As a freelance writer, I’ve come to accept the reality that my clients don’t spend a lot of time thinking about me. I think about them all the time, but for them, I’m an afterthought.

I write my oh-too-common “just checking in” email to see if they have reviewed the last draft, are ready for the next step, want to start the first project…. Sometimes I hear nothing. Other times I get a quick, “Oh, Beth. Thanks for staying on top of me about this. You’re next on my list!”

The dirty truth about hiring a writer from the outside is that rarely can the writer produce something automatically without any input from the client. I need background information, sample copy, names of people to call. The client has to review the draft, offer suggestions, take time out to figure out what the company is looking for.

All of those tasks take time out of a busy person’s day, and truthfully it’s a pain in the rear. When I used to work with designers, I’d put off the first meeting until I had time to think about the project. I’d sigh sometimes when a draft came in, especially if it wasn’t on the mark and I had to spend a lot of time re-explaining what I wanted.

I’m fortunate that I’ve gotten to know my three biggest clients so well that I’m pretty autonomous. One of them can say, “Beth, can you pop off a press release about our new product?” and I’m on it in a flash, using fabricated quotes from the CEO, my own knowledge of the company and product, plus the company info boilerplate that follows each release. I even have the templates for the different types of documents I create for them: tip sheets, postcards, white papers… I simply need an assignment and I’m good to go.

But with smaller clients or new projects, I do a lot of sitting and waiting. I submitted the first draft of a new newsletter to someone on Monday. No word. I’m still waiting on the initial consultation for the work I’m doing with D.J. No word. I just haven’t made it to the top of their task lists, and when I get there, rest assured that the project will need to have been completed yesterday.

I’m ok with this. I’m comfortable when the next move belongs to the client. I send subtle little reminders here and there, and I wait patiently for the time when their project becomes critical. When they’re waiting on me, I feel like a lazy bum. But these days I feel pretty caught up, so I’m smiling.

[Note: I was smiling... now I'm a little grossed out. I just touched my ear to find a large dried clot of last night's Mint Julep Mud Mask from the bathtub. Right now I'm really glad I work alone at home.]