How to Take Care of your Clients | For Freelancers
With the gig economy growing by the day and with the increasing number of competent freelancers out there, it has gotten more important to know how to take care of your clients. By doing so, you not only get referrals and more work in the future, but you also show that you value the trust they’re giving you.
Below are simple and easy ways on how to take care of your client base:
Learn more about the business of your clients
You may have already been oriented before entering into agreements, but it wouldn’t hurt to know more about what your clients do and why they do it; understand their goals, their vision, and motivations. Feel free to ask questions about the company, as well as the purpose it wants to serve. Once you develop a genuine interest in their business, you’ll be able to work better and create outputs that are in alignment with your clients’ needs. They will also take notice and appreciate you more.
Agree on which time zone to follow
If you’re catering to international clients, decide to agree on which time zone to follow; so that the next time you have meetings or deadlines, you won't get confused. For reference, you can visit the website of World Time Buddy to check out time differences.
Produce excellent outputs and deliver them on time
Do your best to produce high-quality outputs and deliver them on time (or earlier). By being punctual when it comes to submitting your work, you show respect for your clients’ time. Avoid making promises you can’t fulfill. It’s better to underpromise and overdeliver; than the other way around.
Provide updates on projects
Let your clients know about the status of your ongoing projects instead of waiting for them to follow up. Keep your communication lines open and try to be prompt in responding to emails. Also, it would be best if you stay accessible to your clients just in case any time something comes up, and they need your help with something.
Go the extra mile
Just to be clear, this is not to be confused with allowing your clients to take advantage of you (by feeling obliged to say yes to every request). Going the extra mile means extending your assistance and making that extra effort because you want to help your client achieve their goals or resolve an issue. Examples of these include adding an infographic that you know would help an article make more sense, or helping them with a problem that you know how to solve without expecting anything in return.
Remember, your clients are the lifeblood of your freelancing business. Take care of them, value them, and give the best service that you can.
