Freelancers A to Z #034 Five Steps to Take to Become a Better Freelancer
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 more than just connecting with clients, acquiring projects, and completing them.
It is a learning process through which you can understand your work ethic and develop further.
Freelancers have to deal with numerous tasks and understand clients to be successful.
These simple tricks and tips can help any freelancer, old or new, develop their niche and become the top contender in a market filled with freelancers.
1
Why Evaluating Your Progress is Important?
As a freelancer you have to evaluate your progress on a regular basis.
The blog answers your question as to why you should evaluate your performance, and that is to improve.
Improving yourself in your niche and against competitors can only come through when you evaluate your work.
The article lists down different ways you can evaluate your performance.
First and foremost, we have client feedback that helps you to link ideas and make sure you are able to follow the same idea with the next clients.
The other way, listed by the blog, is through self-analysis where you answer your questions as to how you have done, what were the drawbacks, and how you can work through them.
Another method is talking with a friend with whom you can list down your current progress and gain input.
And lastly, we have metrics that the blogs believe are a great way to measure your performance and productivity.
2
How to Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer and Boost Your Productivity?
Evolving as a freelancer is one way through which you improve your client base and your work.
This article refers to a book called Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer and lists down five possible phases through which a freelancer can achieve ultimate productivity.
First and foremost, the article lists the chapter that gives you a reality check and prompts you to improve your freelance business.
Confidence, creativity, and goals, says the blog, as the vital ideas that the book highlights and every freelancer should possess.
Other than that, it also promotes branding where you rethink the central idea and build upon growing it.
The second phase listed by the article is how you should build your website and channels to gather more clients.
The investment you place on rebranding can help you create a platform that may attract more people to join in.
The phase that follows this, stated by the article, is one where stability is guaranteed.
Instead of just being a freelancer, it prompts you to become a person through which the clients feel lucky and safe.
The article then points out how you can earn more by outsourcing and delegation as well as recruitments.
You will be able to earn more and work less. However, a lot of energy would be sold in delegating.
These tricks are the best way to evolve as a freelancer without thinking like one.
3
8 Tips to Successfully Negotiate with Any Client
Negotiating as a freelancer means being prepared with every possible answer from the clients. However, it is also the best way to ensure you get the best deal.
The article lists 8 aspects you need to consider when negotiating with a client.
Firstly, do not negotiate with a questionable client.
A questionable client may want you to lower the price, give you more work, or even not pay at all.
Follow your gut and do not waste your time on the wrong clients.
Secondly, the blog says, is to calculate and showcase the Minimum Acceptable Rate that you can tell your client.
Your client would then be aware that any among the lower would not be considered.
The blog provides a formula you can use to ensure you get the perfect MAR.
The article then states you need to let the clients pay per project and consider the value of work you do.
If you get a paid project, the word limit and hourly work would fall. If you work a lot and are paid little, then you need to reconsider the offer.
The article also provides great alternative negotiation packs where you start with the highest price till you reach the amount that is acceptable for the client and you as well.
Moreover, the article warns you do not agree with discounts as you would be expected to do extra work at a lower price.
Lastly, the article says seeking a win-win situation where you do not lose a client and get paid on time as well as a contract to ensure that all security precautions are taken to make sure you get paid.
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4
Grow Your Freelance Business with YouTube Search Engine Optimization
Reaching out to several clients through different forums is vital for your freelance business to grow.
This article lists ways you can use YouTube SEO to grow your freelance business.
The blog further provides different steps to consider when working on your YouTube SEO strategy.
First and foremost, you need to list down your target keywords that are related to your niche.
The blog then asks you to ensure that the keywords are relevant and then to name your file.
After that, you need to create a title for your keyword that is simple and catchy as well as write a description that would get more clients to your YouTube channel.
The article then suggests you tag more keywords to ensure you get maximum traffic on your channel or video.
After you are done with the main work, the article says you need to select a category from the list provided by YouTube as well as adding subtitles.
Thumbnails attract the most traffic, and choosing the best thumbnail for your work is important.
Lastly, the article says that you can add cards that would help to direct your customers to more ideas.
5
How to Communicate with Your Clients?
Communicating with your client to develop your relationship is a skill every freelancer needs.
The article writes different tips through which you can develop your relationship with your client and the first is communication.
If the client is not able to understand your terms or the other way around, the relationship may falter.
Furthermore, the article says you need to have regular check-ins and remain consistent when dealing with a client.
That way you can remain on the same level and provide the service.
The blog also says that you need to be confident and positive as well as gain trust to ensure that you boost the client's confidence in you and so that they may trust you to do future tasks and refer you to other clients.
Moreover, the article says that exceeding expectations always helps you to build rapport as well as manage expectations if there are any issues.
Lastly, to make sure the relationship remains intact, you need to show appreciation.
If you appreciate your client, they will appreciate you and ultimately help you in the future.
You can always turn towards the client for any assistance in the future.
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 week an iconic Joni Michell’s album Blue. This year we celebrate its 50th release anniversary! Enjoy!
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.
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Take care and have a nice time
Mariusz from the Time Continuum App