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We’ve talked a lot about the importance of building your freelancing skillset here on Freelance Folder. It makes sense that to be successful as a freelancer you should be good at what you do.
If you’re a freelance designer, you should be very good at design. If you’re a freelance programmer you should be very good at programming. If you’re a freelance writer, you’d better be good at writing. If you’re a freelance photographer, you should be good at taking pictures. And so on.
However, there’s one skill that’s crucial to freelancers, but rarely talked about. Can you guess what that skill is?
In this post, I’ll identify that crucial skill and explain why it’s so important.
The Freelancing Skill We Rarely Talk About
The other day I was having an offline conversation (yes, I do have them sometimes). The question that arose was this–who would you rather have work for you:
- Individual One–Someone who is competent and easy to get along with
Or
- Individual Two–Someone who is brilliant, but difficult to get along with
It may come as no surprise to you that everyone unanimously agreed that they would rather work with individual one. For most situations, being easy to get along with is more important than being brilliant.
So, what skillset are we talking about here?
People skills, of course.
Why People Skills Are Important
People skills are very important for freelancers. Having good people skills may even be more important for freelancers than for employees.
You see, as freelancers, we are constantly in “interview” mode–constantly making new first impressions. Our people skills are constantly on display. If a prospective client doesn’t feel comfortable dealing with us, we don’t work.
For an employee, however, they go to an interview once and (provided they are hired) they probably won’t have to worry about making a first impression for years to come. Of course, you’ll need to get along with your employer and coworkers–but a few minor lapses in people skills probably won’t lose you your job.
Plus, if you’re totally honest, how would you answer the question?
If you’re like most of us, you’ll probably agree that brilliance in a field does not outweigh being difficult to get along with. Everyone has probably encountered that brilliant individual who just can’t seem to live up to their potential because they are so difficult to get along with. Most of us don’t have the time (or patience) to baby someone like that along.
Our clients are no different–most of them want to work with a freelancer who has good people skills (and is competent) rather than with a troubled genius who requires a lot of hand holding…
Do You Have Good People Skills?
It’s time to give yourself an honest appraisal. Do you have good people skills?
Here’s a quick checklist to help you find out:
- Good listener
- Considerate
- Polite
- Team player
- Willing to see more than one side of an issue
- Honest
Does this list describe you? If you fail to exhibit these client-friendly behaviors, your freelancing business may actually be at risk.
If you’re not sure how your people skills stack up to the list, you may be able to ask a trusted friend for some confidential feedback. Be sure to take steps to build any missing people skills that your friend may identify.
Other Vital Freelancing Skills
Of course, having good people skills is just one of the characteristics of a successful freelancer. In the past, we’ve listed many other skills and character traits that freelancers need and those skills are worth repeating again.
Here are a few other skills that are important to freelancers:
- Self-discipline–As a freelancer, you don’t have a boss to make you sure you stay on task.
- Communication skills–Good communication skills are a must for successful freelancing.
- Marketing skills–You have to be able to get the word out to attract new business. No one will hire you unless they know you are in business.
- Diplomacy–Staying calm and being tactful helps freelancers a lot.
- Integrity–Without integrity there can be no trust, and business is based on trust. Be trustworthy.
- Social media skills–Okay, you probably could run a freelancing business without social media skills. But, it would certainly be more difficult.
What Do You Think?
Have I left anything out of my list of people skills? In your opinion, how important are good people skills, anyway?
Leave your answers in the comments.
SOURCE: FREELANCEFOLDER.COM |
