Freelancers A to Z #005. How to Improve Your Communication and Time Management Skills Using Simple Tips?
Freelancers A to Z is a series of roundup posts with captivating curated blog posts, podcasts and articles.
My purpose is to give you as a freelancer a place where you can find support and help with productivity, motivation and time management issues. Here you will find simple yet powerful hacks to improve your productivity and boost your freelance business instantly.
Are you ready?
Freelancing is a new industry that has welcomed numerous potential people. What makes this field so interesting is the fact that it does not target a certain person with a certain skill-set.
Yes, you read that right!
Freelancing welcomes writers, graphic designers, and even bookkeepers. From working as a freelance photographer to becoming a virtual assistant, you can hone your skills in numerous fields.
You are not limited by your location either. If you want to work as a freelancer, all you need is a good internet connection. You would be able to do your work while staying at home or you can even take a small trip to a nearby small coffee shop at any time.
Where freelancing has profited many, it is a task that requires a good amount of hard work. Establishing yourself in an area that is so high in demand would require a lot of preparation beforehand. If you are commencing your journey in the world of freelancing, here are some tips and tricks that would help you to boost your freelancing career.
1
How to Communicate Effectively with Clients as a Freelancer?
Having a freelancing career and that too a successful one requires you to communicate with your clients. This website illustrates why it is key to have good communication with your client.
For one, as stated on the website, you would not have to make frequent revision. Good communication would mean that you understand what your client wants, gaining a clear idea of what needs to be done. Communicating with your clients is the most important skill you have to take and choosing a platform you are comfortable with, will make communication easier. Once communication is easier so is the exchange of ideas.
Communicating effectively would also mean that you get the final terms and requirements in the form of writing. As suggested in the website, having the timelines, expectation and other relevant details should be written down. You will only be able to communicate and exchange ideas if you ask the necessary questions.
The website makes a very valid point as to why asking questions is absolutely imperative i.e. understand your client. Communication in any relationship, be it with your family or with your boss is important. It ensures the safety of not only your job but also helps you do the work. Thus, when freelancing, you must nitpick all the important details that would make your client happy and would also ensure that you do not pull your hair apart in frustration.
2
Master Time Management with These Golden Tips
Whether you have a meeting with your boss or are giving an exam, you must manage your time.
When freelancing, there is a chance that you might get numerous projects at one time. Plus you have other household duties and obligations that need to be attended. The time management tips stated on this website ease your problem.
Numerous people face issues since they were not able to manage their time and thus their duties. As stated on the website, finding a rhythm to your work and scheduling can ease your workload drastically. Making a list can also ease your workload. Having a list of the tasks that you have to accomplish in two weeks will keep you on track and you will not waste time.
The website also states that having a physical planner can do better than making on your phone.
Now if you are aware that you are a night owl and working during the day can limit your productivity, then opt for what you find accessible. Being productive directly relates to time management as stated by the website.
Procrastinating is a disease that we all try to find a cure from. It is this disease that affects our time management the most and needs to be controlled. Thus, as suggested by the website it is important to find the right schedule, the right productive hour to do your work if you wish to submit it on time.
3
How to Set Up Your Home Office Like a Pro?
One of the many perks of being a freelancer is the fact that you can work from home. The comfortability, the ease, the relaxation makes you more productive.
However, it also makes you lazy. We cannot have you stay in your bed with a laptop in front of your face 24/7. Let’s be honest, staying in bed is every person’s dream yet it does not give you room to be productive.
You will not be able to do half of the work you want to do. Thus, it is important that you set up an office in your home. Where the website is completely right in saying that you would even be able to work under a palm tree, a desk and comfortable office chair can make all the difference in the world.
Utilize the spare room in your apartment or house, and turn it into a working area. As the website suggests, look for a place with the most natural lighting, all the necessary office equipment, notepads, and pencils, charging ports should be accessible and available.
Having an office set up that is not in your room can you give you the comfort and surety that you are doing a productive task.
Share, like, follow
4
How Setting Clear Expectations Will Help You Thrive as a Freelancer?
An effective strategy of freelancing is to know what your client expects from you. Setting clear expectations from the very start ensures you know what you are doing and also gets the job done perfectly. Thus, it is only possible to do so with communication.
If there is any sort of misunderstanding or confusion, you should not be reluctant to clear it out with your client. Doing this at the very start is the right practice. Not only would this establish a healthy relationship with your client, but it will also aid in doing your work as it is required.
The following website also recommends you to always stay in contact with your client.
This can be done by sharing your progress with your client, even if it is not necessarily complete. This ensures your client is kept up-to-date with what you do and is satisfied.
You should also not hesitate to clear out the expenses with your client and let them know you are always around whenever they try to contact you. This can set the standard while you are setting the right expectations for your clients.
5
How to Boost Your Productivity Using Great Apps?
When you are freelancing, you want to ensure you have the best available resources at your disposal to help boost productivity. To help you make the most of your time while freelancing, these productivity apps can help you while you are at work.
These apps are there to make sure you are properly managing your time while working on your own. Your first preference for a productivity app, as a popular choice would be Evernote. This app helps you keep all of your important documents, tasks in one place. They are also stored online using cloud-based storage, so you won’t have to worry about having your data being lost.
Other popular choices include Asana which help you set certain deadlines and modify your tasks efficiently. It can be very handy when you have time-based work, and ensure you are never late on your submissions as a freelancer.
Other choices include Proposify and Trello, which also offer similar incentives and help you make your working time more productive.
These apps are usually tailor-made for your needs, so you wouldn’t have to worry about choosing a specific app. Moreover, you can also choose from a list of other applications based on your requirements.
6
All work and no play…
The last thing I would like to share with you is music. It has a special place in my life. For that reason I listen to music when I work. Hoverer, as some of you already know, it’s also because I want to cut off the noise caused by my neighbors.
This time something entirely different. The Knife. They’re a legend. Not easy, but definitely worth to know.
Silent Shout was the soundtrack of the last stage of Time Continuum’s development. It was the right fit as the time was really crazy and exciting for me.
Last but not least: in the next issue your playlist can appear in this place. So leave in comments your favourite music that you love to listen when you work.
One last thing
In the comments below let me know what do you think about this issue of Freelancers A to Z. Tell me what do you like, what is not so good, what do you want more of. I need to know everything.
Also, if you like it, please sign up for updates, so that you will not miss the next post. You can find the form below.
The next issue will be available in two weeks.
Take care and have a nice time
Mariusz from the Time Continuum App