How To Land Freelance Contracts

How To Land Freelance Contracts

A contract is typically an agreement between two parties whereby one party undertakes to get a job done within a stipulated time frame after which payment is initiated for the job done. Freelance basically works more like a one-time deal where clients look for random freelancers to get their jobs done, after which they get paid and that ends it. However, with the increase in the demand for freelancers, some clients are beginning to fancy the idea of entering into contracts with certain expert clients. The idea is to maintain a constant contact and job relationship with these freelancers. This idea has become very lucrative for both clients and freelancers recently.

Table Of Contents

  • What freelance contract means
  • Why freelance contract has come into existence
  • How to land freelance contracts
  • Pros and cons of freelance contract

 

WHAT FREELANCE CONTRACT MEANS

A typical freelance project is usually on a one-time basis. For example, a client who's building a start-up can hire different freelancers at each stage of the building process. Most times, they just hire one freelancer to handle one task, then they move over to another and the cycle continues until they are done with the project. However, a freelance contract is a situation where a client decides to stick to one freelancer throughout the duration of a project. This is not common but happens when a freelancer proves to be perfectly capable for the task assigned to him or her. What this means is that a client can decide to work with you for the long term, this is what we call a freelance contract. You can land a freelance contract when you show unusual expertise and professionalism.

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WHY FREELANCE CONTRACT HAS COME INTO EXISTENCE

The basic idea of freelance is to just give a task to a freelancer and pay them off after the job is completed. The concept of freelance contract which is about having a freelancer handle a project for the long term or carry out a project from start to finish has become a new introduction in freelance. Why has this come into existence? The following are the reasons behind freelance contract:

  • Homogeneity

This means when clients want to have a uniform job. They want a situation where the same person carries out a complete job thereby giving it a homogeneous outlook i.e looking alike.

  • Professionalism

When a freelancer proves to be a top professional, the client will most likely want to have him or her around for the long-term.

  • Expertise

When a freelancer shows that he or she has a perfect understanding and knowledge of a particular skill, the client may not want to risk trying someone else. They'd rather have the freelancer do all the work.

  • Relationship

If you have built a solid relationship with the client as a freelancer, you'd most likely enjoy the privilege of working with the client every time.

  • Satisfactory Jobs

A freelancer who returns satisfactory Jobs every time will be considered for more jobs by the client. This could lead to entering into a contract.

Recommended:How To Create An Outstanding Freelance Profile

 

HOW TO LAND A FREELANCE CONTRACT

The following are ways to land a freelance contract:

  • Be a professional
  • Return perfect and satisfactory Jobs
  • Show your expertise at every given opportunity
  • Show interest in the growth of the client's business
  • Build relationships with clients

 

1. Be A Professional

In all your dealings with clients, you must always show that you are a top professional. A professional is known with the following qualities:

  • A professional is attentive to details
  • A professional keeps work secrets
  • A professional does not sabotage the efforts or goal of the organization
  • A professional does not try to extort from the client
  • A professional understands and respects boundaries
  • A professional does not try to make gains off the client's job or project
  • A professional is logical
  • A professional knows the difference between work and pleasure and does not use one to affect the other.
  • A professional keeps work relationship official and formal

2. Return Perfect And Satisfactory Jobs

If you want a client to take you seriously and consider giving you a freelance contract, then you must learn to deliver jobs that are perfect and satisfactory. Don't ever settle for less when you can do more. Always give your best shots to every job no matter how little. Little jobs give rise to big jobs when they are handled qualitatively.

3. Show Your Expertise At Every Given Opportunity

You must always show that you are an expert in every job you handle. There are freelancers who'd show wonderful samples to clients, enabling them to be given jobs and return poor jobs afterwards. If the sample you gave a client was rated 90% perfect, the job you would do for the client should be rated 95% perfect. Always give more than expected and never less. That's how to show expertise.

4. Show Interest In The Growth Of The Client's Business

Another way to make a client trust you and want to do more business with you is by showing that you are interested in the growth of his or her project or business. Many freelancers are only after money giving little or no care about the outcome of what they have helped a client do. Don't act like that if you really want to enter into  freelance contracts with clients. Try to get involved in the business of the client, advise them and do your bits to help them succeed in whatever they're doing. That's how to make a client have you in mind whenever new jobs come.

5. Build Relationships With Clients

It is usually left for clients to extend the hands of friendship and not the other way round. You don't have to initiate any form of relationship with the client but when they do, take advantage of it and show them that you can be a trusted and true friend. Having a solid relationship with a client is a direct gateway to landing freelance contracts. This starts with meeting clients on the right freelance platforms like UpMyChain.

PROS AND CONS OF FREELANCE CONTRACTS

The pros of freelance contracts are:

  • Freelance contracts help to ensure that a freelancer has jobs everytime.
  • A freelance contract pays more
  • Freelance contracts open you up to freelance growth and association with more and more professionals in the world of freelancing
  • Freelance contracts can help you build a brand that becomes a household name in freelance
  • Freelance contracts help you land jobs even without applying for them
  • A freelance contract will offer you more opportunities, more visibility and more experience.

The cons of freelance contracts are:

  • If you are not careful, you might start getting treated like an employee
  • You might not have the chance to work for more clients if you don't manage this well
  • If anything goes wrong, your business profile and relationship might be damaged beyond repair.

Easy Answers

  1. Be a professional
  2. Return perfect and satisfactory jobs
  3. Show your expertise at every given opportunity
  4. Show interest in the growth of the client's business
  5. Build relationships with clients

If you found this article helpful, do well to leave a comment using the comment box below.

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