A key benefit of CRM is streamlined communications, which can c level contact list time and effort. CRM makes it easier for you to track emails, calls, messages, and meetings. Yes, meetings are crucial and need scheduling, management, and documentation.
For any freelancer, client communication, especially meetings, can be a deal breaker. Take a graphic design freelancer. If the client’s requirements what to look out for when hiring an seo consultant to be better understood, it can lead to more iterations.
Over the years, I have seen these iterations cause more project delays than any other aspect. The repetitive communication on each iteration becomes complex, leading to irritated customers. This can also impact your clientele’s feedback.
CRM makes meetings more efficient, ensuring reduced management time and improved communications. Many CRMs offer project mobile lead capabilities, so your delivery time is shorter. This can attract more customers for freelancing gigs.
Personalize Client Interactions
Personalization has been the key ingredient for many of my colleagues at Silicon Valley, who are cracking the B2B scene. I believe freelancers can also benefit from CRM’s personalization features. First, here is a number that amplifies why personalization is so important for freelancers.
Personalizations can help convert 21% of customer interactions into sales(source). Many strive to achieve this number, but they often need help with the bustling nature of the freelancing market. Making sure you stand out among the competition regarding personalization requires effort.
CRM can be a tool for personalizing through automated tasks. Two aspects of CRM, customer analytics and computerized communications, make personalization easier.
I used to leverage CRM in my initial freelancing career by automating emails to a specific list of customers based on interaction insights. You can do the same by creating a targeted list of customers through data insights in CRM and automating communication.
Boost Sales With Repeat Business
One-time projects are a freelancer’s kryptonite. I have been there and know that while these one-time projects can help you stay afloat, repeat business is crucial. But how can you ensure repeat business for a freelance gig?
The answer lies in the value that you deliver. Yes, the higher the value, the higher the chances of repeat business. Take the example of a freelancer named Aurélie, who provides data consultancy services.
After a successful three-year stint freelancing, she needed something that could add value. She was at a disadvantage when competing against platforms that provide all-in-one solutions. She added meta-analysis monthly for clients with insights like regional performance, emerging trends, and optimization opportunities.
However, the value you can add to freelancing services depends on the type of services offered. Consideration of the target audience and value proposition is also crucial. All such data is available in CRM. You can analyze such data and determine what value addition can drive more conversions.
Track Your Projects Better
As a freelancer, you may be working on several projects simultaneously. This is a good practice, as having many clients reduces the reliance on one client. So, if work is drying from one end, multiple client strategies help overcome such a phase.
However, tracking the progress of each project is crucial, and this becomes difficult while juggling multiple clients. Imagine the time, resources, and efforts needed to track project progress across five or six clients.
CRMs can be your ally in tracking each project and improving management. This leads to effective project management through a centralized database.
It will help track project timelines and milestones and ensure timely deliverables are available for clients. Lower delays and efficient deliveries can improve your brand image.
Enhance Booking/Quotes/Invoices
A key aspect of my freelancing career has been personalized quotes for each client. Not having a personalized quote according to your client’s requirements can be a deal breaker.
During the consideration phase, a potential lead often compares multiple services simultaneously. Each customer goes through three stages: Attention, Consideration, and Purchase. During the first phase, your services need to grab customers’ attention.