Communication and soft skills

Course Outline:
This course consists of three parts:
1. Basics of English Grammar
2. Communication Skills for Freelancers
3. Soft Skills for Freelancers
 Communication Skills

How to Communicate with Potential Clients?

 A client who has shown interest and put a query in your inbox is called a
potential client.
 Following are the tips to communicate with a potential client—
o Your first response should reflect that you’re an active and
professional seller.
o Start your response with general greetings saying Hi or Hello.
o Must show that you care about the business venture of your client.
o Always use professional language.
 Following are the ethics to communicate with online clients—
o Keep your email notifications on.
o Ask your client for his thoughts, opinions, and expectations about the
project.
o Be confident in presenting your idea or opinion.
o Assure your client that you are indeed the right candidate for the job.
o Leave a good first impression.
o Pay attention to what your client has to tell.
o Keep your body language appropriate while video meeting with your
client.
o Respect your client in their views and opinion.
o Never frustrate your client by bombarding him with too many
messages.
o To end a conversation, take time to conclude.

Communicate within Set Terms (Terms of Services):

 One should follow the following while working on a freelancing platform—
o Know common violations that mostly new freelancers commit.
o Do not communicate outside the platform.
o You should not beg for good reviews.
o You should not create multiple accounts.
o Don’t trick to kick start your freelancing.
Video Creation for Freelance Profile:
 Following are the tips for creating video profile—
o Plan your video content.
o It should be 40 seconds to 1 minute.
o Make a script.
o Add your introduction (Who are you? What services are you
providing? How long have you been doing what you are doing?) of 5-
10 seconds.
o Next describe the objective (What type of roles, projects, or clients
are you looking to work with?) in 10-20 seconds.
o Next describe the career highlights (What professional experience
showcases the depth of your expertise?) in 10-20 seconds.
o Next is conclusion (What actions do you want the viewer to take
after watching the video?) 5-10 seconds.
o Record with good lighting.
o Set the stage with a clean and quiet background.
o Frame your video.

How to Communicate with Fake Clients?

 Following are the signs of fake clients—
o Their payment methods are not verified.
o They ask for security deposits.
o They soon schedule a meeting outside the platform.
o They ask for free samples.
o They promise you long term business.
o They interview a lot of sellers.

Communication to have a Good Meeting with Client:

 Following are the tips to have a good video meeting with your client—
o A well-defined agenda.
o Prepare your system in advance.
o Set time limits.
o Maintain decorum to minimize distractions.
o Use of proper language.
 o Share meeting notes.

Importance of Practicing Proper Decorum during the Meeting with the

Client:
 Following are the tips to practice proper decorum—
o Clear all distractions.
o Prepare your system.
o Don’t make unnecessary movements.
o Paying attention.
o Dress up properly.
o Avoid dim light.
o Avoiding lame excuses.

How Negotiation Differs in Written and Oral Communication:

 The verbal meeting provides faster communication while written
communication is slower.
 Verbal communication doesn’t have a record forever while oral
communication does.
 There is less chance of misinterpretation in written communication.
 There is instant feedback in verbal communication.
 Oral communication seems more productive.

When to Use Formal and Informal Language:

 Following are the tips for formal language—
o Correct use of grammar.
o Modal verbs are more visible in formal style.
o Common or trite vocabulary and contraction is avoided in formal
style.
o Abbreviations and acronyms are avoided in formal style.
o Colloquialism/Slang are not used in formal style.

Communication with Support Team:

 Following are the actions to take when taking serious issues—
o Access the problem.
o Discuss the problem with the client.
 o Make your statement wisely.
o Collaborate on a resolution.
o Once you agree to a resolution, stick to it.
o Move past the problem.

Communication with Local Clients (Outside the Platform):

 Following are the tips to communicate with local clients—
o Respond always and respond quickly.
o Don’t assume anything.
o Pre-defined deliverables.
o Know your principles.
o Talk in a common language.
o Educate your client.
o Make a document deal.
o Double-check everything.
o Don’t make false promises.