How A Freelancer Should Follow Up A Client
Following up with a customer after a project is completed is something most freelancers forget to do. The important role of this step in the freelance business not clearly defined, but the purpose is. Its idea is to solicit more work.
One way to have a valid reason for contacting a client at the end of a project is to give them a written record of what was completed. Some use a written page that summarizes the work with all the necessary data. When a project has multiple parts, a spread sheet can be used with date of conclusion of each part along with the associated costs. The date it was paid and the total amount paid is what most will be looking for. This is normally used to keep track of expenses for tax purposes.
With the ever growing use of the internet, phone calls have seen their significance diminish. For many clients that are familiar with the internet the use of chat rooms like Skype and the other different instant messaging service, this is a free phone call. As a freelance artist, let the choice of which medium of communication be the clients whether by text or audio. Never just call them up, first send a text message with a note like “just touching bases to see if you have any need for my services”. It is a way to get your name back in their mind. This does not always work, but sometimes it does.
An email on the same subject matter as the instant message can also be used. This is usually the medium for those clients that do not use IM services. The advantage of this over IM is that there will be a permanent record of your communiqué. Even if they do not respond straight away, they could just leave it in their mailbox as a reminder to contact you when they need your freelancing services. This again is a way to keep you and what you have done for them as a freelancer, fresh in their minds.
This is the main purpose why freelancers should do follow up with clients, to keep you and your freelancing services fresh in the minds of your clients. The best time to do this is a couple of days after you have been paid for services rendered. Then if you get no response, then another message should be sent in about 2 weeks. If you send to many messages, too often it will be seen as harassment and your intent to solicit work will have a negative effect.
As a professional freelancer any means to interact with your buyer that your client is most comfortable with. Since most freelancers do their work for a minimal price, the offer of a sale or discount price is not generally done, but it is an option if you really need the work. Make sure you do not sound desperate. If your client responds with a message that they will contact you soon, wait for the response. It nothing materializes in 3 to 4 weeks a friendly reminder might be in order. Just use the same medium they used to communicate.
Global freelancers that do follow ups with clients are perceived as experts, if done properly.
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