Freelancers are not just service providers; they are also problem solvers, collaborators, and people who must decipher complex client needs. That last role can be particularly challenging, but the good news is that freelancers do not have to struggle with knowing what their clients need and delivering it if they know the right questions to ask.
Whether you are a seasoned freelancer or just starting out, this article will guide you through the essential questions to ask your clients before diving into a project. We will also explore common mistakes freelancers make that you need to avoid.
Common Mistakes Freelancers Make
Before we look at the questions, let's look at some common mistakes that can derail even the most talented freelancers:
1. Assuming Instead of Asking: It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you know exactly what the client wants/needs based on a brief description.
A 2022 study by the Freelancers Union found that 68% of project misalignment stemmed from assumptions made at the outset. This is a significant number of projects. Instead of having a risk of failing from the start or misunderstandings, ask instead of assuming.
2. Skipping the Discovery Phase: The discovery phase is where clients and freelancers discuss the project in as much detail as possible. Many freelancers jump straight into work without a proper discovery session because they want to secure contracts as quickly as possible.
This can lead to misaligned expectations and scope creep. Freelancers should, therefore, take the time to fully understand the project before committing.
3. Failing to Set Clear Boundaries: Numerous surveys show a vast majority of freelancers have worked for free at some point in their careers. The main reason cited is the failure to set clear project parameters.
To avoid this, establish your working hours, response times, and what constitutes billable work from the get-go.
If a client wants to breach these boundaries, ask them to pay extra. It might be difficult to do so in this climate, but doing free work is never a good idea, especially for the long term.
4. Overlooking the Client's Long-term Goals: Focusing solely on the immediate project can make you miss opportunities for ongoing work. Again, it is understandable to miss doing this, especially when starting out and completing as many projects as possible is the goal.
Freelancers who understand and align with their clients' long-term objectives are 3.5 times more likely to secure repeat business, according to Freelancer.com. Also, these clients are more likely to refer these freelancers because the latter understood and fulfilled their goals.
5. Not Discussing the Budget Upfront: Talking about money is uncomfortable for many freelancers. However, these discussions are essential. Discussing budgets and payment timelines can help freelancers avoid late or non-payment issues.
5 Essential Questions to Ask Your Freelance Clients
1. "Can you walk me through your vision for this project and its desired outcome?"
This open-ended question encourages clients to tell you about their goals in detail. This question allows you to better understand the project scope and purpose, identify if the client has any expectations they have not stated, and help you align your skills with their vision.
To go a bit further, consider also asking what inspired them to start the project, how the project fits into their overall business strategy, and what a successful project outcome looks like for them.
This process is not just about gathering information but also a chance to demonstrate you are genuinely interested in the project and committed to their success. Done right, the result is increased customer satisfaction, which can lead to stronger relationships and additional work down the line.
2. "What's your timeline for this project, and are there any critical milestones we should be aware of?"
Good time management is crucial for successful freelancing. Aligning client timeline expectations and how much you know the work they assign will take will ensure everything goes smoothly. This is what this question aims to address.
Asking about that timeline helps you assess if it is realistic, consider whether their timeline will lead to conflicts with other projects, and help you set expectations for deliverables. The last one is crucial because you do not want to agree to a squeezed timeline only to not be able to deliver on time.
As a follow-up, ask them if they are flexible on the deadline depending on how you judge it, if any external factors could affect this timeline, and how often they would like project updates.
Remember, understanding the timeline isn't just about meeting deadlines; it's about managing your workload effectively. Surveys show that freelancers who proactively discuss and plan proper project timelines are 35% less likely to experience burnout and 28% more likely to complete projects on time.
3. "Can you tell me about your target audience and how this project will serve them?"
Sometimes, freelancers need to guide clients in the right direction if they miss the mark. For example, the client might request a deliverable that does not align with their target audience or potential customers.
This question allows you to align the project much better with their expected outcomes, even if they do not realize it during the planning phase. It also allows you to tailor your approach, offer unique insight, and demonstrate that you provide much more value beyond delivering the finished product or service.
You can dig deeper with these questions:
By showing interest in the target audience, you position yourself as a strategic partner rather than just a service provider. Remember, projects developed with a clear understanding of the target audience are much more likely to meet or exceed client expectations.
4. "What's your budget for this project, and how flexible is it?"
Every experienced freelancer will tell you that it is always better to talk about money as early as possible.
While the main aim of doing this is to avoid misunderstandings in the future, these discussions will also help you determine if the project is financially viable for you. If their budget is too low, the money might not be enough for you to pay your bills or fulfill other financial obligations, so check if this is the case.
Talking about the budget also provides you with an opportunity to adjust the project scope. You can adjust it up or down depending on the budget, and you can always suggest more deliverables if the client has the budget for them.
Additional questions you can ask include:
5. "Who are the key stakeholders involved in this project, and what's the approval process?"
Knowing who will be making key decisions and the set decision-making structure is crucial for a smooth project. Inquiring about the stakeholders involved in the project allows you to identify potential project and process approval bottlenecks early, ensure you know who to talk to at any time and plan for feedback and revision loops.
You can follow up with:
The questions above form a solid foundation for your new working relationship, there are a few more that can elevate client experiences.
6. "What metrics will you use to measure the success of this project?"
Clients are very concerned about tangible results. Showing your commitment to them helps demonstrate you are committed to achieving them. Also, this question can help you align your work with the client's key performance indicators (KPIs), provide data-driven value, and set clear, measurable goals.
7. "Have you worked with freelancers before? What worked well, and what didn't?"
This question is all about gathering additional context and shows the client you are interested in learning from their past experiences so you do not make the same mistakes or provide a similar experience.
It can help you better understand the client's expectations for working with freelancers, identify potential pain points before they become issues, and tailor your communication style to the client's preferences.
8. "Are there any competitors or inspirations you'd like me to be aware of?"
Understanding your client’s competition or competitors is a great way to elevate the work you do for them from good to great and from great to excellent. The answers to this question will help you
gain insights into the client's industry, identify opportunities for helping them with their differentiation efforts, and show that you are interested in the bigger picture.
Conclusion
As a freelancer, asking the right questions isn't just about gathering information; it is also about building trust, setting clear expectations, and positioning yourself as a valuable partner in your client's success.
Remember, these questions are just the starting point. The key is to listen actively, ask follow-up questions, and use the insights you gain to deliver exceptional work.
The next time you are about to embark on a new freelance project, take a deep breath, pull out this list of questions, and start a conversation that will set you both up for success. Your future self (and your clients) will thank you for it.
Whether you are a seasoned freelancer or just starting out, this article will guide you through the essential questions to ask your clients before diving into a project. We will also explore common mistakes freelancers make that you need to avoid.
Common Mistakes Freelancers Make
Before we look at the questions, let's look at some common mistakes that can derail even the most talented freelancers:
1. Assuming Instead of Asking: It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you know exactly what the client wants/needs based on a brief description.
A 2022 study by the Freelancers Union found that 68% of project misalignment stemmed from assumptions made at the outset. This is a significant number of projects. Instead of having a risk of failing from the start or misunderstandings, ask instead of assuming.
2. Skipping the Discovery Phase: The discovery phase is where clients and freelancers discuss the project in as much detail as possible. Many freelancers jump straight into work without a proper discovery session because they want to secure contracts as quickly as possible.
This can lead to misaligned expectations and scope creep. Freelancers should, therefore, take the time to fully understand the project before committing.
3. Failing to Set Clear Boundaries: Numerous surveys show a vast majority of freelancers have worked for free at some point in their careers. The main reason cited is the failure to set clear project parameters.
To avoid this, establish your working hours, response times, and what constitutes billable work from the get-go.
If a client wants to breach these boundaries, ask them to pay extra. It might be difficult to do so in this climate, but doing free work is never a good idea, especially for the long term.
4. Overlooking the Client's Long-term Goals: Focusing solely on the immediate project can make you miss opportunities for ongoing work. Again, it is understandable to miss doing this, especially when starting out and completing as many projects as possible is the goal.
Freelancers who understand and align with their clients' long-term objectives are 3.5 times more likely to secure repeat business, according to Freelancer.com. Also, these clients are more likely to refer these freelancers because the latter understood and fulfilled their goals.
5. Not Discussing the Budget Upfront: Talking about money is uncomfortable for many freelancers. However, these discussions are essential. Discussing budgets and payment timelines can help freelancers avoid late or non-payment issues.
5 Essential Questions to Ask Your Freelance Clients
1. "Can you walk me through your vision for this project and its desired outcome?"
This open-ended question encourages clients to tell you about their goals in detail. This question allows you to better understand the project scope and purpose, identify if the client has any expectations they have not stated, and help you align your skills with their vision.
To go a bit further, consider also asking what inspired them to start the project, how the project fits into their overall business strategy, and what a successful project outcome looks like for them.
This process is not just about gathering information but also a chance to demonstrate you are genuinely interested in the project and committed to their success. Done right, the result is increased customer satisfaction, which can lead to stronger relationships and additional work down the line.
2. "What's your timeline for this project, and are there any critical milestones we should be aware of?"
Good time management is crucial for successful freelancing. Aligning client timeline expectations and how much you know the work they assign will take will ensure everything goes smoothly. This is what this question aims to address.
Asking about that timeline helps you assess if it is realistic, consider whether their timeline will lead to conflicts with other projects, and help you set expectations for deliverables. The last one is crucial because you do not want to agree to a squeezed timeline only to not be able to deliver on time.
As a follow-up, ask them if they are flexible on the deadline depending on how you judge it, if any external factors could affect this timeline, and how often they would like project updates.
Remember, understanding the timeline isn't just about meeting deadlines; it's about managing your workload effectively. Surveys show that freelancers who proactively discuss and plan proper project timelines are 35% less likely to experience burnout and 28% more likely to complete projects on time.
3. "Can you tell me about your target audience and how this project will serve them?"
Sometimes, freelancers need to guide clients in the right direction if they miss the mark. For example, the client might request a deliverable that does not align with their target audience or potential customers.
This question allows you to align the project much better with their expected outcomes, even if they do not realize it during the planning phase. It also allows you to tailor your approach, offer unique insight, and demonstrate that you provide much more value beyond delivering the finished product or service.
You can dig deeper with these questions:
- "Have you done any audience research or persona development?"
- "What challenges does your audience face that this project aims to solve?"
- "How do you envision your audience interacting with the final product?"
By showing interest in the target audience, you position yourself as a strategic partner rather than just a service provider. Remember, projects developed with a clear understanding of the target audience are much more likely to meet or exceed client expectations.
4. "What's your budget for this project, and how flexible is it?"
Every experienced freelancer will tell you that it is always better to talk about money as early as possible.
While the main aim of doing this is to avoid misunderstandings in the future, these discussions will also help you determine if the project is financially viable for you. If their budget is too low, the money might not be enough for you to pay your bills or fulfill other financial obligations, so check if this is the case.
Talking about the budget also provides you with an opportunity to adjust the project scope. You can adjust it up or down depending on the budget, and you can always suggest more deliverables if the client has the budget for them.
Additional questions you can ask include:
- "Is this budget set in stone, or is there room for negotiation based on project requirements?"
- "Are there any additional costs I should be aware of, such as software licenses or third-party services?"
- "What's your preferred payment schedule?"
5. "Who are the key stakeholders involved in this project, and what's the approval process?"
Knowing who will be making key decisions and the set decision-making structure is crucial for a smooth project. Inquiring about the stakeholders involved in the project allows you to identify potential project and process approval bottlenecks early, ensure you know who to talk to at any time and plan for feedback and revision loops.
You can follow up with:
- "Will I be working directly with the decision-makers, or is there a specific point of contact?"
- "How many rounds of revisions are included in the project scope?"
- "What's the typical turnaround time for feedback and approvals?"
The questions above form a solid foundation for your new working relationship, there are a few more that can elevate client experiences.
6. "What metrics will you use to measure the success of this project?"
Clients are very concerned about tangible results. Showing your commitment to them helps demonstrate you are committed to achieving them. Also, this question can help you align your work with the client's key performance indicators (KPIs), provide data-driven value, and set clear, measurable goals.
7. "Have you worked with freelancers before? What worked well, and what didn't?"
This question is all about gathering additional context and shows the client you are interested in learning from their past experiences so you do not make the same mistakes or provide a similar experience.
It can help you better understand the client's expectations for working with freelancers, identify potential pain points before they become issues, and tailor your communication style to the client's preferences.
8. "Are there any competitors or inspirations you'd like me to be aware of?"
Understanding your client’s competition or competitors is a great way to elevate the work you do for them from good to great and from great to excellent. The answers to this question will help you
gain insights into the client's industry, identify opportunities for helping them with their differentiation efforts, and show that you are interested in the bigger picture.
Conclusion
As a freelancer, asking the right questions isn't just about gathering information; it is also about building trust, setting clear expectations, and positioning yourself as a valuable partner in your client's success.
Remember, these questions are just the starting point. The key is to listen actively, ask follow-up questions, and use the insights you gain to deliver exceptional work.
The next time you are about to embark on a new freelance project, take a deep breath, pull out this list of questions, and start a conversation that will set you both up for success. Your future self (and your clients) will thank you for it.
