I recently read an article that talked about what clients should do and know before they post a job. All of the points were great. Freelancers can also benefit from a few rules that will keep them from making bad deals.
Avoid people who are slow to act. People get busy, no doubt. But it amazes me how little some people answer questions about their job proposals, especially when it involves a brand new website or a redesign. If a client takes a long time to answer your questions, how do you think the job will go if you get it?
Don’t think that the client knows everything. Several potential clients have asked me to do something and then seemed confused when I asked them about their project. No matter what kind of job you are proposing, you should know that you know more than the client. You want to learn something from them, so ask them questions and pick their brains.
Don’t take less money. One thing I like about being a web developer is that I don’t have to stick to jobs in my area. Also, you have to compete with a lot of people around the world. Some of them will work for 25% or less of what you charge. Know what your price is before you bid. Send the client a proposal with your bid price, even if it’s over budget, and follow up a few days later. Those who are interested will answer. You’d be surprised by how little people pay for work. If the follow-up doesn’t get a response, think of it as lost. Onward.
Don’t get in over your head. This is almost as important as #3. When you put yourself down to get a job, you also put the job down. Don’t just charge $100 to change a website from tables in Dreamweaver to a custom WordPress theme. Also, don’t send a proposal to build an online shopping system for Macy’s (unless you have the staff to do it).
Offer some enhancements. Do you like getting extra money for a job well done? So do clients. There are pros and cons to doing something for free. But if you give the client something they didn’t expect, it can go a long way. If you’re writing content, you might want to submit it to some article directories or even do a press release (with the client’s permission, of course). Like in #2, don’t assume that your client knows how to use the great product you’ve given them. As a way to say “thank you,” try to give them something that helps them in some way.
Don’t let your feelings stop you from sending in a proposal. Yes, you may be in a dry spell where no matter what kind of job you bid on, you just can’t close the deal. This doesn’t mean you should lower your pay or do something special for a normal job. Most likely, it’s just you who are having trouble, not the industry as a whole. Even Peyton Manning and Kobe Bryant go through dry spells. Those who really make it in this business are the ones who know how to get through the bad times.
There are a lot of other things a freelancer can do to make sure a job is done well and boost their reputation in the field. You’re not just a freelancer; you’re also a project manager, which is a skill in and of itself. Be honest with yourself and keep your eyes open. But also know what you can’t do. Most of the time, if you take care of the basics, your customers will come back.
