There is no straightforward way to impress your clients. Every client is different—some are obnoxiously strict, some are utterly flexible, and whatnot. There is no telling who needs what unless you change the way you manage your relationship with your client. Know the steps to think like your client.
In order to ensure a smooth relationship with a client, you will have to consider how he considers his work, what he expects from you, how he wants the work done, what he likes or dislikes, and others. Of course, you can find out answers to these questions by simply asking. However, it is appreciated that you try stepping into the shoes of your client.
There are several benefits of thinking like your client. But, it is not as easy as it sounds when it really comes to thinking from a client’s perspective without any personal prejudices. In this article, we will help you in developing better perspectives to improve your equation with the client.
Here are 10 ways that can effectively make you think from your client’s point-of-view. Keep each of them in mind and you are assured better results, if not best.
1. Respect The Project
You cannot take your work lightly. Even if you try pretending that you are serious, you will not remain scot-free for long. This is because clients have spent a lot of time with varied types of freelancers and are well-acquainted with the latter’s cheat-sheet.
Think about this way: would you like it if anyone treats your work secondary? You would not, of course. So, instead of showing a lackadaisical and insensitive attitude towards projects, show your sincerity and respect which will earn you a good reputation—something that usually determines work opportunities in the freelance community.
2. Consultation With The Client Whenever Necessary
In the freelance community, there is flexibility in work conditions. As a freelancer, you can expect a lot of freedom as to how the project gets done, but this does not dispense you with the responsibility of holding regular consultations with clients whenever necessary.
As a client, you will not have liked the idea of getting your project executed inadequately or wrongly—and lack of communication usually contributes to this. So, stay connected throughout the project to be sure that you are doing the project the right way.
3. Accept Criticism
Criticism is a bitter pill to swallow, but its effects are quite beneficial. Always remember that you can never achieve perfection in anything which means you are vulnerable to mistakes. In situations where you mess up, you will most likely receive negative feedback from the client and you should handle it maturely.
Again, contemplate whether you would have liked anyone messing up your work. No, right! You would want to convey your thoughts plainly and for that, you would consider having an honest conversation with the freelancer.
4. Be Honest With What You Can And Cannot Do
You will not appreciate lies or half-baked truths regarding giveaways. Many freelancers tend to exaggerate their potential to take up work, and when the time to show some substance really comes, excuses happen. So, avoid making promises you cannot keep.
Tell the client what you can and cannot do. Be very forthcoming about your strengths and weakness, allowing the client to determine the allocation of work accordingly. This will make you and your client’s life simple and hassle-free.
5. Give Your Suggestions
Many think that all that clients are concerned about is getting the project done. Well, there are many other things to be factored in as well. One of the things a client wants is involvement from the freelancer, and thus, he often expects suggestions.
Suggestions show that the freelancer has sincere concerns regarding the project—that he wants to ensure that top-quality output is produced. It is, therefore, highly advised that you make recommendations wherever needed to improve the execution of the project.
6. Stick To The Schedule
Think about it this way: would you have liked it if your freelancer had delayed submissions? No, right! You could have given a few chances but would not have approved of such an attitude.
The value of time is as significant as that of money. In fact, when you go through any project description and requirements posted by clients on various websites, you can notice the emphasis given on time management. It is so because it is that crucial.
One of your top priorities must be to monitor time in an effective manner. When there is any circumstance that may slow down the progress in work, you must communicate the same to the client. Try your best to submit projects on time and keep clients happy.
7. Make The Best Use Of Technology
This is the 21st century and the relevance of technology cannot be overstated. Businesses have gone online and therefore, the need to have sufficient computer skills is quite imperative.
In the freelance community, most of the transactions happen through the Internet. From the exchange of information to the payment of dues, everything has gone online. If you want to survive in this community, you must strengthen your knowledge of technology.
For example, content writers must know MS-Word sufficiently, if not wholly. Features such as Track Changes should be at the tip of their fingers. Likewise, a graphic designer should know about various designing platforms available in the market and have knowledge of and skills in more than one of these platforms.
8. Ask Only What Is Relevant
Clients often complain of freelancers who send trivial queries to them and consume a lot of their time. If you are one of them, stop right away.
Nobody likes to address trivial questions every single hour. In the business world, people expect a certain degree of consideration and common sense from people. So, it is best to avoid anything which amounts to shooting dozens of emails or making multiple calls to inquire about things that only require common sense for resolution.
9. Manners, Please
Do not take your clients for granted, especially when it comes to the tone and language of communication. Your clients have given you enough flexibility with respect to work, and if you talk or gesticulate in ways which are condescending or rude, then you can expect them to mend their ways as well.
Just like you would not have liked anyone showing off attitude for no good reason; your clients are no less different. So, manners must not be compromised.
10. Stay Connected
Just because you are no longer associated with a project does not mean that you have absolutely nothing to do with your former client. It is always advised that you maintain reasonable contacts with previous clients. In fact, if you see this from the side of the clients, even they appreciate such gestures.
If you want to improve the quality of your output, you must think from the perspective of your client. Thinking this way will give you a clearer picture as to what is expected of you. Hence, we think that our list of 10 tips can be of great use to you. (1)
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