What freelancers should consider before choosing CRM?

Any freelancer will admit that working with clients is one of the most challenging aspects of their job. CRM tools have become popular as an alternative to the numerous spreadsheets, databases, and apps that many freelancers previously used to keep track of client information. Better time management, efficiency, and organization follow from this, as do happy customers. It is understandable why the CRM software market has grown to become the largest globally and is still expanding. By the end of 2023, it's projected to generate more than $79.40 billion in revenue.

CRM has a lot of potential benefits for your freelance business. It aids in relationship management and process automation, radically improving your customers' experiences. In this article, we'll go over what CRM is, why it's important, and what to look for when choosing the best CRM for freelancers.

What is a CRM?

CRM is an abbreviation for customer relationship management. It refers to how business owners or freelancers handle clients at all stages of the business relationship. CRM can also describe software that automates customer interactions, including scheduling meetings, sending invoices, and receiving payments. It centralizes all of the data from your clients. Additionally, it gathers every communication with each client, including form information, calls, emails, text messages, documents, tasks, and payment history. 

Why is CRM important?

CRM improves relationships between you and your clients. Additionally, it's a fantastic lead management tool for turning leads into paying customers. The foundation of any business is its customers' loyalty, which is increased through the development of relationships. CRM helps freelancers better comprehend their clients and, as a result, foresee their needs. About 47% of sales experts say they can retain more customers thanks to CRM solutions. The ability of a business to predict customer needs enhances customer retention. 

CRMs are excellent business tools because they help businesses, companies, or freelancers put the customer first. They establish rapport and provide client support at every stage of the contract.

Workee provides CRM, among other features, that make freelancing easier and more productive.

Why do freelancers need a CRM?

A CRM system is especially useful since freelancers frequently manage numerous clients and projects simultaneously. Here are some of its main benefits: 

1. It promotes organization

As a freelancer juggling multiple tasks, utilizing CRM tools can be highly beneficial in keeping you organized. With its ability to streamline data across various platforms and organize project management tools, you can easily track the progress of multiple projects for different clients at different stages. Additionally, you can quickly access information about previous clients and projects, providing a comprehensive overview of your work history. CRM is an excellent tool for managing past and present projects.

2. Data logging becomes easier

A CRM keeps a comprehensive database of clients and projects that can be easily updated, safely stored for a long time, and retrieved quickly. Otherwise, freelancers may have to input information manually. This method can be unreliable and time-consuming. The CRM system is preferable because it automatically collects the data, stores it appropriately, and then updates it as necessary whenever new data is received. Workee's CRM automates logging all your calls, emails, meetings, and other interactions, saving you much time.

3. It automates all processes

With the help of CRM, you can automate processes like data entry, classification, mail, and invoicing, saving you both time and money. It gives you more time to focus on more strategic tasks by taking care of the easier ones. In other words, the CRM acts as your virtual assistant, saving you the expense of hiring an actual one.

Workee automates client data entry, sorting, storage, and retrieval, among other data management processes.   

4. Reporting and analytics

Reporting is another huge perk for freelancers who use a CRM tool. Creating reports is easier because all your data is accessible in one location. Analytics is another feature of CRM software that can be used to develop a more successful sales strategy. These observations may pertain to a particular client or your entire marketing plan.

You can more easily identify and correct any problems at work. It is much easier to keep track of your company's revenue and progress toward your goals.

5. Sales management

The customer journey is so complex that corporate businesses employ multiple individuals or a team to manage it. However, as a freelancer, you are your own sales team, and all the work falls directly into your lap. In addition to your job, you are also responsible for generating leads and making sales. So, a CRM tool can be extremely useful for moving leads through the sales funnel by sending follow-up emails or providing useful information. According to research, sales are the primary reason business owners use CRMs, accounting for about 32% of all usage.

Using the information a CRM tool collects and stores, you gain insights into how to target new clients and which clients to focus on. You can also use this data in discussions with potential clients.

Factors to consider when choosing the best CRM

In freelancing, client management is important because you do not have a job apart from the tasks your clients bring. Using the appropriate tools will help you stay organized while managing many clients. Here are some features of a good CRM:

1. Automation

As we talked about in the previous section, a good CRM needs to be able to perform specific tasks for you. You will stay more organized and focused on other aspects of your freelance business that are more strategic.

2. Email and calendar integration

A CRM should integrate with other software and tools you already use, such as your website, calendars, email platforms, etc. It keeps all of the data from these applications in one place, speeding up your work.

3. Reminders

The best CRMs allow you to set reminders to complete specific tasks, like following up with a customer or meeting a deadline. The tool should integrate with your calendar to notify you of upcoming client meetings or calls. This feature helps freelancers who may be swamped with work and likely forget certain details.

4. Dashboard and reporting

Among the features of a good CRM option are business intelligence and reporting. This can assist you in gaining an objective view of your freelance business and help you improve it to expand your clientele and boost your revenue.

5. Easy use and customization 

No two freelancers are the same; neither are their jobs or clients. The best CRM supports every freelancer's experience. It must allow for easy customization of templates, such as invoice or email templates. CRMs should save you time and energy; hence, they lose their point by being difficult to install or navigate.

6. Cost-effective 

You want to reduce operational costs as much as possible, especially if you're starting as a freelancer or don't have many clients. You require a lean model that still serves you well. A good CRM should fit your budget without additional fees or hidden costs.

Best of all, Workee checks all these boxes. Our CRM for freelancers provides a free and customizable work website with an integrated calendar, scheduling, video conferencing tools, and other features. You can find everything you need for client management in this simple digital office.

Workee was designed with freelancers in mind, so you do not have to deal with many unnecessary extra features. We create a free, no-code website for you that you can customize.

Regardless of your profession—tutor, stylist, nutritionist, health professional, programmer, yoga expert, or coach.

Workee has all the tools you need to simplify your work. You have nothing to lose by trying to see how well it works for you and your freelance business since it is free and has no hidden fees.

In conclusion

Many corporate firms use CRMs to simplify their customer management procedures. As a freelancer, you need it much more to ease the burden of handling multiple aspects of your business. A CRM serves as a virtual assistant, aiding you in carrying out numerous ancillary tasks like data organization, deadline or follow-up reminders, analytics, etc.

There are many different CRMs available, but you're looking for software that meets your needs and is simple to use. The cost of many of these solutions may deter freelancers, but Workee offers services that are affordable for all budgets. 

Don't miss out on Workee Pro's enhanced features! Take advantage of our exclusive promotion and pay only $14.99 for unlimited access for the next three months. Act fast - this offer expires in June!