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Tips on how to manage multiple orders for new freelancers



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Tips on how to manage multiple orders for new freelancers

In the world of freelance being busy is great and having multiple projects to manage is much more of a blessing than a curse, but that doesn’t make it any easier when there are deadlines, client expectations and budgets involved.

Here are some tips on how to manage multiple orders based on my experience:

1) PRIORITY
Every buyer wants to feel that they’re a priority. It’s important to be very genuine on how much their business means to you, but there are points where you may need to put certain priorities above others. All buyers are equally important and so are their orders but in your work flow you want to give yourself the freedom to prioritize what you want, when you want, in order to meet each buyer’s needs.

2) CREATE A CHECKLIST
To complete multiple orders, create a checklist, it is a great way to stay organized and can be the very thing that keeps you sane while also giving you a sense of satisfaction when completing orders. A checklist is a GREAT way to visualize your order’s goals and is also a very good way to see progress when a order is dragging on. You can also use checklists from a day to day perspective. For example, today, I’m working on order A, wrapping up order C and doing administrative work for 1 hour in the afternoon, etc. Even a simple outline style checklist of the day has helped me tremendously.

3) REALISTIC ABOUT DEADLINES
It’s better to set realistic then to over promise and under achieve and there’s nothing better than if possible, setting a longer deadline and being able to surprise the buyer a week early or something of the sort. It’s also very important to balance deadlines in the world of creative work. Work like Graphic and web design are creative services which means every buyer is different depending on the needs of the buyer. These are also orders that don’t have set guidelines or instructions, so creative work can take longer or shorter than similar orders. There are times where I’ve been uninspired on a order for days or weeks, then all of the sudden, inspiration hits and that’s when the order can get done quickly.

4) DELEGATE THE WORK
You may get to a point where you simply cannot take on any more work. Mentally, physically, emotionally you just cannot add on to the pile of work you already have. At the same time, you don’t want to turn away work because you may lose a potential buyer or job for good. I recommend delegating the work. This can be challenging in itself because in order to delegate you have to work with other people, assign tasks, manage other’s workflow, etc which can seem like more work. But if you can surround yourself with some talented individuals who are affordable and can represent you well, it’ll go a long way. The big lesson here…don’t be greedy! It’s very easy to want to take on a whole order by yourself and take 100% of the profit. But if doing that means you’re pushing other orders aside, getting more work backed up and stressing yourself out even more, it’s not worth it. I’d rather complete 10 orders a month and sub some of the work out if need be than to take everything on myself and keep 100% while only completed 3 or 4 orders.

I hope that helps you to manage your work flow with multiple orders.

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keen2write
Great post and will take note of the things you have mentioned on this discussion. Yeah it can be a "headach" having to much to do lol at times. The check lists is what I do and also make short notes in my writing pad I always have at hand near me with a pen.
I like to make notes and cross off what I have done .



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johnkerly
Great post. Please check out my PM and let me know if you can do it Tips on how to manage multiple orders for new freelancers
Thx



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jackchun
At first, I am doing freelance jobs in marketplace like fiverr one by one and I can gain good reputation. But I then find that it wasted me a lot of time to do the tasks and earn a little money.

So I am thinking of another way to participate in freelance marketplace. I will first use some time to create one new product and then sell over and over to the customers to make passive income.



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augusta
I think those points are very concise and straight to the point,if anyone want to win with multitasking to make more money.

Setting a good deadline is the ultimate.I love to even get a week deadline than saying 2 days and you can't even deliver after 5days,it shows in seriousness on your path.

So to pleased all clients set your priority right.



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overcast
I think one has to learn to delegate. If you're getting too many orders, you can always subcontract. And watch over the quality of the business. That should be more than enough to get the order on the line. And you can pretty much get the client satisfied in due process. But you have to understand that managing the order would not be that easy. You have to focus on the content and the process there as well.

I have found that setting up delegating process and also learning how to handle multiple order takes time. And this is the point where most of the freelancers spend years. So I think for each one of us this can be different to understand. And we have to work on those points and then manage the work accordingly.



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Barida
Setting up priorities and making sure you make realistic promises as a freelancer is one of the ways we could ensure we don't have issues with the buyers of our services on the internet. I mean that it is better to tell the seller the truth about when the work will he done instead of telling lies and failing to meet up with the deadline.



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