How to Manage Multiple

Freelance Clients
By Deborah Hinaut

Have you ever wondered how to maintain more than 1 freelance client? Perhaps you
want to increase your income by getting another client, but you’re scared that you might
not be able to handle all of them at the same time.

Don’t worry. I know how it feels. That’s why I’m sharing these effective tips on how to
handle clients with different kinds of businesses while doing administrative tasks for all
of them.

These three (3) simple tips have helped me achieve a balance while delivering the best
results for my dear clients.

TIP#1. Use a To-Do List:

Maintaining a to-do-list can be a bit old-fashioned but it sure works! I’ve experimented
between online to-do-lists applications and using my good ol’ pen and paper.

Personally, I feel that most of my successful projects “to-do-lists” are my written ones.
I love maintaining notebooks for every client and take down notes and have it dated per
day, so I would know and remember every important transaction. Every day, at the start
of my shift per client, I take the time to review my notebook based on dates.

I arrange the to-do-list by category from high priority, low priority, long term, to short
term tasks.

Try it for yourself and let me know if it works for you! :)

TIP#2. Use a Cloud-based project management
software and storage drive.
My personal favorites are Asana and Trello. Asana and Trello are project management
applications where you can collaborate with other people - in this case, your online
clients and teammates if you have any. Through these apps, you can keep your clients
in the loop and let them see in real time what you’re doing for them. This way, they will
feel secure that the tasks they gave you are strictly being followed. This will create a
good business relationship with your clients.

Considering the number of mundane tasks and paperwork, admin tasks can be very
tedious. Hence, there’s a high possibility that you might get burned out if you track
everything manually. Therefore, using cloud-based apps can save your day!

A cloud-based project management software like Asana and Trello and a cloud-based
storage drive like Google and Dropbox can help you streamline your workflow and it will
allow you to access your files wherever you work!

TIP#3. Create Your Own Schedule and Strictly

Follow It!
I always give myself a time-out. A short break with chocolate and a cup of coffee is
always good!

Going for a break will boost your energy. If you’re working at a client’s project, consider
it blocked. This is not the time for all other fun stuff like social media. Stop scrolling your
news feed!

Since you’ll be working with different clients, most likely, they’d be in different time
zones (Eastern, Central, Pacific, etc.) That’s why it would be better if you have a world
clock handy on your computer screen at any time. This would prevent yourself from
missing any online meetings due to wrong time calculations! (Oh yes. It happens!)

Set a world clock for each of your clients and maintain an online calendar such as
Google Calendar. The golden rule is to follow your schedule every single day to the
letter so there will be no overlap in your tasks. This includes your time with your family
and friends.