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Depending on the nature of your project, you’ll need to maintain thorough communication with your client to understand their requirements, ask the right questions and get their feedback on your progress. Clear and effective communication can become the biggest reason your client rates you highly and this is definitely an area where Pakistani freelancers aren’t generally on top of their game.
Be friendly with them: A friendly attitude can make it easier to have open and honest communication with your clients. This can help you better understand their needs and concerns and find ways to address them. While professional interactions should be kept professional at all times, your client is more likely to enjoy working with you if you’re generally cheerful, and positive and throw in a casual joke here and there as well, yeah.
Listen to the client carefully: Instead of just hearing what your client is saying, actively listen to understand their perspective and needs. This may involve asking clarifying questions or paraphrasing what they've said to make sure you understand. By listening carefully to your clients, you can better understand their needs and concerns and work with them to find solutions that meet their goals.
Set clear expectations: Make sure you and your client are on the same page from the start by setting clear expectations for communication and project timelines. It is better to lean towards being over-communicative than leaving expectations open-ended and vague.
Underpromise, overdeliver: The client already expects a lot from the product. If it doesn’t go the way they imagined, clients will inevitably get frustrated. So, why would anyone promise more than they can deliver, thus creating even more unrealistic expectations? Don’t commit to something that is not in your control, but do try your best to wow your client with the quality of your work.
Use a project management tool: Using a tool like Notion or Trello can help you stay organized and keep track of tasks and deadlines. Most projects can be broken down into phases and these free tools are a great way to track your progress and stay in tune with your deadlines.
Be responsive: Respond to client inquiries in a timely manner, even if it's just to let them know you're working on something and will get back to them soon. Since a lot of clients abroad work from different time zones, you can even set an auto-respond to let them know why you probably won’t be able to respond during times you’re unavailable.
Communicate frequently: Regular check-ins with your client can help ensure that you're meeting their needs and can also prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems. Ideally, you should figure out how much communication the client expects from you during the project briefing so you’re also mindful about not annoying them.
Be proactive: If you see a potential issue or have a suggestion for a better way to do something, bring it up with your client. If you see yourself missing a deadline because of multiple projects, don’t wait to inform the client on the day of delivery. They will appreciate the transparency and consideration.
Use clear and concise language: This is something that we preach at SadaPay every day! Keep it simple, use minimal words and avoid using jargon or technical terms that your client may not understand. For example, web development can get very technical for a layman to understand but you should explain the matter to them like you would explain to a 10-year-old child - unless of course, they’re as technical as you are.
Be open to feedback: Encourage your client to share their thoughts and ideas, and be open to constructive criticism. They’re paying you for your services and they are entitled to voicing their opinions. Take this as an opportunity to learn, thank them for being open and respond to them by explaining your thought process. We’d go as far as to say that you should ‘ask’ for feedback even if they don’t share it themselves. This will elevate your professionalism and integrity in their eyes.
Keep these things in mind and you can build stronger, more productive relationships with all your clients.
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Chapter 3: Keeping your clients coming back
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Building long-lasting relationships with clients
Improving client communication skills
Building long-lasting relationships with clients
Dealing with your first client: Setting the tone for the future
Navigating the Transition: From Freelancing Platforms to Direct Billing
<aside> <img src="/icons/book-closed_purple.svg" alt="/icons/book-closed_purple.svg" width="40px" /> CHAPTER 4
We know, we know - documentation isn't exactly the coolest part of freelancing. But trust us, it's super important. That's why we've made the “Documentation” part of this Masterclass both fun and informative. In this section, we'll show you how to write killer proposals, create contracts that protect both you and your clients, and invoice like a pro. We've taken all the boring stuff and turned it into something you'll actually want to read - and use.
So, if you're ready to take your documentation game to the next level, you’re at the right place!
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<aside> <img src="/icons/book-closed_purple.svg" alt="/icons/book-closed_purple.svg" width="40px" /> CHAPTER 5
Ready to take your freelancing game to the next level? Then it's time to talk about scaling your business! This section of our Masterclass is all about helping you grow and thrive as a freelancer. We'll cover everything from managing multiple clients and upselling your services to dealing with imposter syndrome and tracking expenses.
We know that growing your business can feel overwhelming, but with our fun and easy-to-read articles, you'll be a pro in no time. So, whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to new heights, head to this section to start scaling!
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