How to accomplish freelance projects successfully: Top Tips for Freelancers
Freelance jobs are plenty in the market. There is no dearth of employers ready to spend on high-value projects now and then. Projects of all sizes are flooded around the freelancing sites and one does not need to wait long to bid on series of projects. The demand for freelance service providers are increasing at a rapid pace.
Although, success rate of new freelancers is not convincing.
Problem areas of freelancers:
Newbie are always susceptible to quick failure in freelancing field. Even experienced freelancers often fail to capitalize on huge opportunities. Majority of them face productivity challenges and communication problems with employers which lead to unsuccessful project biddings, under performance and at the end of the day unsatisfied client feedback.
The situation is even worse when thousands of freelancers with same set of skills bid on the same job. In spite of new projects being added every other day the competition among freelancers are always high. Moreover, each employer is different from other, so one bidding experience does not suit to all.
On the whole freelancers often find it difficult to maintain their reputation, relationship and rewards for longer period of time.
Freelance industry needs to be strengthened
This is an alarming situation in terms of freelancing as a service industry and freelancers as the skilled professionals on job. Not to mention freelancers as a whole comprise of vast group of workers who perform more than 50% of all internet based jobs. They are the biggest service providers in online marketplace who can deliver quality service at an affordable rate and that too within stipulated time.
With economic crisis rising up and job markets being unstable worldwide, it is obvious that freelancers are the one-stop choice for many prospective employers. They deserve quality projects/jobs from standard, well-paid employers time to time. Reputation, recommendation, and future growth – these are the integral parts of a freelancer’s career.
However prospering in freelancing field is not easy for any service provider whether he or she is immature or experienced. Things can go wrong in a number of ways. Unless freelancers know the possible risks and challenges associated with a project right from bidding stage to delivering the final report, successful completion of project is not possible. Availability of jobs for freelancers in abundance does not mean anyone can do well in this profession and make good money.
Essential tips for freelancers
There are several aspects freelancers need to consider before bidding on a project.
In this article we will explain how freelancers should follow important project management steps starting with project identification and its valuation, writing effective bids, project clarification, messaging and communication, dispute resolutions, feedback collections to payment collection.
Following points will help freelancers to access global job market and deliver work stupendously.
Learn to write an effective proposal. This is the first and foremost step to win a potential bid. You can start reading the project description attentively and then ask for clarification, if any. It is important to know the project in and out right from the service buyer. This will ensure win-win situation for both and avoid further confusion.
Try to keep your bid simple, clear and concise. Employers are most likely to avoid bids with longer descriptions and unnecessary points. Proofread your bid well and resolve possible issues before you commit a project.
Be clear to your own terms. You can use project description as a guide and explain what exactly you will deliver, how long it will take to do this , how much it will cost. Be confident to employer what you promise to deliver. Using project clarification board can also be helpful if you need to ask questions to employer.
Take help of private messaging system. Once you place a bid successfully it is time to provide additional information that you may have avoided in your bid. Employers may be interested in these trivialities and may give you a call.
Citing some reference works is a good way to attract service buyer’s attention quick. You can upload some sample work or provide some links of projects accomplished. Make sure the samples match the particular job requirements and it describes the best in you. Here is a precautionary message. Any sample you send to a new employer should contain watermark or identification of copyrights. You can also use your name as a copyright text.
Quote a bid price that is competitive in the market. There is no thumb rule that lowest bidder can only win a deal, else not. If you are confident on your deliverables employers may be willing to pay more than average price. It all depends on how realistic your quotes are, how reputed your services are.
Don’t go overboard just because you had some successful projects recent past. Every new project needs you start fresh. Little confidence help but over confidence may damage the relationships. Be honest to your skills, aptitude and capability.
If you think you are not apt for a job pass it on to your friends or acquaintances who are the right fit for this. Don’t let an opportunity go in vain just because it is not your cup of tea. Rather passing up a job to an unknown develops good relationships both in freelance communities and with the employer.
Encourage other freelancers to take part in big projects and work in a team together. This may the stepping stone to form a start up.
Few more suggestions to develop personal skills that will help you manage freelance jobs on a day-to-day basis –
- Balance between professional and personal relationships
- Learn to avoid daily work related stress
- Apply free productivity enhancement tools
- Develop steady but trustworthy relationships
- Eliminate all tasks than the essential ones
- Keep checking emails and respond them on time
- Plan your work for next 3- 5 days in advance
- Lead a simple online life, don’t take too much of work pressure
- Have a plan to launch your own business
- Emphasize on value creation
- Focus on time management
- Learn how to do single thing at a single time
- Work on your creativity
- Motivate yourself to do something new and better everyday
- Balance your social networking activities
- Organize your personal and professional desktop jobs
- Create a to-do list and habit list
- Avoid time wasters
- Build a centralized project list
- Take quick naps. This will keep you physically active and fresh throughout working hours
By following these above mentioned guidelines, freelancers can have better life in this web world. Money, relationship, reputation and stability – all are important for a freelancer to survive in this job market. However peace of mind, sound health and self-satisfaction should never be compensated for any of these achievements.
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