It is great you have signed up as a service provider on Bookings Africa, but that is just the first significant milestone. If you want to move from being among the number of registered service providers to getting booked, there are some key steps to follow.
Step one- Complete your bio.
This is the first place you can pitch yourself to your potential client. Therefore, completing it is very important. Be clear in your description of yourself, as the client will see this as the first impression of your brand. If you have more than one service to offer, be clear in each and don’t mix them up as you are targeting a different audience. If you need help writing a captivating description, read our expert tip here on that. Ultimately, make sure you share your skill using the best words possible.
Step two- Upload your portfolio.
The next step to getting your first booking is to upload your portfolio. All you need to know about uploading a portfolio correctly is here.. If you still need help with any other questions on your bookings, find some assistance through our FAQ.
Step three- Get approved.
Once you have uploaded your portfolio, the next step is to get approved, which involves providing relevant documents. Some of the documents include a valid ID card (international passport or voter’s card) and your registered phone number. Having submitted all these documents, you will need to wait for approval from the CS team. When it gets approved, your account on Bookings Africa will go live, and you can then begin to get bookings.
Simple right? Don’t waste any more time; follow these three steps and start earning on the biggest online Africa gig marketplace. Happy freelancing!
The future of work is digital, and Bookings Africa is right in the middle of connecting you with that future. With the exciting features on the Bookings Africa platform, customers and clients have a plethora of benefits to enjoy. If you are still on the fence wondering if joining the most extensive online African gig marketplace will be profitable or not, these benefits will convince you. Continue reading “10 Benefits of Being a Bookings Africa Customer/Client”
Every freelancer knows that one of the perks of their career path is being able to work from home. Yes, it comes with several advantages that sometimes surpass what a regular 9-5 worker enjoys. However, the downside is that it gradually begins to affect every other aspect of your life as burnout can set in, leading to series of health challenges. The big question is- How do you achieve work-life balance in the gig economy? Is there a way freelancers can have family time and not miss out on big clients? This article answers this question with five tips listed below.
Fix work hours and stick to it
Start your week with a schedule for the week. What is the total number of hours spent on work tasks every week? If it will take you 25 hours to do a particular project, split the hours into the days of the week and make sure you don’t exceed them. By doing this, you will still be flexible with your freelancing job style, but you will also have time for other tasks. There might be exceptions on some days when the deadline is staring you in the face but ultimately, stick to what you have planned for all the tasks each week.
Include vacation fees to your hourly charges.
Whether you have a fixed price or an hourly price like on the Bookings Africa platform, endeavor to include your vacation expense into your rate. When setting your rate, think of the amount you plan to spend on yourself at the end of the year or during a hangout with your friends. When you have calculated the amount, divide it by the number of hours and include it within your rate. This small additional fee will cover the time you take a well-deserved break later in the year.
Create a reasonable work expectation
Suppose you are starting as a new freelancer; being selective on the project to take on might pose a challenge at the beginning. Regardless, setting a realistic expectation is always a better option. As a video editor who understands that it takes a long time to edit a video, telling your client about the feasible deadline creates a reasonable expectation. Even if you are new in the niche, it will be better to inform the client of the difficulty of doing the work. If you don’t already know what time it will take, you can monitor the time and tell your client later so that it doesn’t affect your regular everyday duties.
Dedicate a section of your home as a workspace
It can be challenging to separate your work-life from other aspects of your life, especially if you are at home 24/7. The best way out is to have a workstation dedicated to only work in your home. It doesn’t have to be the whole room that would be converted; it could just be a desk or a space with friends that is strictly for work. This will help you focus on work when you are in that place and think of other things outside that environment. This tip will help you increase your productivity level and help you create quality time for your family.
Create a “me time.”
The idea of self-care isn’t only for the 9-5ers. Freelancers in Africa can also benefit from it when they create time to take care of themselves. Instead of allowing work to affect your relationship, health, and general well-being, intentionally make time for those things that matter. If you have to set your alarm to eat well, drink water, call a friend, take a walk, or meditate, please do. Don’t just have your “me time” created in your head; write it on sticky notes, set reminders, be accountable to somebody, and you will gradually balance your work-life.
Most of the wealthiest people in the world do smart work because they understand how to work hard but still enjoy life. Freelancing is a gratifying opportunity that can give you great pay and a flexible working structure, but only if you follow these tips will you be able to harness its potential. Work hard but take care of yourself because health is wealth.
Do you know that as a service provider on the Bookings Africa platform, you have several things to benefit from the referral program? If you don’t already know, here is an opportunity to get informed and start making extra cash. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of engaging in the referral program and the system’s structure. If you are ready to learn more, keep reading.
Structure of the referral code
What is the referral code on Bookings Africa?
Referral code on Bookings Africa is your username. This referral code is needed if you want to refer someone to the platform. All the person has to do is input the code into the referral section, and you automatically become the person’s referral on the Bookings Africa system.
Who can use the referral code?
Whether you are a new service provider or not, you can benefit from the structure of the referral code from any part of Africa. So, as far as you are a registered service provider on the platform, you can use your unique referral code to invite someone else to the platform.
What will I benefit when I share my referral code?
Most freelancers in Africa are quick to do referral programs when an incentive is involved. That is a smart move, but you get more than that on the Bookings Africa platform.
When you refer another freelancer to the platform, it shows some key things, some of which are:
It shows that you have a connection with other freelancers in your field, which is a plus for you.
It helps other African freelancers get informed and earn on the wide online gig marketplace.
It helps to bring in more talents needed for clients to book.
It increases your chances of getting gifts and promos depending on how much referral you make.
It adds more monetary value to your account (i.e., When you refer a freelancer to the Bookings Africa platform, you get 2% off the referred freelancer every payment). Interestingly, this 2% commission is for life as long as the person gets booked on the platform.
Here you go – all you need to know about the Bookings Africa referral code system. If you have any more questions, chat with our customer service team. Join the train today and increase your earnings in the process. Happy freelancing!
Reviews are valuable assets service providers in any industry do not joke with. Why is that? Having a great review in a world full of many other freelancers in your niche sets you apart in the competitive market. When you are given an excellent rating, it is an affirmation for other clients to book you based on the excellent feedback. Beyond these, there are several other benefits of chasing client reviews. Read more.
It improves your credibility.
If you haven’t yet built a strong portfolio, find out how to create a standout profile before sourcing for reviews. When your profile is set, your client needs to know you are not just full of words. Having positive reviews will boost the credibility of your brand. Most clients look for freelancers with at least 80% positive reviews, and if you have that, you are good to go. Always remember to ask your client for feedback after providing any service on the Bookings Africa platform.
It contributes to a solid social media presence.
Whether you are delivering a service online or offline, you need to build a social media presence, which can be achieved by consistent good feedback. If you are a comedian or an entertainer and have videos of past events with reviews from customers, posting them on social media is another stand out strategy. If the clients are social media savvy, tell them to mention you on their posts so it will form an extensive network of social media reviews for your brand. You could also create a blog post that encompasses many of your testimonials and share it on your social media pages. Any of these strategies will help attract clients to your brand.
It helps your brand stay consistent.
The beautiful part about feedback is that it is contagious. If potential clients meet good feedback, they will unconsciously be interested in booking you, which affects them if the feedback is negative. Also, to keep your clients hooked to your profile and be ready to book you, your profile must show that you can deliver. When they finally book you, remind them to leave feedback and watch how your brand builds up to be a consistent service provider in your niche.
It helps with your brand SEO
If you have many mentions of your brand or name on a different website, it will be great for your overall SEO. The way it works is simple- if client A praises your job on Bookings Africa and client B takes your works to Instagram and tags you, before you know it, you will be appear on the search results. This is why reviews are essential for any business.
Hopefully, you are convinced that good reviews are non-negotiables for building a credible brand in any business sector. But, note that before a client can be willing to give positive feedback, you must have also played your part in delivering good services. So, invest in yourself, provide value and see how clients return the hard work with positive feedback.
Congratulations, you have finally gotten booked! But before you go to deliver your service either physically or virtually, there are some service delivery checklists to consider. Every freelancer needs to get familiar with the dos and don’ts of service delivery if they want to retain any clients. Some of these tips are common but emphasizing them again will guide you to delivering what the client needs and getting booked again. Ready or not to dive in? Let’s go!
Timeliness
If a client requests a mobile beauty therapist and explicitly uses the locator map on the Bookings Africa app to get someone close by, they only want the service provider quickly. If you are available and finally get booked, the first thing that should be on your mind is creating a first impression involving timeliness. Some situations might delay you a bit, especially in Lagos, Nigeria, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an extra effort to show up on time. If you have to take Uber to make it faster, invest in that because getting there on time is a priority. Note that it is best not to accept a booking if you can’t get there in good time.
Friendliness
Even if you deliver the service virtually, let the client feel warmth in your tone; determine to stay friendly throughout the service and keep out distractions that might want to change your mood. If you are unsure of what the client wants, read our blog post that answers how to give the best customer service to your clients. Also, when delivering physical services to your client, start with a smile and end the service delivery with a smile always.
Respect
Every freelancer should aim at making their client feel respected, not only providing services. For instance, if you go to a groceries shop and the attendant rudely asks for your card or starts shouting at you for taking time to drop off your goods. How would you feel? The point is when they meet your needs by receiving payments, you also indirectly expect them to show a level of respect. That act alone can make you choose another store the next time. This is the same understanding every service provider must have before providing service. Give your best at all times.
Be clear
To maintain clarity during discussions, it is imperative you communicate with your client especially if you are going to be a little late for your appointment. Also, let your clients know how you will deliver the job. For instance, as a voice-over artist, you can get the project done without leaving your apartment or go to the client’s studio, as it is a flexible delivery option. If you only do home service, let your client be aware and if it is the other way round, still duly inform your client.
Set a Standard, don’t over-promise but over-deliver
Most freelancers make a mistake when they go for service delivery because they commit too much and deliver less. If you set a deadline for a client, you should be more than able to deliver at the stipulated time and not plan to ask for an extended time. If you have agreed on a time of meeting, you can exceed the client’s expectation to go before time. As a chef, you can overdeliver by making an extra plate which wasn’t expected before. Also, photographers can decide to snap more than the proposed number of pictures to give the clients varieties. The list goes on and on for other service providers to over-deliver when delivering service. If this is not a sure-fire way of retaining your client, I don’t know what is.
Here you go- the five service delivery tips you need to know as a freelancer. If you have other things on your checklist you want to share, feel free to drop them in the comment section. Nevertheless, don’t neglect any of these five if you want to get booked consistently.
Are you a service provider? Ready to get promoted for free on social media? Then, this is for you! As a service provider Looking for ways to stand out from the crowd, what better way to do it than to get your profile promoted by Bookings Africa. Let’s jump right in.
WHAT YOU WILL ENJOY
Every service provider has an equal opportunity to be featured in our weekly newsletters which we send to our 20,000 strong subscribers. You can also be included in our “meet our service provider series” on our blog, which is massive publicity for your brand. Finally, you can get featured on our social media pages, depending on your request.
HOW TO GET FEATURED
Get your profile approved.
It is not enough to have an account on the Bookings Africa platform; you also need to push for your profile to be approved. Before doing that, make sure you have completed all the necessary sections in your profile before it goes live. Once you are ready for the world to see what you provide, please chat with our customer care team to get your profile approved.
Send us an email or DM.
The fastest way to get featured is to email us at [email protected]. Or you could send a direct message to our Instagram or Twitter account, stating what you need. You also need to include your profile details, plus your experience and pictures of what you want us to promote. This is a straightforward process, but it also involves you putting in extra work to showcase a profile that will help you get booked and get paid.
Use Bookings Africa designated hashtags
If you are already following any of our social media pages, now is the time to start using our hashtags. These hashtags will make you stand out from the other followers and eventually secure access to our featured list. Some of our popular service provider hashtags include: #BookingAfrica, #BookingsAfricaTalent, #AfricaWorks, #BookingsAfricaServiceProvider. So, post frequently, add these hashtags, and we won’t only notice you, but you will get premium access to being featured.
There you have it- the top three ways to get your profile promoted through our featured plan on Bookings Africa. What are you waiting for? Start working towards being the next featured service provider on Africa’s largest online gig marketplace.
With over 15,000 service providers on the platform, the competition is considerably high.
The first significant step to being noticed in your niche on the Bookings Africa platform is to develop a profile that stands out. A professional profile will not only grab the attention of potential clients but will make your profile distinguished.
In this article, we will highlight the top six tips every freelancer on the Bookings Africa online marketplace needs to know to create a stand-out profile.
Keep reading.
Introduce yourself briefly
The first thing to keep your profile unique is to create a clear and direct bio. It is true that you have a lot to say but more than just writing different irrelevant things, pick the important ones and keep it short. If you are a makeup artist, there is no point talking about your photography skills if that is not the skill you are selling. Remember to add a call to action at the end of your bio to encourage the client to book you.
Share your experience
As a service provider, you have many features to enjoy on the Booking Africa platform. Those features will accommodate all the experiences the clients will find valuable. If you have been practicing this craft for long, you can state the number of years in the business. Also, listing the prominent people you have worked with will be a major boost to your portfolio. Another experience worth sharing is the publications you did in the past that went viral or the total number of engagement it got. If you don’t have all these, you can talk about your vocational education background and how that has propelled your career.
Use a professional tailored profile picture.
Uploading a professional headshot to your profile has a significant impact on how your client views you. Your profile picture is like the first interview you get with the client. Though, it is not required that you take a full picture but having a random picture placed in the profile picture section is not a good idea. If, as hairstylist, you don’t have a professional picture displaying the craft, going to the studio now is the best call to action. Also, a chef needs to have a picture of either a well-made food alone or you carrying the food. The professional picture tailored to your talent will show the client that you know your craft and they can trust you.
Upload the best sample in the portfolio section
Sometimes, it can be tempting to want to show off, especially when you want to create a stand-out profile. But, first, calm down! If you are yet to explore the Bookings Africa features, the perfect time to do so is now. You can add images, videos, audio and documents to your portfolio section. But, as you upload, look for the best of the many that will make you standout. So, if you are a voice-over artist, the primary asset that your portfolio requires is not a document but the best of the audio and videos if they are available. Also, for a model or an actor, you will concentrate on videos and images of you acting. Ultimately, fill your portfolio with rich quality information the client will need not everything you have done over the years.
Analyze your profile one last time
Once you have followed all the tips listed above, it is time to review your profile again. This time around, make sure you are client-driven. This means that from the bio to the call to action, let your client know that you want to help them. Yes, you are showing your skills in the process, but you are also building trust in all that you put on your profile. Also, remember to set up your availability and prices by completing your profile. Finally, make sure you check for errors. Proofread your bio section and all other sections that need review.
So, you see, creating a profile that will stand out is as simple as A-B-C, and you can get yours done today. Take note that the update doesn’t stop here. Once you get booked after making these adjustments, update your profile with the recent job and keep standing out on the Bookings Africa platform.
Being a freelancer comes with so many benefits; one of them is having different clients from various parts of the world. Yes, you can decide to get as many gigs as you can handle when freelancing than regular jobs. However, gaining access to those clients is the challenge most gig workers face. Being a service provider on the Bookings Africa platform helps beat this challenge.
Watch as Joseph Assah talks about his experience being a service provider on the Bookings Africa platform.
To sign up as a service provider, visit www.BookingsAfrica.com or chat with one of our customer service team.
