Category: Insights

Types of Influencers

Posted on by Sandra Adodo

The influencer marketing industry seems to be taking giant strides into becoming one of the most frequently used industries every year. With this increase and the significant impact influencer marketing has had on the rise in profit made by different organisations; other brands are considering investing in the market.

While that seems like a good idea, you must note all the different types of influencers and how they best suit your business. Read on to see how to begin your search on the right influencer.

Categories of influencers and when to use them

 

There are four distinct categories of influencers available in the influencing industry.

  • The Nano influencers

These are the smallest category of influencers with followers between 1k and 5k. This type of influencer is excellent for businesses trying to target a specific audience that the nano influencer is managing. This influencer will do well with a particular product because of the credibility they have built with their audience and the consistency in representing a type of product. For small businesses with a small budget or those willing to pay with their products, partnering with a nano influencer will be cost-effective and be a reasonable positioning.

 

  • The Micro-influencers

These types of influencers are the ones with about 5k to 50k followers who are also committed to the content produced. Like the nano influencers, the micro-influencers also have a high engagement rate and are committed to communicating to their followers better. If the budget for influencing is a little above that for nano-influencing, the best option is to go for the micro-influencer category. If your company’s audience is active on social media, sourcing micro-influencers from the platform where they engage more will be a great move.

 

  • The Macro influencers

If you want to reach a larger audience of 50K to 500K followers, macro influencers will help your brand. These influencers have a strong understanding of influencing and would produce excellent content to promote top brands. All it takes for your brand to gain traction through these influencers are a few posts, and the message will be spread. However, because of the high level of engagement produced by the macro influencer, the budget required will be higher than for the micro or nano influencers.

 

  • The Mega influencers

This type of influencer reaches beyond your local community. They have a fan base of more than 500K followers and would get several reposts from loyal followers. Most influencers in this category are known as celebrities and usually have verified social media pages that show they are major influencers. Before partnering with mega influencers, you must sign legal documents as they are also brands. Note that you must exercise patience when working with such brands, as they are usually on different projects simultaneously. But they are worth the budget, especially if you want to reach a wider targeted audience at once. 

 

How to source for the different categories of influencers

 

The next big question is how to get the right influencer for your business. 

Depending on the budget, you can get nano-influencer by scrolling through the different influencers on social media or you can choose an employee who is ready to target your brand’s audience and has the range specified for nano-influencers.

For micro-influencers, the fastest way to reach them is through Instagram and the number of times they use your brand’s hashtags. If they fall into the category of micro-influencing and they already have an interest in your brand, then you can partner with them.

You will find macro influencers on Youtube, Tiktok, Instagram and any other platform used by content creators. By using platform tools, you can locate them quickly but check if they align with your brand’s goals before partnering.

Mega influencers are easily found as they occupy the social media space largely. If you have the budget and they are the right fit for your brand, you can get them on board effortlessly.

Bookings Africa has a bank of influencers that you can partner with for any influencing gig be it nano, micro, mega and macro influencers. Search, Compare and Book verified  influencers suitable for your business.

Exploring money-making ventures in Africa

Posted on by Sandra Adodo

According to a Forbes article, 2030 promises to be a year of massive increase for the freelancing community. However, few people working 9-5 will still not benefit from this shift as the freelancing world doesn’t look so appealing

There are so many money-making ventures online that Africans can benefit from, and it is not limited to conventional employment. If you are a freelancer in Africa and you want to explore the many options available for you, reading this piece is the first place to start. Ready? Let’s dive in.

  • Start from your locality.

Bookings Africa is an online gig marketplace aimed at connecting talents to clients when needed. The process of using Bookings Africa is seamless as clients can book service providers (freelancers) and pay them for the services done. How does this help your exploration? It is simple! If you have skills or talents you wish you could get paid for; Bookings Africa gives you a platform to make that exchange. For instance, if you are great at making sumptuous meals and someone needs to order a chef, your availability on the Bookings Africa platform will allow you to offer physical and virtual services and get paid. Whether in Kenya, South Africa, or Nigeria, you can use the Bookings Africa platform to earn from your locality.

  • Position yourself rightly

One thing you can be sure of enjoying on Bookings Africa is proper positioning. As a registered service provider, you will not only get booked from anywhere in Africa, but the necessary tools needed to complete the task are made available. If you are booked as a tutor, you have the video call feature to make it possible for live conversations on the Bookings Africa app. Also, when you are on the platform, you are trusted by any client, can work with them, and get paid immediately after the job completion.

  • Expand to other niches

Once you start earning big in a particular niche, you can add more skills and diversify to give you more earning capacity. Bookings Africa allows you to upload more than one profession to showcase your skills. With this option, you will be on your way to doing more work and earning bigger. It becomes even more interesting to know that you can be a top trusted service provider when you are consistently delivering excellent service. This achievement will earn you more money no matter your location.

  • Refer others

To expand your income streams, Bookings Africa allows you to refer others and earn. Learn more about our referral system. By referring others, you will help other people benefit from the money venture you just found.

With Bookings Africa, your search for money-making ventures online is over. Instead of getting scammed by the many unrealistic online platforms, join the train of freelancers and earn right from your home and neighbourhood.

Estee Lauder Increases Sales Drastically in 18 Months

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

This partnership is one success story we are glad made it to our books.

Estee Lauder Companies, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products partnered with Bookings Africa. The brief was simple; Estee Lauder Companies wanted Bookings Africa to assist in:

  1. Building brand awareness and brand trust
  2. Reach a wider audience consistently
  3. Utilize marketing to influence customer purchasing patterns

The Bookings Africa way is to go over and beyond to ensure our client was satisfied and that the brief was delivered. We designed campaign strategies as well as different targets that set the tone for a successful campaign. 

Our overarching strategy was using influencer marketing to increase the earning potential of African talents for the Estee Lauder brand. Other accounts that experienced exponential growth while working with Bookings Africa include but are not limited to Coca-Cola, Close Up, Michael Kors, Oppo, and Nivea.

Bookings Africa influencer marketing is a seamless process for our clients. All we need is the brief and the job is done. Here’s why:

  1. We automate influencer marketing workflows and programs
  2. Scale your efforts beyond a few dozen personalities and engage thousands of people at once; across multiple campaigns
  3. Influencer management
  4. Crises management and resolution amongst others.

18 months after our partnership ensued, Estee Lauder has experienced a tremendous increase in its company reach, profitability, and visibility.

With Bookings Africa and the right budget, every business can grow and be profitable.

Is Influencer marketing a strategy your business is willing to implement? Kindly contact [email protected]

5 Best Apps You Need as a Freelancer

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

There are a few things that make life easier such as outsourcing laundry or ordering food. The feeling of not having to sort the clothes or prep meals is one that is so satisfying. For you, it might not be laundry. It might be planning a vacation or getting your finances right but what counts the most is that this seemingly little assistance adds to the totality of a person’s wellbeing.

 

We know freelancers help in easing the burden of other individuals but what reduces the burden of  the freelancer? 

 

Don’t answer that because we have our answer. APPS!

 

Apps are technology’s best gift to mankind. There’s no way you’ll look at your device(s) and not see apps that are beneficial to easing your life or enhancing your work in some way or the other.

 

Hence, we have created a list of five apps we think every gig-worker, entrepreneur, solopreneur or freelancer can benefit from. 

 

Personal Finance Apps

Not everyone is exceptional with numbers and definitely, not everyone is Excel-proficient. 

 

A make-up artist enjoys shopping for new products and making people look beautiful but it does not mean that she’s a pro at budgeting or tracking her expenses. 

 

Does the makeup artist need to get a grip on her money flows? Definitely. But does she have to track her expenses, prepare a budget, automate savings, and calculate profit and expenditure, all by herself? No. There are so many great apps that can help with that.

 

Apps like Money Manager help with the day-to-day tracking of an individual’s expenses. You can record everything single thing you spend money on daily and weekly or monthly, you are able to see exactly where your money goes. 

 

Tracking your personal expenses is great for you because it helps you become more responsible with the money you earn. 

  • Money Manager for expense tracking.
  • Kippa for accounting and bookkeeping practices.
  • Cowrywise for savings
  • Piggyvest for savings and investments.

 

 

Photo Editing Apps

Take your pictures from bleh to wow in a few minutes using some of the best photo editing apps. 

 

We don’t need to preach about why photo editing apps are great for freelancers such as photographers, make-up artists, fashion designers and stylist, just to mention a few.

 

A few of our favourites include:

  • Lightroom
  • InShot
  • Snapseed  
  • Airbrush

 

 

Scheduling Apps

One thing a professional freelancer must never do is miss an appointment. You don’t want to be tardy or sloppy as well. 

 

A guaranteed way to ascertain that you are updated on all scheduled activities is utilizing editing apps. These apps keep you more productive and ease off the pressure from never ending work load. 

 

Our top picks include 

  • Calendly
  • SimplyBook
  • Doodle
  • Square Appointments

 

These scheduling apps automatically link to your calendars and keep you reminded. You do not have to manually input your meetings.

 

 

Payment Apps

A registered business can open a bank account but as you might have guessed, not all freelancers have their businesses registered or incorporated. Hence, they have to make use of third-party apps. 

 

Although these apps might take a percentage when you collect a payment, they however give your business a professional look. 

 

In Africa, apps like PayPal are a bit difficult to use in collecting payment but there are other options.

 

The user interface of these apps is superb. The best part is your clients don’t have to download the apps if they do not want to. A simple link leads them to the payment page and just like that, everyone is happy. 

  • Paystack
  • Flutterwave
  • Traction

 

 

Wellness Apps

After a long week of work, Jack still needs to recuperate from all that working. The benefits of exercising are endless. You not only stay fit and healthy for work but you spend less money on medical bills.

 

Getting a gym membership might be counter-productive and costly but most workout apps are free and show you exactly what form you need to be in for the best results. 

  • Nike Run App 
  • Women Fitness App
  • Men Fitness App

 

 

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. We’ll like to know, what are some of the best apps you use that keep you productive? 

How To Write The Best Description That Will Attract Clients

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

People often say don’t judge a book by its cover but in the world of marketing, the book is often first judged by its cover. 

A freelancer’s description is one of the major ways of striking a good first impression on your potential clients. Without a description or bio, it becomes quite difficult for you to attract clients. 

People like to know stuff. You cannot let your clients assume who you are or what you do. You have to inform them and with as few words as possible. 

Now the question is, “What should I write in my bio?”, “How do I describe myself and my business?”. This article is your best bet at creating a short, professional bio that keeps clients attracted to you. 

 

How to Write a Professional Bio

The method of creating a world-class, profit-generating bio is not cast in stone. You just need to be attentive to a few details and your bio is ready. 

 

1. Outline: Make a list of the services you offer as a freelancer or gig worker. If you are a special effects make-up artist, put that on the list. If you photograph just weddings, add it to your list. 

 

Lists provides clarity for you on what you want to do and what you do not want to do. It tailors your efforts to a few niches and keeps you focused on those ideas. So go ahead and write your services down.

 

2. Write: After you have made a comprehensive list of the services you wish to offer, write a few samples. No matter how ridiculous these sample bios sound, just keep writing till you have successfully explained what you offer in a concise and easy-to-understand way.

 

3. Edit: Show one or more people the samples of your written bio. Be open to constructive feedback, make edits and go ahead to attach the description to your profile. 

 Always remember that you “OWE” us a simple description.

 

 

Creative Bio Examples: Dos and Don’ts in Bio Writing

Now that we know the method to write, you also need to be able to differentiate a bio that is good from one that isn’t.

1. In writing a bio or description that attracts clients, learn to speak to people’s gain or pain points without sounding too sales-y


Now from the two examples above, who do you think clients will want to work with the most? I bet you chose the latter.

Your ability to communicate and relate with your target audience is one of the things that set you apart.

 

 

2. Don’t be pompous or timid. Communicate your value with confidence. 

 

 

From the above examples, can you identify which is pompous, timid, and confident? This doesn’t mean that you can’t talk about your expertise but there are better ways to go about it.

 


 

 

3. Keep SEO in mind. Think like your clients and use keywords that they will regularly search for. All the examples above have keywords in them and are therefore SEO worthy. For example, maternity shoot, pregnant woman, profit and loss account, business, etc.

 

 

4. Use simple or common English. You don’t want your potential clients using a dictionary when they read your bio, do you? I’m sure you don’t so keep grammar simple and watch out for grammatical or punctuation errors.

 

 

5. Go straight to the point.


The above example immediately communicates to potential clients what day the freelancer is available and also creates a sense of urgency with the word only. 

Depending on how you set your rates and availability as a freelancer on the Bookings Africa site, this type of bio can attract the target audience who can pay your rates and leave others wishing.

 

 

 

6. End with a Call-to-Action. Like we said in the beginning, people like to know details and this includes being told what to do next. Do not assume that your potential client knows what to do next. 

On that note, always add a call to action on your bio. Use phrases such as

  • Go ahead to schedule a booking.
  • Reach out by clicking BOOK below
  • We can chat after you book
  • Let’s get started

 

Your description is like a business card. People would usually just glance through at first look. Ensure that there’s something that keeps them interested in knowing more and taking action. 

How To Set Up Your Own Photo Studio

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

 

It takes a lot of courage to decide to start your own freelance practice as a photographer. 

Most of the time, many photographers cannot afford to own a workspace of their own at the beginning of their careers. The photographers who are able to own a studio either have a lot of money laying around or have received funding to boost their business. 

If you are a newbie photographer or freelancer who doesn’t own a studio and is tired of spending most of your profit renting a studio, then this post is for you. 

You will learn:

  1. How to set up your own studio with equipment in your house
  2. Where to buy affordable but quality photography equipment

 

DIY Home Photo Studio

People set up home photo studios for several reasons the most common being the need to cut overhead costs. The following steps will guide you in creating an aesthetically pleasing studio in your home.

1. Ambiance & Location: Ensure that the location of this studio has accessible roads and an ambiance that is appealing. You do not want to invite a client over to a location that looks unsafe, unkempt, and unpleasant. 

 

 

 

Despite the fact that you want to set up a home studio, it doesn’t have to be your home. You can liaise with a friend to set up in their home, workspace, or office if yours isn’t as good. Please ensure that the place has proper ventilation and is free of foul smells. Trust me, this turns many clients off irrespective of their pocket size.

Let the room be at least 100 square meters i.e at least 5 people can move around comfortably in the room. 


2. Lightening: The key ingredient to a beautiful picture is lightening. Now depending on the type of picture you are trying to create, you can have different moods set. 

The first type of light you need will be natural light: straight from the sun and free of charge. The beautiful light from the sun creates timeless and crisp images. With a clear white wall and this natural light, you’ll get the best portrait photographs.

 

 

 

Next up, invest in light. Depending on your location in Africa, there are several local markets and online shops where you can shop for lights. You can start up with flat light and also a backlight. The flat light will help in amplifying the light that falls on your object’s face, thereby removing shadows and the backlight can help with creating silhouettes. To balance and control the different lights, use a reflector and softboxes as well. 

 

 

3. Furniture and Props: Every good studio needs good furniture. Furniture has been known to inspire several poses and inspire confidence in your clients. Depending on what your preferred studio interior décor is, buy furniture that goes with your theme. 

 

 

 

Sometimes, you don’t even need to buy anything new. Look around your home and get creative. There are so many pieces lying around, that can be used as props or give more character to your photograph/picture.

 

 

 

4. Backdrops: Backdrops are so important for any studio. Backdrops can make or mar your images as they determine the feel of the image you hope to create. Backdrops are as important as choosing lenses for your photographs.

 

 

 

You do not have to get high-end backdrop options when shopping. Although there are several kinds of backdrop options, fabrics tend to be the most common option of all. Fabrics such as, polyester, canvas, muslin, and stretch knit can be found in any local market near you or can be shopped from online stores. 

The best sizes for home or DIY studios will be 5×7 feet, 8×10 feet, and 12×14 feet. These are perfect for baby and pet images, headshots or portraits, and couples or group photographs respectively. 

 

 

5. Camera and Lenses: Finally, we get to the part you’ve probably been waiting for. To take a good picture, we need a good camera or lens. 

 

 

 

 

Apple has created some of the most creative gadgets. With an iPhone, you can take good pictures that look similar to that of a camera.

 

 

However, if you can afford to buy a camera, ensure that you buy different lenses as well. For studio photos, lenses with focal lengths ranging from 18mm-55mm are great for creative photos.

 

And voila! Your DIY studio is set up and ready to be used. 

 

More Ways To Make Money On Bookings Africa 

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

Maybe you are just one of the few people who do not want to be freelancers but you love what Bookings Africa is about and you’d like to be part of it. You are in luck because freelancing is just one of the ways to make money on Bookings Africa. 

This article is a deep dive into the world of money-making as seen on Bookings Africa. 

We have a plethora of income streams, but first, you have to be signed up to benefit from these. Go on, sign up and then keep reading. 

Great job!

Now, you can decide to make money on the platform through

  1. Masterclasses
  2. Ticketing 
  3. Event promotion
  4. Benefits of Referral Code

MASTERCLASSES

Our platform enables you to host masterclasses via the video call service for up to 50 people, giving you the professional feel you desire.

Setting up a masterclass on Bookings Africa is great for thought leaders, business owners, event promoters, artists, teachers, etc. Basically, anyone who desires to reach a wider audience, assert their thought leadership, and makes even extra income needs to host a masterclass. 

The webinar feature is easy to set up and navigate. 

TICKETING

Just in case you didn’t know, Africans know how to through a party! From glamorous dresses to themed events, awesome music, and mouth-watering food to the infusion of our rich culture and great insights into the industry developments. African parties and events are always a “must-attend” for everyone. 

To ensure a seamless flow for these events, ticketing is one aspect you do not want to ignore. 

Bookings Africa has created a self-service platform empowering event organizers and promoters to host their events virtually, sell tickets, reach larger audiences, and manage their events.

The platform helps to address the ticketing issues. This automatically saves you the stress of selling tickets in person or looking for placements for the tickets. It also helps in tracking the data of the registered attendees for your event.

To sell your tickets, 

  1. Sign up as a client or service provider (if you are not already signed up)
  2. Go to your dashboard
  3. Click on My Events
  4. Create a new event
  5. After you create events, share the link to purchase tickets
  6. Track ticket sales on My Events → Ticket History

And voila, you have another stream of income.

EVENT PROMOTION

After creating your event, you can also decide to promote your event with Bookings Africa. We offer our clients a variety of promotion packages. If this is something you will be interested in, please contact [email protected] for more inquiries. 

BENEFITS OF REFERRAL CODE

When you refer a person to sign up on Bookings Africa with your code, you earn.

Here’s how:

  • Sign up as a service provider
  • Your username serves as your referral code so use something easy yet professional
  • Convince others to sign up on the platform using your referral code
  • Encourage them to set up their profile

The benefits of using Bookings Africa are endless. Not only freelancers stand a chance to benefit from this. 

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 set Competitive Prices as a Service Provider

Posted on by Ugochi Obilonu

Congratulations! You’ve finally decided to sign up as a service provider on Bookings Africa. The next question on your mind is, “How do I get clients on Bookings Africa?”.

First, you must understand that an attractive profile is one of the determining factors that will set you apart. Therefore, it is imperative that you set up an outstanding profile and then go ahead to set your availability and prices.

Let’s talk about pricing a little. African local markets are known for one thing: haggling. Everyone who shops in any local market always haggles. Typically, the buyer has in mind a product he wants to buy and then goes on to find a seller that suits his budget, preference, and perception. 

At Bookings Africa, we allow our users have that same marketplace feel: Search, Compare, Book. So how do you become the choice service provider amongst many others?

Guide User’s Perception 

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. In setting up your profile, how you describe your service is key. Most users want to spend as less time as possible on the platform when choosing a service provider. Help them make that process faster by guiding their perception of you.

To win a client over, think like one. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Am I impressed by my profile?
  • Does my profile make a good first impression?
  • Will I book me?

If a haggard-looking salesman and a finely-dressed salesman approached you to sell you a book: HOW TO BE RICH, who would you rather buy from?

Perception is how something or someone is understood or regarded. It is true that you might know your onions and that you know your work well but if your packaging looks mediocre, no one will patronize your service. 

Always put your best foot forward. Fill up the video and picture segments in your profile with mouth-watering proofs of your work that leave your potential clients thirsty for your services. 

Conduct A Market Research

No one starts off building a house without considering the size of his pocket. That’s the same way no service provider should kick off their freelance career without first conducting market research. You should have an idea of what users look out for when considering booking services in your category. 

What amount is too high? Which is just right? 

Conducting market research saves you the stress of guessing or adjusting your prices now and then. 

Hers’s a quick way to conduct market research:

  1. Ask your friends, family, and acquaintances how much they would be willing to pay for the service you are offering.
  2. Create a questionnaire that will reach a wide range of audiences, asking them their pricing preferences for the services you offer. 
  3. Use the internet to your advantage and do deep research.
  4. Find out how much your competitors charge.

It is important to remember that your value matters in the decision process. Do not undercharge just to please a market you have no interest in serving and do not overcharge when you know you’ll underdeliver.

This takes us back to perception. How you want to be perceived determines your pricing strategy. When you think of Toyota, you think of affordability and durability. When you think of Ferrari, you think luxury. Depending on how you want to be perceived, conduct research in that line.  

If you want to be an affordable brand, research the unique selling points of an affordable service provider on Bookings Africa. If you only offer premium services, ensure that your target audience also book freelancers. 

The more informed you are, the more informed decisions you make and ultimately the more competitive your pricing. 

Pricing Strategy

Setting competitive prices is a strategic move businesses use. Freelancers can also adopt these strategies to their advantage.

  1. Sell your services in a bundle: Let’s assume Dave signed up as a Videographer on the Bookings Africa Platform. Dave can add as many services as he offers under the profession: Videographer. That means he can decide to sell his services in bundles.

His services can include:

  • Video Shoot only (N35,000/Physical)
  • Editing Only (N30,000/Physical)
  • Video Shoot and Editing only (N50,000/Physical)
  • Video Script Writing only (20,000/Virtual)
  • Scripting, Shooting, and Editing (70,000/Physical)

In actuality, Dave offers three major services under the Videographer profession but he has also created two extra bundle services. When potential clients know that they can save money booking a bundled service, they will most likely book. 

Coca-Cola uses a similar strategy. Customers always go for an offer that saves them money. 

This pricing strategy is highly effective and can also work for newbie freelancers on the Bookings Africa platform.

  1. Another pricing strategy is to gradually increase your pricing as your clientele increases. The strategy here is to start at a lower price than you would usually charge and then grow your client base on that fixed price.  After a while, you can gradually increase your rates. 

This goal is to ensure that all your booked clients rate your services and leave a review on your page. This enforces your credibility and professionalism as a freelancer. 

Setting your availability

Once your profile and pricing are sorted, the next thing will be to choose your available working hours. You want to choose days that work for you. 

Simple techniques for determining your availability include:

  • If you work a 9-5 alongside your freelance hustle, you might set your available hours for weekends. 
  • Leave a day open for all Bookings Africa gigs. For instance, depending on the type of services a hairstylist with a physical store offers, he/she shouldn’t fix any client’s books on Wednesdays. Wednesdays should be reserved for potential gigs from Bookings Africa. 
  • Work only when you can excellently deliver on the job. 

In summary, pricing and availability are two variables that must be set with precaution and honesty. Freelancers can grow their careers in no time. When the price and time are right, you are sure to get bookings. 

What Clients are Looking for in Gig-workers | The Client’s Perspective

Posted on by Sandra Adodo

Freelancers in the gig-market often have similar expectations and goals. They are either looking for ways to land a good client or to retain the existing ones. 

None of these thought patterns is bad. But, Let’s think about the client and what they want when they make the decision to book a freelancer. 

Here are 5 things clients consider before booking a gig-worker or freelancer.

  1. A great portfolio 

Whenever clients source for talents, they require proof of work done before. First on the list is the freelancer’s portfolio. You might have done great things in the past worth sharing, but a client would not know those things if it is not in your portfolio. It is safe to say that clients are moved by what they see, and a good portfolio is a perfect depiction of your skill. If a client would be ready to spend their time hiring you or giving their money, there must be evidence that they will get value for their money. Hence, constructing a well-crafted portfolio is the way to go. 

  1. Timely delivery 

Some clients hire freelancers not because they are incapable of doing the jobs themselves but because they don’t have time to get them done. Therefore, it would be ineffective to hire a professional who couldn’t meet a particular deadline. If as a freelancer, you want to get great reviews and referrals from your existing clients, you ought to get all their tasks done quickly to meet the deadline. Plus, when you finish your work on time, it will allow you to pick up another gig and earn more. 

  1. Affordability

As a freelancer, offering work that is not overly out of budget is vital. This doesn’t mean you will reduce your value because a client isn’t ready to pay more. Instead, you should give them as much value as you charge. If as a makeup artist, your client is prepared to pay (NGN) 20,000 [$ 50] for simple makeup, you ought to do all you can to ensure the client is getting the value for that amount. So, you should always provide quality and value that is reasonably priced.

  1. Friendliness and professionalism 

What many clients notice among freelancers, which is a complete turn off, is the act of extreme professionalism. It is vital to maintain a professional relationship with your client, but you should try to create a balance with friendliness. Clients often see freelancers that are too formal as having a high level of rigidity which is not what they want in a business relationship. It is not wrong to show a level of openness so the client can interact freely. Yet, it doesn’t mean the client is ready to learn about your private life, so keep that to yourself. 

  1. High-quality results 

What every client wants to see is good results. Yes, you need to be friendly, push out affordable prices, have a great portfolio and be timely, but the apex is to deliver high-quality results. The clients will know these by checking the testimonials of other clients, which will help them see if they can bank on you. This means you need to have built a good rapport with other clients and delivered excellently for good feedback. Clients want to do business with capable freelancers, and if you have what it takes, they won’t hesitate to book you. 

So, if you ever thought clients have favourites, think again! What they have is a checklist, and these five are at the top of their list. If you have all these, you will become an employable freelancer. Good luck!