If you’re a freelancer, it’s not just about getting work done. It’s about showing your clients that you’re the best in the business. And before you can do that, you have to figure out what makes your business unique. So here are some tips for doing just that!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Embrace Your Uniqueness |
| Stand Out with Specialized Skills |
| Cultivate a Distinct Personal Brand |
| Find Your Niche and Excel in It |
| Provide Exceptional Customer Service |
| Network and Collaborate with Peers |
| Constantly Learn and Evolve Your Craft |
| Balance Creativity and Professionalism |
| Be Proactive in Seeking Opportunities |
| Focus on Long-Term Client Relationships |
Firstly, you must put your client’s wants and needs first
You must first put your clients’ wants and needs first. When you understand what they want from you, then you can deliver it better than anyone else. Here is a checklist of things to consider:
Client expectations for your service. What are their goals? How do they want to achieve them? What problems are they trying to solve with a new website or any other project that you may provide services for?
Who’s the client? Who do they serve? What industry do they operate in, and how does this affect your work as a freelancer or agency providing web design & development services (or any other digital marketing service)?
Competitor analysis – what websites/services/products do your potential partners currently use (or don’t use) that could help inform how best to work together as a team moving forward with future projects together!
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Secondly, Don’t Be Afraid To Go Above And Beyond What You’re Asked To Do
What I mean by this is don’t just do what you are asked to do. Go above and beyond, even if it means taking on additional responsibilities that aren’t part of your job description.
The main purpose of going above and beyond is to show the client that you care about them (which will help build trust) and also so they can see how valuable your work is.
This could mean anything from helping out with something completely unrelated during downtime or providing them with feedback on their ideas which may lead to better results for everyone involved.
By doing these things you are showing not just your skillset but also potential clients why they should hire you again in future projects because of all the benefits associated with having an extra hand around!
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Thirdly, Don’t Over Promise And Under Deliver
Don’t over promise and under deliver. This is a critical mistake that many freelancers make when they pitch their services to clients. They promise the moon, but can’t deliver on time. Don’t do this!
Even if you have experience in a certain field, there are always going to be some areas where you are weak or where you need help from other professionals/experts in that particular field. If a client asks for something outside your expertise, say so and let them know who else could help them with it.
You should also keep your client updated about your progress regularly and do not make excuses for any delays (if any).
Be honest with them about anything that delays the project schedule or makes it difficult for you to complete it within the agreed-upon timeline so they aren’t surprised when they don’t receive what they expected at the end of each phase of work completion
Fourthly, Stay Involved With The Project From Start To Finish
This is probably the most important point. If you don’t stay involved with your client or their team throughout the development process, you could lose out on opportunities to create a great product.
You will be missing out on feedback and direction that they might provide that would make your product more useful in the end. This is especially true if it’s something that has never been done before or at least hasn’t been done quite like this before.
This also helps when dealing with client feedback as well if only one person knows about this problem then there may be nothing done about it because no one else knows about it either!
Are you considering freelancing as a career choice? Understanding the core essence of freelancing is vital to your journey. Read our article on the most important thing you need to know about freelancing to gain valuable insights and set yourself up for success.
Fifthly, Communication Is Key
Fifthly, communication is key. As a freelancer, you have to be in contact with your client at all times and maintain an open line of communication.
This means asking questions about the project’s objectives and ensuring that both parties are on the same page when it comes to deadlines, deliverables, and expectations. If you’re going to be late with a project (which will happen), let them know right away so they can plan accordingly.
It may sound obvious but keeping clients in the loop will help ensure they’re happy with your work and will likely want to hire you again down the road!
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Sixthly, Have A Proper Contract In Place Before Any Work Begins
I know this sounds obvious, but it isn’t. I’ve worked with people who didn’t have contracts in place and had to deal with the consequences of that later on. If you’re working remotely, then you should have a contract in place even before work begins.
The main reason for having a contract is to protect yourself from any disputes arising between you and your client about what you are delivering, how long it will take you, and how much money needs to be paid for each stage or milestone of the project.
A good contract template will include:
- what services are being provided by both parties?
- when does the project start and finish?
- how much will be paid at what stage of the project?
- how many revisions can be made before they become charged again (and how much)?
If you’re struggling to find a good freelancer agreement template online then here’s one I recommend using: https://www.contractsforgeeks.com/freelance_agreement_template_for_freelancers
Lastly, Review Your Processes For Improvement
Finally, review your processes for improvement. This is key to staying on top of your game and building a reputation as a professional freelancer. Your process is how you do things; it’s the way you operate in any given situation.
It’s important to evaluate what worked well in certain situations, and figure out how you can improve upon them in future cases.
You should also be sure that there isn’t something missing from your process it may seem like a good idea at first but not be useful for whatever reason (for example, if someone sends an email asking for help with their resume because they think it needs updating when in reality it does not).
Doubts and fears can hold you back from achieving your freelancing aspirations. Embrace the power of self-belief and take the leap towards your goals. Learn more in our post on why you should believe that you can make it as a freelancer and discover the potential that lies within you.
Conclusion
It is easy to get lost in the sea of freelance writers. It is even easier to lose your motivation and inspiration if you don’t take care of yourself! We hope you found these tips helpful and will implement them in your routine.
Further Reading
How to Be a Freelancer – Indeed Career Advice: A comprehensive guide on the steps and strategies to become a successful freelancer.
Freelance Writing Skills – Rock Content Blog: Enhance your freelance writing abilities with practical tips and techniques from industry experts.
What Successful Freelancers Do Differently – Harvard Business Review: Learn from the habits and practices of successful freelancers to elevate your freelancing career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Stay Busy As A Freelancer?
There are many ways to keep yourself busy. Here are some ideas:
You can take on more clients, and get more work done. This will help you make more money, which will enable you to afford the things that make your life better, like a nicer apartment or new computer equipment.
You can start working on side projects, like blogging or taking classes at the local university or community college. This will not only help make money in the future but also give you something meaningful to do with all of your free time (and let’s face it there’s plenty of it when no one is paying for your services).
You can volunteer for charities and non-profits during evenings and weekends. This way when other people ask what they would have done if they hadn’t had a job all day long already they’ll think “volunteer work” instead of “watching TV sitcoms.” It’s good karma!
How Should I Manage Myself To Be Sure That I Am Not Overpromising?
You can use some of the tips below:
Set realistic goals. If you are new to freelancing, your goal shouldn’t be to get $50 for every 1000 words written. Try $5 per word for your first few projects and then raise your prices as you grow in experience and confidence.
Don’t take on too much work at one time, especially if you are starting as a freelancer or blogger because it will affect the quality of work that you produce and may result in stress which could lead to burnout or illness (something no one wants).
One way is keeping track of how many hours/days/weeks have passed since the completion date so when the deadline comes around there will still be plenty of time left until its due date but don’t forget about emails sent by clients asking questions when they need them answered right away which could cut into days off if not hours left before deadline day arrives!
What Is A Freelancer?
A freelancer is an individual who works independently from home or another location and receives payment for their work.
What Does It Take To Be A Freelancer?
It takes passion, drive, and hard work. You have to love what you do and be willing to put in long hours at times. Most importantly, though, you have to be able to take criticism because if no one criticizes your work then it won’t get better!
What Are The Benefits Of Being A Freelancer?
You control your schedule so no more having bosses breathing down your neck telling you when they want something done (or calling on weekends).
It’s also nice not having anyone depending on getting paid every two weeks–you can set up your payment schedule so if things get slow during certain months there isn’t anyone relying on those checks coming through like family members with kids at home or rent bills due soon after payday rolls around each month.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.