As a freelance writer, it’s exciting to get a query from a client. Whether you make the initial contact, or a potential client contacts you out of the blue, it’s the possibility of work to come that gets you all giddy inside. But, it’s this giddiness that can blow it for you. If you’re a freelance writer who wants to add clients to her roster, following are three things not to do in response to client queries. Freelance Writers: How NOT to Respond to Client Queries Project Specifics: One of the first things you should not do is rush to provide a response when you don’t know all of the specifics of the project. Usually, when clients first approach you, they tend to be vague in their project specifications. They’re not trying to be, it’s just that most of them are not freelance writers. Hence, they’re not accustomed to knowing, for example, how much research it will take to pull together what they’re looking for. Remember, it’s your job to ask enough probing questions to get a feel for what a job really entails before providing a quote. Deadlines: Many freelance writers get themselves in a pickle by quoting tight deadlines to new clients. This can probably be traced to the giddiness factor again, eg, you’re so excited about possibly landing another client that you say, “I can have this back to you in 24 hours, no problem.” Before you know it, you’re slammed. Your deadline doesn’t leave room for family emergencies; last-minute errands; short, high-paying projects from long-standing clients; personal projects (eg, your ebooks) you want to finish; etc. Remember this rule when setting freelance writing deadlines: How you begin with a client is what they will expect moving forward. So, give yourself enough time