The 2020 catastrophe wreaked havoc on the employment sector but fortunately, the freelance industry has actually flourished.
Companies have started to hire more freelancers than full-time employees to minimize costs. This is indeed a golden opportunity for freelancers to build long term clients. Therefore it is important to understand "How to add value to your clients as a freelancer?" The value here is indispensable. You will be able to build a referral network, develop a reputation, and increase the level of clients that you work with, in no time. This is the time to establish everlasting relationships, create win-win situations and move into the retainer zone with your clients.
Comply with Deadlines
Stephen King once said, "Amateurs sit down and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work."
As a freelancer, time management is life management. How to add value to your clients as a freelancer? Try completing the deliverables before the expected time. Your efficiency would not only impress the client but provide with scope for last-minute changes.
Respect the time and always meet deadlines.
Go the Extra Mile
Do you know about the 80/20 rule? It states that 80 per cent of your results come from 20 per cent of the things you do.
As a freelancer, you should be more mindful to the 80/20 rule. Your clients would love that 80 per cent result from 20 per cent efforts. Ask yourself, Are you making their life better or are you putting unnecessary roadblocks in their way?
It is always the little things that matter. For instance, if you are writing a blog article like this, you will work on your content i.e., ideas and graphics. You might end up sending the files for content to be used. But if your client is not a blogging expert, he will have a hard time dealing with SEO before publishing it. In such situations, you should always offer to do more. Make your client's job easier than they expected. People like quality work and always reminisce such experiences.
Volunteer Responsibility
If you see a problem that your client isn’t addressing, tell them about it. Furthermore, offer solutions and take responsibility for it.
This is where most freelancers fail—while they’re good at noticing and quoting problems, they rarely do anything about it, thus adding more things to their client’s plate.
As Tom Krause says, "Life is not about living without problems. Life is about solving problems."
By taking an initiative to solve your client's problem, you are making an impact on their organisation which is unforgettable. They will always come back to you because of your proactive and responsible approach. Clients have emotions as well and they will value the impact you make because everyone wants to work with the best in the business.
Build Credibility
John C Maxwell calls credibility a leader's currency.
Trust is built on credibility which comes from putting your client's interest before your own. You might be working on who your clients are, adjusting your prices, making it easy for high-value customers to find you but if you don’t offer that final, crucial piece of the puzzle, "Brand Credibility", all else is futile. It’s a buyers’ market, and clients with larger budgets will be able to pick and choose.
They will respect and want to work with higher status companies and individuals who can already demonstrate success. So, upload plenty of customer testimonials and reviews from satisfied clients. Increase valuable third-party endorsements through guest blogs and content for other, respected websites and online platforms.
WHAT'S NEXT?
So here is a question, what if you succeed in adding value to your clients and start working frequently? Always maintain the quality of your work and make sure to network!
