Edward Stern is a guest blogger for Pounding the Pavement and a writer on electrician school for the Guide to Career Education.

As a freelance writer, making a great first impression on a client is just as important as being able to show off a portfolio of quality work. Clients want writers who can write immaculate copy, of course, but also want someone they can trust and work with. Plus, it is only human nature to give preference to people you like and get along with.

A first impression is everything, and will make or break your chances at landing a gig. For help with all things freelancing, make sure to check out these 50 Great Blogs for Freelancers. Here are 12 ways to make a great first impression on a client, whether it is in person, over the phone, or via e-mail.

Face-to-Face

  • Dress the part: Oftentimes, the first thing clients will notice about someone is how they are dressed. Take the time to look professional, no matter who you are dealing with. It’s absolutely better to be overdressed rather than underdressed, and clients will appreciate the effort and the fact that you are taking your meeting seriously.
  • Bring your work: Have a portfolio or a couple choice pieces ready to go and with you. Don’t bring originals, but have copies your client can keep, if so desired. Let your past work help your chances by having it professionally presentable and available.
  • Have a resume and a business card on hand: Make it easy for your potential client to contact you by bringing a resume with contact information and a business card. It will help you present yourself as professional by being prepared, and by having some consideration for the client.
  • Show good manners: Whether chatting over a meal, casual coffee, or at a client’s office, always demonstrate professionalism through good manners. Practice a firm handshake, sit with good posture, and eat with refined etiquette. These things may seem minor, but go a long way toward making a great first impression.

Over the Phone

  • Speak slowly and clearly: When talking over the telephone, it is easy to garble words. The last thing you want with a new or potential client is miscommunication, or a complete inability to understand what you’re saying. Make it easy on your client by making a concerted effort to speak slowly and clearly; they will surely appreciate it.
  • Allow your client to chime in with questions and concerns: Over the phone, it’s much too easy to dominate a conversation, particularly without any visual cues. Along with speaking slowly, add pauses to allow your client to ask any questions or address any concerns. Make it a conversation, not a lecture or pitch.
  • Talk at a quiet location: Your client won’t know if you’re wearing your PJs, but they will know if you’re talking to them at a bus stop. That’s rude and unprofessional. Set aside time for the call, just like they have, and pick a quiet area where your conversation will be undisturbed and all your focus can be directed to the call at hand.
  • Don’t let your phone die: If talking with a cell phone, make sure it is fully charged or plugged in. Don’t leave your client hanging if your phone dies. Better yet, talk over a land line and avoid other complications altogether.

Via E-mail

  • Always use proper grammar: Over e-mail, it’s become the norm for casual chats to use popular abbreviations and eschew correct spelling and grammar. Not so when talking to clients. You’re a writer — show you have an expert grasp on the English language, even over e-mail. You’ll look unprofessional and incapable otherwise.
  • Be concise: Clients don’t have the time to read essays, and will be deterred if they see one in their inbox. Say what you need to say with brevity.
  • Be informative: At the same time, cover all your bases: the who, what, why, when, how, and if applicable, where. Give the information the client will need. It’ll show you’re on the ball and have done this before.
  • Be prompt: Respond to all e-mails in a timely fashion, particularly when dealing with new clients.

Photo by Alvaro Canivell – CC