Near the start of most copywriting projects, the client will share the text they already have, which I need to work on. 

If it’s bad, I’m actually relieved – because it will be easier for me to improve it. 

But what if it’s actually quite good?

The temptation would be to fiddle around the edges, changing a word here and there, to justify my charge. But that wouldn’t be professional.

A better approach is to tell the client that they already have the right answer, but explain why. 

That way, I’m still bringing my expertise. I’m just not doing so much hands-on work. 

Because at the end of the day, the client is hiring a brain, not just a pair of hands. And what they pay for is results, not pointless busywork.

As Peter Drucker said, ‘There’s nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.’

That’s why you should always charge for ‘just having a look’ at something. Maybe you won’t really do that much, or spend that much time. But your insight still adds value. 

A lawyer checking over a contract for you may not change a letter. But when they give it the OK, you are empowered to move ahead. That is true value. 

Read more freelancing ideas in Cash Money Freelancing.