I saw an ad looking for freelance writers in my travels today that listed the characteristics this particular client is looking for. It mentioned that they were looking for someone who could behave professionally and that “writing divas need not apply.”
I’m not sure at what point we started deciding that diva-ness was something that we should be celebrating. Maybe it was around the time that companies started marketing the princess concept to little girls and their parents. If the focus of hiring a freelance writer to do a job is the work, why would a client want to put up with someone who has a major attitude – no matter how talented they happen to be.
Yes, I know that you need some level of talent to work as a freelance writer. I also know that there are a number of other traits that clients prize as well, and none of them have to do with behaving like a spoiled brat if you are asked to make revisions or the client wants to change something about the scope of the project. Here are are few that come to mind:
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Flexibility
- Responsiveness
- Ability to follow instructions
- Eye for detail
- Reliability
- Respect
You may have noticed that bitching, moaning and throwing a hissy fit are not on the list. They don’t belong in your bag of tricks when you are a freelance writer. You are getting paid to do a job for your client to the best of your ability in a professional manner.
No matter how good you are, there is no excuse for bad behavior. It doesn’t make you look cool, and I don’t believe that throwing attitude around will make you more in demand. It may work for awhile, but sooner or later the client will move on to a person who will do the job they are getting paid for – without the drama. Writing divas need not apply. Right on.
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