5 Lessons Learned from Years of Writing for a Variety of Clients (Michelle's Story)

A Human Resources (HR) think piece, tech blog, and finance white paper.

It’s all in a day’s work for a Comma writer.

Writing for a variety of clients is one of the highlights of my career and one of the main reasons I chose to be a contract writer. Every day brings something new to learn and a new way to express myself. But the path to balancing multiple clients required some trial and error.

Here are five lessons I’ve learned in my decade of writing for a variety of clients:

1. You’ve Got to Talk the Talk

Each industry and client has its own language and jargon. One of my biggest shocks came early in my writing career when I thought I could easily cross over from writing about a university finance program to writing earnings reports for an investment firm. There were some similarities, but I quickly found myself swimming in a confusing jumble of acronyms. It took a lot of Googling and asking questions for me to slowly understand the terms and integrate them naturally into my writing. 

This experience showed me that you have to talk the talk. Even a great writer can’t create compelling content that resonates with the right audience if they don’t understand the language and use it properly. There’s a learning curve that comes from adding new clients, but diving deep into an industry and being able to speak the language pays off in the form of credible writing.  

2. Client Relationships Set the Foundation for Success

My best client experiences come when the client and I understand each other and have a good working relationship. It helps me feel valued as a writer and understand the company’s goals, voice, and target audience. And I like to think the flip side is also true — by putting a face to the writer and learning about my experiences and strengths, the client can feel confident in my writing process. Building relationships makes it easier and more comfortable to ask questions and make edits, which ultimately creates a better outcome for clients and me.

One of my favorite parts of writing for Comma is the face-to-face kickoff meetings with clients. Seeing each other virtually sets the tone for the project and adds a human element to the experience. There’s something about explaining what you’re all about and asking questions face-to-face instead of via email that takes the relationship to the next level.

I’ve also learned the importance of setting clear expectations from the beginning. Taking time to ask questions, clarify timelines, and understand the content goals pays off in the long run instead of having to potentially backtrack and make major edits down the line.

3. Each Project and Client is Unique 

One of the biggest benefits of writing for a variety of clients is that the work never gets stale. By continually mixing up my projects and workload, I can avoid burnout and come to each project with fresh ideas. Even though most of my clients fall into the B2B space, each has a different voice and focus.

I learned early in my writing career that each client and project is unique and deserves its own research, style, and voice. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't lead to compelling content. My job is to seamlessly blend my writing with the client's voice, which means I could go from a serious piece for financial professionals to a lighter, more conversational article about leadership. What works for one client may get vetoed by another client. I've learned to be adaptable and open to feedback and edits to adjust my voice to match my clients' diverse needs.

Treating each client with individual attention means I have to be agile. Reading and editing other writers' work opens me up to new ways to approach a project, as does mixing up my workload on any given day. 

4. There are Only So Many Hours in the Workday

Although I’m writing for multiple clients, I want every client to feel like they’re my only client. That gets tricky when deadlines overlap and the load gets heavy.

Over the years, I’ve tried nearly every organization and time management system. I’ve learned what works for my time, energy levels, and attention span, not to mention my busy life and three active kids.

No one routine works for every writer, but here's what I've found works for me: getting in the zone with each client and putting myself in their shoes. That means sitting down with one piece from outline to the first draft without switching. If I move between client projects during the writing phase, I lose focus and often have a jumbled voice. Once the initial draft is complete, I take a break and move on to a different project before returning to make edits, re-read, and adjust as necessary. This approach feels like the best of both worlds: I get to focus on one client at a time and come back to each article with fresh eyes before completing the draft.

5. Lean into Being Human

As much as I sometimes like to think of myself as a no-nonsense writing machine, the truth is that I'm human. Ultimately, great writing leans into being human and builds a connection with readers, regardless of the client. 

Some days, I power through my to-do list and check off client tasks with vigor. On other days, my energy is better spent refining drafts or researching new articles. I've learned to allow myself ups and downs in my energy levels and productivity. Taking a slower day to finetune other projects and research articles allows me to double down on writing on other days. Great writing happens when I focus less on the task list and more on those human connections and messages. 

Writing for a variety of clients has made me a better writer. By constantly learning and expanding my skills and knowledge to new areas, I stay in top form to write great content and deliver content that matters to my clients — no matter their industry.

Written by Michelle Kaiser as part of the Comma culture series. Want to join our team? Check out our hiring page.

Michelle Kaiser is a Denver-based writer and editor, list maker, and endorphin enthusiast. She and her husband have three kids and are on the hunt for the best trails and tacos in Colorado. Find her on LinkedIn.