The Spoken Word

5 characteristics of a successful freelancer

December 26, 2009

In this highly competitive world, its very difficult to become successful freelancer. It’s very important for a freelancer to earn and maintain a very good reputation. Reputation cannot be built overnight but it can definitely be spoilt overnight. Apart from completing client’s work in time and delivering excellent work, there are few other traits that a successful freelancer demonstrates. We look at the top 5 of them here.

1. Flexibility

All the clients are in hurry and most of the times they want to get things done with impractical timelines. Sometimes clients will contact you with some urgent work and will expect you to help. Being effective, flexible and responsive during these times will impress your clients a lot. Of course, one cannot foresee these urgent work but then being flexible means being able to accommodate and complete such tasks.

2. Honesty

Sometimes freelancers are so desperate to get work that they accept whatever the clients say or over commit so that client is impressed. If you cannot handle the project or the timelines doesn’t look practical to you, just be honest and tell them the truth. Most of the times, clients will appreciate that.

3. Networking

Networking is freelancer’s primary marketing tool. People who are connected to you in the various networking sites will definitely spread a word about you and your work. Make sure you join appropriate groups on these sites so that you are updated on various developments and requirements that others might have.

4. Research & Development

Technology is one field where things change at a very rapid pace and if you don’t update yourself, you’ll be outdated and maybe extinct. Its very important for a freelancer to be ahead of the curve and learn new technology as they come out. It is always good to investing some time for R&D to expand current skills and learn new ones.

5. Growth

Being a freelancer means limited or almost no growth if you cannot think out of the box. A person has only 24 hours a day and therefore a freelancer will not see any growth if he cannot think of ways to get more things done with the limited time. Finding new clients with interesting work is very difficult. You’ll need to delegate work to someone else and get things done in order to see growth every year.

Entry Filed under: Freelancer. Tags: Freelancer.