FREELANCE WEEK 2 NOTES

TOPIC 19 | WHAT WILL I LEARN? LEARN HOW TO WIN YOUR CLIENT'S TRUST
Its is very important to win your client’s trust. How to build your client’s trust. There are 4 points
that can build your trust in clients.

1. Profile
2. Portfolio
3. Feedback
4. Videos

Profile: Freelancer profile summary is a very important segment for a freelancer because clients
would like to judge the capability of a freelancer by reviewing the profile summary.

Portfolio: portfolio is tangible proof that you can do what you say you can do, and if you were hiring
somebody, you'd probably want to see proof of their work. To be able to win the projects you really
want, you must provide relevant examples and showcase your expertise.

Feedback: information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc. which is
used as a basis for improvement. If your customers are satisfied, they will use good words as
referrals which is important in freelance. Clients look for good reviews.

Videos: Get Your Profile to the Next Level with an Intro Video. video profile in freelance marketplace
attracts customers and clients. Clients will know about your communication skills and its important
to record your video in English because English is an international language.

TOPIC 20 | WHAT WILL I LEARN? CHARGE MORE TO YOUR FREELANCE CLIENTS

In freelance marketplace as you grow, you can charge more. There are 3 ways to charge more.

1. Quick turnaround time: the amount of time taken to complete a process or fulfill a request.
Done a project in 4 days instead of 1 week as promised. That can win a client’s trust. A client
can give you a 5-star feedback.
2. Communication: Effective communication at the workplace is the key in establishing strong
relationships and getting important projects done. Use Skype for communication and
convince the client positively via lengthy communications. Make sure your lights are good,
your voice is good, your internet connection is good.
3. Prove your value: you are the right choice for him (clients), convince him through images,
graphs, videos etc. tell him about your previous success stories, experiences and hard work.
Once you prove yourself worth then you can raise the price.

TOPIC 21 | WHAT SETS YOU APART AS A FREELANCER? LEVEL OF SKILL

Skill level is a term that can be used to define a person's knowledge of a particular subject. Words
such as novice, intermediate, proficient or expert can be assigned to your personal and professional
attributes to demonstrate the level of experience you have with a particular skill.

Hard work and experience can excel the level and chances of improving your skill. Improve your skill
is most important. Learn new things and learn up to date software. Watch tutorials etc.

TOPIC 22 | WHAT SETS YOU APART AS A FREELANCER? COMMUNICATION SKILLS

In order to achieve your goal or mission, good communication skill is must. What is your mission?
Successful freelancer, earn more money, to become financially independent and to empower more
people. These things are only possible when you excel in your skills, which is incomplete without
communication. More effective communication skills are directly proportional to more stronger in
relationship both in business and personal life. Communication means the art of selling yourself.
There are 4 important factors in communication.
 1. Selection of words: use appropriate words and avoid unsuitable words
2. Message: Art of conveying your message across
3. Stay connected: always accessible, online and available to communicate
4. Conciseness: communicating complete information about a topic or idea in a few words.

TOPIC 23 | WHAT SETS YOU APART AS A FREELANCER? SPEED OF RESPONSE

Prompt response: a swift, quick, efficient, speedy, immediate (response, reply) to your client.

Use mobile app: you need to stay in touch with your client. If no app then at least use mobile for
prompt response and always available through browser.

Check email periodically: If you read your emails early, you have time to react. If you wait too late
for an urgent email, you might miss an opportunity or not have enough time to meet a deadline.

Leave a short message: it is possible that a detail email reply is not possible for you at some point so
its important that you leave a short message or reply to your clients like I have read your message,
thank you for sending me a message. I will get back to you shortly.

TOPIC 24 | WHAT SETS YOU APART AS A FREELANCER? PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR

Professional behavior is a form of etiquette in the workplace which is linked primarily to respectful
and courteous conduct. Believe it or not, professional behavior can benefit your career and improve
your chances of future success. Be accountable in two ways

1. Be accountable to yourself
2. Be accountable to your employer/ client

personal accountability, is a way of living in which you take responsibility for your actions. If
employer giving you money and business/ project. He will ask you questions so be accountable, be
reasonable. In professional behavior following things are important:

Be disciplined: Break your goal into small, doable steps. Instead of trying to change everything at
once, focus on doing one thing consistently and master self-discipline with that goal in mind.

Manage your time: Time management means organizing your time intelligently – so that you use it
more effectively. The benefits of good time management include greater productivity, less stress,
and more opportunities to do the things that matter. Be on time in deliverables in project.

Have a positive attitude: A positive approach is great for both business and life in general. Be nice to
other people. Don’t say no directly instead use nice words and be professional. You can win any war
by love. Its very important for business and general life.

Know your worth: It's your internal measure of how you value yourself REGARDLESS of what other
people might think of you or say to you. A personal manifesto is a declaration of your beliefs, a
powerful set of statements. Work on these skills and try to enhance it.

TOPIC 25 | WHAT SETS YOU APART AS A FREELANCER? PRESENTING YOUR WORK

Presenting your skill and work is more important in freelance. Presenting your work in a digital space
can be done in 3 ways.
A. By using your freelance marketplace profile where you upload your portfolio, description,
services and experience.
B. By having a website where you can talk about who you are and your portfolio in different
links and give them access to your contact
C. Using the power of social media platforms like google+, Facebook page and YouTube.

These things are important because presenting your work better leads to better jobs in freelance
marketplace.
TOPIC 26 | WHAT SETS YOU APART AS A FREELANCER? DEFINING PROJECT DELIVERABLES
In order to complete a project successfully, it is important to figure out and record the project
deliverables and milestones. these 3 things are important in project deliverables.

Draft phase: in draft phase, example is that you design 3 samples of logo for your client. After
submitting a draft sample, client will choose the best in them and then you can enhance that logo.
This draft phase and 2 things are associated with it. Timeline and Price.

Timeline: The time frame to complete/ deliver your project. It could be 5 days etc. based on your
time, skill and experience

Price: What is the price of the project?

Final output based on draft: if the client chooses 1 design and say change just the color. Then the
price and time frame will be arranged according to that work remaining in finalization of project.

TOPIC 27 | MISTAKES AND PROBLEMS EVERY FREELANCER FACE: WHICH PROJECT SHOULD I TAKE?

Which project you should take as a freelancer. There are different skills and project in market. If you
use any website freelance marketplace like fiverr, guru or Upwork. Filter your skill if your skill is in
demand or not. Search your skill in freelance marketplace. This a good way to know the skill you
want to adopt, learn or master is in demand of marketplace or not.

TOPIC 28 | MISTAKES AND PROBLEMS EVERY FREELANCER FACE: PRICING YOURSELF

1st thing is to know your worth then can you charge your value accordingly. if you know your skills,
your work, expertise, experience and good in soft skills like communication, business development
skills then you can price yourself at well. There are 4 important things in pricing yourself

1. Trust yourself: recognize who you are and what are your capability. Be confident about your
skill and trust yourself.
2. Know marketplace price roughly: it is a good thing to know the marketplace price roughly
like search in websites like fiverr, guru etc. is important because you don’t overprice or
underprice yourself. Freelance marketplace is not about money, its all depend upon the soft
skills, business development skills and the computer skill of course.
3. How to charge based on the employer’s urgency and your efficiency: suppose the
employer wants a 6-day work to be completed in 3 days. Obviously, it will take urgency and
your efficiency so then the price will be high because of your overtime.
4. Don’t sell yourself cheap: to be modest about your achievements and good qualities, so
that other people do not realize just how good you are. If employer sees your cheap bid, this
could make him feel like you are needy or may be too desperate and you might not take a
deal. So, this is important to know yourself and your skill and your worth.

TOPIC 29 | MISTAKES AND PROBLEMS EVERY FREELANCER FACE: CALCULATE HOURS

In government or any other departments your salary will be incremented once a year or twice but in
case of freelance marketplace, you are the boss of your own. So, you need to self asses yourself and
you need to promote yourself based on your experience, expertise and of course above all the
quality of your work where time management also involved. As you getting expertise in a particular
skill set, it takes more time as beginner for completion of project but as an expert, the time frame
substantially reduces. So, then you can promote yourself or increase your per hour price.

Price per hour vs fixed price: according to instructor, fixed price actually wins the weightage and
wins the competition just because cap per hour, you have to stay on the clock. The instructor advise
is that always go to charge fixed price.
Price Per Hour Contract: You'll pay your freelancer an hourly rate for the time they work on your
project. You can negotiate this rate, which the freelancer includes in their proposal, during the
interview process.

Fixed-Price Contract: You'll pay your freelancer one single fee for the entire project.

TOPIC 30 | MISTAKES AND PROBLEMS EVERY FREELANCER FACE: HOW TO MANAGE TIME?
The importance of managing time in order to meet a deadline. Time management is most important
in freelance marketplace. The client always wants his project on time. Build your trust by submitting
the project deliverables on time. Set reminders for all your tasks. In freelance, always be on the
clock. Never make this mistake of submitting your project late or delay. Never make lame excuses,
will hurt your image as freelancer. Time is money, block out distractions like watching videos, instant
messages or using social media unnecessary. Use software for time management. Always fulfill your
commitments in freelance marketplace.
TOPIC 31 | MISTAKES AND PROBLEMS EVERY FREELANCER FACE: WORK LIFE BALANCE FOR FREELANCERS

The fundamental element of a freelancer is that the more you work the more you earn. But it the
same time to maintain a work life balance. How do we do that?

Stay Healthy: ensures that you don’t feel stressed out because of tight schedules, strict deadlines.
that can cause various physical and mental issues, severely affecting one’s life’s balance. it is
essential to give time to oneself to prevent burnout and keep physically and mentally fit. Your health
should be your first priority.

Remain social: Make sure you meet regularly with your family & family. You can clear your head
from work and switch off, giving your family and friends the satisfaction of having your undivided
attention.

Do not over commit: don not accept every order or contract that comes your way. Suppose you
agree to take up all the orders. In that case, it may affect productivity and lead to overcommitment,
leading to less effectiveness in work, lack of concentration, increased stress, and many more
unfavorable consequences.

TOPIC 32 | MISTAKES AND PROBLEMS EVERY FREELANCER FACE: FREELANCING BEHAVIOR

In freelance, its is important to know about freelancing behavior. Why? Because freelancer in world
what they do? Things like time zone, gender division, working techniques, work hours etc. because
when everyone is following the trend you should also follow that trend as well. In Pakistan, if you
want to become a successful freelancer, do the following

Work late through night: if countries like America and Canada post their projects its usually late
night in Pakistan due to time difference. So, count for your time zone and work late.

THE FREELANCE BEHAVIOR REPORT

explores which demographics choose the new career path, what the reasons behind people
adopting the freelance life, and how they go about select jobs.
The infographic below highlights some of the key findings from the survey.
https://blog.designcrowd.com/article/961/the-freelance-behaviour-report

visit this website, this will show you a lot about freelancer behavior. Know about the people around
the world about what they do and what they like, what the general freelance trend.
TOPIC 33 | MISTAKES AND PROBLEMS EVERY FREELANCER FACE: SETTING PROJECT SCOPE IN THE
BEGINNING

In freelance, project award and milestone deliverables figured out are important. You do the same,
the 1st thing to do when start chatting to your client is set the scope of your project.

Project scope: 1st thing is the scope of work needed to finish a project. Again, time is money. 2nd
thing is that determine the scope of the project is price of the project. These two are the
fundamental mistakes that the freelancers typically make when they are beginning the project.