As a professional writer who is constantly on the hunt for more work, reviews are my currency. There is a lot of evidence out there to show that reviews aren’t always honest, and that’s especially in modern days, with the commerce world getting oversaturated and buyers shopping wisely. Over my freelancing career, I’ve had the privilege of earning some great relationships, and there are a few main ones that stand out that I’d love to tell you guys about.

The backstory to my favourite customer connections

I’m so excited to share these moments with you all! I’ve changed details and identifiers to protect privacy, but these are actual, real experiences I’ve had in my time as a freelance writer.

• Customer S: After working on a few projects together, Customer S contacted me about a very specific project. After I expressed my concerns about whether or not I would be a good match for the project, since my tone might be too casual. Customer S told me to go ahead anyway, and they’d workshop it afterward, if needed. They were happy with the final delivery and said that the tone was just what they were looking for: Serious and professional, but just sassy enough to be human. So, I wear that badge with honour! I also paid special attention to clients who mentioned my sass in the future. It turns out that Customer S wasn’t the only one who noticed that particular trait in my writing — apparently, it’s a signature part of what I do!

• Customer M: My connection with this client was a gradual one. I started by doing some simple work for them. After a few projects, they asked for guidance on a few things. Before I knew it, we were working in line with each other to get the right package and details together for their projects. This client was always fascinated by Canada, and loved that I was Canadian. I was always happy to answer any questions that they asked about life in Canada, our wildlife, etc. Out of the blue, this client started tipping me in very specific amounts at the end of each project. Different amounts each time. Each tip came with instructions to spend the money on a specific Canada-related thing as a thank-you for all of the help I had offered them. These varied from  “a Tim’s double-double” to “a maple pancake” to, of course, “a little poutine”. This story still brings a smile to my face (and also makes me crave a good poutine…).

One of the best parts about the two stories above is that we formed a special connection. While I haven’t worked with either of these clients for years, I still remember them fondly, and I imagine I always will.

Positive memories get you through the hard days

Whenever I need a pick-me-up after dealing with a rude customer or completing a difficult project, I think of these, and it helps me keep on going.

What are some of your favourite relationships you’ve grown as a freelancer? Do you enjoy working on projects more with those you connect with?