An enquiry is not yet a job. Between "Can you help me?" and "Yes, let's start" there are three steps: understanding what the client really needs, offering a clear solution, and agreeing a price that is fair to both of you. Freelancers who handle these steps well win more of the work they want, and have fewer arguments later.
Why this stage matters
Most freelance problems that appear at the end of a project, such as an unhappy client, endless changes or an argument about money, actually started at the beginning. The client expected one thing, the freelancer understood another, and nobody wrote it down. A little care at this stage saves a lot of trouble later.
This stage is also where you show professionalism. A client comparing three freelancers will often choose the one who asked sensible questions and sent a clear, simple offer, even if their price was not the lowest.
What this section covers
- Reading a brief and asking good questions. How to find out the goal, the audience, the deadline, the budget and what "finished" looks like, without overwhelming the client.
- Writing proposals that get replies. How to restate the client's need, explain your approach, point to a relevant sample and give a clear price and timeline, in a message short enough to read quickly.
- Pricing your work in cedis. How to work out a price from your time and costs, choose between project, hourly and monthly pricing, and think about currency when a client is abroad.