It’s tempting, as a copywriter. You want your new copywriting client to weigh in on the direction you’re taking. So you send them the document you’ve been working on to get their input.
It’s an amateur copywriter’s mistake. Here’s why:
You never want to show your client less than your best copywriting. You need to make sure you’ve understood the client’s needs and desires before writing, and then show them what you’ve created when you feel it’s as good as it can get. (That’s your real first draft!)
Yes, they will have changes. It may not be fun to have your copywriting edited, especially when you feel you’ve done your best. But they are the client, and of course new things come to mind when they read it, etc. It’s just a part of being a freelance copywriter. Expect – and look forward to – client input after a first, second and perhaps even a third draft.
All you accomplish when you send your client a “draft of what you’ve been working on” is to show them you really don’t know how to polish your work so it shines. They see half-arsed work though they are paying you for your best.
What do you think? Ever take the “draft” approach?
I often find that my “draft” is accepted and printed! I’m like, “ok, sweet!”
Those are the good days 🙂
Hi Erin,
Thanks for sharing! Yes, it can be surprising what a client might accept with no revisions at all. You could hit the bullseye on the first go. A good day indeed!
100% agree. But sometimes, there’s only so far you can take your copy. The writing process is 2-sided, and bouncing ideas around really helps the creative process. Your clients have their own expertise, opinions and preferences that can often alter and direct the copy in a beneficial way.
That’s why I’m always happy when I get an engaged, picky client. Because even if the process takes longer, the end copy will almost always be superior.
Tobie.
Great thoughts, Tobie!
Lisa, that’s excellent advice. Never show a client anything that’s less than final quality, even if you call it a ‘draft’.
Sometimes, I show a client work in progress so they can help me with detailed information such as product specifications. If I’m trying different approaches and want feedback, I call them ‘concepts’ or ‘versions’. None of these situations involve shortcuts on quality.
Good idea to qualify somehow what you’re sending, indicating it’s not intended to be the finished version.