Freelance Apple

As a freelancer, you need to keep up with the game. A freelancer who is dynamic and open to improvement, will always improve his/her skills and always have the better chance of landing work. One of the most simple and straight forward approaches to this is by asking your client. You work for your client, so your client will be able to give you a better picture of areas for improvement. A follow up questionnaire, in fact, can have many advantages. Here are 6 questions you may consider asking your client.

1. How do you think I could improve my service?

Do not get offended or argue when they reply. What this person tells you is potentially a pearl of wisdom. Listen!

It is very important. There are more advantages here than simply finding out how you could improve. I once worked for a company. I had staff who worked under me and when I became frustrated, I would let it out on them, and explain to my staff what a piece of shit they were. It wasn’t long before my staff had put together a complaint, which they gave to the regional manager.

As opposed to having the normal reaction of shouting back at them, I went to the lady who had filed the complaint, and asked her “I understand that you have lodged a complaint against me, and you are fully within your right to do so. I have been a jerk. However this isn’t because I am a jerk. I have recently been under a lot of pressure. I would appreciate it if all the staff wrote down exactly what I should change about the way I am running the place.”

I got the worst comments in the world. However, the lady went and removed the complaint and saved my butt!

The moral of the story is, when a client can see that you have listened and improved, they will stick with you.

2. What do you like about my service?

Whatever they tell you here is what you need to be conscious of when completing further work for clients and is what you need to build other clients. If a client says “I enjoy the way you give realistic deadlines and keep to them”. This is what you need to stick to! If you lack this with other clients, that’s perhaps your point of improvement with them.

However, don’t build on every situation. If the client says “I think you’re cute”, don’t send a topless picture to them! They could be innocently flirting!

3. How do you think I could expand my service?

This may overlap with the answers to question 1, as many people think that these questions are very similar, however, not necessarily. Your question is basically after other services you could potentially provide which such a client may find useful. For example, if you’re a freelance graphics designer, and you ask question one, the client may say something along the lines of “Deadlines could have been planned better”. However, if you ask question three, you may get the answer “I think you should offer coding services as well, as your rates are affordable”. What can you do from here? Possibly work with a coder, or you could develop coding skills yourself.

4. Where did you find out about me?

Finding out where a client heard about you in order to become a lead is extremely crucial in your marketing campaigns. Knowing where a good amount of your clients come from, such as a forum, may help you focus your marketing efforts on that particular area.

5. Do you know anyone who may be interested in my services?

This is vital to survival as a freelancer and key to networking. The chances are that the client does not know someone off the top of their head, but in the future when they know someone who requires a service you can provide, they will turn to you. A good tip is to pass a few business cards to your client they can give to potential interest. Word of mouth is a very, very strong marketing tool, so don’t underestimate its power.

6. May I have your contact details to remain in touch?

Take a note of anything you can. Name, address, telephone/mobile number, email address, website name, and try to stay in touch in multiple communication forums so they know you’re around. You could also submit them to a newsletter you publish so they can take a look at your recent work as time goes on so if the opportunity arises for them or one of their contacts to be in need of one of your services, then they can immediately refer back to your newsletter emails.

If your client gives you their address, do not turn up at their doorstep to say “Hi!”. Although you may want to send them a box of chocolates. This links in nicely with marketing with your personality. You should also try arranging short meetings with your clients, like a coffee break, just so you can see how they’re getting on and so you stay fresh in their mind.

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