Working online mostly means that you do not have the benefit of meeting clients in-person. Building rapport happens through email and website design instead of conversation. Clients get to know your style through reading your freelance work online or viewing your portfolio.

Making an impression is key to gaining clients when you run your freelance business online. Having the right style and continuity will make you shine above other freelancers.

1. Design a logo and brand your paperwork. On your website, you should have a clean looking header. Depending on your freelance work online, you can decide which text to use and colors. Have a logo designed to use on all of your paperwork. Setting up letterheads and invoices using your logo and brand’s look will set up continuity throughout the items your clients view.

This says a lot about your company when you take the time to set up these graphic elements. You set yourself apart from other freelancers because you prove yourself as a business.

2. Give accurate timelines and estimates. Every freelancer should have a sheet that breaks the project down into steps. This makes it clear to the client what you intend to provide. On this sheet, you also give a timeline on item completion and the estimate. Make sure you give yourself at least an extra two days or more for “just in case” issues. Add on an extra $100 to every estimate to ensure you budget back in the extra time needed and any unforeseen expenses.

Once you give your client the budget and timeline, turn in the project a day or so early. This is another reason you should include the extra time. Clients love seeing projects completed before the due date and this speaks volumes about your company in a positive light. If you didn’t use the extra $100, consider including extras for your client.

If you write for your freelance work online, include an extra article or a bio box if the client would benefit from this. If you work on the client’s website, include a handy plug-in that would bring them more traffic or give the site breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs help the reader with navigation and heighten the overall site experience for them to find pages and posts easily.

3. Remember the clients’ birthdays and holidays. Even if you have one-time clients or repeat clients, send them a card or even an e-card. If you remember special occasions, you will personalize your service to them. Clients who buy from you once are likely to buy from you again. Sending a card or e-card reminds them that you are there with freelance work online any time they need your service.

4. Be available. When you are working on a client’s website, writing work, or graphics, be available to answer any questions they might have. Usually for freelance work online, this works by setting aside a time to call the client and follow up on the completed project. Including this time in your price will help you avoid feeling disgruntled about follow-up calls should questions and issues arise with the client.

When you follow up, you let the client know that you care about customer service as opposed to leaving the project with the client and forgetting about it.

How can you make an impression with potential and current clients today? Write your answers in the comments section and apply them to your freelance work online.

photo credit: mescon