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
Log in to your Client account
Go to your dashboard and look out for ongoing booking
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.
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.
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!
You are allowed to have a maximum of three professions on the Bookings Africa platform.
Before we get to the how let’s tell you why you need to have multiple professions on your profile.
At Bookings Africa, we believe that Africans are super talented and deserve an equal playing ground in the world and so we created one of the largest gig markets for Africans, by Africans. Most people have multiple talents and as such, our platform is optimized to accommodate this diversity because we believe in unlocking your earning potential. More professions, more money; it’s a no-brainer.
Just so you know, a profession is different from a service. Service providers signed up on Bookings Africa are professionals who offer various services. A profession is a broad category or a specialization while a service is any activity rendered to benefit another person. For instance, an accountant is a profession while book-keeping is a service. You can set up three different professions on your profile but you can offer as many services as you want.
We encourage all service providers to add more professions to their profiles as this increases their earning potential. Users can search up to 30 different professions on Bookings Africa.
Sign Up for Multiple Professions in 3 Simple Steps.
If you are a new service provider, follow all three steps but if you are an already existing service provider, you can jump to step three.
Sign up on Bookings Africa: Bookings Africa is only available to registered users. You’ll need to sign up as a service provider with accurate details.
2. Complete your profile: Provide all the necessary information as required. Ensure that you complete setting up your profile and with valid information.
3. Go to Your Account: On your account dashboard, click on My Services. Click on New service and then fill out the required information for another profession.
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.
On a regular basis, which do you frequently use: Web or Mobile App?
There are so many reasons why people will have different answers to the question above. Depending on the device type and sometimes functionality, one will always be better than the other.
The invention of technology has served the human race a great deal. Information that was inaccessible has now become available at your fingertips (literally), with the innovation of websites.
Bookings Africa has a website as well as a mobile app and this is great because you have options to choose from.
The major differences between the Bookings Africa app and the website include the following:
1.. On the web, updates can take place without the user realising it. It is an automated process that takes place online. On the other hand, mobile apps users are required to download and authorize each update.
2. The app does give you more flexibility and the speed to accept bookings quickly on the go.
3. You can also track your growth as a service provider via the app.
4. On the website, you can read the blog, get first-hand information about Bookings Africa, and have answers to a wide range of FAQs. The mobile app doesn’t have this feature but you can definitely set up your profile or book a service provider.
Features of The Web and Mobile App
The Bookings Africa website is home to over 15,000 service providers. On the website, a service provider can set up their profile, or collect payments. Also, a user can Search, Compare or Book any service provider of their choice. The website has certain features that the Bookings Africa mobile app doesn’t have.
Again, depending on what function you want to perform and your preference, you can either choose to use the app or the website.
Through the app users can search for a variety of talent or service providers, compare their prices, book online, pay securely and provide ratings and reviews for services across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa; all from the comfort of your mobile device. The app also has this cool feature where you get to call the service provider you have booked via video.
On Bookingsafrica.com, you can host a masterclass. This is a service that is best organized via the website and on a computer. We recommend you host your masterclass sessions on the website because you will have more control than when you use a mobile app.
Bookings Africa has one of the best freelance apps in the world. It can be downloaded on the app store or on the play store app for free. You are assured of a seamless and excellent experience when you get on either the app or the web.
If you need to make more enquiry, you can chat with our customer service team directly, click here.
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:
Ask your friends, family, and acquaintances how much they would be willing to pay for the service you are offering.
Create a questionnaire that will reach a wide range of audiences, asking them their pricing preferences for the services you offer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
