Freelance Writer: Portland and Non-Local Clients

As a freelance writer, I’m often asked if the majority of my clients are in the Portland area or in far-off locales (like Salem, haha, just kidding).  The immediacy of Portland clients is attractive, but I’ve had clients as far away as Panama.

The benefits of working with local freelance writing clients is that we can meet in person over coffee (I kick it old school and take notes with pen and paper).  They can also see me in person (and vice versa) and get an idea of how I work.  For instance, I met with two clients yesterday and took notes in their office.

The Internet and wireless technologies, though, makes non-local client relationships easy and efficient.   I often communicate with clients via e-mail or the phone.  I am working with an Illinois-based client and our communication has been entirely oriented to e-mail and the phone.

Technologies like Skype and GoToMeeting, instant messaging programs, and even Twitter make communicating with clients simple and instant.

In a few years, I think we’ll see a “great equalization” as the virtual meets the real.  We’ll likely talk on 3D interfaces projected in the air or meet in environments similar to the Holodeck on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

No matter how we communicate, I always make sure I’m on the same wavelength as my clients, so they receive a final product that they’re not only happy with, but proud to own.