I met one of many freelancers in the world, he is Christian Jovie Caimoy, a graduate of Furigay Colleges Incorporated in Lamitan City, Basilan, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology. I ask Mr. Caimoy what is his experience/s on freelancing and he told me that, "being a freelancer is not as easy as what others think, because as what we all know freelancer works at home specially if you have internet connection. Yes it's easy but sometimes I also encounter difficulties specially on looking for loyal clients. You should be patient in dealing with them. Others are okay and others are not. You cannot say if they serious or they are just fooling around".

He gave me some tips on how to deal with clients. Look below:

1. Listen

Sometimes, customers just need to know that you’re listening. If they’re confused or have a problem, by lending a listening ear, you’re showing that you care and that you’re not dismissing them.

2. Apologize

When something goes wrong, apologize. It’s amazing how calming the words “I’m sorry” can be. Don’t engage in fault-finding or laying blame, but let them know you’re sorry they had a problem. Deal with the problem immediately and let the customer know what you have done.

3. Take Them Seriously

Make customers feel important and appreciated. No matter how ridiculous a question may sound to you; it’s important to the customer. If they feel like they’re being laughed at, or spoken down to, they will not purchase anything. Customers can be very sensitive and will know whether or not you really care about them

4. Stay Calm

Difficult as it is sometimes, it is important to stay calm. Your calming approach will help your customer stay calm too. They will feel like you’re in control of the situation and that you can help solve their problem.

5. Suggest Solutions

Have a menu of calming remedies which you and your employees can use. Whether it’s purely a refund or return, or if it’s coupons or a free service. By agreeing in advance the scenarios where you will provide these remedies, and how much you’re willing to spend, you will be able to speak calmer and more confidently when offering the solution.

6. Acknowledge Your Limits

Yes is a powerful word but if you’re unable to fulfill a request: know your limits. You can’t be everything to everyone. If you don’t think you can fulfill the request, help them find an alternate remedy. Whether that remedy is your business or another, they will appreciate the extra mile you went to help them, and will recommend your business to their network.

7. Be Available

Customer service is no longer just about face-to-face contact and telephone. If you’re working in an industry or marketplace where customers are constantly online, you need to amend your service delivery to incorporate that. It does not need to be a dedicated help desk Twitter handle, simply make sure you respond promptly and informatively to clients on your main business Facebook page or to your Twitter account.

8. Get Regular Feedback

Feedback is a great way to grow both your business and your skills. Provide ways for customers to give feedback, whether it’s a follow up email or phone call, a suggestions box or something more fun and innovative.

In order for us to get new clients, we should be aware on everything that is happening on social media, as a freelancer, we should be responsible also in every actions that we are doing, if our client disapproved our request, we should listen and the next we make a request, it should be perfect.

Mr. Teng reaally helped me a lot, I've learned enough as a freelancer!