw confirmation of some things I do now, and picked up some ideas for what to do next. As usual, you are a fount of information. Thank you for sharing.
Charles B Reynolds recently posted..Jon Stewart tackles SOPA
Thanks for the kind words, and you’re welcome, Charles–so glad to be useful to you.
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Wondering What’s Become Of Exclusivity? Join The Club
I find myself focusing on going slowly and Well when I’m starting out with a new client. Then as we get to know each other and I get a better understanding of what they are or aren’t looking for, I’m able to deliver Fast and Well for them.
It’s a learning process, and it’s different with every client. Thanks for making me think about this!
Thank you for adding that point, Pat–every new client should start out on solid ground, and most of the time it’s paved slowly and well.
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Marketing Copy Turns “Sticks And Stones” On Its Ear
Most of all I liked your idea about setting a deadline at least a few days past the real day of finishing this work) I’ve thought that only I do it…) Sometimes it does help)
BuySellWordpress recently posted..Fashion WordPress Themes
Yes, it really does–and keeps you out of “tight spots, too. Thanks for the comment.
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Marketing Copy Turns “Sticks And Stones” On Its Ear
Great post, this is a question I can really relate to.
It was something I first saw come into play in my past life as a complaint handler for a major bank. When my complaints team was first set up, there were no time restrictions — dealing with a complaint to a customer’s satisfaction could take as long as it had to take. Before long, a “unit time” was introduced to manage team productivity — the target was 2 hours to fully review, investigate and reply to each complaint. Then that was cut to an hour. Then 30 minutes. When my manager suggested cutting it to 15 minutes, I threatened to quit. Many times throughout this process I asked the question, “Do you want these complaints to be handled quickly, or do you want them to be handled properly?”
It’s also something I’ve come across in my freelance writing career, in one form or another. I have one particular client I’ve done a few jobs for who almost always wants things done “urgently” (in one case, he wanted 5,000 words of original, SEO website content within 24 hours).
5,000 original…? Wow, I’d love to know how you handled that one, Steven.
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..The Attitude Cycle Of Your Sales Prospect Part 2: The Curious Reader
I meant to add, customer service really is a great case study for this kind of thing. I was a pharmacy technician at a chain store, and it really was a race against the timer for orders that were demanded to be done “while they wait.” This resulted in miscounts more often than not. I’m sure the prescription filling technology we used prevented much worse mistakes.
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..The Attitude Cycle Of Your Sales Prospect Part 2: The Curious Reader