My mom recently received a phone call from a woman who works for TV Guide and she was chewing gum while she tried to sell my mom something. She probably was a twenty-something without any business skills. This made me think about how many freelancer writers call their clients while the kids are screaming or running in and out of the home office. Perhaps you’re a multi-tasking freelance writer who believes doing five things at once is efficient. It’s not professional to call your clients while you’re doing something else or if you’re distracted. This is the fastest way to lose clients and present yourself in an unprofessional light.
Sometimes distractions happen when freelance writers work from home but do your best to make sure they don’t happen all of the time. If you’re a multi-tasker, you may want to rethink this. Sometimes multi-tasking can create more work for you. To avoid major mistakes, do one thing at a time.
Be professional when you contact clients. If you’re too distracted, finished what you’re doing and then pick up the phone or type an email. Don’t call clients with a mouth full of food. Finish your lunch or snack then contact your clients. It’s rude to chew food while you’re speaking to someone. Miss manners would even agree this is a no-no!
Freelance writers, working from home is fantastic as long as you’re focused and professional. You may write in your pajamas and fuzzy slippers but there’s no reason not to be professional. In fact, you may want to dress up or at least dress in business casual clothes to invoke a feeling of professionalism. Whatever you do, please don’t chew gum and call your clients at the same time.
Rebecca
Have you ever committed a communication faux pas? Share.
In the mid-nineties while working as a freelancer, I got hooked on the video game Doom. I literally played it until I got carpal tunnel in my right shuolder from clicking my mouse to fire the weapons.
Every morning, I would make all the calls I needed to make and then fire up Doom while waiting for call backs.
One morning I put in a call to a CEO of a very large firm in the direct marketing industry and fired up the game, which when started would launch with a roar.
Just as I launched the game, the phone rang.
I couldn’t stop the game from loading and had to answer the phone. I answered. It was the CEO I needed to interview and just as we exchenged helloes, Doom roared.
I was deeply embarrassed until I found out he was addicted to Doom, as well, and recognized the sound of the game. My faux pas ended up being an ice breaker.
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your comment! That’s good news that your faux pas worked to your advantage. You never know how a client will respond.