thejamiebrindle
Jamie Brindle
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Freelancers who have trouble taking time off, this one's for you:
If you can't leave your business to its own devices for a week or two without losing money, you don't own a business, you own a job.
Here's the thing folks: taking a vacation doesn't mean you have to lose any work. It is entirely possible to take some time off and still keep your clients happy.
The key is communication, scheduling, and pricing.
Communication:
If you're planning on taking a vacation, let your clients know ahead of time. This way, they can plan accordingly and won't be blindsided when you're unavailable.
Scheduling:
Make sure to schedule your deadlines around your vacation. Plan ahead and be proactive about getting your work done before you leave. This might mean putting in a few extra hours before you go, but trust me, it's worth it.
Pricing:
Your prices (whether you're on vacation or not) should account for how much it would take to hire someone (or a team) to do the job, and then add to that a margin that would sustain your business' needs. This way, when you're off on vacation, you can hire folks to do the job while you're gone and not lose any vital revenue.
How do you take vacations as a freelancer?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
If you can't leave your business to its own devices for a week or two without losing money, you don't own a business, you own a job.
Here's the thing folks: taking a vacation doesn't mean you have to lose any work. It is entirely possible to take some time off and still keep your clients happy.
The key is communication, scheduling, and pricing.
Communication:
If you're planning on taking a vacation, let your clients know ahead of time. This way, they can plan accordingly and won't be blindsided when you're unavailable.
Scheduling:
Make sure to schedule your deadlines around your vacation. Plan ahead and be proactive about getting your work done before you leave. This might mean putting in a few extra hours before you go, but trust me, it's worth it.
Pricing:
Your prices (whether you're on vacation or not) should account for how much it would take to hire someone (or a team) to do the job, and then add to that a margin that would sustain your business' needs. This way, when you're off on vacation, you can hire folks to do the job while you're gone and not lose any vital revenue.
How do you take vacations as a freelancer?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
When you're just starting out, or trying to attract a new type of customer, you may think you can justify working for free to get your foot in the door. But that simply ain't the case.
I've learned the hard way why it's not only bad for your business, but it's bad for your client's business as well.
Bad for you:
Working for free does nothing for the growth of your business, there's no guarantee that client will ever work with you again regardless of how well you perform. The only person you should work for free for is yourself, invest in your business, not someone else's. Make yourself a portfolio of work for fake clients to demonstrate what you can do.
Bad for them:
Not charging a client means they're not motivated to dedicate the necessary resources to the success of this project (at least not in a timely manner). Also, inevitably, shortcuts will be taken to get to the finish line. Advocate for the success of their project and charge what's required for success.
If you've worked for a client for free in the past, and now they want to hire you again, it's time to have a conversation about payment.
My advice is to be direct and honest with the client.
Say you were happy to do the last gig as a chance to earn their business, but moving forward, you have to charge your usual fee.
Be confident in your worth and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. If the client truly values the solution you're providing, they'll be willing to pay for it.
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
I've learned the hard way why it's not only bad for your business, but it's bad for your client's business as well.
Bad for you:
Working for free does nothing for the growth of your business, there's no guarantee that client will ever work with you again regardless of how well you perform. The only person you should work for free for is yourself, invest in your business, not someone else's. Make yourself a portfolio of work for fake clients to demonstrate what you can do.
Bad for them:
Not charging a client means they're not motivated to dedicate the necessary resources to the success of this project (at least not in a timely manner). Also, inevitably, shortcuts will be taken to get to the finish line. Advocate for the success of their project and charge what's required for success.
If you've worked for a client for free in the past, and now they want to hire you again, it's time to have a conversation about payment.
My advice is to be direct and honest with the client.
Say you were happy to do the last gig as a chance to earn their business, but moving forward, you have to charge your usual fee.
Be confident in your worth and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. If the client truly values the solution you're providing, they'll be willing to pay for it.
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
So you're experiencing some uncertainty about where your next project will come from. Or you feel like you're constantly working on low budget projects without much room for growth.
There are plenty of long plays to build a lead generation engine that provides you with predictable revenue, but you need work now, so what's the move?
Its time to hit up your list of allies!
Spend a few days reaching out to your list of allies: friends, family, past and current clients.
Whenever I need a cash injection for the business, I craft personal emails to every person in my network that either share a recent project that made me think of them, or a new solution I just started offering, and ask if they have 15 minutes to chat about it.
Without fail, I come out of those few days of email outreach with 3 or 4 new projects
Don't forget, your biggest asset is your network. You've gone to all the trouble of building it, so remember to put it to work!
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed #leadgeneration
There are plenty of long plays to build a lead generation engine that provides you with predictable revenue, but you need work now, so what's the move?
Its time to hit up your list of allies!
Spend a few days reaching out to your list of allies: friends, family, past and current clients.
Whenever I need a cash injection for the business, I craft personal emails to every person in my network that either share a recent project that made me think of them, or a new solution I just started offering, and ask if they have 15 minutes to chat about it.
Without fail, I come out of those few days of email outreach with 3 or 4 new projects
Don't forget, your biggest asset is your network. You've gone to all the trouble of building it, so remember to put it to work!
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed #leadgeneration
Here's the problem: your clients are late getting you feedback.
Here's the benefit of solving this problem is that you'll have a far more predictable schedule, you'll know when to expect final payments, your margins will increase, and your clients will have a better experience working with you.
The reason how you've tried to solve this problem hasn't worked is you're addressing it at the time of the infraction. You deliver a version to the client, they ghost you and that's the moment you start solving for this.
Which brings us to the solution for this problem, which is to address it from the start.
When initially discussing the scope of the project, make sure that you explain what's expected from the client when it comes to notes and revisions. Frame the importance of timely notes in the context of the success of their project (late notes will affect budget and delivery date).
And then remind them of this when you hand off any element of the project for review.
Are your clients ever late getting you their notes? How have you handled it up to this point?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
Here's the benefit of solving this problem is that you'll have a far more predictable schedule, you'll know when to expect final payments, your margins will increase, and your clients will have a better experience working with you.
The reason how you've tried to solve this problem hasn't worked is you're addressing it at the time of the infraction. You deliver a version to the client, they ghost you and that's the moment you start solving for this.
Which brings us to the solution for this problem, which is to address it from the start.
When initially discussing the scope of the project, make sure that you explain what's expected from the client when it comes to notes and revisions. Frame the importance of timely notes in the context of the success of their project (late notes will affect budget and delivery date).
And then remind them of this when you hand off any element of the project for review.
Are your clients ever late getting you their notes? How have you handled it up to this point?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
This is exactly how I raise my rates on current clients:
1. Give them enough notice in the event they need to find a new me
2. Don't give any explanation beyond "my business is growing"
3. Let them know I love working with them and hope this isn't a deal breaker
4. Offer to help them find a replacement for me if it is indeed a deal breaker
Why do each one of these steps matter?
1. Give them enough notice because it's the right thing to do, you don't want to be holding someone's business hostage
2. Don't give an explanation because there's no need to explain. You've made this decision for the good of your business
3. Let them know how much you've enjoyed working with them to this point to reflect on the progress you've made together and muse on what's to come
4. Offer to help them find a replacement for you because you should be a partner to the end, but also because it reminds them that they do indeed need to find a new you.
How do you raise your rates on current clients?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
1. Give them enough notice in the event they need to find a new me
2. Don't give any explanation beyond "my business is growing"
3. Let them know I love working with them and hope this isn't a deal breaker
4. Offer to help them find a replacement for me if it is indeed a deal breaker
Why do each one of these steps matter?
1. Give them enough notice because it's the right thing to do, you don't want to be holding someone's business hostage
2. Don't give an explanation because there's no need to explain. You've made this decision for the good of your business
3. Let them know how much you've enjoyed working with them to this point to reflect on the progress you've made together and muse on what's to come
4. Offer to help them find a replacement for you because you should be a partner to the end, but also because it reminds them that they do indeed need to find a new you.
How do you raise your rates on current clients?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
This is an opportunity that is often overlooked by freelancers:
When you're extremely busy with new projects, you have the benefit of going into data collection mode with your rate.
Have you ever wondered if you're charging too little? Or "what's the max amount I could be charging for this? What will the market bear?"
Well, when you're booked solid for the next few months, you get to find out.
In those cases, whenever the next job comes in, charge double or even triple what you'd normally quote.
There's no bad outcome. Either they say "no" and you can quote them a smaller amount that may still be even larger than your normal fee, or they say yes and that becomes your new base rate.
When you're in business for yourself, every scenario is an opportunity to either grow or gather data.
How do you like to experiment with your rate?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
When you're extremely busy with new projects, you have the benefit of going into data collection mode with your rate.
Have you ever wondered if you're charging too little? Or "what's the max amount I could be charging for this? What will the market bear?"
Well, when you're booked solid for the next few months, you get to find out.
In those cases, whenever the next job comes in, charge double or even triple what you'd normally quote.
There's no bad outcome. Either they say "no" and you can quote them a smaller amount that may still be even larger than your normal fee, or they say yes and that becomes your new base rate.
When you're in business for yourself, every scenario is an opportunity to either grow or gather data.
How do you like to experiment with your rate?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
Powering through big mistakes on your freelance journey gets super easy when you're guided by this simple principle:
Business is a game of data collection.
If you're not making mistakes, something's wrong.
If you're not making many mistakes it means you're not challenging your business which means you're not growing.
That being said, if you're making the same mistakes over and over again, something is equally wrong.
Mistakes are data points. Postgame them, understand how you arrived there, what needs to change in your processes and what the key insight to be gleaned is.
Then get back to growing your business.
What's been the most valuable mistake you've made in your journey?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfempled
Business is a game of data collection.
If you're not making mistakes, something's wrong.
If you're not making many mistakes it means you're not challenging your business which means you're not growing.
That being said, if you're making the same mistakes over and over again, something is equally wrong.
Mistakes are data points. Postgame them, understand how you arrived there, what needs to change in your processes and what the key insight to be gleaned is.
Then get back to growing your business.
What's been the most valuable mistake you've made in your journey?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfempled
So you didn't the the gig. It's a bummer, it happens to the best of us, but l've got some great news:
You've just been handed an opportunity to almost guarantee this client will work with you next time.
Step 1. Don't take it personally. It's not a reflection of your skills of worth as a freelancer. Maybe the budget didn't work out, maybe they felt a love connection elsewhere, it's just part of the process of being a freelancer.
Step 2. Thank the client for considering you and let them know you appreciate the opportunity to connect with them.
Step 3. Let them know you're rooting for them and the success of their project. Say you're happy to just "be a buddy," and give advice along the way as someone who knows this process from the other side of the fence.
In the end, it's all about maintaining good relationships, that's the business you're in. And every communication with a client is an opportunity to do that. Every. Single.
One.
What do you do when you don't get the gig?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
You've just been handed an opportunity to almost guarantee this client will work with you next time.
Step 1. Don't take it personally. It's not a reflection of your skills of worth as a freelancer. Maybe the budget didn't work out, maybe they felt a love connection elsewhere, it's just part of the process of being a freelancer.
Step 2. Thank the client for considering you and let them know you appreciate the opportunity to connect with them.
Step 3. Let them know you're rooting for them and the success of their project. Say you're happy to just "be a buddy," and give advice along the way as someone who knows this process from the other side of the fence.
In the end, it's all about maintaining good relationships, that's the business you're in. And every communication with a client is an opportunity to do that. Every. Single.
One.
What do you do when you don't get the gig?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
You've landed the job and have an approved budget and project scope! Now you have the daunting task of writing up a contract but don't know how.
There's no need to overcomplicate this.
Your contract should cover three things:
1. What's expected of each party
2. When it's expected
3. Then what happens when either of those two things change.
First off, make sure the scope of work is clearly defined. This includes the specific deliverables, the delivery timeline, and the fee structure. Be sure to outline how many revisions are included in the fee, when revisions will be due before the schedule or budget is affected, and what the additional cost will be for any additional revisions.
Next, you could choose to include a clause that protects your intellectual property or other items that are important to you, such as payment terms or cancellation policies.
Keep in mind, the contract is a two-way agreement and should protect both you and your client. The tone should be clear and easy to understand.
Ultimately, I'm not a lawyer and it's definitely beneficial to have one handy (just pay for an hour of a contract lawyer's time). Also, Al has entered the chat on this subject and even my lawyers are saying it's doing a pretty damn good job at constructing basic service agreements.
What's your service agreement include?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed #contracts
There's no need to overcomplicate this.
Your contract should cover three things:
1. What's expected of each party
2. When it's expected
3. Then what happens when either of those two things change.
First off, make sure the scope of work is clearly defined. This includes the specific deliverables, the delivery timeline, and the fee structure. Be sure to outline how many revisions are included in the fee, when revisions will be due before the schedule or budget is affected, and what the additional cost will be for any additional revisions.
Next, you could choose to include a clause that protects your intellectual property or other items that are important to you, such as payment terms or cancellation policies.
Keep in mind, the contract is a two-way agreement and should protect both you and your client. The tone should be clear and easy to understand.
Ultimately, I'm not a lawyer and it's definitely beneficial to have one handy (just pay for an hour of a contract lawyer's time). Also, Al has entered the chat on this subject and even my lawyers are saying it's doing a pretty damn good job at constructing basic service agreements.
What's your service agreement include?
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed #contracts
Let me paint a scenario here:
You just got a quote from a subcontractor you like working with and it's much lower than what you've budgeted for the project.
Sounds great, right? Save money on the project? Wrong.
While it may seem like a good deal on the surface, you know that paying below your margin may not be sustainable for your subcontractor relationship in the long run.
If you take the time to negotiate a fair rate with your subcontractor, you'll establish a foundation of mutual respect and trust. This will ultimately lead to a better working relationship and higher-quality work.
Take it from me, if you've found someone you love working with, who you can trust and who does a good job for you, spoil them.
Your subcontractors are the foundation of a scalable business, so once you find good ones, treat them right.
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
You just got a quote from a subcontractor you like working with and it's much lower than what you've budgeted for the project.
Sounds great, right? Save money on the project? Wrong.
While it may seem like a good deal on the surface, you know that paying below your margin may not be sustainable for your subcontractor relationship in the long run.
If you take the time to negotiate a fair rate with your subcontractor, you'll establish a foundation of mutual respect and trust. This will ultimately lead to a better working relationship and higher-quality work.
Take it from me, if you've found someone you love working with, who you can trust and who does a good job for you, spoil them.
Your subcontractors are the foundation of a scalable business, so once you find good ones, treat them right.
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
I know first hand how frustrating it can be when a client wants to make major changes on the last round of revisions.
In this situation, it's important to communicate the impact of these changes on the project schedule and budget.
Something like, "I understand you have some additional changes you'd like to make, however, these changes will require more work than a standard revision round. It will involve redeveloping many of the assets that have already been approved."
Changes of this nature have implications on the project timeline and budget. Be clear about the impact of the changes, but also offer a solution.
The ultimate goal is to find a solution that works for both you and the client. Ensure that everyone is on the same page before moving forward.
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
In this situation, it's important to communicate the impact of these changes on the project schedule and budget.
Something like, "I understand you have some additional changes you'd like to make, however, these changes will require more work than a standard revision round. It will involve redeveloping many of the assets that have already been approved."
Changes of this nature have implications on the project timeline and budget. Be clear about the impact of the changes, but also offer a solution.
The ultimate goal is to find a solution that works for both you and the client. Ensure that everyone is on the same page before moving forward.
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
Well, the payment's late.
What now?
When it comes to asking a client about a late payment, it's important to be professional and firm, but also respectful of the relationship you have with them.
An approach that has worked for me in the past is to send a gentle reminder email stating that you're following up on the most recent invoice and asking for an update on when you can expect payment. Until then, the project will be paused.
After many years of tracking down payment, I have a helpful email I use:
"I wanted to check in on the status of the most recent invoice. If we can't get it taken care of today, there will be some implications regarding the delivery schedule and budget.
Please let me know either way, and once we get this processed, we can get back up and running.
Thank you for your attention to this matter."
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
What now?
When it comes to asking a client about a late payment, it's important to be professional and firm, but also respectful of the relationship you have with them.
An approach that has worked for me in the past is to send a gentle reminder email stating that you're following up on the most recent invoice and asking for an update on when you can expect payment. Until then, the project will be paused.
After many years of tracking down payment, I have a helpful email I use:
"I wanted to check in on the status of the most recent invoice. If we can't get it taken care of today, there will be some implications regarding the delivery schedule and budget.
Please let me know either way, and once we get this processed, we can get back up and running.
Thank you for your attention to this matter."
#freelancer #TalkToClients #freelancing #selfemployed
Here’s how I’ve gotten paid on time consistently for the last 15 years as a freelancer. Establish a payment system that works for both you and your client to get paid on time. Start by asking for a deposit upfront, typically around 50% of the project cost, to cover your overhead and to get the client invested in the project. Then, set up a payment schedule for the remaining balance. To avoid losing compensation for work already done get paid for each stage of the project before it starts. #freelancer #talktoclients #freelancing #selfemployed
Instead of viewing work as a scarce resource that you need to fight for, try to come at it from a surplus mindset. There are millions of folks in the world that understand and are searching for the value your solution provides. The opportunities are endless! You are the one in control of your career and the work you take on. #freelancer #talktoclients #freelancing #selfemployed
Clients are paying for your expertise. Money is being exchanged for your solutions to their problems. But, how do you handle when a client has notes on your work. The client is not viewing the project through the same lens as you are. When a client tells you that something is wrong, more often than not, they are right about identifying the problem. However, when they start to tell you how to fix it, that’s where you can come up with a solution that meet their needs. #freelancer #talktoclients #freelancing #selfemployed
To avoid difficulties during a conversation with a client, always advocate for the success of the project. As an expert, redirect any conversation to the success metrics discussed at the beginning of the project. If the goalposts move during the project, confirm the changes and ensure they align with the timeline and budget while still advocating for the client’s success. #freelancer #talktoclients #freelancing #selfemployed