At our January 2024 Lunch and Learn Zoom meeting, more than 20 participants shared tips and strategies for finding and keeping anchor clients. Lunch and Learns are never recorded so that participants can speak freely, but a summary of general points is shared.
What is an anchor client?
An anchor client provides regular work, primarily through assignments, that you can count on. Some qualities of a good anchor client include:
- Collaborative editing process.
- Editors who make smart edits.
- Editors whose judgment you trust.
- Quick payment, on time.
- Competitive pay of at least $1 per word.
- Assigns articles rather than requires pitches.
- Assigns longer articles that make the pay rate worthwhile.
Why pursue anchor clients?
- Stability: One participant had her main anchor client for more than 20 years.
- Reliable income.
- Ability to plan ahead: Some anchor clients plan their publishing schedule months in advance.
- Relief from constant pitching.
Finding anchor clients
- Consider writing paid content: Utilize platforms like Contently or Masthead Media.
- Pursue medical associations: They may have writing opportunities for their membership publications.
- Attend medical association conferences to meet their media relations people.
- Find medical conferences by visiting your convention center’s website.
- Ask staff reporters who like your work to recommend you to their editor for assignments.
- Turn an occasional client into an anchor client:
- Ask editors you have successfully pitched if you can become a regular contributor.
- Take them for lunch or coffee if nearby.
- Regularly inquire about assignment opportunities.
Keeping anchor clients
- Success factors:
- Be easy to work with.
- Submit high-quality work on time.
- Be open to all kinds of assignments.
- Nurturing strategies:
- Don’t let the relationship wither; continue to pitch stories, if necessary.
- Regularly remind your anchor clients that you are available for work.
- Send cards or small food gifts to these editors for the holidays.
- Remember editors’ birthdays with cards.
- Take your anchor client editors to lunch or coffee if they are in your area.
Note: Building and maintaining relationships are crucial for securing and retaining anchor clients.
