First Private Request - any advice?

[PeggyTee]

Hi all

A client has said she is interested in sending me a private request to write a series of 12 articles. How does private request work? Do we agree on a price upfront? Can clients view and decide not to buy the articles after I've started work on them and Ed's reviewed them? Any tips, advice or ideas are most welcome!

Thanks!

Peggy

[HayleyWriter]

Hi Peggy,

Congratulations! It is terrific to get a private request. Although there are no guarantees, usually the customer does purchase the articles on a private request. I have negotiated a price up front with a customer for a private request, although he did give me a price range to start with. I would send a reply back to the customer thanking them for the opportunity and that you look forward to receiving the request. Once the private request is lodged on the site, you can use the Question and Answer section to negotiate the price if it is not already stated in the request. You may also need to negotiate on the deadline, or ask questions about the articles required if anything is not clear. You will see the private request above the public requests when you click on the request button from your account. You also submit the articles to the specific request, so only the requesting customer can view the articles for three days once the article is approved.

Just go for it! A private request is great. It translates into direct sales, and you have the opportunity to build a relationship with the customer and get some ongoing work too. I would definitely respond in the positive to the customer's query.

Best of luck,

Hayley

[PeggyTee]

Thanks for the reply, Hayley. It's good to know that we can negotiate on price directly with the customer through the Q&A, I wasn't sure if I could come back to her with a price offer if she rejected my first one.

I will definitely go for it! I have replied to her, so will wait and see what details she gives me in the private request.

Thanks again!

Peggy