What do you think are the qualities of a top-notch freelancer?
When do you think about the top 1% of freelancers what qualities do you think they should have?
Replies12
- Outside of talent, someone who cares! The best freelancers I've ever worked with (and keep going back to) are those who are invested in the success of the project - who feel like they're on the journey with you.
- Delivers to the brief, to the deadline, and to the budget. To do that a freelancer needs to take the time to understand the brief, ensure their interpretation of the brief is correct, and understand what it will take to deliver what's expected from them. When freelancers don't do that they risk shooting off in the wrong direction, and in the process wasting both their own time and the client's. But, those that do delivefr to brief, deadline, and budget will find they are many times more likely to build ongoing relationships with clients, gain recommendations and introducitons to new opprotunities, and build careers that grow over time.
- Such a good question, and great answers. I'd agree great communication is a real big one whether in person, over the phone or on email (I know some people who LOVE a phone call, but others who are more effective on email) – asking questions, flagging things you need from your client or that could be a problem, and being contructive with it all. Makes a project go so smoothly over the bumps, working towards the same goal
- Thank you everyone, love all the answers!
- Great question!We work with lots of freelancers, and I'm always most impressed by the ones who make the effort to really embed themselves in the team and wider culture.Not just sit with their blinkers on working on their individual job.Sometimes its not always possible, but I love to see it.Alex
- Hey Jakub, we work with a lot of fantastic freelancers and in my opinion the ones that really stand out (outside of just being talented) and the ones that are communicative, honest and adaptable (especially at the moment as we are remote working!)Communicative - Be friendly, talk through feedback / briefs, get on the phone / video call instead of emails...Honest - do you understand what you need to do, if you don't say as there will be just be disappointment at the endAdaptable - client is delayed with feedback, are you willing to work a little bit later...etcBut with all this I stress make sure you aren't being taken advantage of, all of the above needs to go both ways!
- Off the top of my head, they're someone who:* Has a willingness to tell clients the hard truths that they might be reluctant to accept, but that they really need to hear (this one can be hard).* Knows their value, and has the confidence to set their prices accordingly (this one is super-hard).* Knows how to maintain a healthy balance in their life, so they do the best work for clients but stay fulfilled and don't risk burnout.When I was freelance, I maybe managed to do maybe one of those three things convincingly, I'd say.
- @Arna Maria Kristjansdottir Great answer, thank you!
- When I think about the best freelancers I’ve worked with I’d describe them as:Excellent communicators.They have positive energy and have positive effects on their team mates. Like they make everyone else around them produce higher quality work or work faster because everyone just gets inspired by them.Problem solving attitude.They know their capabilities as well as their limits.They know how long things will take to create or to make. ( time management skills) And they can see potential problems and flag them.They work well under stress.I feel like it might depend on the job as well and if you need them to work as part of a team or not. As a graph designer you might work independently but as an art director you’ll be working with a team.
- Great drivePersistenceTime managementWIlling to change through growthCommunication/Clarity
- A willingness to put yourself out there and take risks.
- Time Management, an adept multi tasker, fast learner who can come up to speed quickly on projects, personable, and to be open and flexible enough to fill a variety of roles as they come up.Maybe one day eh?
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