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

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. 

2. 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. 

3. 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.

4. 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. 

5. 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!