When a freelancer offers a professional service, they deal with a variety of individuals with an array of needs and wants. However, when doing so, a freelancer must maintain certain standards without compromising the consumer.
Have a reality check
Reality check is essential to comprehend how they can affect their relationships with clients. If the freelancer is aware of the ins and outs of their business, the client will have no chance to ‘walk all over’ them.
For example: by understanding the responsibilities at hand, the freelancer will better manage and value their time.
This will ensure the the client does not disrupt and manipulate the freelancer’s working hours The freelancer’s understanding of what can be done in specific amounts of time will allow him to adjust priorities accordingly.
Freelancers can achieve a healthy balance between the time they spend in and out of work. That in turn can increase productivity and time management. In addition, finishing tasks at the end of the day would be much more gratifying. Avoiding an overload guarantees a more comfortable and positive working environment.
Be selective
Established freelancers may want to be picky with the types of clients they choose to work with. Building a positive relationship between the freelancer and client needs to go both ways. This can prevent client attemts to take advantage as there is always a risk of a lack of payment or credit when due.
Therefore, finding trustworthy clients can prevent the risk of exploitation. This leads to an enjoyable and smooth experience. The freelancer should protect themselves from the very start. Having a large number of clients may seem appealing. However, being selective with clients may be more beneficial and increase flexibility.
In addition, freelancers often have less protection than large firms. Written agreements can be effective evidence for safety measures. The client will have a right to exploit if a contract is not signed. The guarding of the freelancer can be an effective protective measure. Therefore, written agreements, like contracts, can prevent a lack of compensation.
Attitudes of the freelancer
Freelancers need to constantly monitor attitudes to maintain a respectful dynamic between themselves and the client. The freelancer shouldn’t let emotions disturb the working process and potentially insult clients. With good customer service, the client can act as an ambassador in future. Word of mouth can increase the freelancer’s clientele.
A client will be even more certain about choosing a particular freelancer if the freelancer maintains a consistent professional and friendly attitude. Staying calm and sticking to the plan is very important.
If the work process runs smoothly and both sides remain respectful with each other, the chances that the client would want to exploit the freelancer are very slim.
As in every professional relationship, it is important that the freelancer sets some boundaries with the client in the very beginning. You make the rules about what’s appropriate in your communication.
Parting ways at the end of the work process can also be a positive factor for a healthy client relationship. However, sometimes it could be the only option – that’s if the client’s views don’t match the freelancer’s ones or vice versa.
Listen and Learn
Listening to the client will also help you in the future. If the freelancer assumes the client is always wrong and does not have enough expertise, the work relationship would be stressful and unfruitful.
Active listening will show the client that you value their needs and opinions. Empathy is a useful tool even when you disagree on something. It is much more important to keep the client cal and happy than to contantly impose your ideas.
Improved customer service leads to positive recommendations for your services. There will be fewer worries for both the client and freelancer if the freelancer checks on the client to ensure everything is running as expected. Unplanned events may lead to the client wanting to exploit the freelancer, therefore keeping record of each checkup can protect the freelancer.
Also, the freelancer may want to invest in insurance for safety measures as a high proportion of freelancers a year are likely to not receive commission. Therefore, a good relationship and protectionism of the freelancer are keys to a lack of exploitation and being ‘walked all over’.
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