If a client asks for revisions, you have a new deadline that is the same length of time as the original deadline. Open the document from your Pending My Revision and you'll notes or comments from the client.
Try not to get discouraged or frustrated with revisions. It means the client likes your writing and values your knowledge, and they want to keep working with you — they just need to get things right before they can approve. Typically, you can expect more revisions when you are getting used to working with a new client and over time you'll get fewer revision requests from them as you get more comfortable with their expectations.
Unclear revision requests
Some clients are better than others about clearly articulating what they need from a revision request. If you aren't sure what the client is asking you to change, definitely feel free to ask them questions! It may help to ask them if there are specific sentences or paragraphs that they found problematic.
Requests for complete rewrites
It can be frustrating to get a revision request that essentially asks you to rewrite the entire piece. On the bright side, you have already researched the topic and the second draft may take less time than the first one. More importantly, this means that the client chose not to decline the submission outright — so they believe in your ability to get it right! Once you get on the same page with the client, it will probably be easier to avoid big revisions in the future.
Client asks for too many revisions?
It can also be a little frustrating to get numerous rounds of revisions for a job. There are a few options to consider:
— Ask more questions to try to finalize exactly what the client wants. It might help if they can provide an example of a published piece somewhere that looks and sounds the way they want it.
— Cancel the job. You need to keep your missed deadlines and cancellations at less than 10% of the number of jobs you've claimed, so this option should be done sparingly. But sometimes it makes the most sense. Stay professional and polite, and suggest that it doesn't seem to be a good fit and they should find another writer for the project.
— Finish the job and politely cut ties with the client if necessary. After finishing the job, you can inform the client that you think the fit isn't right, and you can then block the client.
