So, you’ve decided to start freelancing. You’ve picked a skill, signed up on freelance platforms, and maybe even started promoting yourself on social media. But then, a client shows interest and asks, “Can you send me your details?”
At this point, you might be wondering: “Which details do they need?” or “How do I present myself professionally?”
Don’t worry, my friend. In this post, I’ll break down the key information most clients ask for before hiring a freelancer—and I’ll make it easy to understand with practical examples.
1. Your Portfolio (Proof of What You Can Do)
Think of this as your “See what I have done before” folder. Clients don’t want to just take your word for it—they need to see samples of your work.
- If you’re a graphic designer, show them flyers, logos, or social media graphics you’ve designed.
- If you’re a writer, send links to blog posts or articles you’ve written.
- If you’re a video editor, share a short video clip of your editing skills.
Where to Store Your Portfolio?
- Google Drive
- A personal website (if you have one)
- Social media (Instagram for graphics, Medium for writing, LinkedIn for everything!)
Tip: If you don’t have past work to show, create sample projects for fake clients. Example: Design a flyer for a popular Naija brand like Jumia, LAskill, Kuda, or GTBank just to showcase your skills.
2. Your Pricing (How Much You Charge)
Before hiring you, a client will ask: “How much do you charge?”
Here’s where most beginners make a mistake—they panic and either charge too low or remain confused.
- Research the market price. Check freelance platforms to see what others charge.
- Have a price range. Example: If you’re a writer, you can say:
“For a 500-word article, I charge ₦5,000 – ₦10,000 depending on the topic.”
Tip: Always add a little extra to your price because clients love to negotiate! If your real price is ₦15,000, tell them ₦20,000 so that even after they price you down, you’ll still be okay.
3. Your Payment Details (How You’ll Get Paid)
Once you agree on a price, the next question is: “How do I pay you?”
Most Nigerian clients prefer:
- Bank transfer (GTBank, UBA, Access Bank, etc.)
- Opay or PalmPay (Some people prefer this for faster transactions)
- Paystack or Flutterwave (For international clients)
- PayPal, Wise, or Skrill (For payments in dollars)
Tip: If you’re working with a foreign client, ask them how they prefer to pay you and set up an account accordingly.
4. Your Availability (How Fast Can You Deliver?)
Clients always ask: “How soon can you finish this job?”
Here’s how to answer:
- Be honest. If you can complete it in 3 days, say so. Don’t overpromise!
- Set realistic deadlines. Example:
“I can deliver this in 5 days.” or “I can send the first draft in 48 hours.”
Tip: Clients sometimes want things yesterday! If a job is urgent, increase your price for fast delivery (e.g., “I can deliver in 24 hours for an extra ₦5,000”).
5. Communication Method (How They Can Reach You)
Clients want to know how they will contact you during the project.
Most clients prefer:
- WhatsApp – This is the most popular option.
- Email – For professional communication.
- Phone call – Some clients prefer voice calls for clarity.
- Zoom/Google Meet – If they need to discuss a big project.
Tip: If a client keeps calling too much, politely ask them to text first before calling. This helps you manage your time.
6. A Simple Agreement (To Avoid Wahala Later)
This is optional but VERY important, especially if the job involves a lot of money or a long-term project.
What should be in the agreement?
- The job description (e.g., “Design a logo for ABC Company”)
- The agreed price (e.g., “₦30,000 total”)
- Payment terms (e.g., “50% upfront, 50% after delivery”)
- The deadline (e.g., “Final design to be submitted by February 20th”)
Tip: You don’t need a lawyer. A simple email or WhatsApp message confirming these details can serve as a basic agreement.
Conclusion: Be Prepared and Professional!
Before a client hires you, they want to know:
- Can you do the job? (Portfolio)
- How much do you charge? (Pricing)
- How will you get paid? (Payment details)
- How long will it take? (Deadline)
- How will you communicate? (WhatsApp, email, etc.)
- Are we clear on terms? (Simple agreement)
If you have all these ready, you’ll look professional and land more freelance jobs!
Now tell me—have you ever had a client ask for something you weren’t prepared for? Let’s gist in our Facebook Community.
