The 3 Types of Freelancing Clients
Our clients (AKA the people who pay us to provide a service) are essential for being able to run a successful freelance business. No two clients are the same, and every client is motivated by different reasons for hiring your expertise.
Whether you are replying to a job invite or are reaching out to a potential client, understanding what is motivating them to work with a freelancer is essential for being able to successfully land great jobs. If you are able to figure out which of these basic categories your potential client fits into, you are better able to tailor your response so that they know that you are exactly the person they need to get the task done.
The 3 Types of Freelancing Clients
No matter what type of freelancing services you offer, there are three general types of clients that are worth working with:
The Dazed and Confused Client — The basic client who can’t complete this task on their own
These clients are not skilled in the area they require help in and will likely require basic assistance or service. Whether they need help setting up a PowerPoint deck for a company pitch or need an animation made for the beginning of their small YouTube channel, these clients are everywhere (and they are great for freelancers who are just starting out). They will likely pay lower rates for jobs, so working with multiple of these clients is a great way to build your skills and start earning your own income.
TIP: For this type of client, wording the explanation of your services in simple and concrete ways is a great way to build trust. They are more likely to respond positively to someone who makes them feel like they understand what they are looking for without having to micromanage the project.
The Enterprise Client — The client that wants to delegate tasks off their plate to grow their business
These clients are likely working for a company or brand that is in the process of expanding and reaching new audiences. They want to delegate tasks away in order to have continual content available for them to use as they grow their business. These are great clients for freelancers who have a little freelance experience under their belt and are looking for a more consistent and long-term project commitment. Working on long-term projects can help you feel more confident in your skills while also building positive working relationships with your clients, which is great for getting high-quality end-of-project reviews on your profile. They are more likely to pay a higher rate for your services and may offer long-term working contracts.
TIP: These clients will very likely ask for examples of your previous work in the specific niche that they are looking for. Be sure to have some high-quality examples ready to share with them, preferably as closely related to the project they want to hire you for as possible.
The CEO Mindset Client — The client who only wants to work with experts in their field to get the best results
This is the cream of the crop client that all freelancers aspire to work with. This client has done their own research about your services and wants to hire you specifically to offer your best services. These clients are more than willing to pay higher rates for exceptional work and are more likely to give you more creative project control. Landing these clients involves having a successfully built portfolio of work, experience working with other clients, and a clearly defined niche for your services.
TIP: Very likely, this client will come to you with an offer of a job. And while this is incredibly exciting, be sure to take time to check if the job is right for you. Ask about their project expectations and deadlines to double-check that what they are looking for is something you can actually deliver.
Get In Touch With Me
I hope these tips are helpful for those of you on the lookout for your next great freelancing job. I promise these quality clients are out there — and with some work, there are ways to get them to come directly to you, asking for your services. Stay tuned to my blog for more helpful freelancing tips and tricks, and please feel free to reach out to me in the comments or on social media. I would love to hear about your most recent clients, and how you used these classifications to help land the job.
Until next time!