Have you ever worked with a difficult client? (As someone who waited tables throughout college, I know I’ve dealt with my fair share of impossible-to-please customers!) But the beauty of owning your own business is you get to choose who you want to work with. Turning down work isn’t limited to rejecting “difficult” clients, either. ... Read More
Clients
How to Book More Clients Using Discovery Calls (That Don’t Feel Scary or Sleazy)
By Ann M. Strout Over the years, all of my clients have faced one similar struggle. While many of them work beyond it, or for some this concern ebbs and flows, finding clients is undeniably one of the hardest parts of being in business for yourself. However, what if I told you that there is an easy way to find consistent clients ... Read More
Something More Important Than How Much You Are Paid . . . and Seven Ways to Improve it
What is more important than how much you are paid for your freelance, work-at-home assignments? Many people would say “nothing.” After all, for a person trying to make a living, what you are paid is darned important. Some would give a more spiritual answer. Perhaps self-fulfillment is more important. Doing work you love. Making ... Read More
What to Say When a Prospect Says Your Freelance Rate is Too High
By Diana Schneidman It happens to all of us, freelancers. You are talking to someone who may hire you as a freelancer, and the subject gets to your pay rate. She asks, you answer. And she says it is “too high.” It doesn’t matter if you quote a project rate or an hourly rate. Doesn’t matter how much you preface the number ... Read More
The Work-From-Home Dress For Success Guide
Not long ago, I accepted a friend's invitation for a direct sales makeup party she was hosting at her home. I looked forward to seeing the makeup line, but as soon as I met the sales rep, I knew we were in trouble. Instead of the direct sales “uniform”, she should have been wearing, the rep was in a t-shirt and jeans. She'd kicked ... Read More
The Most Effective Way to Get Your First Client
Oh, the excitement of starting a new business! You have done all the right things to set up your business and you have a service to provide that you know will WOW your clients. Everything is ready... except you don’t have a client. “How do I get my first client?” Marketing and Prospecting Alone Are Not Enough Most people do what ... Read More
Laws That Every Freelancer Should Know
For informational purposes only. Consult your attorney for your individual situation. Anyone who has done the self-employment shuffle will agree that this manner of earning an income is a mixed bag, just like most other jobs. There are certainly some major benefits to working for yourself; you can skip the commute, you get to be ... Read More
4 Key Points for Increasing Profits with Superior Customer Service
As many successful business owners and service providers know, good customer service is critical to building or maintaining their business. Exemplary customer service helps your business get noticed. But no matter how great your service or product happens to be, bad customer service can bring your business to a screeching halt. So ... Read More
How to Attract High Paying Clients Who Love You
When you first started your business I’m sure you didn’t imagine spending your time chasing clients that are late paying or are trying to nickel and dime you to death. Dealing with clients that are always complaining, are consistently unhappy, and that you generally don’t like is not fun. Unfortunately, that’s how many of us spend ... Read More
Don’t Want to Meet Clients at Home? 8 Other Alternatives
While most small business owners are satisfied with operating their start-ups within the confinements of their own home, that doesn't mean that they're necessarily comfortable with opening their doors and using their living room to meet clients, investors, and customers. The reasons vary. Your home may be cramp and small; you ... Read More
How to Deal with Frustrations in Your Business
You’re ready to throw your hands up in the air and call it a day. We’ve all been there. Whether it be a client, a customer, a vendor, or a colleague, it’s hard to ignore frustrations that occur in your business. But how professional is it to show those frustrations? Is there a time and a place? Can they be productive? I think ... Read More
Get More High-Paying Clients and Family Time with One Line in Your Email Signature
Okay, you've seen this kind of promise before. An unbelievably simple solution that offers oodles of payback. One line in an email signature? That's it? And I'll have clients lining up at my virtual door? Let's be honest. Nothing is that simple. And this one isn't either. But it does indeed start with this one email ... Read More
3 Steps to Creating Raving Fans Who Help You Get Clients
Wouldn’t it be great to have someone else do all the selling for you? What if you could have lots of people out there promoting your business and not have to manage them or pay their benefits? You can, and here’s how. Part 1: Listen to the words your clients use when describing you during your interactions together. You may ... Read More
