Module 4 · Freelancing for Beginners
Deliver Work and Get Great Reviews
Communicate well, deliver on time, handle changes and difficult clients, and turn happy clients into reviews and repeat work.
About 20 minutes
Communication wins repeat clients
Most clients care as much about how you work as the result:
- Reply within a day, even if it's "Got it, I'll send the first draft on Wednesday."
- Ask questions early. It's better than guessing and redoing the work.
- Give updates before they have to ask.
- Warn early if you'll be late, with a new date. Never go silent.
Deliver professionally
- Check your work against the agreed scope before sending.
- Deliver in the right format: PNG and PDF, editable Canva link,
.xlsxand so on. - Name files clearly:
Bola-Kitchen-weekend-promo-square.png. - Write a short delivery note: what's included, how to use it, and how to request changes.
Handle changes and difficult clients
- Changes within scope (the agreed rounds): do them promptly and cheerfully.
- Changes outside scope: politely explain and offer a price. "Happy to add a fourth flyer. That would be ₦5,000 extra."
- If a client is rude or unreasonable, stay calm and professional, and keep everything in writing. On platforms, contact support early rather than arguing.
- It's fine to turn down work that doesn't feel right.
Ask for reviews and repeat work
Reviews and referrals are how freelancers grow.
- On platforms, politely ask for a review once they're happy: "I'm glad you like it! If you have a moment, a review would really help my business."
- For direct clients, ask for a short testimonial you can put on your portfolio.
- Offer a small discount on their next job, or check in a month later: "Do you need flyers for next month's promo?"
Balance it with school
- Set fixed hours for freelance work, and protect exam periods.
- Don't take on more than you can deliver well. One bad review costs more than one missed job.
- Keep a simple record of income and expenses. As your earnings grow, learn about tax obligations for self-employed income.
Try it
Kunle approved your three designs, then wrote: "Can you also do 3 more posts for next week? Same price is fine abi?" Your agreed scope was a price list and two posts.
Task
6 minWrite a polite reply that thanks him, explains the extra posts are outside the agreed scope, and offers a price and a delivery date for them.
Your work is checked for
- Friendly and thanks him
- Explains it's outside the agreed scope (agreed, original, included…)
- Offers a price for the extra work
- Gives a delivery date or time
- No rudeness or refusal without an offer ("no way", "not my problem")
Task
5 minWrite your delivery note: what's included (with clear file names and formats), how to use them, and how to ask for changes.
Your work is checked for
- Lists the files with formats (.png, .pdf, Canva link…)
- Clear file names (with hyphens, not 'final final')
- Says how to request changes
- At least 30 words
Task
3 minWrite the short message you'll send to ask for a review or testimonial once a client is happy.
Your work is checked for
- Asks for a review or testimonial
- Polite and low-pressure (if you have a moment, would you mind…)
- Short: under 60 words
Then block out your weekly freelance hours in Google Calendar, around your lectures and exam periods.
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