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Earn More Money as a Freelancer

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

There are 1.1 Billion freelancers in the world. 31.4% of the total workforce in the world are freelancers. If you are wondering, “Why freelancing?”, you are right to wonder. We made a detailed post about the growth of the freelance industry for you. This will give you a better understanding of this article.

For this article, we will show you how to utilize the skills you already have to make money from the comfort of your home. 

 

Some Services a Freelancer Can Offer

1. Bookkeeping: There are several small business owners and freelancers who do not know how to manage their money or track business growth through sales. By becoming a freelance accountant and creating tools that can help this niche of clients, you can make adequate money.

2. Styling/Fashion Consulting: It might sound strange to you but not everyone knows how to combine outfits to look good. In our time, image perception and branding are a big deal; stylists are making a living from being able to make people look great. In 2022, this is a highly required skill.

 

3. Copywriter: It’s not just business owners that hire copywriters. Influencers, branding agencies, and community managers also invest heavily in copywriting. Why? Because if your brand communications are wrong, the brand is automatically not properly represented. Copywriters are a 21st-century asset that must be guarded at all costs. With a convincing and well-communicated bio, you are sure to be hired.

 

4. Makeup: 4 in 10 women cannot properly do their makeup. The statistics are not unbelievable because most women can’t keep up with the ever-changing application techniques in the industry, but make-up artists can. A lot of noble careers have been built from this skill, which is also lucrative.

5. Influencer Marketing: With a phone, a good number of followers, and a creative level of persuasiveness, you can become an influencer who is steadily growing your income and becoming famous. With the fame you acquire, you assure your prospective clients of a wider audience reach and greater engagement.

Influencers are required in every field and industry right now. You can learn how to become an influencer here.

 

6. Photographer: You can never undermine the importance of capturing moments through photos. No matter what gadgets you currently use for work, as long as you can deliver stunning imagery to their client, you are good to go. The best part of photography is that you can set up your studio in your home. 

7. DJ: The party is never complete without music and the music doesn’t come on until the DJ shows up. By creating a detailed portfolio on BookingsAfrica.com. you are sure to get booked and get paid. 

 

And this is only just the beginning of the possibilities in freelancing. Visit BookingsAfrica.com to see the catalog of professional services available.

What are you waiting for? Start your journey today. 

 

10 Benefits of Being a Bookings Africa Customer/Client

Posted on by Sandra Adodo

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”

Over 40,000 Freelancers Earning Daily! 

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

Currently, we have 46,374 thousand freelancers signed up on the Bookings Africa platform and earning daily. This is such a huge deal for us as a company and for Africa as a whole.

Africa is rich and vast with so many talented people who have much to offer the world, and we love how Africa is taking shape already. Bookings Africa is on a mission to ensure that by 2040, African freelancers will be the most sought-after Freelancers. 

This is a defining time for Africa and there’s no better time to join the train than today. Become a part of the finest gig workers on the planet by joining Bookings Africa today. 

With every service provider that is signed up, we have twice the number of clients willing and ready the book them. This just goes to speak of the open playing ground and the boundless opportunities that Bookings Africa has to offer to both clients and service providers. 

Don’t sleep on it. Take action now! Sign up today. 

Communicate Directly with our clients using our Chat/Messaging Feature

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

You are doing fantastic! You just booked a client and you are on your way to making even more money.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, it is important that you have a quick chat with your client and you know, get to know them a little. This is where our Chat/Messaging Feature comes in.

To achieve customer satisfaction, communication is a big deal. You and your client have to be of one mind and on the same page. 

Perks of using the Chat/Messaging Feature

Transparency: Our chat/messaging feature gives you the transparency required for any business deal. In case of any misunderstandings, you can always refer back to the chats for clarification purposes and the chats can serve as proof.

Ease: The Chat Feature is easy to use. Here’s how you do it:

-Log into your dashboard

-Click on the search bar, and look for the service you require

-Compare search option

-Click on the chat symbol to begin conversations with the Service Provider

Start chatting

Brilliant: You can tell when your client is online, offline, typing, or has read your message.

This chat/messaging feature is a cool way to keep your clients abreast of any changes or new developments. It works both on the app and website. Today is a good day to try it out.

How to Cancel a Booking as a Service Provider

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

Life happens and there are countless reasons people cancel fixed appointments. 

If a Service Provider has to cancel a booking, here’s how to do this:

  1. Log in to your account
  2. Go to your Dashboard and then accepted bookings
  3. Click on the particular booking you want to cancel and then cancel.

We think it’s only fitting for you to inform your client of the cancellations before you go ahead with it. The client will be refunded in full amount.

For further questions, inquiries or challenges, please contact us. 

Booking Cancellation: Process and Policies

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

Now and again, a client or service provider has to cancel a booking due to personal reasons or unforeseen circumstances. Cancellations suck but there’s always a solution to these and that’s what we will show in this article.

How to Cancel Booking as a Client

Amanda booked a makeup artiste on BookingsAfrica.com. She and the make-up artiste have discussed and finalized plans, looks, and meeting points but something comes up on Amanda’s end and she has to cancel the booking. 

Here’s how Amanda should go about the cancellation

  1. Log in to your Client account
  2. Go to your dashboard and look out for ongoing booking
  3. Click on the particular booking and then cancel

We would suggest that before this cancellation, you have a chat with the service provider but this isn’t a critical step. 

However, you must also know that our cancellation policy protects all users and as such, if any client cancels a booking less than 48 hours before the time of completion, we charge a penalty fee to that client. The client is obliged to pay 50% of the agreed Service Provider’s rate. 

This penalty charge is our way of ensuring that there is a fair treatment to any user on the platform be it, a client or service provider.  This is just one of the benefits of using Bookings Africa.

To know how to cancel a booking as a service provider in case of unforeseen circumstances, read here.

Ratings and Review: Its Importance

Posted on by Sandra Adodo

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. 

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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. 

  1. 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. 

How to Conduct Yourself During Service Delivery

Posted on by Sandra Adodo

 

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!

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

Benefits of Using Bookings Africa

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

Few things in life have RELIEF written all over them like taking your wig off or taking off your shoes after a long day of work. Using Bookings Africa has that very same effect. I mean can you beat having to get organized, get booked, and get paid all in one place?

And that’s not all, there’s more. 

The features of the Booking Africa platform are tailored to the freelancer’s everyday, work-life needs. It helps freelancers with their promptness and professionalism towards their clients and it also ensures that the freelancers have a well-rounded online profile. The Bookings Africa App is even more fitting as it is very on-the-go in terms of ease.

Frankly speaking, everyone should sign up as a freelancer on Bookings Africa. 

Need more convincing, check out these benefits:

Professional Profile: Optimum professionalism is guaranteed when using BA (Bookings Africa). The registration process for both clients and service providers is very easy to navigate. You can upload your portfolio, pictures, and videos thereby increasing your versatility and credibility. Here’s an article where we share how to upload your portfolio.

Guaranteed Payment: Our wallet tab shows you where to find payment transactions. The Escrow wallet shows you where your money is stored before a booking is completed and then the available wallet shows payment after a booking is completed. With this, you are assured of your payment and you can track your finances. The whole process of transfer is also automated so yeah, big win for us the non-techies.

Upload work portfolio: No need for any external links. All information about you and your freelance gigs is all in one place. You can upload your portfolio right there on the app.

Social media Promotion: After properly uploading your profile, you are provided with a unique link that you can share on all social media platforms. This link can help you get more bookings. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can run sponsored Ads on your services and convert your special link to a landing page for all leads. Cool right?

Access to a Client Demand: We want our freelancers to be as professional as possible and so we went ahead to create an app for you. Via the Bookings Africa App, you get notified as soon as a client books you. You also get access to all your scheduled appointments. The features of this app set a freelancer up for success. 

Note: If a booking is not confirmed within an hour, Bookings Africa automatically declines on behalf of the service provider/freelancer. So we encourage you to download the app on Android or iOS.

Ability to Set price rates and availability: You can set competitive prices and your available time on the Bookings Africa site or app. You can choose to earn a fixed price or charge per hour, you can also decide to work on Sundays if it is your cup of tea.  The site embraces any availability you set, allowing you time for personal things. The best part has to be that the setting is haggle-free. No frustrating back and forth. Whew!

Penalty charged to clients for late cancelations: We protect the interest of all users. As such, if any client cancels a booking less than 48 hours before the time of completion, we charge a penalty fee. The client is obliged to pay 50% of the agreed Service Provider’s rate. Service providers need to not worry about the intricacies because we resolve the challenges. However, if you experience any challenges, contact us. 

Track sales, growth, and credit history:  Joseph Assah, a Bookings Africa service provider, spoke about the tracking benefits of using the app. You should be able to track if you are advancing in your freelancer career in terms of sales, ratings, reviews, and income. 

The Bookings Africa app gives you access to all these analytics without you paying a dime. The Gig Industry is growing so rapidly, join the train today!