14
votes
As a new freelancer, how can I improve my communication with the clients?
Since you are training yourself as a freelancer, you are also training yourself as a project manager, finance manager, negotiator and boss. Freelancing is just a group name for 5-6 roles (I think that ...
- 14.2k
13
votes
Accepted
Working simultaneously for multiple clients
Is it possible? Yes, I've done that - work for multiple clients at the same time - for most of my time as a freelancer.
How is it possible? For most clients (at least in my case) some weeks there's a ...
- 2,030
12
votes
Accepted
How to handle interpersonal relationships and expectations from client's marketing department
The easiest way to handle the short-notice work is to set up a Service Level Agreement (SLA). You can document how much notice the client must give, and how soon you will act, with financial ...
- 1,030
10
votes
Accepted
What are proper manners when delivering project after agreed date?
Well I also did some deductions after I was late in the project. I took down my hourly price 25%. In the end, the client was happy, but I am not sure I did the right way.
After this event, I started ...
- 14.2k
10
votes
How to back out of a freelance project that has gotten too big?
she still owes me for the work I've done
How long has she owed you and how much? If she's past due on a payment, or owes you thousands, that could be enough reason to stop right there.
But should ...
- 1,660
9
votes
How do you motivate yourself when you're your own boss?
In literal terms, be your own boss in every sense of the word.
When I find that motivation for client projects is slipping I fall into "boss" mode. That is, I set a schedule for work and adhere to it ...
- 17.3k
7
votes
How do you motivate yourself when you're your own boss?
I myself got in the trap of "the desire to work only on my personal projects" but the problem is that you need cash without which your personal projects (until they'll pay-off) are domed to failure.
...
- 1,131
7
votes
How do I know my freelance team working at home?
You cannot control if they work, nor you should. You should control their result!
Make a good system of tasks and milestones and make work-hour calculations for each task. If they are beginners, add ...
- 14.2k
7
votes
How should I deal with the inconsistency of incoming work?
I would say that your rate is low.
If you remember, freelancers rates are higher than normal rates because with our work we have to save money for rainy periods. So for example, if $20/h is enough ...
- 14.2k
6
votes
What are proper manners when delivering project after agreed date?
For the best result, I think it's important to:
let the client know as soon as possible that you may not be able to
meet the deadline (this gives the client the maximum amount of time to make ...
- 2,008
6
votes
Is it unacceptable or not wise to email clients during the weekend?
Here's my opinion and practice....
I never respond or contact clients during any time I want to myself, ever.
That is to say.. I don't respond to or contact clients before 9am, after 5pm, on ...
- 17.3k
6
votes
Accepted
When making a website which activities do you normally include in invoice?
Generally, clients buy a freelancer's time. Using that logic, all time spent on client work is invoiced, regardless of the work.
I never heard of clients wanting different rates for work on prototype ...
- 3,682
5
votes
How do you divide your time between planned and unplanned/new work?
I schedule planned work for less than 40 hours a week. (Typically for me it is closer to 25.) If nothing else comes in, then I usually continue to work on planned and try to get ahead. If other things ...
- 3,815
5
votes
Accepted
How do you divide your time between planned and unplanned/new work?
Good question and one which most freelancers can probably relate to!
I think the best way to handle your workload is to educate clients that you are only one person and will do your best to ...
- 2,008
5
votes
Accepted
Decision and negotiation of long term time-consuming job
Well from what I can see, you are a good photographer and you have more work than you can handle. So this is a good position for expansion. The same happened to me in the programming field.
...
- 14.2k
5
votes
How feasible is it to work fixed price and parttime for a client as a freelance software developer?
Assuming it's only a small slump, I would look for more clients. You need food on your table, and that's your first priority.
It's good you want to work with your client, as opposed to only for ...
- 6,833
4
votes
Desktop software for time tracking
Toggl works for me for several years. It is an online service but they have a desktop app (as well as Android/iOS apps); Their desktop app detects the inactivity and asks you to keep or drop this time....
- 136
4
votes
Web Design Content Issue
Well unfortunately there isn't much you can do at this stage, most of the tactics come with good preparation.
Client hold ups are one of the biggest struggles with freelancing and is still something ...
- 451
4
votes
Should I charge my client for mistakes I make?
If you are spending your time to use your creative ability to build something to their satisfaction (which you cannot easily predict), then you are absolutely in the right to make the client pay for ...
- 5,304
4
votes
Accepted
Should I charge my client for mistakes I make?
Fire your hourly rate.
The only way you'll ever make money with design is to become familiar with and accustomed to value-based pricing.
No client I've ever come across is willing to pay $150-$400 ...
- 17.3k
4
votes
Accepted
Is it rude to be unavailable to clients when you are very busy?
You should not feel guilty.
Sometimes work requires you to shut out the world and focus. And as a sole proprietor or single member business clients should somewhat expect that they can't always gain ...
- 17.3k
4
votes
When making a website which activities do you normally include in invoice?
There is more than one way to bill clients for creating websites. Many freelancers view it as a product, and thus charge a flat rate for what they believe the full value of their time + expertise is ...
- 503
4
votes
Accepted
How often I have to update my progress working freelance?
This is something that the client has to answer, not us. It depends both on the client and the project.
For example, with one client, I was simply reporting each day what I did. That was voluntary but ...
- 1,172
4
votes
Accepted
How to say "How long will the interview process take?" without being rude?
Longer-term clients are typically going to have a longer-form interview/onboard process, even for freelancers, as they're investing more time and money into you and the project you're going to be ...
- 383
4
votes
How to say "How long will the interview process take?" without being rude?
Just ask them, there is nothing rude about clarifying timeframes or anything else.
If you lose an opportunity you lose it, it's not a big deal, you just move forwards and look for another.
As a ...
- 191
3
votes
Clients ask quick jobs, how to bill
I typically tell customers that these jobs will get fit into my schedule when possible, and that 1 day lead time is not sufficient. However, I have also on occasion charged more for bumping other work....
- 3,815
3
votes
Desktop software for time tracking
This might not solve directly your billing time needs, but it's really helpful to track your productivity and see where you spent your working time: RescueTime.
You install a small application that ...
- 31
3
votes
Web Design Content Issue
There are a few strategies I use to minimise this problem.
Some of these need to be put in place before the start of the project.
1. Up Front Deposit
Charging a 50% (or similar) up front fee at the ...
- 2,008
3
votes
Should I charge my client for mistakes I make?
When I started out, I applied two hourly rates: 1) for stuff I was relatively expert at and a second lower rate (50% of my full rate) for work that took longer than expected primarily because I was ...
- 49
3
votes
How to handle interpersonal relationships and expectations from client's marketing department
YOU are in charge of how the client (or their staff) treat you. People will walk all over you if you allow them to. But they will also learn to plan better if you refuse to let them. So it's your ...
- 17.3k
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