I wrote an article related to this over at The Freelance Pro called “The Top Freelancing Mistake of All Time.” http://thefreelancepro.com/2007/08/30/the-top-freelancing-mistake-of-all-time/

It talks about how freelancers too often think they’re selling a product (their work) rather than a service. By focusing on the work, freelancers get into an “employee” mindset and don’t have the client focus they need to be true professionals.

Keep up the good work. Freelance Switch is a fantastic blog and a great resource for freelancers.

But, through persistence, you build up a client base and you get the glorious benefit of “word of mouth” advertising. People actually brag about their designer to their friends and colleagues. Suddenly, your in demand. People know you actually GTD which is such a rare commodity in our industry that it’s like your from another planet. Or better yet, a super hero descended from space to bring enlightenment to the the world.

When you get to that point, it’s an amazing feeling. Your not just another web designer. You ARE a web designer. You actually create something that works. It’s done, there’s no 404s popping up from pages that were never done. No contact forms that go to null because the script never got completed. No awful freaking construction guy saying “pardon our dust, site under construction.” You’re a breed apart. You’ve transcended from all the rubbish and are a professional that people recommend.

That’s what I love about this job.

The list goes on.
Many of us have underdressed and overpriced and then given -bs- services to our customers. I’m not saying that it was right, I’m just saying that in our appreciation for what we have learned along the way, why not help a badass or two to finally get it?

Seriously though, good service is really important. As they say, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you”. Clients help provide your living and in general can be pretty nice people if you treat them right and do a good job. Plus, it feels great when the client is happy with the completed work AND the service. Can’t beat that.

I could have not shaved and be in my P.J.’s, but as long as I am professional with document delivery, my emails, phone etiquette, and essentially everything else you mentioned than I am perceived as a professional.

I suppose that is a freelance perk. Although, I do try to dress well just to feel like I’m at the office - even though its a home office. The way I dress though only matters to me, not my clients.

I think your advice about professionalism is spot on though.

Thanks.

These labels do unfortunately exist though, but I think there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. There is still a healthy group of people who understand that it’s not just about delivering “sleek, multi-faceted design interfaces”, but that it’s about the client interaction, project management, and the fashion in which we help the client integrate these “multi-faceted” structures into their often uni-faceted business. More than ever, it’s not what you do, but how you do it.

Grow and evolve this mindset and the playing field will become increasingly competitive. Eventually, the [expletive deleted]-ers will get weeded out.

Plus, if you deliver a positive experience to your client, it won’t matter what you’re wearing (may it be a beret, a set of suspenders, or both).