If there’s one thing I don’t like, it’s doing a bunch of work to get a new Elance client, only to never hear from that client again. Sometimes it feels like I’m trying to hold onto tiny grains of sand that keep slipping through my fingers. But over the years, I’ve learned a few things that keep my clients coming back for more. That way, I can focus on actually doing the work instead of hunting down new clients and trying to earn their trust.
Whenever You’re Bidding On Elance, Vworker, Or Odesk Projects, Make Sure You’re Dealing With A Client Who Is In It For The Long Haul.
Not all clients are the same. Some clients only need one quick thing, while others will want you to produce great work for them every single week. How can you tell one from another? Try out a few of these pre-bidding strategies.
1.) Read through your potential client’s list of previous projects. Does your potential client often hire the same people over and over again?
2.) Do some background research on your client. Google your client’s name if they’re willing to give it out. The longer they’ve been in business, the more likely it is that you’ll have a repeat customer on your hands.
The advice I’m giving here is quite simple. You can’t get blood from a turnip. There are a lot of quick online startup companies that post projects on Elance, only to disappear after a few months. I hate to say it, but many of these companies have delusions about what it takes to be successful as an online startup. They think that all you need is a good idea, and everyone will come flocking to you.
In general, I like to charge higher rates for clients who only need one quick thing. That’s because I have to put a bunch of effort into winning the job. Every hour of my time is worth something, so I make sure I cover my marketing efforts by charging a higher price. If I don’t win the job, it’s no sweat off my back. At a lower price, I would have wasted just as much time.
Caution! Beware Of Scam Companies Promising A Long-Lasting Business Relationship!
A lot of companies (and individuals) like to promise the world while carefully concealing how little they’re willing to pay you. I can’t tell you how many project invites I get that are solely intended to flatter me. If you ever receive a project invite that sounds like the following, proceed with caution.
Dear Mr. Bendixson,
Congratulations! You’ve made the cut!
I looked through your profile, and we could use your writing skills for our project. We run a blog dedicated to chicken parts processing, and we need highly skilled writers to craft compelling blog posts about raw chicken thighs every week. If you’re interested, we’d also like to create an ebook about removing beaks and feathers. We want to call it, ‘The Secret De-feathering Methods The Chicken Parts Processing Pros Don’t Want You To Know!’
We want to have a long term relationship and provide you with as much work as you can handle. So please get back to us ASAP. We’re looking to get started with the first writers who respond to this invite.
Most of these overly flattering “clients” crumble the second you start talking money. Of course they’re happy to have a longterm business relationship with you, but so is your local fast food restuarant where they’ll pay you minimum wage until the day you die. Forget about the flattery. Let the money talk.
My best clients never once tried to flatter me early on. They never advertised their intent to keep me for a long period of time. They simply hired me again and again. Their actions spoke louder than their words, and they continue to do so to this day.
Once You’ve Won The Client, Produce Great Work With Unbeatable Turnaround Times.
I can’t stress how important it is to begin your work the second you win the project. Do your research and ask all of the right questions before it’s too late. At this time, you should also cease looking for other work and bidding on other projects. What’s the point of placing another bid? You’ve got a bird in the hand. You might as well get to work.
It’s also very important to stay in constant communication with your clients. When they send you an email, try to respond within the first day. Whenever you have a question, ask it right away. If your client hasn’t answered your question for a few days, send a follow-up email. Keep reminding your clients that you’re there, and they’ll reward you with more work.
If you did a fantastic job, and the client is the kind of person who likes to hire the same contractors over and over again, you’ve got yourself a repeat customer. If the client doesn’t hire you again, don’t beat yourself up over it. Some of these people are the consummate bargain hunters. They’re just trying to get the lowest prices possible, and your price may have been too high. Keep soldiering on. You’ll find the diamonds soon.
