Chapter 1

profile management

Chapter 2

search & filter job

Chapter 3

job application

Chapter 4

communication with client

Chapter 5

project development

Chapter 6

handover project

Chapter 7

review & rating

Chapter 8

add project in portfolio

chapter 4:

Communication with client:

After job application, if client find your application is interesting then definitely he will contact you. That time you’ll need to remember some tips TO WIN PROJECT.

Here are tips below:

thank-you

1.Say thank you to client:

When client contact you to discuss on project…. do not forget… to say “Thank you for your response.”

It show your respect about him / her.

“Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.”

2. Get detail requirement specification:

When client post job on Freelancer Platform…. most of times, client do not post full and transparent requirement there. So you’ll need to get detail requirement from client.

Like:

Get SRS (Software Requirements Specification) document,  get demo or sample example links that client like,  get screenshot or pdf file if client have.

Because sometime what happen… you give cost & time estimation based on where client post job online. 

When you discuss with client… you’ll find that list of requirements are not mention in Job Detail.

It is necessary to get clear requirement from client… so it will reduce future trouble.

I have personal experience… sometime client change requirements… it’ll create trouble in future.

3. Ask meaning and limited queries:

queryAfter getting detail requirements, you need to study that documents, pdf file, demo link or screenshot design that client provided.

If you do not understand some points… always write it down… and ask to client.

Asking queries shows that… you are serious and professional.

Good thing is…. If you clear your doubts… it’ll not dispute in future.

Remember:

Your query should be meaningful and limited. It’ll bother client… if your send 50 to 100 queries. If you ask silly or meaningless questions and wasting client time… It may possible you lose the opportunity.

4. Always prefer written communication:

Always prefer written communication rather than voice and video…  specially client is from outside country.

If client is from outside your country then… you’ll find issue with accent and language.

Also, it may possible misunderstanding happens due to unskilled formal communication.

Most of freelancers prefer written communication because this is a kind of proof about requirement specification which client can not ignore.

In written communication you get time to think and avoid any mistake.

I have many bad experience on voice & video communication. Sometime what happen… client change his / her requirement or add more new tasks after project get started.

It create critical situation on that time. And you do not have any proof to show.

In written communication, you have a whole communication from start to end… as a proof.

So client can not change his requirement or add new tasks. Suppose client add new tasks so you can charge for that.

5. Use communication tools provided by freelancing platform:

upwork-freelancer-platformSome freelancing websites like upwork.com, freelancer.com etc… they have restrictions to use communication tools like skype, email, whatsapp which are outside their platform.

They mention it in their policies. Also they are taking very strict action if you violate their policies.

Check out advantages:

1. Save your all communication with client as a proof.

2. Save all documents, pdf files, screenshots images. You can use it later as reference.

6. Prefer client with proficiency language:

boy-with-wordsPrefer client with those languages in which you can easily communicate.

If you can’t speak European languages like Spanish, French… then do not apply for European client’s job.

It’ll hard to communicate with them. Also it will create misunderstanding between you and client.

Can’t get clear requirement… due to language barrier.

For example:

If you are comfortable with english then… try to find clients who are proficient in English. Like region… USA, UK, Australia etc.

7. Do not frighten to negotiate:

two-businessman-handshakeAfter get clear project requirement, it need to give proper time and cost estimation for that project.  

Before negotiation, show a level of care that goes beyond the immediate deal. It is very important to build relationship with client.  

Before starting this phase… help him with requirement… give him more advanced tips.

Client will be more understandable if you already build good relationship.

Always try to give a Fair Price.

Due to heavy competition… if you give high cost, client will prefer other freelancer.

 ….And if you give low cost then you’ll be in trouble and need invest lots of time to complete project.

I have personal experience.

In past by giving lowest bid, I won many projects.  I was busy throughout a day around 12 hours but getting very less pay.

This situation was really frustrating…. I was unable to devote my time for all projects properly.   

Due to that clients gave me bad feedback…. It was hard for me to build relationship with clients… Sometimes had dispute also.

 

 

8. Divide project in simple milestones:

milestoneAfter negotiation and get offer, you’ll need to divide project in simple milestones based on time.

For example:

If you get $500 project for Website Development. You could make 5 milestones around… $100.

After completion of each milestone… request client to review work and  release payment.

It is as simple.

9. Convince client for extra work cost:

moneyIf you already created requirement analysis very transparent and specific…. then there is no need to convince client for extra cost.

Client inform proactively about extra tasks and its cost.

But if your requirement analysis is not clear… then help client by completing small and simple tasks free.

But if tasks are complicated and time consuming… then it need to convince client to pay money for extra work.