As a freelance copywriter, you should always be reevaluating your business, adjusting your career plans, and setting new goals.
Part of running a successful freelance business is establishing a client base. That includes not only new prospects but previous clients. Reconnecting with clients who have previously hired you shows how much you value working with them and keeps you top of mind.
It’s always a good time to reach out to past copywriting clients. To that end, keep a contemporaneous running list of all your clients. Even better, keep a spreadsheet that marks when you last checked in.
While it’s important to find and land new clients (and you’ll do plenty of that throughout the year), it’s even easier to get more work from previous clients.
We’ve given you tips for how to reach out to and re-pitch past copywriting clients (check those out here and here), but sometimes even just popping up on their radars again can be enough to spur an idea for a project.
If you have notecards you can send, great! But even emails will do. The important thing is that you take the time to send them.
Maybe this will lead to more work right away, maybe it’ll lead to more work down the line, or maybe it’ll just lead to good feelings in your professional network. No matter what, there’s no downside, right?
How to Get More Work from Past Copywriting Clients Year-Round
You land a client, you do the work, you do the revisions, you send the invoice…and you never talk to them again. Or you do—but only if they reach out to you later. Does this sound like you?
Don’t be that copywriter.
One-and-done is never a great strategy for a business, but it’s one that many copywriters adopt.
It’s both faster and easier to get more work from previous clients than it is to find new clients. So, it makes the most sense for your business to create a plan to generate more work from past copywriting clients.
The process for doing this is relatively simple: Six months to a year after you wrap up a project with a client, reach out to them again and offer to set up a strategy call. (Use the templates we’ve created below, adjusting the language based on when you’re sending it.)
On this call, you can talk to them about ideas for email campaigns/funnels, website additions, advertising, or any other marketing project to help drive their business forward. They get the benefit of talking ideas through with a professional, and you get the benefit of potentially generating new work.
Now, obviously, not every one of your past copywriting clients will want to set up a call, and not every call will lead to more work. But this is a great way to keep yourself on your previous clients’ radars and a great way to easily generate work.
Use your skills as a copywriter to personalize a message to your clients checking in on them and seeing if there is anything you can do to help their business.
To help you reach out to past copywriting clients, we’ve drafted two simple email templates that are very rough templates that you can use as starting points.
Email Template to Check In
Dear [insert client name],
Thank you again for trusting me to partner with you on [insert name of project(s)] [timeframe like “earlier this year”].
It was such a pleasure working with you and your team. I can’t wait to see what results we can achieve in the future.
Looking forward to connecting soon,
[insert your name]
Email Template for a Free Marketing Strategy Session
Dear [insert client name],
I hope you’re having a fantastic [“year”/season/etc.]!
I wanted to check in and see if you’d be interested in a review of your current marketing, including:
- Your marketing goals for the next quarter or year
- How you plan to achieve those goals
- Upcoming projects
This is a free marketing strategy session I offer to previous clients to help you discuss your marketing plans and possible pain points.
I’m happy to set up time to chat to assist you with your business goals. Are you available next [insert date] for a quick chat?
Talk soon,
[your name]
End-of-the-Year Check-in
Don’t forget that the end of the year is a perfect time to reach out to previous clients. It’s a great time of year to extend some genuine goodwill and gratitude.
Before your holiday planning gets too hectic, send a short, personalized note thanking prior clients for working with you and wishing them a great new year.
If you haven’t yet landed any clients, you can still send warm wishes to any new contacts you’ve made throughout the year. Everyone likes to be remembered, appreciated, and wished well.
Watch More
The end of the year is extremely busy for most people. So, if you fall into the I-can’t-wait-to-slow-down-and-breathe camp, then it may overwhelm you to think about sending previous clients and contacts a New Year’s note.
Here’s what you need to know if you can’t send a note or email before January 1.
Pro Tip: Get Referrals
There’s another element that can help “sell” you to potential clients and employers before they even meet you: copywriting testimonials! If you’re not already collecting testimonials (or referrals) from your clients, you need to start doing it even if you are hesitant.
Your Turn!
What’s your system for reaching out to past copywriting clients? Let us know in the contacts below!
Last Updated on December 16, 2024
You must have read my mind! I’m a new copywriter – 3 months in – and don’t have clients yet. But on Christmas Eve, I wanted to thank all the people who have supported and encouraged me on LinkedIn. It was a warm and fuzzy way to let them know I really appreciate them.
I’m thrilled that I got this post/email from you today because now I feel double good about doing it. I really admire you, Nicki, and maybe one day I can join your awesome training. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and I wish you even more success than you already have.
Hi Jen,
Good for you for sending those notes out! Any client would appreciate, well, being appreciated. 😀
Thanks so much for your kind words–and I look forward to working with you in the future!
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki