The Reply Device:
Find Out What Clients Need

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

An online devotional for writers

A Word From The Word

Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen.” (Matthew 11:4, NLT)

A Word For Writers

A successful pitch to freelance writing clients includes a reply device. Also called a response device or a bounce-back, a reply device gives a prospect a way to respond to your inquiry offering your freelance writing services.

It can be a postcard, online link, questionnaire, survey, order form, registration form, spec sheet, insert, or tear-out card.

While a large percentage of prospects won’t return your reply device, some will. Their response allows you to follow up with them.

Naturally, your reply device should ask for the inquirer’s name and contact information. But you also want to request how you can help them. Can you provide a consult … examples of your work … do you have experience in their niche?

John the Baptist sent an inquiry to Jesus: “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3, NLT) He had been looking for the Messiah – even proclaiming that He was to come – and had heard reports of Jesus’s work.

John the Baptist wanted to know more. He used his reply device to ask the right questions and get confirmation that he was on the right track.

To which Jesus sent his reply: share what you’ve seen.

Prospective clients use your reply device in the same way. They want to know who you are, what you’ve done, and what you can do for them.

That’s why your pitch package needs to include a reply device that asks clear questions. Prospects will answer by telling you what they need. And you’ll be ready to provide it.

A Wise Word

Include a reply device with your freelancing pitch.

A Word To Pray

Gracious Father,
You are generous to give confirmation when I need it. Show me the questions to ask prospective clients so I can give them the best help possible.
In Jesus’s name, Amen.

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