"Freelancing" Tips & Tricks

What You Shouldn't Do In The Freelance Business

2011-12-04T12:00:00.001+05:00

While the importance of knowing what to do correctly within one's home business is important, knowing what not to do can be just as valuable. There are many mistakes that freelance writers can make that will end up costing them large amount of money. This in turn is a result of bad decisions when running their business, whether big or small.

Keep a positive attitude
Most bad decision-making is a result of an attitude that tells someone they are not good at what they do. Perhaps you're been there before, you work hard on an article, essay, anything; you can't stop thinking about it. Then you step away from the assignment and come back to it, and begin thinking, it's not good enough. You think you will look ridiculous if you turn this in the way it is. This type of mindset will ruin a freelancer. By overcoming this mind in your head, you will be able to stay more focused and assure yourself that you will make every deadline. Confidence is key.

The importance of deadlines
Missing a deadline is a big business mistake as well. This is ultimately your business, people expect work on time, this is your only job for them. If you want to continuously receive work from various clients, you have to be on time. If you were to hire someone, if they repeatedly didn't fulfill their obligations, you wouldn't hire them again either. Remember that you are the professional in this situation. If there is a substantial reason why work cannot be finished on time, then so be it. However, if these reasons add up, you will likely lose business repeatedly. Make sure to be firm with your writing schedule and allot time for any emergencies that may arise so that your work will not be on time. Being responsible will get you EVERYWHERE in this business. By being an accountable writer, you will help your business to soar.

Tip#13 for effective communication with clients

2011-11-16T15:11:00.002+05:00

3. Keep it Professional

While you are communicating with clients, whether it be face-to-face, telephone, or email, always stay professional. Clients are paying for your services and they will expect you to conduct your business in a professional manner, so avoid things that could cause them to see you differently. That’s not to say that you can’t get to know your clients on a more personal level, but remember that what you say and write can impact you designer/client relationship

Tip#11 and 12 for effective communication with clients

2011-11-16T15:11:00.000+05:00

11. Make Your Communication Count

Because your clients are busy, most of them will not want to be constantly receiving emails or phone calls about the project. One of the lessons I’ve learned from my experience is to make the communication count. Try to put your questions together in one email rather than sending 4 different emails in one morning with one question each. Additionally, make an effort to be as clear as possible when you communicate so there is no need to go back and forth several times just to understand the issue at hand.
Because clients value their own time, they will appreciate if you maximize the time that you have in communication and if it requires them to respond to less emails or take less phone calls. This also goes back to the need for good organization and having a system to keep tabs on the communication. If you forget what a client told you, you can either go back through your records to find out yourself or you can contact them to ask again. Of course, it’s preferable to not have to go back to the client when it’s not necessary.

12. Put it in Writing

One of the reasons that email communication is effective is because it gives you and the client a record of what has been said. There may be times where it is necessary for customer service or for legal purposes to have a record of what was said, by whom, and when. Aside from email, other types of CRM tools can also help for record keeping.
For situations where you are talking to clients on the phone, it’s a good practice to type notes after you get off the phone to summarize what was discussed, and of course you will want to include the date and the names of the specific people that you spoke to. While you may not be able to prove that what is in your notes was actually discussed, it is still better than not having record at all, and it can be just as effective when you need to go back through the records for your own purposes. Another option is to send a summary of the conversation to your clients by email. This may be overkill for short calls just to discuss one point, but it could be helpful with longer, more detailed calls, and it could also help clients to have an account of the conversation for themselves.

Tip#9 and 10 for effective communication with clients

2011-11-16T15:09:00.000+05:00

9. Avoid Assumptions

Assuming that the client understands certain things or that they want something a particular way can lead to miscommuniation. If you’re unsure about something, take a minute and ask the client rather than assuming and causing a lot of work that needs to be re-done later.

10. Use Examples When Possible

One thing that can really help your communication, particularly when you are explaining things to clients or giving them choices, is to use real-world examples. Explaining options over the phone or through email can be challenging, and at times ineffective. By using examples to help, you can make things more clear for clients and get more accurate response and avoid misunderstanding.
An example of this would be if you are talking to a client about the type of navigation menu they would like to use on their site. Rather than trying to explain the differences you could provide them with URLs of a few sites with various styles so they could see it in a real-world situation.

Tip#7 and 8 for effective communication with clients

2011-11-16T15:04:00.000+05:00

7. Give Advice When Needed

Designers really are consultants to clients as well. Clients (at least most of them) know that you have more expertise in the area than they do and they’ll trust that you are interested in doing what is best for them and their business. There will be situations where you will need to be willing to give them advice on a particular decision that needs to be made, or situations where you should add some of your own ideas for making the project better.
Some clients know what they want and as a designer it can be easy to get caught up in giving them what they want, without giving much thought to ways that it could be improved. Don’t be afraid to advise clients based on your professional experience. Most clients will respect your opinions and appreciate that you are looking out for their best interests.

8. Avoid Jargon

One of the biggest frustrations for clients is when designers talk to them with terms and phrases that they don’t understand. Although you are working online all the time and you probably communicate with other designers and developers a lot, keep in mind that your clients will not have the same experience, so you should avoid using terms that they are unlikely to understand (or at least explain what they mean).
As you work with clients you will get a better understanding for how tech savvy they are, and you can adjust your communication accordingly. Some clients will have a very good understanding and will be able to communicate without the need to explain everything, and others will have very little knowledge or experience related to the internet and web design.

Tip#5 and 6 for effective communication with clients

2011-11-16T15:02:00.000+05:00

5. Be Patient with Your Explanations

The typical client does not have a great understanding of websites or design, and that is why they are hiring you. As you are explaining things to them throughout the process, be patient and remember that this is probably not an aspect of their business that they are very comfortable with. Clients appreciate designers who show patience and a willingness to explain things in a way that they can understand, without putting them down.

6. Explain Your Reasons and Thought Processes

As you give your opinions throughout the process it is important that you also explain to the client why you are giving that advice. Clients will often want you to do something that you don’t think is a good idea. When those situations arise, rather than just doing it the way they want or doing it your way with no explanation, take the time to demonstrate to them why you think it is important and what the potential impacts can be.
Clients will typically see things as they appear on the surface, but from your experience you may know that there is more to be considered in the situation. When this is the case you need to explain to the client the other factors that are involved and why you feel a certain way.

Tip#3 and 4 for effective communication with clients

2011-11-16T15:00:00.000+05:00

3. Do More Listening Than Talking

The client’s website is all about them, their business, and their customers. For this reason it is important to emphasize the need to listen and let them provide you with the information that will help you to do the best job possible. Of course there will be plenty of times where the clients should be doing the listening, but especially during the initial stages when you are just getting to know about their business, be sure to place the most value in listening to what they have to say.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Misunderstandings will always lead to wasted time, so don’t be afraid to ask the client questions that will help you to get on the same page and to design something that will work for them. Your customers are busy, just like you are, so they may be in a hurry when you are talking to them, but don’t let that discourage you from getting the information that will help you to do your job for them.
Many clients won’t give a lot of information to you about their business or their customers unless you ask because they may not see the need for you to fully understand their business. Those clients who don’t have a good understanding of what is involved in creating a successful website will often think that a skilled designer can just pick up a new project and create something special without really taking the customer’s specific situation into consideration. In most cases they just don’t stop to think about all of the communication that is needed, so you may have to be proactive and ask a number of questions.

Tip#2 for effective communication with clients

2011-11-16T14:57:00.000+05:00

Have a Method or a System

In the previous point I mentioned that it is a good idea to have a standard process for client intake. In addition, it’s also helpful to have a method or system for client communication beyond that point. If you are just responding to emails or phone calls as they come in with no records or organization, chances are you could benefit from putting a system in place.
If you’re working with several clients at one time it can be very challenging to remember exactly what was said by which client and what was done at different points. There is no right or wrong method, but you could consider using a resource that is intended for customer service (see our post 12 CRM Options for Freelancers), or you could develop your own system and processes to keep track of communication. At a very minimum you should have folders in your email to keep track of messages from and to specific clients.
Without a system you will probably find yourself scrambling to find out what was said about different aspects of the project. Having a record is always good because it will avoid the need to go back to the client when it’s not necessary and it will also help to protect you in case there is some type of dispute down the road.

Tip#1 for effective communication with clients

2011-11-16T14:56:00.000+05:00

Start with a Solid Foundation

Communication is of critical importance during the early stages of the client process. At this time you will need to get to know the client’s business as well as possible. You’ll want to understand the products and services that they offer, their corporate culture, and what makes them unique to their customers. Additionally, you should get a solid understanding of their customers and what they will be looking for when they arrive at the website. It’s also important to understand the client’s specific goals for the website, what they wish to improve (if it’s a re-design) and what they need to get out of the site.
By taking the time up front to communicate with the client and to build this solid foundation for the project you can save time and avoid miscommunication later. It’s a good idea to have some sort of intake process that you go through with clients to get through this stage, it can help to make sure that you don’t miss out on any important points.
Some clients may be hesitant to dedicate much time before the project begins for this type of communication. When that is the case it can be helpful to explain that all of this is important in order for you to give them a website that will truly work for their business and for their customers. Emphasize that taking this time up front can help to make the process smoother and quicker, and to avoid costly mistakes.

How to spot a risky free lancing job

2011-11-15T13:55:00.000+05:00

Any business might occasionally take on contracts that it later regrets having accepted. Other companies may offer too-good-to-be-true terms in the hopes of obtaining free labor.
Avoiding these risky "opportunities" is a challenge, especially for the freelancer. The following warning signs should make you think twice about pursuing a particular freelance assignment.
THE CLIENT
A client's reluctance to provide an address and phone number tends to frustrate an effective working relationship. It may also cast a shadow on a client's motives and make it impossible to find the client who hasn't paid their bill.

Requires an "Audition"
When a client requires a professional to "audition" for a project, this suggests lack of
regard for your professionalism, and might be a pretense for obtaining your work for free. Some firms have required editors to "audition" by editing different chapters of a book (or pages of a website). Each editor was assigned a different chapter or page. Once the firm had enough editor auditions, the entire book was already edited - at no cost to the firm. And, of course, nobody was ever hired as a result of the "auditions."
Ignoring Your Qualifications
If the client seems indifferent to your qualifications, this is another indicator of lack of respect, or that the client may plan to use your work in some sinister way. Business Doesn't Have Obvious Profit Potential
Does the client have a dubious profit-making enterprise? Often, the work a client is
requesting may be for business purposes. But if it's a type of business you can't conceive as being profitable, you might justifiably wonder whether the client will have trouble paying you.

No Contract
Any firm that agrees to hire someone but refuses to provide a contract should be avoided.
THE ASSIGNMENT

Sketchy Project
Clients who have limited experience working with freelancers might be unaccustomed to carefully defining what they want, or they may only provide part of the project's information when obtaining a quote, hoping to get more work out of you later for no extra money. You may then be expected to realign your work with a moving target, without raising your fee to compensate for the churn. Get everything in writing. Any deviation from the project should require an immediate increase in your fees.
Unrealistic Deadline
Whenever a client requests you drop everything else to work on his project, or when he
provides an unrealistic deadline, you should proceed with caution. Some unsavory characters demand the work almost immediately, hoping to get the finished product before you realize you're being scammed.

"It's a really easy job!"
Such a remark may be a ploy to get you to accept a paltry rate. Even if the comment was made in earnest, you'll need to set it aside in forming your own assessment.
Work to Be Submitted to a Third Party / Intermediary Some clients may want your output to be "refined" by a third party. This could work in principle, provided the client ensures that everyone shares a common vision for the work.
However, a client who lacks such a vision may be trying to compensate by hiring two brains instead of one. This undermines your control over the quality of the final product, while still leaving you accountable to the client.

YOUR COMPENSATION

Payment Amount Ridiculously Low The client's financial constraints don't make your work any less valuable. You are a professional, a fact sadly under appreciated by many who would seek your services. Don't work
for less than your desired hourly rate. Payment Amount Unreasonable High If the offered pay seems unreasonably generous, the client may be ostensibly offering a high figure just to lure you in. Once you've bitten, you may be hit with a flurry of conditions and, again, you may never get paid.

Unreasonable Hourly Rate
If the offered hourly rate implies a larger total fee than the client might expect, it may indicate that he doesn't understand the entire project (or, again, that he's trying to lure you in with the promise of a large paycheck that may never materialize). The client may later balk at the final cost. To avoid any misunderstanding, ascertain the client's expectations regarding your fee, and get it in writing.

Payment Only "After Delivery" of Final Product
You should withhold delivery of the final product until the final installment of your fee is received (and the check clears the bank).
Pay Contingent on Future Sale or Publication
Never let your future paycheck depend on someone else's ability to sell/publish the work. The prospects for such a sale are more remote than many people realize. If you accept such a job, you're not likely to ever be paid.

How to work at home as freelancer

2011-11-15T13:40:00.000+05:00

A freelancer, or contract service provider, is someone who works on a contract or freelance
basis. As a freelancer you are acting as a specialist, or expert, in your field. This is not
to say you need dozens of awards hanging on your wall, you just need to be proficient and
knowledgeable in the duties you perform.
Freelancers are in high demand by employers for many reasons -when a project deadline must
be met, when the company lacks adequate expertise or experiences sudden and explosive
growth, and so on.
Many times an employer simply cannot justify the additional expense associated with hiring
another employee. Since you are not an employee of the company, you keep 100% of the money
you earn and are responsible for your own taxes. On the whole, you don't have to be
licensed, insured, or have a business of your own. You just have to be a person that can do
the project.