A number of individuals opt for freelancing owing to its flexibility. They want to be their own boss, fix their own schedule, and thrive on projects they like. Sadly, the reality of working as a freelancer is very different than what it appears. Each client you have acted like a new manager, and each of them has their personal demands and deadlines.
Not only that, but finding clients is very difficult. From incorporating social media to networking, it is a challenge to find leads and retain them, which, of course, takes a lot of time. The rule of thumb is to keep those you have at present and develop a steady stream of income. In this article, we will go over several ways to keep the clients you have coming back.
1 – Exceed expectations
By offering top-notch service, you provide a unique opportunity of clients to choose you over others. This indicates doing more than simply meeting the usual needs of a project. You must try to offer high-quality work for each project to portray to your clients they are getting good value for their money.
Using the empathy strategy is also a great way to make sure that you’re providing value. When you put yourself in your clients’ shoes, you can understand their needs, worries, and goals better. This understanding helps you anticipate what they need and solve problems before they have to ask. You can read more about this strategy by clicking here.
Communication is another important part of exceptional service. Always keep your clients in the loop about the status of their projects.
2 – Offer incentives
Offering incentives is a great way to encourage clients to keep coming back. You can give discounts on future projects, offer referral bonuses if they introduce new clients to you, or set up a loyalty program that rewards them for continuing to choose your services.
For instance, you could offer a 10% discount on their next project once a client completes three projects with you. Or, provide a referral bonus, like a discount or a free small service, if a client brings a new customer who then hires you.
Make sure your clients know what benefits they can get by continuing to work with you and how they can use these offers. Keeping them informed about any ongoing promotions or rewards will keep them interested and more likely to think of you for their next projects.
3 – Streamline Processes
The more efficiently you work, the faster the turnaround time on a project will be. This keeps your clients happy, so they keep coming back for more work done by you. It starts with getting organized. Using professional tools and methods to manage your projects keeps everything organized and on time.
Project management strategy includes planning the tasks, setting deadlines, keeping track of progress, and regularly talking to your clients. There are plenty of tools that can help you organize tasks well and keep clients updated, showing them you are carefully managing their projects. It’s just a matter of finding the best one for your needs.
What Are The Common Challenges Faced By Freelancers In Terms Of Client Retention?
The life of a freelancer is full of benefits like better work-life balance and heightened liberty. But it’s not always how it appears. Freelancing has its own share of challenges, too. One of them is definitely retaining clients and keeping them back to you instead of other freelancers. Here’s more to it:
1. Looking For Prospects
Acquiring leads is one of the biggest challenges for freelancers because they are typically new to this realm and have no idea where to find customers. If you have just set foot in a new area without any support or prior experience, things will be a bit difficult for you.
Don’t worry, it is nothing to be scared of. You can take some necessary precautions, like networking with experts in the field and having a staunch online presence. Before you actually start taking up work, discuss with others and check how the entire industry works.
2. Growing Clients
Then we have the biggest challenge to deal with. Suppose you have worked with a particular consumer and they loved it. What are the odds that they are going to come back to you? Because the competition is fierce, there are millions of freelancers like you waiting to get a suitable project.
In this case, networking helps, too. Try attending local events and learn more about prospects. Meet them in person and discuss work with them. If they gain trust in you, they are likely to keep coming back because nobody likes frequent changes. Also, be a little proactive in terms of just emailing.
3. Increasing Your Pay Scale
It is not very easy for freelancers to increase their pay scale because the nature of the job is competitive. Your client is most likely to find someone exactly like you and ditch you, which would leave you with nothing at all. Increasing the rate might take slow turns before you can talk about it to your clients directly.
If you want to increase your pay, make sure to show quality in your work. Develop your skills and keep concrete proof of it. Try preventing freelancer sites that have low-skill or low-cost reputations. Instead, target clients that have a larger budget and work with them. This will not only bring a good change in your portfolio, but you will also receive a better paycheck.
The Bottom Line
Freelancing is an amazing way of working flexibly and making money. However, the path will become a lot smoother if you start to consider facts and act upon them. The above-mentioned challenges might not be there for everybody; it depends on person to person.
So, don’t worry before actually starting things off. Unless you do not jump into it, you never get to experience something new. With that, it’s a wrap on this comprehensive guide. Comment below and share your thoughts with us.
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