As a copywriter, you know how important it is to be respected by your clients. And you should be extending that the same respect to the professionals you hire.
From contractors to freelancers to employees, treating other professionals with respect will help build strong relationships and create a positive working environment.
In this post, we’ll explore why it’s essential to treat the professionals you hire with the same courtesy you’d expect from your clients.
Why It’s Important to Be an Ideal Client
As copywriters, we apply the golden rule to our client relationships. We take care of our clients and treat them respectfully because we value the relationship and want it to continue.
We set boundaries and expect clients to respect them. We charge professional rates because we know the value of the service we provide. We use contracts to protect our clients and ourselves and expect both sides to honor the contract.
But how do we show up when we’re the client? Do we extend the same professional respect to the service providers we hire to help us?
It’s important to be an ideal client when you hire other professionals to help you with your business. Showing respect for their services creates a positive working relationship. It ensures you get the best results from their work.
But more importantly, it’s the right thing to do. Treat others the way you want to be treated. If you want professional courtesy from your copywriting clients, you need to show professional courtesy in all aspects of your business.
Tips for Being an Ideal Client
You’ll recognize these expectations because they’re the same ones you should be expecting from your own clients. And if you’re not setting these expectations with your clients, you should start now. They’ll respect you more when you do so.
Pay Professional Rates
It is crucial to pay professional rates to the service providers we hire. We expect to charge professional rates for our copywriting services because we provide a high-value service. It’s only fitting that we are willing to pay professional rates in return when we hire people to help us in our business. They’re also providing a valuable service.
Honor the Contract You Signed
Honoring the contract you sign when hiring other professionals for your business is essential.
Contracts ensure everyone gets what they agreed upon, which helps protect both parties in case of disputes or misunderstandings. If you want to make a change, there’s no harm in asking, but don’t take advantage. For example, if their contract states they don’t take calls on weekends, respect that boundary.
Maintain Confidentiality
Maintaining confidentiality is integral to any professional relationship, even if you haven’t signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
When you hire other professionals to help with your business, you may gain proprietary information about their business or processes even though you’re the client in the relationship. Keep the information you learn confidential. It’s not only a matter of courtesy and respect, but also a way to protect yourself and your business.
Respect Their Time
Respecting other people’s time in any professional relationship is one of the easiest ways to honor their boundaries and yours.
Be on time for meetings. Avoid checking your phone or responding to texts; offer them your full attention.
If you need something done quickly, communicate that clearly. But understand some projects may warrant a rush fee.
Respond promptly to emails or messages and pay invoices on time.
Don’t Gossip
Gossip can be detrimental to professional relationships. It creates a negative atmosphere and causes mistrust between everyone involved.
Maintain a positive attitude and refrain from talking negatively about mutual acquaintances or other professionals in the community. You never know who your service provider may work with in the future and what they may repeat. It’s best to keep discussions positive.
When There Are Disagreements, Keep It Professional
When disagreements arise with a professional you have hired to work for you, handling the situation with respect and courtesy is important.
If there is a problem, take it directly to them and give them an opportunity to fix it. Avoid pointing fingers or assigning blame and keep things constructive. Don’t air your grievances publicly on social media, as it never reflects well on you.
Keep Them Informed
If your professional needs something from you and it will take time to gather the materials they’ve requested, let them know and give them an expected delivery time.
Let’s say you hired someone to run your social media platforms. She’s waiting for you to send her some behind-the-scenes videos that she’ll repurpose into reels for Instagram. Let her know when you expect to have the video footage ready for her.
And then make sure you follow through. She can’t do her job without your cooperation.
Be Clear about What You Need and Want
Clear communication is essential to a successful project. It helps build trust and ensures everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.
Take the time to explain what you need and what you’d like to see from them in return. This allows the other professional to provide the best service possible, so you get the results you’re looking for. It also helps avoid misunderstandings, and it saves time for everyone involved in the project.
Show Gratitude
Expressing gratitude shows respect for someone else’s hard work.
Simply acknowledging their efforts and thanking them for their hard work can go a long way toward making them feel valued and appreciated. In addition, showing gratitude builds trust between you and the person you’ve hired, which is essential for successful collaborations.
Offer a Testimonial
A testimonial can be an invaluable asset for any freelancer or service provider. It helps them stand out from the competition and gain credibility with potential clients.
Writing a testimonial for someone who did a good job is an excellent way to show appreciation for their work.
Don’t wait for them to ask if you’d be willing to write one — offer to do it. It’s an easy way to show support for someone who has done a great job.
Be a Referral Source
Referrals are a big deal, and it’s how many service providers find new clients. If you’re happy with the work your service provider did, refer them to others when you have the opportunity.
Final Thoughts on Being an Ideal Client
Treating people as you would want them to treat you is important. If you want your copywriting clients to treat you well and be professional, you should extend the same courtesy to the professionals you hire.
Be the kind of client you want to work with.
