These tips are from the oDesk Freelancer Manual.

1. SUCCESSFUL
SEVEN HABITS OF
Freelancers
Text: oDesk Freelancer Manual Photos: Flickr Design: Stephen Cuyos

2. 01
Communicate early,
communicate often
BE PROACTIVE – DON’T MAKE YOUR CLIENT COME TO YOU.

3. 02
When in doubt, ask
THIS WILL HELP CLEAR UP CONFUSION,
SAVE TIME, AND KEEP THE JOB GOING SMOOTHLY.

4. 03
Set clear expectations
PROVIDE HONEST AND REALISTIC PROJECT UPDATES AND QUICKLY ALERT YOUR CLIENT WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER A PROBLEM.

5. 04
Respond quickly
CLIENTS GET CONCERNED WHEN
THEY DON’T HEAR FROM A FREELANCER.

6. 05
Hit deadlines
DELIVER YOUR WORK ON TIME,
EVERY TIME. IF YOU THINK YOU’LL MISS A DEADLINE, LET YOUR CLIENT KNOW SO THEY CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

7. 06
Be a pleasure
to work with
LISTEN TO YOUR CLIENT’S CONCERNS
AND RESPOND WITH A SMILE.
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS KEY TO BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL REPUTATION.

8. 07
Under-promise, over-deliver
NEVER PROMISE MORE THAN YOU CAN DELIVER AND ALWAYS GIVE A LITTLE EXTRA TO EVERY JOB. THAT’S THE SECRET TO HAPPY CLIENTS AND A SUCCESSFUL CAREER!

9. Image Credits
Tristan Oliveira (with Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sar-gasm/14900432590
Dennis Brekke (with Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dbrekke/181939582
Tim Wilson (with Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/timwilson/8988673644
Graeme Paterson (with Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/phenophin/7514102282
Mac Vincente (with Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/macluckystar/7018395759
M Yashna (with Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/yashna13/15349963830
U.S. Department of Agriculture (with Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/7940061302