Copy Chief Freelance Copywriter’s PRO CODE
Copywriting skills will land you gigs, but showing up like a PRO guarantees your growth.
Following the PRO CODE makes your clients love working with you and happy to refer you to others.
Three adjectives you want attached to you as a service provider…
Punctual
Responsible
Organized
Four verbs to live by on each project…
Communicate
Obligate
Deliver
Energize
Let’s break ‘em down.
Punctual. Means being where you’d be when you said you’d be there. Don’t miss meetings or deadlines. If something absolutely forces you to reschedule, communicate this early and be proactive about new dates. If you’re ever late, apologize. Being punctual is more than a courtesy, it’s a character trait. It shows that you are respectful of others and you expect the same in return.
Responsible. Means you see the big picture and take a proactive approach to delivering great work. Show your project partners they can count on you to remember details and come through on promises. Being a reliable person inspires trust from your colleagues and opens the door to strong collaboration. This is at the heart of what makes someone “great to work with.” People may not pick up on every little thing you do, but they will be certain that they love having you involved because you are a responsible person.
Organized. Means you present yourself and your ideas in a way that is easy to understand. Messages and material from you arrive organized in a user-friendly format. No fragments of rushed out, half-baked thoughts that serve only to disrupt. Instead you deliver clear and considerate messages that allow people to quickly and easily understand your thoughts and respond just as easily.
Communicate. Means being a proactive communicator. If a client has to ask “how things are going” then you’ve failed in communicating expectations and progress. It is always better to over-communicate than under-communicate. This is true before, during, and after projects. Before: follow up with leads twice more than you’re comfortable with. During: send updates even when workflow has been established. After: check-in and ask about results of the project to keep the relationship strong. Most importantly, when necessary, be willing to have difficult conversations. No matter how uncomfortable delivering “bad news” can be, the courage and character you show to initiate the discussion will ultimately outweigh the immediate consequence of the matter.
Obligate. Means making clear to project partners the things you need delivered – and when – in order to do your best work. Too often freelancers hesitate to express the client’s obligations to the project out of fear of being a nuisance, when in fact quality clients expect you to be clear and proactive about your needs.
Deliver. Means the material you promised arrives complete, organized, and on time. Send notes and instructions to show that you are as enthusiastic about the project upon completion as you were in closing the deal.
Energize. Means bringing energy and enthusiasm to every project. Establish this standard early in your career. It will serve as a trusty signal for which type of projects and clients energize you and your work, making it feel effortless to deliver your best.
Copy Chief Freelance Copywriter’s PRO CODE
Copywriting skills will land you gigs, but showing up like a PRO guarantees your growth.
Following the PRO CODE makes your clients love working with you and happy to refer you to others.
Three adjectives you want attached to you as a service provider…
Punctual
Responsible
Organized
Four verbs to live by on each project…
Communicate
Obligate
Deliver
Energize
Let’s break ‘em down.
Punctual. Means being where you’d be when you said you’d be there. Don’t miss meetings or deadlines. If something absolutely forces you to reschedule, communicate this early and be proactive about new dates. If you’re ever late, apologize. Being punctual is more than a courtesy, it’s a character trait. It shows that you are respectful of others and you expect the same in return.
Responsible. Means you see the big picture and take a proactive approach to delivering great work. Show your project partners they can count on you to remember details and come through on promises. Being a reliable person inspires trust from your colleagues and opens the door to strong collaboration. This is at the heart of what makes someone “great to work with.” People may not pick up on every little thing you do, but they will be certain that they love having you involved because you are a responsible person.
Organized. Means you present yourself and your ideas in a way that is easy to understand. Messages and material from you arrive organized in a user-friendly format. No fragments of rushed out, half-baked thoughts that serve only to disrupt. Instead you deliver clear and considerate messages that allow people to quickly and easily understand your thoughts and respond just as easily.
Communicate. Means being a proactive communicator. If a client has to ask “how things are going” then you’ve failed in communicating expectations and progress. It is always better to over-communicate than under-communicate. This is true before, during, and after projects. Before: follow up with leads twice more than you’re comfortable with. During: send updates even when workflow has been established. After: check-in and ask about results of the project to keep the relationship strong. Most importantly, when necessary, be willing to have difficult conversations. No matter how uncomfortable delivering “bad news” can be, the courage and character you show to initiate the discussion will ultimately outweigh the immediate consequence of the matter.
Obligate. Means making clear to project partners the things you need delivered – and when – in order to do your best work. Too often freelancers hesitate to express the client’s obligations to the project out of fear of being a nuisance, when in fact quality clients expect you to be clear and proactive about your needs.
Deliver. Means the material you promised arrives complete, organized, and on time. Send notes and instructions to show that you are as enthusiastic about the project upon completion as you were in closing the deal.
Energize. Means bringing energy and enthusiasm to every project. Establish this standard early in your career. It will serve as a trusty signal for which type of projects and clients energize you and your work, making it feel effortless to deliver your best.
