In the business world, there are certain norms of behavior, and they are called business ethics. As for freelance, all features typical for an ordinary employee of any organization are also applicable here – clarity of information, consistency, predictability, sufficient communication, politeness, etc. However, this form of work has its own peculiarities since a freelancer never contacts people in person, and is “their own brand,” that is, a freelancer is fully responsible for shaping their image and demand at the labor market. Here are some ten-tenths tips on how to set up remote work.
- Respect towards everyone (including oneself). While searching for projects, at the stage of negotiations, or at any other moment, you can meet a person that is unpleasant or difficult to deal with, show respect. Rudeness is impossible and cannot be tolerated, even in response to rudeness towards you. You don't have to cooperate with everyone, but you can politely refuse people. Do not speak about your former customers, partners, competitors, and other people disparagingly – it won't improve your image, rather the opposite. Do not forget about self-respect. If you are treated with disdain or without due respect, stop working with this person right away, or don’t even start. You cannot change this person (and you don't have to). You must take care of yourself first.
- Show kindness. Courtesy and amiability are the essential attributes of a freelancer at the stage of negotiating and implementing projects. Disputes, grievances, and rows can harm your work, and you will spend most of your time resolving them rather than doing your job. In addition, you must take care of your image. Your client will be very willing to talk about both positive and negative experiences with you. So it is feasible to take pains to make other people associate you with ease of doing things. Avoid quarrels and insults. Better try to find an acceptable compromise. Also, do not try to prove that you are worth doing business with. Let your deeds speak for you.
- Be consistent, predictable, and punctual. This is very important when you work remotely. Your customer or partner should trust you; they should know that they can rely on you when it is needed. Predictability, an agreed period of time than and mandatory fulfillment of all contract terms is the basis for strong and long-term cooperation. Do not forget about communication in the process of project implementation. Your customer must be sure that everything is going according to the plan, so they need to be able to contact you. The qualities listed above will help you achieve an uninterrupted flow of orders and create a pool of regular customers.
- Work better than others. To compete with others (like in any business, there is competition among freelancers), you need to stand out. Even if now you are paid less than other freelancers, try to do your best, work at ten-tenths and give the best result. Sooner or later, you will develop a portfolio that will qualify for highly paid work. Remember – first, you work to acquire ,good reputation, and then it starts working for you. Think about what special thing you can offer to your customer, try to find a solution that will highlight you on the background of the rest, this way you will have a better chance of success.
- Work on your mistakes. We are all humans, and we all make mistakes, especially when we are beginners. Real success does not come to the one who does not make mistakes, but rather to the one who knows how to learn from them, making the right conclusions. Do not be afraid to admit that you’ve made a mistake, better try to figure out what exactly went wrong and eliminate the cause of the failure.
Over time, you will develop your individual approach, as well as your values and your brand. We hope that our tips on remote work ethics will help you become a successful freelancer.
