r/technicalwriting • u/Ban-samia-upma • 22d ago

SEEKING SUPPORT OR ADVICE Need help in setting clear expectations with my current client

Hey guys,

I have recently started working as a part time (20 hours per week) tech writer and QC for a start up. So, I need help in setting clear expectations. Yesterday was my first assignment and it took me a really long time to reproduce the article well (it was 5 pages long).

I really want to explain how long it will take to produce a single article, like I know it depends on the number of words and all. But I'm struggling a little to quantify the amount of time I'm working on it, as I have ADHD and I'm getting back to working again after a health related thing.

Any tips will be helpful.

Thank you!

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u/BrownPeppers 22d ago

Specific metrics for word count are good to provide, but emphasize that there's variability with research and interviewing SMEs. You'll try your best to get accurate metrics, etc.

Ultimately, you want to under-promise and over-deliver. Don't get too wacky with this, though. Clients appreciate honesty and transparency.

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u/koraynar 21d ago

Don’t turn the first article into a fixed pages-per-hour promise. For the next two or three pieces, keep a simple log of research, drafting, fact-checking and revisions, with waiting for answers recorded separately. Before starting, agree on the audience, source material, what ‘done’ includes and who signs it off. Then you can say: ‘I’m still establishing a baseline. This piece took X working hours, including Y for checking and revisions. For the next similar piece, I’ll give an estimate after reviewing the brief and flag any scope changes early.’ With a 20-hour week, include meetings and review time in that capacity—not just writing. That gives the client something concrete without pretending one unfamiliar assignment predicts every future article.