Navigating the world of freelance writing can be a challenge, especially when juggling multiple clients. We’ve gathered insights from a founder and a marketing manager, among others, to bring you four key strategies for managing client deadlines effectively. From under-promising and over-delivering to embracing the time-blocking technique, these tips are designed to help you stay on top of your writing game.
Under-Promise and Over-Deliver
Give yourself more time than you think you need. It’s always better to under-promise and over-deliver than to have to request extra time because something took longer than you thought it would. Things happen; the client doesn’t need to know you’ve run into dead ends or bottlenecks. All they care about is that you do the work and deliver as promised. When you give yourself extra time, you’re also giving yourself a way to boost your reputation by delivering early without sacrificing quality.
Alli Hill, Founder and Director, Fleurish Freelance
Plan and Prioritize Tasks
Starting out as a freelance content writer can be daunting, but having a firm plan will keep you on task and help alleviate some of the pressure.
Prioritization is key to this. Think ahead to what needs doing and by when. Check to make sure you’ve got all the information you need from your clients upfront. In my experience, it’s best to ask for everything well ahead of the deadline.
The worst thing you can do is wait until a week before to ask questions because if there’s a delay in getting the information to you, this will impact your ability to meet the deadlines.
Mel Healy, Head of Content, Marketing Labs
Use a Color-Coded Calendar
One tip for managing multiple client deadlines is to prioritize tasks using a color-coded calendar system. Assign each client a different color and schedule specific time blocks for each project. This visual approach not only helps in keeping track of deadlines but also allows for better focus and productivity. By having a clear and organized calendar, you can ensure that no task is overlooked and manage your workload more efficiently.
Aslam Rehan, Content Writer and Editor, Nursing Writing Services
Embrace Time-Blocking Technique
If I could offer one piece of advice to new freelance content writers juggling multiple deadlines, it would be to embrace time-blocking. This technique has been a game-changer for me, allowing me to stay organized, focused, and on top of my commitments.
Instead of simply creating a to-do list, time-blocking involves scheduling specific blocks of time in your calendar for each task or client project. For example, I might allocate Monday mornings for Client A’s blog posts, Tuesday afternoons for Client B’s social media content, and so on.
By assigning dedicated time slots to each project, you create a visual representation of your workload and avoid the overwhelm that can come with a seemingly endless list of tasks. Time-blocking also helps you prioritize your work, ensuring that urgent deadlines are met and projects are completed efficiently.
I’ve found that this approach not only keeps me on track but also improves my focus and productivity. When I know I have a specific block of time dedicated to a particular task, I’m less likely to get distracted or procrastinate. It’s a simple yet powerful technique that has transformed the way I manage my freelance workload.
Liga Rudzite, Marketing Manager, Lemon Pitch
