I recently took a trip to Mexico where I stayed with my long time web designer and friend, and we had a little mastermind about all the logistics of client onboarding and creating good experiences. We were able to help each other, but most importantly I learned a thing or two from her about how to add value for clients.
Be an expert.
While I was in Mexico, my web designer mentioned how she was looking to add writers to her team so that clients could hire people to write content for them. This will be one of the ways she add value for her clients beyond creating websites (more on adding extra services later).
Since I’ve been writing for a while she asked me what she should do in order to find good people. I looked at her and immediately said “You can’t hire general writers. You need to hire people who have a good understanding of your target market’s work.”
For example, I have a good understanding of finance and entrepreneurship, so that’s what I get hired to write about. In her case, she would need to find writers who specialize in personal development and different areas of coaching.
The point I’m trying to make is this: you need to become an expert in a chosen area. This is a major way you can add more value and make more money as a freelancer.
My web designer has done the same in her own business. She specializes in creating websites for coaches, trainers and speakers.
Have your own following.
One of the reasons I get hired very quickly is because I’ve been building my own brand and community. The way potential clients see it, I’m an influencer. That means I can actually help them in two ways: writing great content as well as bringing my brand’s audience along for the ride.
Having your own following is practically synonymous with building your own brand and expertise. You want to have an engaged community who will be happy to read what you write all over the web.
My web designer has done this for her own work over the years as well. She not only helps people visually create their own brands, she also actively works on her own.
Offer extra services.
As I mentioned earlier, I learned a thing or two about adding extra value from my fellow freelancing friend in Mexico.
She’s a web designer who does some amazing stuff. She’s currently at a stage in her business where she’s trying to figure out extra services and packages for her clients.
For example, she’s starting to offer a package where her team can help with any glitches or malfunctions that occur long after the site has been completed.
She’s also starting to offer marketing consulting and digital strategy sessions to help people understand online marketing and how it affects web design.
Make working with you a pleasurable experience.
My web designer also has one of the most amazing client onboarding processes I’ve ever experienced. She’s extremely organized and lays out everything for her clients on her project management system.
I’m talking timelines, client to-do lists, mood boards and more. She takes the guess work out of it for her clients so that they know exactly what to expect, what she needs from them and when things are to be completed.
I’ve worked with several contractors over the years as I build my business, and I can honestly say that having such a good experience is part of what keeps me coming back to my web designer.
Final Thoughts
Going the extra mile can help you make a lot of extra money as a freelancer. What are some of the ways that you can add extra value for your clients?
