This is the most asked question on my initial calls with prospective clients. My process for working with agencies begins with a call where we discuss the needs of your agency, my process when working with agencies, and ideas for how we can work together. Whether I am writing for your agency website or your client’s website, here’s how the process works.
Let’s start with how I meet my clients.
- Networking. I met my first agency client through the local chamber of commerce. She was developing websites and dabbling in Google Business and social media. I worked with her team on website copywriting as well as blog writing projects.
- Client Referrals. I met one of my agencies through another client. We realized we had complementary skill sets and offerings. Since that time, he has moved to work with an SEO web developer and has taken me with him as a content writer. That’s the value of relationship building for your business.
- SEO on my website. My newest agency client found me via a Google search. He came across the Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Content Writer and called me. It was good to hear SEO efforts were effective for my business, not just for my clients!
Once we connect, we schedule an initial call.
Initial Call or Zoom
No matter how a prospective client connected with me, my process when working with agencies is the same. We have a call or zoom. I feel like people are exhausted of Zoom, but I feel like it’s a safe way to meet people and see their faces, especially if they are in a different state and in-person isn’t possible, but I digress…
On the initial call, I ask them about their business and why they contacted me. Their answers tell me three important pieces of information:
- How well they know their business
- How well they know their clients
- The type of project or ongoing work they have in mind.
I then tell them about my process, estimated costs for services, and gauge their interest.
Quite often I go with my gut. My goal has always been to collaborate with people that I like who understand their business and the value of content and have a budget for us to work together. I get a good sense of all of these on this call.
By the end of our conversation, I provide a quote for services verbally and in writing.
Once we’ve worked out the terms, which is typically not a lengthy process, I send an agreement. In fact, most of the time, they respond to the email with, “Let’s move ahead,” or similar.
Agreement When Working with Agencies
The agreement is literally the terms that we agreed to via email, a blurb about payment, signature lines, and dates for both parties. An agreement, or contract, doesn’t have to be complicated. My terms have been reviewed by an attorney who said they wished all agreements were as straight forward as mine.
The agreement may also include provisions for meetings. If an agency wants me on their team calls or client team calls, that would be an additional fee depending on the frequency and length of meetings.
Onboarding Call
Because agencies are busy and typically have a specific project or ongoing work for me, we will either onboard via emails or on a call. I let the agency take lead. If they’re ready to go, I work from their emails and be in contact weekly at the beginning. Then perhaps monthly when we get a good flow. If they want a call, I do a call. I want you, as my client, to feel comfortable working with me.
Ongoing: When Working with Agencies
From there, I get writing, send it to the client for review, edit as needed, and then either add blog posts to the website or hand them off to their team. In some cases, I am writing and posting blogs to client websites without oversight by the agency. While this isn’t my preference, I know there are eyes on the blog posts and if there are changes, the client contacts me and I update as quickly as I can.
There are times when I interview clients and/or their clients, as is the case with agencies. There is an additional fee for those blog posts because of the additional time of not only interviewing but for transcription.
I should note this is the process when I am working directly with clients.
Billing Agencies
Most of the time, I am invoicing the agency for the work I do for them and their clients. This cuts down on the number of invoices their client is receiving. It also gives the agency time to review my detailed invoice to be sure we’ve delivered what was promised.
That’s the straightforward process I use when working with agencies. We begin with a call to get to know each other.
