While freelancing typically involves a lot of independent work, self-employed workers must still cultivate a good communication style. Clear, consistent, and reliable communication is key to making a good impression with prospects and building good, long-lasting relationships with clients. Furthermore, by minimizing misunderstandings in your communication, you can actually boost your productivity and efficiency. Here are five tips for better communication.
Be attentive
Listening is at the core of any good when it comes to tips for better communication. And as a freelancer, it’s particularly important when you’re talking to or corresponding with a client. Being attentive involves actively listening when you are on a call with someone, but also paying close attention to digital correspondence. Be sure to carefully read and analyze emails, project descriptions, and briefs. Listening and being attentive to what your client says will equip you to address all their questions and meet their needs at every step. This, in turn, will demonstrate your commitment to their project and lay the foundation for a strong, trusting relationship.
Ask questions
On top of being attentive to what your client says, make sure to ask questions when something is unclear. If you aren’t understanding something in the brief or are unsure about something your client has said in a meeting, asking them to explain or elaborate will not only help to clarify things for yourself, it will also show initiative and your dedication to getting things right. It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t just ask questions simply for the sake of it—make sure your questions are intentional and constructive. In the same vein, communication can be improved by asking clients for feedback or demonstrating you are open to receiving constructive criticism to improve future output and performance. We have a whole blog post on the topic here.
Be professional
When we say be professional, we don’t necessarily mean drafting all your emails in a stuffy, formal tone. It’s ok to be friendly, especially if your client has set a precedent for a casual communication style. Maintaining professionalism across your communication means being on time for calls or meetings; communicating respectfully, and conveying confidence in your skills and abilities. There are also seemingly small things that can make or break whether you are perceived as a professional, like spelling. An email plagued by typos and spelling mistakes can make you seem hasty and sloppy, which can make you seem unprofessional. Addressing your client by the wrong name is another slip-up that can tarnish your reputation in a client’s eyes. Pay attention to the small things that can make a big difference when it comes to applying these tips for better communication.
Be concise
Whether you’re sending an email or attending a meeting, concision is almost always appreciated. As a freelancer, there is a good chance your skills are being sought to solve a specific problem or to support a team that is already being stretched thin, so the last thing you want to do is make your client’s life more complicated. Wordy, convoluted emails, or scattered, unorganized meetings can quickly become overwhelming and confuse the person you’re communicating with. Instead, opt for concise communication that clearly gets your question or point across. Write down the agenda for each meeting to make it easier not to stray off topic. In the end, this will facilitate communication because your client will be able to quickly identify what to respond to.
Be accommodating
As a freelancer, you may have a preferred method of communication. One of the best tips for better communication is that it’s important to be comfortable with all types of communication. It comes down to being able to accommodate different clients, who may prefer to discuss a project brief via email or over the phone or video call. In some cases, it can even be beneficial to propose a call or teleconference meeting yourself to help your clients put a face to the name. Ultimately, meeting a prospect or client—even if it’s virtual—can help to build a stronger relationship and facilitate communication over the long-term. Being accommodating can also look like adapting your own communication habits to meet a client’s expectations—within reason of course. For example, your client might want regular updates, in which case it could be beneficial to send them a weekly progress report.
Take your skills to the next level
While it comes naturally to some, others have to work to improve their communication in a professional setting. If you ask us, it’s a soft skill that is worth investing in, and the tips for better communication above can really help to improve your communication habits. If you’re looking for more freelancing guidance—whether it’s about working from home or on boosting productivity— our SkillPack blog is full of helpful insights.
