Freelance Apple

As a freelancer, one of our main priorities is to please the client. A happy client will come back to you, refer you to others and most importantly feel good with your work. Many times it is not the work which is displeasing to the client, rather the attitude of the freelancer which will cause the client never to return or recommend.

By changing your attitude in dealing with your client, and generally with all people, you will get significantly more business by simple word of mouth. For example, let’s say you need your car fixed. Will you go to your local directory or ask a member of your family or a friend if they know a reliable mechanic? Personally, I will always opt for the latter. That is why keeping good relationships with people can aid your marketing in the long run, usually more than a marketing campaign.

Show Interest in People

Imagine that you are a teenager again (yay!) and you chit-chat with your driving instructor. During one lesson you mention to him that you are a great ‘Lord of the Rings’ fan. As you leave your next lesson he hands you a little present, you unwrap it to find that it is a Lord of the Rings DVD!

This DVD could have cost him less than £10. Your driving lessons cost at least £20. But what are the chances that after he genuinely listened and genuinely showed an interest that you will leave him for another instructor? Zero!

In fact, when you recommend a driving instructor to your ten friends wanting an instructor, who do you recommend?

Use the same concept in freelancing. If you have just finished a project for your client, where the client gave you a healthy paycheck, then you may want to just buy them a small present. But, it does not have to be material.

If you follow your clients on Facebook, then that’s a brilliant way for you to get some casual conversation in with your clients and build up a strong link there so that you may take advantage of repeat work. Even if you don’t get any leads out of them, you will, in the end, have increased the scope of your network of people, and still have the potential to bring in more clients.

Be Nice

If you are to meet your client face-to-face, as soon as you see them – give them a smile!

I’ve heard that 80% of communication is non-verbal. By smiling you are sending them a non-verbal message saying “I’m happy to see you”. You’d be surprised at the psychological effects this has on the human mind.

A Chinese proverb has words to the affect of “A man without a smiley face should not open a shop”

Your general etiquette should be one of politeness and sincerity. Be careful not to come across as arrogant and uptight, as I have come across many freelancers who do this, and it is a real ‘turn-off’ for the potential client.

Take Notes

When someone mentions something important, make notes. You will definitely forget. A person may say “My son Adam the other day…”. Make a note somewhere that his son’s name is Adam. Next time you see him ask “How’s Adam?”. People love their kids and this person will be shocked at you remembering. Who do you think they will recommend next time he hears someone needs a service you offer?

Listen More than Talk

People have an issue. They love to talk and hate to listen. Very simply, if you shut up and listen, the person you are listening to will become very happy with you. Trust me, it works.

Make Connections

Of the people you know, if person A becomes in need of person B, put them in touch, they will appreciate it and see you as a solution to a problem of theirs. In future they will associate you as a problem solver, and will turn to you when they require services you offer (a problem solved).

Talk in Terms of Peoples Interests

Make a real interest in other people. I hate soccer (what we call football in England), I detest the sport and can not stand it. However, sometimes I’ve been in a situation where the person I am speaking to genuinely loves football. Lets create a scenario where you are in my shoes (in terms of hating football) and speaking to a client on MSN Messenger.

Out of the blue he says, “Did you watch the match last night?”

Do not reply “I hate football” rather, say “Unfortunately, I missed the game”

This person will now tell you how the game was, in fact, he may ask you which team you support. Here’s a piece of advice, just do what I do and say ‘Manchester United’. He may now speak about Manchester United, so Google them! Ask him who he supports and Google them! Then talk more about them.

“What’s the advantage oh wise Golem?”

The advantage is that your client now associates that good feeling of his love for football with you and therefore likes you. By liking you, when someone he knows needs a service you can offer, there is a higher chance he will refer you.

Make People Feel Important

This does not mean doing the ‘Indian Telemarketer’ thing of constantly saying “Sir” at the end of every sentence.

Never do that!

“Talk to people about themselves and they will listen for hours” – Benjamin Disreali

Let’s say a client asks you to redesign a website they have selling herbal remedies online. When you say to them “May I just say that you run this business well”, the client will be over the moon, and therefore may refer you to someone else in the future!

Conclusion

None of this is possible without good skills in your field of expertise. The psychology I’ve spoken about will enable you to promote your work, but if your work isn’t up to standard, such techniques will have little effect. The most important part of all about the above mentioned techniques is to do a good honest job, putting all your effort into every project that comes your way. Never waver on that!

Agree or disagree? Comment below!

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