If you're in freelancing for keeps, you need private clients, period.
Every single serious freelancer has to make private clients and direct
deals a priority in their business. The truth is, your chances are going
to be mighty slim otherwise.
Every single serious freelancer has to make private clients and direct
deals a priority in their business. The truth is, your chances are going
to be mighty slim otherwise.
Here's
a brief look at the five top reasons why YOU should be grinding it out
every day, advertising yourself and making yourself known to potential
private clients.
a brief look at the five top reasons why YOU should be grinding it out
every day, advertising yourself and making yourself known to potential
private clients.
1. Money, Money, Money, Baby
eLance, Fiverr, oDesk, Guru. What do all these freelance sites have in common? They charge you or your client extra.
On
most professional freelance sites, like eLance and oDesk, you'll find
that the client is charged extra. For example, if you do a job for $100,
on eLance the client gets charged $100 + 8.75%.
most professional freelance sites, like eLance and oDesk, you'll find
that the client is charged extra. For example, if you do a job for $100,
on eLance the client gets charged $100 + 8.75%.
When
you deal directly with clients, and he pays the money upfront straight
to your PayPal account (or whatever e-payment system you use), you don't
get charged, and he doesn't either. It's a win-win.
you deal directly with clients, and he pays the money upfront straight
to your PayPal account (or whatever e-payment system you use), you don't
get charged, and he doesn't either. It's a win-win.
Over
at Fiverr, they take a 20% cut of whatever job you do. So, in reality,
you're earning a measly $4 per gig (provided that no extras were
purchased). Again, when you deal directly with clients, you're not
losing out, and neither is he.
at Fiverr, they take a 20% cut of whatever job you do. So, in reality,
you're earning a measly $4 per gig (provided that no extras were
purchased). Again, when you deal directly with clients, you're not
losing out, and neither is he.
2. Repeat After Me...
Dealing
directly with private clients allows you to build a better
relationship. You get to know each other (a little bit), you exchange
e-mail addies, maybe even connect via social media; when you use a
third-party program, you don't get to do all these things.
directly with private clients allows you to build a better
relationship. You get to know each other (a little bit), you exchange
e-mail addies, maybe even connect via social media; when you use a
third-party program, you don't get to do all these things.
When
you build a relationship with your client, he/she is more likely to
realize that your services are an essential part of his/her business.
Thus, they'll always have you at the back of their mind, and there's as
much greater chance of them coming back to you, and giving you all their
related work. In the long run, it's much more profitable to have ten
clients who give you all their work, than a thousand who give you a job
once and never come back.
you build a relationship with your client, he/she is more likely to
realize that your services are an essential part of his/her business.
Thus, they'll always have you at the back of their mind, and there's as
much greater chance of them coming back to you, and giving you all their
related work. In the long run, it's much more profitable to have ten
clients who give you all their work, than a thousand who give you a job
once and never come back.
Building relationships is the way to go.
3. Moolah
Yep, moolah is just another word for money.
Private clients are much more likely to pay you more for the same amount of work, for two reasons:
- When clients use eLance/oDesk, most of the time they'll be going for the lowest-paid Philippino (no offense intended0.
-
Since they get to know you better, they don't mind paying more. They
know your quality of work, and they will actually pay you exactly what
you deserve.
Since they get to know you better, they don't mind paying more. They
know your quality of work, and they will actually pay you exactly what
you deserve.
Number
one, by the way, is just an inescapable fact. It's just true. Sorry,
fellas. Number two is also true. When they get to know you, they're more
comfortable giving larger amounts of money since they KNOW that you're
gonna do a good job and not rip them off.
one, by the way, is just an inescapable fact. It's just true. Sorry,
fellas. Number two is also true. When they get to know you, they're more
comfortable giving larger amounts of money since they KNOW that you're
gonna do a good job and not rip them off.
4. Ain't Nobody Else Here
When
you talk to and give a sales pitch to a client privately, there's no
competition. There's nobody else around to spoil your chances.
you talk to and give a sales pitch to a client privately, there's no
competition. There's nobody else around to spoil your chances.
With
freelance sites, there's almost always a bidding process happening
(excepting Fiverr). Especially for writing jobs, there will normally be
close to 30 people bidding, all on the same project. That works out to
approximately 3.3%, but it's more likely closer to 1% if you don't have
any reviews.
freelance sites, there's almost always a bidding process happening
(excepting Fiverr). Especially for writing jobs, there will normally be
close to 30 people bidding, all on the same project. That works out to
approximately 3.3%, but it's more likely closer to 1% if you don't have
any reviews.
When
you deal directly with clients, you're the only one in the picture.
Just you, and nobody else. You can set your prices, explain your work
and the rest without having to worry about what others are bidding.
you deal directly with clients, you're the only one in the picture.
Just you, and nobody else. You can set your prices, explain your work
and the rest without having to worry about what others are bidding.
Needless to say, this raises the chances of getting hire pretty significantly.
5. Yes! I Can Make a Living Freelancing!
When you do freelancing the private client way, what you know have is a sustainable business model. Something that is both ensured to work, and something that can be profitable enough for you to make a decent living at it.
Once
you find your client, it's just a matter of rinse and repeat. And
ultimately, this is gonna allow you to achieve the "work from home, work
whenever and wherever" lifestyle you really want.
you find your client, it's just a matter of rinse and repeat. And
ultimately, this is gonna allow you to achieve the "work from home, work
whenever and wherever" lifestyle you really want.
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