One of the trickiest parts about the corporate worker to freelance business owner transition is the realization that your clients need you to be a leader.
Because you’re trained to be an order taker.
A people pleaser, even. (Just me?)
Sure, in some cases clients want a task-doer but my guess is they’re between hires and you’re filling a gap. But for companies that bring on freelancers regularly? They’re looking for a subject matter expert.
Someone who parachutes in and solves a big problem or provides a critical new way of thinking before departing and moving on to their next case. Er, client.
Here are four ways your client benefits from you being a leader
This is where leadership training comes in. This will help you differentiate your business from all of the other freelance businesses out there (because yes, you’re running a business). And even better? Your premium service calls for a premium price tag.
Let’s get off the content mill wagon and move towards something more sustainable.
You practice effective communication
I’m sure you’ve heard it said that great leaders are effective communicators. And it’s true! Most people under-communicate. Some people over-communicate. And a lot of people in the middle try to communicate without a lot of success.
Having good communication skills simply means you’re good with people—an important soft skill in life and work.
People try and reduce communication to answering emails in a set amount of time or delivering an impactful speak on stage.
These are fine practices, but they don’t directly translate into “good communication.”
Good communication is relationship building. It’s watching for subtle changes in body language and listening for what’s really being said. It’s picking up on vibes and leaving space for more options than the ones you spot.
When you make effective communication a practice your clients will take note, so keep working at it.
You bring expertise and reduce mistakes
This isn’t your first rodeo. You’re both competent and experienced and know what it takes to achieve what you’ve been hired for.
Whether it’s a case study, a grant proposal, a white paper, a social media strategy, or something else entirely, your recommendations come with more weight than someone’s Google search and it’s time to own it.
You know the best order for the sections to go in. You’re the one who understands the market and why one strategy is a better fit for your client than another. You have done the research and can steer your client towards making the best decision for them.
You help your clients improve their image
Let’s say your client has a marketing problem. Perhaps it even has a reputation for being toxic or has poor management.
In some cases, maybe you don’t want the client—fair!
But maybe this is your sweet spot.
What tools do you have that can help your client repair their image and attract the right business (or employees)?
As smart or capable as your client is, what they’ve been doing to get where they are isn’t going to get them where they want to go. And if they have a bit of PR damage control to take care of…then they need you steering the ship.
You take the threads and create a cohesive message
Most businesses have big vision but the details are a bit fuzzy. And then there are the companies that start small and simple but experience rapid growth and a lot of change quickly.
This means there are a lot of half-started SOPs, branding guides, SWOT analyses, and internal documentation.
The threads are tangled!
They need you to come in and take stock of what exists, what is outdated, what is missing, and what needs strengthening.
They need you to take the great start and help them bring it to the next level.
In the age of AI, writing and communication skills may not be valued as they once were but once you demonstrate the power of your skillset I don’t think you’ll have much trouble staying fully booked.
