Improve your freelance business performance with these 8 strategies

Improving business performance can be a hard nut to crack as a freelancer, especially when competing with other freelancers in the same field. However, there are several strategies that you can implement to enhance your business performance and achieve greater success. In this article, we will discuss some of these strategies and provide relevant examples to help you improve your business performance as a freelancer

If you want to improve your business and be a step ahead of the competition, we’ve put together some of the strategies that have helped us grow, and we are sure you’ll find our list compelling. Let’s jump into the cookie jar, shall we?

What is business performance?

Business performance is the measurement of a company's ability to achieve its goals and objectives. It can be assessed by analyzing various key performance indicators (KPIs), including revenue growth, profitability, customer satisfaction, employee retention, and productivity. Improving business performance is crucial for companies to remain competitive, attract investors, and sustain growth in the long term.

What business performance improvement strategies exist?

There are several business performance improvement strategies that freelance business owners can implement to optimize their operations and achieve better results. Applying these strategies will not just help you scale up your brand but also better master the intricacies that come with your business niche. Thus helping you become an expert in the field. Check below for some of these strategies.

Know your niche and specialization

One of the most effective ways to improve business performance as a freelancer is to identify your niche and specialize. By focusing on a specific area of expertise, you can differentiate yourself from other freelancers and become an expert in your field. This can help you attract more clients, offer better service, and charge higher rates for your services.

For example, if you are a freelance writer, you can choose to specialize in a specific niche such as technology, healthcare, or finance. You can even go the extra mile by registering for an online course and getting a certification in your preferred niche. This can help you become an expert in that area, which can lead to more opportunities and higher-paying clients.

Set clear goals and objectives

Did you know that most successful people and firms around the globe had their goals written down and planned out? A study by Harvard business school found that 3% of MBA graduates who had clearly written out goals earned 10X more than the remaining 97% combined. This is true for both individuals and corporate bodies as it helps to streamline efforts on the most important aspect of a business.

Setting clear goals and objectives is crucial for improving business performance as a freelancer. It can help you stay focused and motivated and track your progress over time. Your goals and objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Adopting the SMART methodology will help you understand hows to get your goals met. The SMART methodology ensures that your goals are broken down into smaller achievable chunks with a timeframe attached to them. That way, you keep yourself and your team accountable.

Let’s say you came up with the decision to increase your monthly income by 20% within the next six months. To achieve this goal, you can focus on acquiring new clients, improving your skills, and increasing your rates. 

Invest in your professional development

In running a successful business brand, one unorthodox rule that holds true in all circumstances is this: you can not do better than the quality of your thinking. Another unorthodox rule that shouldn't be ignored is this: the mind is the standard of man. This goes to say that your business growth is directly related to the amount and quality of information and skills at your disposal. 

Investing in your professional development is essential for improving your business performance as a freelancer. According to research, leadership training increased participants’ capacity for learning by 25% and their performance by 20%. By continuously improving your skills and knowledge, you can provide better services to your clients, increase your value, and stand out from the competition.

To put a context to this strategy, let’s assume you are a freelance graphic designer. If you intend to make a mark and stand out in your business, you can start by investing in learning new design software, attending workshops or conferences, or taking online courses to improve your skills.

Build Your brand and online presence

According to a report by Edelman, a whopping 81% of customers need to trust a brand before making a decision to buy from it. Building your brand and online presence can help you establish yourself as a credible and trustworthy freelancer. This can help you attract more clients, increase your visibility, and build a loyal customer base. As a result, you need to pay keen attention to your business logo, brand’s voice, social media pages, and website.

You can create a professional website, a portfolio showcasing your work, and social media profiles to promote your services and connect with potential clients. Interestingly, you don’t have to crack your brain on how to get a professional website for your brand. At Workee, we understand that a website is to freelancers what an office is to a regular worker. According to a survey, 84% of present-day consumers believe a website makes your brand more trustworthy than companies that only rely on their social media profiles. 

As a result, we put in the extra effort to make sure you can get a free no, code professional website at the snap of your finger! With the free website builder from Workee, you can provide a meeting place with clients without the time, stress, and costs incurred in coding and web development. Click here to set up your website in less than five minutes.

Provide excellent customer service

Providing excellent customer service is crucial for improving business performance as a freelancer. As a freelancer, you need to understand that consumers do not buy what you do, but rather; they buy why you do what you do. And by providing excellent customer service, you get to sell your business whys efficiently. Thus creating an avenue to build strong relationships with your clients, increase customer loyalty, and generate positive referrals.

And if you need a one-stop software to help you nurture and serve your customer base, think Workee. Workee is an easy solution for freelancers and professionals who work by appointment. Below are some of the ways the Workee client management software can help you ace your customer service:

• Booking and Scheduling: Workee helps you book meetings with clients and sends regular reminders to keep you and your clients prepared. Aside that you can also make your clients feel special by using Workee’s reminder feature to remind you to send birthday messages to your clients. And that is not all. With Workee, you can schedule tasks and stay ahead of deadlines.

• Video Call and Conferencing: Workee's video conferencing features simplify the collaboration process between you and your clients. Also, it can help you keep in touch with clients and employers as regularly as required. 

• Automated Invoicing and Payments: With Workee, you can send automated invoices to prospective clients and receive payments for your services without market fees. Workee is the perfect solution for all your freelancing needs. Tap here to get started!

Network and collaborate with others

Do you remember the popular phrase - “no man is a island”? Well, it holds true if you want to improve your business. They say iron sharpens iron; now imagine how ineffective a blunt blade will be. Networking and collaborating with other freelancers of similar interests can help you expand your network, learn new skills, and generate more business opportunities. You can also benefit from referrals and joint projects by building relationships with other freelancers. Simply put, you grow by association.

For instance, you can join online communities, attend networking events, or collaborate with other freelancers on projects that require multiple skills.

Monitor performance metrics

To improve business performance, companies need to monitor their performance metrics regularly. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and employee turnover can provide valuable insights into the company's strengths and weaknesses. Regularly monitoring these metrics can help businesses identify areas that need improvement and make data-driven decisions.

Leverage technology

Technology has become an essential tool for businesses to improve their performance. By implementing technology solutions such as automation, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, businesses can streamline their processes, reduce costs, and improve their overall efficiency.

Conclusion

Improving business performance as a freelancer requires a combination of strategies, including identifying your niche and specializing, setting clear goals and objectives, investing in your professional development, building your brand and online presence, providing excellent customer service, and networking and collaborating with other freelancers. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your business performance, attract more clients, and achieve greater success as a freelancer.

Don’t forget to create an account on Workee and get the opportunity to access a variety of features that can help you improve your business. To get started, click here!