When you’re a freelancer, your work is the intersection of your skills and charm. So it’s important to be polite when working with others. This article will cover several examples where politeness can help a freelancer get more work, not lose money on a project, and have a better working relationship with clients.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Politeness enhances client relationships and fosters trust. |
| 2. Good communication and etiquette contribute to a professional image. |
| 3. Being polite can lead to positive referrals and repeat business. |
| 4. Politeness helps to resolve conflicts and maintain client satisfaction. |
| 5. Building a reputation for politeness can differentiate you from competitors. |
1. It’s Good To Be Nice
Be polite in all of your communications, always. Don’t swear at a client when they’re asking for something that seems unreasonable. Don’t grumble about how busy you are if someone wants your opinion on their work. Don’t be rude to anyone. It’s just not worth it.
Now I know what you’re thinking: “Maybe being polite isn’t that important.” But it is! Being polite is the right thing to do because being a good person is generally considered a good thing, and also because it makes you feel good about yourself as a professional and as an overall human being (that’s nice too).
Plus, it’s so much easier to just not be rude than to be rude! Not doing something like cursing or mocking someone is way more effortless than actually doing those things. Plus everyone appreciates politeness, even if they don’t show it people tend to reflect kindness with kindness and rudeness with defensiveness and disdain.
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2. It Makes You Look Good
Being polite to people is one of the easiest ways to ensure they want to help you. Regardless of whether you’re in a tight spot or just trying not to mess up, these pointers will help you remain professional and tactful when communicating with clients and contacts. Being polite makes you look good. You know, unlike yelling at the client or customer. Let me be clear here, I don’t mean being polite in a fake way. Be respectful but don’t simper like a puppy dog trying to please everyone around you.
3. It Makes Things Easier
By taking the time to craft a thoughtful note, email, or text message rather than sending a quick text that could be easily misconstrued you save yourself the hassle of having to explain yourself later on. In fact, by being clear and concise from the get-go, it’s unlikely that anyone will need a further explanation at all.
You don’t have time for impolite behavior in your future career. After all, good spelling, punctuation, grammar (and most importantly) tone are essential for freelancers who need their communications with clients and contacts to be 100% accurate (and professional).
It creates trust between two parties which is important for any relationship.” Being polite can be especially useful when working with clients,” says Tyneka Hinton-Smith of “The Freelance Professionals’ Guide.” “It is easy for them to assume that because they hired you as an independent contractor that they are free from following standard business etiquette rules like saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you.'”
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4. It Creates Trust
Being polite with clients has several benefits. It helps you to build rapport, creates a more positive environment, and shows that you care about other people. Being polite also demonstrates that you are a good communicator, which helps you to be more successful in your career.
In addition to making you seem like an overall likable person, politeness can help improve your chances of getting hired or getting a promotion at work. Research has shown that being well-mannered can make people think they are more competent than they are. This means that being polite is an easy way to turn yourself into someone who seems trustworthy and smart even if your skills aren’t as developed compared to those around you.
5. It Makes Things Easier
While being polite may seem like an overly simplistic way of looking at a complex world, the truth is that it’s not. Being nice in your day-to-day interactions can make your life easier. Not only that, but it can help you get what you want more often than not.
Here are three principles of politeness to keep in mind as you interact with others: give, take and make concessions. It’s simple. Give compliments wherever possible besides putting a smile on someone’s face, this will lead them to be more inclined to return the favor at a later time when you need something from them.
Take criticism or feedback well even if their approach could’ve been better, their point could be valid, and taking it gracefully shows that you’re willing to improve. Make concessions if someone else looks like they want something more than you do (say, a seat on the subway) just let them have it! A concession made for no reason other than being nice has more power than one made after being asked politely (i.e., “May I sit here?”).
6. Create A Strong Support Network
Making use of your support network is important. For example, say you’re working on a big assignment that’s due soon, but you’re stuck on something and need input. By reaching out to someone in your support network for advice, you’ll be able to get feedback quickly. In freelancing, it’s always good to be considerate when asking people for their time and energy.
It’s easy to assume that people have time to help you with anything you need at any given moment but that’s not the case. If they do have time at that moment, they may still feel overwhelmed by being asked to help without warning or notice. It’s always important to ask before dumping a request onto someone unexpected and uninvited. Much like asking them for help, maintain politeness when receiving feedback if any should arise.
Receiving critical feedback can be difficult but take it as an opportunity to grow as a professional. Try not to react defensively: keep calm, listen attentively and objectively, then think about what was said about your work carefully and seriously. Taking this approach will teach you more about yourself and how the world sees your work than any amount of self-reflection could ever teach you.
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7. Be Grateful For The Work Clients Have Brought You
As a freelancer, you should be grateful for the work clients have brought you. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget that clients are actual people. But they are, and they deserve to be appreciated. Your gratitude doesn’t need to be showy or over-the-top but it should be genuine. One of the best ways to demonstrate your gratitude is with simple acts like taking the time to send a personalized thank you note after each job is completed.
8. Make It Easy For Your Clients To Give Feedback
Make it easy for your clients to give feedback. When you’re working with someone on a project, it’s natural that they’ll have suggestions or requests from you. Don’t make them feel like they have to jump through hoops to get in touch about these things especially not when the request is something simple, like changing the font size or color of the logo. Instead, make yourself available and approachable, so that when a client needs something from you, they know exactly how and where to reach out.
9. Keep The Lines Of Communication Open Between You And Your Client
This can be achieved by checking in regularly and calling or emailing to check on their progress with the project. Another way to do this is by asking them what they want from you as a freelancer and then listening when they respond! It sounds obvious, but there are plenty of freelancers who don’t practice this rule because they think their way is better than their client’s way (it isn’t).
So remember: ask them what they want from you; listen to what they need; provide those services for them; form a professional relationship based on mutual respect (not just one-sided demands); charge an appropriate fee; smile at people even if you don’t feel like it; be polite!
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10. Accept The Fact That Each Client Has A Different Ideal Working Relationship With You
But in the freelance world, you’ll likely find that every client has their expectations of how they want to work with you. Some are more hands-off, and others will want to come over to your apartment every day and spend eight hours watching you work.
Being able to adapt your approach from client to client is a key component of success as a freelancer because it makes you more likable and it gives you a better chance of getting hired again by clients who like the way that you treat them. If you can’t meet the needs or expectations of one client, don’t sweat it. There are always plenty of other opportunities out there for freelancers who know how to get along with people.
11. Keep The Lines Of Communication Open
Polite freelancers are also on top of their game in terms of contact with clients. They’re quick to respond to emails and make sure that their phone system is set up for easy communication. If you have an office, make sure your phone is set to forward calls to your mobile device if you step out for lunch or an errand (but don’t forget to turn the forwarding function off when you return!). If you work from home, double-check that your computer’s sound is turned on and working properly before each time you place a call or Skype session.
Your voicemail messages should be short, professional, and kept up-to-date so as not to confuse clients. Whether emailing or speaking directly with a client, give yourself a time limit for tasks so that they don’t bog down other commitments. It’s okay if getting back with a client takes longer than one business day but be honest about it and keep the lines of communication open at all times. If a client knows what’s going on, they’re more likely to understand when things take longer than expected thus avoiding frustration on both sides.
12. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Referrals
If you’ve completed a project for someone and they were happy with the work, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. A lot of clients will recommend you to others, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Most people are more than willing to help out a colleague they respect. You can also use your network of friends and family as a source of referrals or people who might recommend you to others.
It may be uncomfortable at first, but put yourself out there! The worst thing that can happen is you get turned down. Just think about how much better it feels when someone asks you for help instead of letting an opportunity pass them by without even trying.
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Final Thoughts
Always be polite and helpful to other people, because being nice will help you in the long run if you’re a freelancer anyway. Put simply, you may be a freelancer, but that doesn’t mean that you’re alone. Even if you don’t have a team of workers at your disposal, there are dozens of ways to stoke your network and get the right kind of attention.
Set up social media profiles for yourself and use them regularly to let others know what you do and what services are available. Or go old school by networking in real life: networking events can be great places to talk about what you do as well as meet people who might want to hire you or refer others to your services. The whole point is just to expand your circle so that more people know what you can do! And while we all love some good self-promotion, it’s important not to overdo it.
Success through social media means striking a balance between selling yourself and being personable. So now that you’ve got the word out there about your services. So there you have it: if being polite matters to you, then you should also be polite as a freelancer. If it doesn’t matter to you, well, I think you still should try and be as nice as possible.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you can explore for further reading on freelancing:
Discover the advantages and perks of pursuing a freelance career.
7 Tips for Building Freelance Client Loyalty
Learn practical tips to foster strong and lasting relationships with freelance clients.
Explore the various motivations and reasons why individuals choose freelancing as a career path.
People Also Ask
How Do You Stay Polite At Work?
The best way to stay polite at work is to make an effort to be consciously aware of the way you speak and behave. You don’t have to be perfect, but being intentional with your manners will keep you on the right track.
Consider creating a list of guidelines, for instance, allowing yourself one “no” per day before having to reach out and ask for help with something. Or maybe you’ve noticed that avoiding swearing tends to help keep your interactions professional and respectful. Whatever it is, compiling your rules into a list can serve as a quick reference point when you’re feeling frustrated or stressed out.
What Are The Advantages Of Being Polite?
Being polite has a multitude of benefits for freelancers who are working independently, rather than within an office setting: it can lead to repeat business, more favorable reviews from clients, recommendations from others in their network, etc.
Being kind also makes us feel good about ourselves when we embrace our inner politeness, we’re more likely to feel confident in our interpersonal skills and proud of our work ethic! When people compliment me on my manners, I always think back fondly on how far I’ve come since childhood; it’s nice knowing that even though they’re not perfect yet (they never will be!), they’ve gotten better over time!
Why Is It Important To Be Polite Even When You’re A Freelancer?
Being polite is the best way to make friends and influence people. Whether you’re a freelancer or not, it’s always good to be kind, courteous, and polite. People who are nice and pleasant to be around will have an easier time finding success than those who are rude and abrasive. That’s one of the many reasons why being polite matters when you’re a freelancer!
What Are Some Other Reasons Why Being Polite Matters When You’re A Freelancer?
The world is small, and everything we do has consequences. So while your clients may not find out about how rude you were in that email exchange last week, they could hear about it from someone else down the line and that could hurt your business! Even if no one ever hears about your behavior, being rude won’t help you feel better about yourself either. You’ll probably feel guilty afterward, which also isn’t great for your overall happiness levels.
Why Does Being Polite Matter For A Freelancer?
Being polite is important for any professional, but it’s even more important for someone who has to rely on the goodwill of others to build their business. Freelancers must be able to cultivate positive relationships with clients and co-workers to make sure they get hired again and again.
What Happens If You’re Not Polite?
Typically, being rude will hurt your reputation: people will talk about you, and you’ll be less likely to get hired. But there are some specific scenarios where this could also lead to legal trouble or make you ineligible for certain benefits, such as unemployment insurance or worker’s comp.
How Do I Know What’s Appropriate?
Read up on social etiquette! You don’t need to memorize all of it, but knowing the basics will help you feel more confident when dealing with people in business settings. Plus, if someone tells you something is inappropriate, it’ll be easier for you to apologize than if they just tell you it’s rude without explaining why.
What Are The Best Ways To Network?
There are a lot of different ways to network, and it depends on what kind of work you’re looking for. If you’re looking for freelance work, it’s often good to go to meetups and talk to people in person. Online networking is also great LinkedIn is a great place to start.
How Do I Get Paid As A Freelancer?
You should always make sure your contract includes how much money will be paid upfront (or broken down into installments) and when payments will arrive after the project is complete. It’s also important to know if there are any fees associated with withdrawing funds from an account or transferring them into another account (like PayPal).
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.