How to Succeed as an Independent Provider with Beepoly

Welcome to the 21^st century. In today’s digital world, freelancers who are not listed on the Internet are in No Man's Land. The worst-case scenario? No one knows they exist, and that’s a horror story for independent service providers looking for quality jobs.

But let’s be real. Not everyone has the time and expense to develop, promote, and maintain their own website. Just thinking about hosting fees, content development, design, and SEO should be enough to send freelancers scurrying away from the thought of developing their own sites. So how do you survive in the online world’s cutthroat competition? Beepoly, an online platform that connects customers with motivated service providers, is an excellent substitute. 

Beepoly is a tremendous way to grow your business, whether you’re looking for a full-time or part-time job.  Just set up a profile, describe your skills and capabilities, and we’ll connect you with customers looking for service providers like you. If you’re interested in being a Beepoly service provider, we’ve got a couple of tips to help you get started so you can be on your A-game sooner than you know!

Look Like a Professional and Own It

On the Internet, you won’t be meeting your customers face to face. Subtle gestures that display professionalism like a firm handshake, a well-tailored suit, or newly-polished shoes are impossible to relay. To compensate, you need a killer profile and a professional description. This is essential in letting your potential customers know that you’re a credible service provider.

• Fill out your profile and be as descriptive as possible. Hard fact: profiles with missing details and empty boxes don't perform as well as profiles that are filled out completely.
• Use a photo of yourself rather than a logo. Customers respond better when they know they’re dealing with a person. Opt for clear photos where you’re dressed to the nines, groomed, and smiling. Bonus tip: snap a photo when you’re fresh and energetic.
• We can’t stress this enough: spelling, punctuation, and grammar count. The right wording is essential in your profile and job description. This is one of the most important factors in getting a potential customer to commit to buying your services. If you’re not good with words, consider hiring someone to write them for you. It won’t cost all that much and it will be absolutely worth it.
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Compose a Killer Job Description

Impressionable, specific, and comprehensive descriptions are what customers want to read through. When drafting your job description, it pays to be precise. Someone looking to have something done is likely to look for a specific task rather than a category. You’ll appear higher in search results and have lesser competition if you use words like “install electric outlet” rather than a drab and general “electrician”. Similarly, you could specify that you are a “business and casual wardrobe stylist” rather than just a “stylist.” This is the perfect opportunity to showcase any specializations you might have.

Be a Master of Your Own Service

Veteran contractors know that the best way to slay the freelancing game is to only offer services that they’ve mastered and only take projects they’re 100% sure they can ace. Make sure your service is something people need, something you can do well, and something you can set a fixed price for.

Have you considered the time and transit cost of your job? Cover all your bases so you won’t be left dreading a job that’s not worth your time. Once you’ve done something for someone—and done it well—your customers will feel much more comfortable hiring you again.

Do a Great Job

This should go without saying, but when it comes to doing your job, do your best to shine. Treat every job like you have a personal stake in the outcome. As an independent provider, you’re responsible for everything, so do the job to the best of your abilities.

Neophytes in the freelance business must go the extra mile in pleasing their customers. Take time to answer their questions. Explain everything as you go and inform them of the process. If you make a brilliant first impression, they’ll be more likely to leave a good review or recommend you to their friends. This leads us to the next tip.

Ask for Reviews and Recommendations

What people say about your service has massive influence, so don’t be afraid to ask for reviews and recommendations for a job well done. On the internet, social proof such as reviews and personalized recommendations are the single biggest driver of business. They can literally make or break your freelance career.

Somewhere along the way, even if you’ve covered all bases, killed it on the job, and stayed professional, you might still get negative reviews. Know that you can’t please everyone. This is natural in a freelance career. Don’t badmouth the people who leave them. Just concentrate on doing a great job and you’ll get far more good reviews than bad.

Stand Out from the Rest

As a customer, looking for a credible service provider can be like walking on thin ice. Everyone can offer their services online regardless of qualification, so there is a rational fear of hiring someone whose skills are not up to par. Calm your customer’s fears and prove you mean business with these quick tips.

• Reciprocate your customers’ trust with respect. Your customers are people who chose to put money in your pocket instead of someone else’s. That’s a great deal of trust for someone who they hardly know.
• Respond to inquiries promptly. We recommend taking a little time at the beginning and at the end of the day to respond to client inquiries. Constant communication will keep all of your customers happy. Happy customers come back, write reviews, and recommend you to their friends.
• If there is a problem with a job, tell the customer. If you need more information from the customer or if you’re uncertain about something, it’s always good practice to ask. Remember the old adage: it’s better to ask stupid questions than make stupid mistakes.
• Manage expectations. Bad reviews are often the result of mismanaged expectations. Talk to your customers and be honest about what you can deliver and when.

Putting your business online can be a tremendous experience. It will expose you and your work to more potential customers than any other form of promotion, but it takes work. If you’re willing to put in the work, there are massive rewards to reap.