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Choosing clients and communicating with your clients in Freelancing jobs
Von admin | 10.August 2009
What is the key advantage of working as a freelancer? It is the flexibility factor. You are your own boss. There is a great variety in the work you do and you have complete control over it. You have control over the number of hours you work for. So picking a client is what you should do naturally. It should be in tandem to your working theme. So they should be enjoyable to work with and give you good money. Also they should be profitable and give you complete creative freedom.
However there are a few factors that should be discussed:
1.If you were hired by a company where most of your work was related to a particular niche and you have sort of specialized in that field, then your primary step should be to find similar type of clients for the next projects. The main reason behind this aspect is that the specialists charge more for their expertise as compared to those who offer their services to a wider platform or across the board. Thus it is sensible to offer your services in the same niche and cash it. Hence choose clients which are providing similar work. This practice will not only improve your skills, it will make them come back to you all the time, because you are the “expert”. This approach will let you enjoy a higher margin of profit instead of the “jack of all trades” approach where you will keep marketing yourself all the time and get less clients.
2.Why have you chosen freelancing? Is it for part time basis or you enjoy a low living cost? If yes then you should not be bothered about the profits that much. This eases your problem of choosing the clients. You can work with any client who offers work at low rates.
3.In case freelancing is what your living depends on, then you need good financial returns. In the freelancers’ arena, most will tell you that it is easier to obtain business from the old clients. Actually it is true. You will have tough time converting the cold contacts into regular or paying clients. So, the other aspect of freelancing is that you train yourself in other skills. Especially the skills which are in demand so that you are more proficient in offering a variety of services to your new clients or industry where your skill will be able to boost the profitability of the client who is lacking in these in-house skills.
4.Next aspect is to get yourself marketed by the word of mouth. This kind of freelancing works well within markets which require special sets of skills. Do not always look for clients who are paying you high money. Try to gel with the clients who will pay you just $50 for a logo design but have a clear communication. You should actually enjoy working with them. On the other hand, clients who require careful handling may drain your enthusiasm and many work hours.
Now that you have chosen your client, communication is the next issue. How will you ensure that the next time your client thinks about work, he thinks about you? Do you know that 80% of your business comes from the 20% of your clients? So what is the key to such business? It is the regular communication which is most essential.
1.Always ask for the client’s feedback. It shows how much you value their opinion. Apart from that it also tells you about the problem areas so that you can improve your skills and do not deliver defective work in future. So a small questionnaire can be emailed to him and you can ask him to spend some time to complete that so as to evaluate your skills and work. This kind of communication will save you from any embarrassment that can be there during personal meetings.
2.Once you have finished with the project, follow up with your client so that this demonstrates your ongoing interest in doing business with him.
3.Keeping in touch with your clients is the golden rule of freelancing. A “Happy New Year” card, “good luck” card, “get well soon” card etc are some of the best ways.
The bottom line is that, choose a client and try to build a long lasting relationship with him that is mutually beneficial.
Topics: The Client | No Comments »