17 Ways You Can Seal the Deal with Freelance Clients
Sealing the deal with clients doesn't require a rocket scientist degree, but it does take some finesse and skill. Sometimes it's as simple as providing remedies to client concerns. Knowing how to address these concerns for each client will help you seal the deal. In this post, we will be taking you through 17 different ways you can seal the deal with freelance clients.
What to do:
Here are 17 different ways you can seal the deal with freelance clients:
1. Have clear expectations and a contract in place
It's crucial to have a pre-determined set of standards for the work you're going to complete. For example, if you're asked to write a 1,000-word article, what will you include? How many sources from reputable websites will you use? What kind of writing style will you use? What's the deadline for the work to be completed? Having a contract drawn up by both parties can lay out all of these expectations.
2. Establish a timeline for the project
Establishing a timeline in your agreement with clients is essential to making sure they're satisfied and getting timely results. This will also help both parties understand the limits of the project so it doesn't get delayed.
3. Put together an outline of the project before starting work
In order to know exactly what you need to do for a client, you should put together an outline ahead of time. This way, there will be no confusion between you and your client about what needs to be done. Having a plan in place will help you avoid miscommunication with your client, leading to a delayed project or a dissatisfied client.
4. Be flexible to changes in scope or schedule, but be diligent about communicating these changes to your client
It's important as a freelancer that you can work quickly and efficiently, so you can accommodate changes in your project scope or schedule. While it's good to be flexible with clients, you need to do what you can to communicate these changes, so they aren't running around wondering what will happen next.
5. Update your portfolio regularly so that you have examples of your best work available at all times
A quick and easy way to seal the deal with clients is by showing them past projects you've completed. You can add any of your best ones directly in your proposal, so they get a sense of what you're capable of doing for them.
6. Consider what other services you can offer as part of this project -
maybe design, editing, or marketing support will help seal the deal with clients who need more than just writing
While you may not always have all or some of these services available to offer, they might come in handy during your next project. By getting creative and offering different things in addition to what you usually do, it can make the overall process easier for both you and your client.
7. Be a go-getter
After you seal the deal with a client, make sure you actually get their work done by adding it to your calendar and sticking to the timeline in place. If clients see that you're reliable and they can trust you, they will want to use your services again in the future!
8. Maintain communication with your client
It's important to keep the lines of communication open between you and your client. If they have questions or concerns, make sure that you're addressing them promptly. You also need to regularly provide updates on their project, so they don't worry that it will never be completed.
9. Offer a guarantee for your work
One final way you can seal the deal with clients is by offering a guarantee for their work. Clients want to know that they are paying for quality, so guaranteeing your services should be no reason you don't get repeat business in the future.
10. Follow Up
Following up with your client after receiving their feedback will show your interest and dedication. If there is any further information you need from them in order to continue with their project, this will help you get it in a timely manner. This type of follow-up is especially helpful when the client has given vague feedback about what they do or don't like about your work so far.
11. Maintain professionalism
There will always be at least one person who seems like they are impossible to please, so you need to make sure that you don't let any negative feedback or bad experiences get under your skin. Feedback is key for any business, so take it with a grain of salt and remember that there's always room for improvement!
12. Offer additional services
Having a strong portfolio and good communication skills are key, but you can seal the deal so your client will come back time and time again by offering them something they can't resist. Try to find out what your client is passionate about so you can help them achieve their goals while providing them with professional services. This could be anything from design, editing, or marketing support, to name a few.
13. Offer discounts
Offering your client something extra is great, but giving them an early bird discount can be even better! Offering small discounts on your services will make your client feel like they are getting the best deal possible and will therefore want to come back time and time again. The earlier they sign up for your services, the better, so keep this in mind when you're offering discounts.
14. Be organized
One thing clients really appreciate it if you follow through with everything you say you are going to do. Take notes of their feedback and any changes, schedule your work around their requirements, and stay committed to completing their project. As soon as your client sees that you are organized and reliable, they will be more than willing to use your services again!
15. Offer a trial run
If you're starting out as a freelancer, it can be tricky trying to convince clients to try out your services for the first time. One way you can solve this problem and seal the deal is by offering a trial run first and then following up with them later to ask if they would like any further work done. This approach will not only help you stand out from your competitors, but it will also allow for a smooth transition as you familiarize yourself with their project and business needs!
16. Don't over-promise
Overestimating your skills and abilities is sometimes a good thing, but it can also be detrimental to your career. This is especially true if you're trying to get repeat business from clients. Although it may be tempting to try and convince a client that you know everything about SEO or that you have 20 years of experience in the marketing world, this is not the best approach. Keep in mind that if you lie to a client, even a little white lie, they will find out, and this will be the end of your relationship with them.
17. Be an eagle-eye proofer
One thing many freelancers neglect when working on a project for a client is proofreading their work. Don't make this mistake! Proofreading can be time-consuming and frustrating, but it is one of the most important parts of completing a project. It is easy for even the best proofreader to miss something here or there, so remember to ask your client if they want their work to be proofread or if you can proofread what you sent them.
Final Thoughts
Sealing the deal with freelance clients is not an easy task by any means, but if you put in the effort and focus on what matters most to your client, they will be more than happy to work with you again. As a freelancer, it is important to remember that there are many different ways to accomplish your goal, and in order to determine which ones work best in any given situation, you need to stay organized and flexible.