Remember back in the day when internet marketers used to talk about how to create sticky websites? Sticky websites, for those new to internet marketing, are those sites where internet surfers come and hang out – eg, read numerous articles, participate in chat rooms, post comments, etc.

The rationale behind creating a sticky website is, the more time visitors spend on your site, the more likely they are to buy your product/service. Well the same goes for clients. This tutorial will discuss five ways to create sticky clients – ie, create loyalty and get them to spend more money with you.

5 Ways to Create Sticky Clients and Land More Freelance Writing Jobs

1. Service Offerings: The easiest way to create sticky clients is to fulfill their every need – become a one-stop shop, so to speak. To use an example, when I first started taking on clients as an SEO writer, I only offered SEO article writing.

But, as more and more clients requested blog writing, I added blog posting to my service offerings. Then, I added meta tag writing; then article submission services. This is based on what I call the WalMart principle.

You can buy everything from diapers to patio furniture at WalMart. Why, indeed, would you shop anyplace else? If clients can get all of their writing needs from you, they tend to “stick to you like glue,” even if you’re more expensive. This is because it cuts down on the hassle of finding Service Provider A for this need and Service Provider B for that need. 

2. Niche It: This is somewhat of the opposite of the WalMart principle. Offer one or two services – and market it better than anyone else. Become what’s known as the go-to guy/gal for X service.

3. Educate Clients: Many times, I find that I know more about online marketing than my clients. When you educate clients, you become the teacher – they trust you. This not only makes it easier to sell your writing services to them, it makes it more profitable too because you can charge more.

So, how do you educate clients? Putting informative content on your site, create a client ebook that details why/how you as a freelance writer can help them grow their business, use case studies, etc.

As an example, when I added article submission to my list of SEO writing services, I wrote up an article marketing tutorial explaining to clients why writing and submitting articles to article directories is so effective as an online marketing method. 

The very first client who signed up remarked that she had never heard of article marketing, but she read the tutorial, and found it very helpful. She went on to purchase the $595 package.

Clients buy what they understand. And, if you’re the one explaining it, you’re the expert in their eyes.

4. Testimonials: This is a very easy way to create sticky clients. Testimonials work for all the obvious reasons – they show your experience, they underscore that you’re trustworthy, etc.

Many of us as freelance writers get so busy completing projects that we forget to solicit testimonials from satisfied customers. I know I’m guilty of this. Just because they’re old hat doesn’t mean they’re not effective. Ask for – and post – client testimonials to your website. They are a powerful selling tool that cost nothing but time to get.

5. Value-Added Service: Just as you have to educate clients, you have to educate yourself as well. Stay on top of trends in your niche – and be sure to let clients know that you do so. How does this lead to sticky clients? I’ll explain by way of an example.

I was talking to a client recently about some web copy she’d hired me to rewrite. Her site happens to be about ethical consumerism, eg, buying and selling goods and services that benefit the environment and disadvantaged peoples worldwide.

I gave her a couple of marketing ideas based on the fact that “green consumerism” and “conscious consumerism” is very popular right now. This demonstrated to her that not only was I a proficient writer, but that I understand marketing concepts – which adds value to my writing because I keep these concepts in mind as I write copy.

While this is a subtle asset I bring to the table as a freelance writer, it is one that she is not likely to forget. So once she starts to delve further into online marketing, it’s likely that she’ll remember me as the writer who gave her some marketing food for thought.

Sticky Clients Mean More Freelance Writing Jobs

The whole idea behind creating sticky clients is to land more freelance writing jobs – jobs you don’t have to continually market for.

Whether you enact all of these ideas or just a couple of them, remember, client loyalty is your bread and butter as a freelance writer. The more you bring to the table as a freelance writer, the easier it will be for you to make more money doing what you love.

Freelance Success Stories: There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial's newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, "starving freelancer." Read a recent issue here and subscribe to read all previous issues.
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