Tips for Managing Rewrite Requests

It can be a confidence-shaker when a client asks for a rewrite on a deliverable you’ve just sent off, but as a freelance writer, you will need to understand that rewrites do happen. Often, they aren’t exclusively the fault of the writer, but rather they occur because the details of a given project weren’t fully laid out before the writing started or because a client has decided to change the direction of their campaign. No matter the reason that your client wants a rewrite, you need to be prepared to handle their request efficiently. It also doesn’t hurt to take some preventive steps to keep rewrite requests down so that you don’t have tons of unexpected work when you have to balance other projects that have their own deadlines.

Anticipate rewrites when drafting client contracts.

It will be easier to handle a rewrite request when you have a clear process in place, and that will come from your client contracts. Before you start writing for any client, it’s important to sign a contract specifying your rates, how you will deliver content, how much content you will write, and how any rewrite requests will be handled. When addressing rewrite provisions in your contracts, be sure to include:

• A time frame in which clients may request a rewrite after content has been sent.
• Applicable rates for rewrites. Charges may be hourly, by word, or by article.
• A time frame in which you will return the rewritten content after the request has been made.

Turn around rewrites within 48 hours.

Deadlines are critical for freelance writers, because clients need content for specific events, such as site launches, marketing campaigns, and publishing dates. A rewrite request will come in after an initial deadline has passed, which means that the client will be eager to get the request fulfilled and have content in hand quickly. A 48-hour rewrite window is generally a good turnaround time, because it will allow some wiggle room for you to work around other projects, but it will still get the rewrite out urgently for your client. If you can, try to provide the rewrite even sooner, within 24 hours of the request.

Ask for as many project details as possible before you write.

Rewrites are frequently requested because a client will have a specific vision in mind for their content, but they will fail to share some essential details that the writer needs to put that vision together. In general, clients tend to assume that writers know everything, so they may be vague and general when asking for new content. It’s up to you to ask the right questions to craft the content the way the client wants it, sparing you from needing to rewrite it later. Good questions to ask may include:

• What is the ideal tone for this deliverable?
• Are there any resources you want to use for this content?
• Are there any existing articles or blogs you’d like to mimic with your content?
• Are there any specific phrases or keywords you want to include?

It can also be helpful to send a content outline to your client before writing the finished piece, especially when you are working on longer-form content like an eBook.

Don’t be afraid to charge extra, when necessary.

Your time is valuable, and that should be reflected with your pricing—and that includes pricing for rewrite requests. While you might make revisions and small changes free of charge, you should not hesitate to charge for a complete rewrite. Including rewrite rates in your initial client contract will help you avoid any pushback when rewrites show up on a client invoice.

If you’re looking for resources to help you build a career as a freelance writer, Writers Work is the right place to search. Our memberships provide access to educational video tutorials, contract templates, and much more, so check us out today to see how we can fit in with your freelance career.