The NBA Finals is the ultimate stage for basketball.
Every year, two teams battle through a grueling seven-game series, showcasing their peak skills.
Yet, only one can hoist the trophy.
When it comes to freelancing, it might feel like you're competing in Game 7 every time you engage with a potential client.
You're striving to impress them and compete on the grounds that you are “the best”.
But there will always be someone else out there who is better than you in some way, shape, or form…
But that doesn’t mean you won’t be a successful, 6-figure freelancer →
The problem:
Everyone a potential client is interviewing can do the job, that’s why they’re interviewing them.
Think of your talent as table stakes, the bare minimum.
If that’s all you’ve got to win you the gig, you’re in trouble.
The benefit of solving it:
Land more clients and charge higher rates.
Why what you’ve tried has failed:
You’re focused on the wrong things during client interactions, like expecting your work to “speak for itself” or explaining the intricacies of your creativity and “innovative methodology.”
Here’s how to solve it:
Effective communication is the cornerstone of success in the freelance world.
You can out-compete a better skilled freelancer by excelling as a communicator:
→ Develop an easy-to-understand process:
Clients appreciate knowing what to expect at each stage of the project.
A well-defined process for your projects consisting of pre-production, production, post-production approvals not only instills confidence but also demonstrates professionalism.
→ Ask the right questions:
During client interactions, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions.
Get them talking to uncover their pain points, goals, and priorities.
You also might find some incorrect assumptions in their thinking or plan that need to be addressed further.
When you have a complete understanding of what the client cares about and what stands in the way of where they want to be, your job becomes a lot easier.
→ Be an active listener:
One of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects of communication is listening.
Actively listen to your clients to understand their concerns.
Repeat their words back to them to show that you genuinely understand what is important to them.
→ Present solutions, not services:
A list of skills and certifications won’t win you the job.
You need to communicate how you provide valuable solutions, not merely services.
Showcase your role as a problem solver by focusing on how you can resolve clients' challenges and add value to their businesses.
→ Personalize Your Approach:
Each client is unique.
Some prefer concise updates, others less frequent, while some appreciate detailed weekly summaries.
Adapt your communication style to match the individual client’s needs for a better working relationship.
→ Over-communicate:
Build trust and strengthen your partnership with open and honest communication.
If they have ideas that aren’t going to be as effective in accomplishing their goals, tell them.
You’re the expert and they don’t know what they don’t know.
By focusing on effective communication, you'll stand out from the competition and achieve long-term success in your freelancing journey.
Because the best practitioner doesn’t get the job, the best communicator does.
So, fellow freelancers, go out there, strive to be the Michael Jordan of communication, and you'll lead your freelancing career to multiple championship rings!
Best,
Jamie
Resources to help you escape the feast-or-famine freelance cycle:
→ Build a $10K+/month freelancing business with my proven 3-pillar system inside The Freelancing Program ($59/month).
→ Get the competitive edge with daily templates, frameworks, and freelance market intel from Workforce 3.0 ($4.99/month).
→ Hit your freelancing goals this year with a customized, step-by-step game plan that we’ll create during a focused 1:1 coaching session ($750) with me.
