Three Exercises to Identify Ideal Clients You Can Nurture Into Long-Term Relationships

Abstract

Freelance medical writers and editors who have long-term relationships with their ideal clients enjoy many benefits. Among them are increased productivity and efficiency, financial stability, and peace of mind. When the expertise, services, availability, and interests of the freelancer match the needs and goals of a new client, the relationship often clicks and the project proceeds smoothly. In such cases, the characteristics of the freelancer and the client likely match in 4 categories: type and topic of project, required time frame, business agreements, and personal compatibility. Ideally, the expertise and interests of the freelancer should match the needs of the client, and the freelancer has sufficient availability to perform the services within the client’s requested time frame. The business agreements and fees are fair to both parties, and the freelancer and the client have good rapport. Marketing, including advertising and social media, is a common way to acquire clients that desire and need your services,2,3 but “a” client isn’t necessarily an “ideal” client. The trick is to find the clients that will be ideal for you. The following 3 exercises will help you build your business by identifying clients that may be ideal for you. For clarification, the term “suitable clients” refers to clients that match many of your preferred characteristics, whereas “preferred clients” match most of your preferred characteristics and avoid most of the negative attributes. “Ideal clients” match all your preferred characteristics and avoid all the negative attributes. Once you have begun working with them, you can nurture them into long-term relationships by using the suggestions outlined in our article “16 Tips for Nurturing Clients Into Long-Term Relationships.”