Three Things Clients Look for When Hiring Freelancers

Have you ever wondered what companies are really looking for when they hire a freelancer? It's easy to assume that just having the skills and experience is enough to win the job, but that's not always the case. As a freelancer, it's important to understand what clients are looking for so that you can stand out from the crowd.

In addition to building my own freelance consulting business, I’ve also spent a lot of time on the other side of the table, hiring freelancers across marketing and creative roles for companies that range from scrappy startups to Fortune 500s like Amazon. Based on that, here are three things that clients look for when hiring freelance support.

3 Things Clients Look for When Hiring Freelancers

Ability to Move Quickly

First, clients want to know that you’re going to be able to hit the ground running. By the time they’re looking for freelance help, they’re usually ready to start yesterday. So, show that you have the skills and experience to jump in and quickly have impact - highlight similar projects you’ve worked on, relevant industry experience, and knowledge of any relevant tools or systems.

Proven Success

Clients also want to know that you’ll be able to deliver business results. They’re looking for a proven track record of successfully tackling the challenges they’re facing, so share examples of how you’ve delivered in the past. If you can show quantifiable results, even better.

Easy to Work With

Finally, clients want to know that you’ll be easy (and enjoyable!) to work with. Your prospective clients have a million things on their plate, so show how you can make their lives easier. Even the little things like clear communication and ease of scheduling meetings can go a long way here.

Understanding what prospective clients are looking for and proactively responding to those needs will help you set yourself apart from the competition and build a successful, thriving freelance business.