Copywriter: Work on retainer

Good Monday to you.

Here's an idea to help you keep paychecks coming in regularly: Work on retainer.

I'm not talking orthodontics.

If you have a client or two who regularly ask you to do work for them, this is an idea for you. Especially if they need your work quickly, but your calendar starts filling up to the point that you can't do a 2-week turnaround.

Ask if your client will "retain" you for work worth a certain number of dollars every month. That way they can come to you for work on the fly, and you've already alloted (and gotten paid for) a certain number of hours every month.

Don't forget about your royalties when you strike a retainer deal -- make sure you'll still get them.

And, to make this more appealing to your clients, you might offer a 10% or 15% discount on your rates just for having regular work every month. Money in the bag, so to speak.

You might also want to build in a deadline a few days toward the end of the month so that if they don't have a project for you next month, they won't have to pay you (so long as they give you sufficient notice). That way they won't feel hemmed in, and you can add a more lucrative project from time to time.

I'm using this strategy myself to make sure I never have "downtime" without a paying project.

I hope today has been an excellent start for the rest of your week, and I'll see you tomorrow.