Comments on: How to Offer Your Clients the Whole Package

By: David J.

David J. — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:59:27 +0000

Nathan,

I’d recommend avoiding mentioning the ‘partners’ or co-conspirators names upfront. The benefit of keeping the details to yourself are enormous including:

1. Potential referral perks
2. You get to consult with the client more, giving you more ‘1-on-1′ time. Increasing the value of yourself to the client

How to word it is really going to depend on your offering. Don’t take my word for it though, I’m only small-time

“We’ve partnered with many professionals in different areas to allow us to offer a greater range of services to meet your needs”.

By: Brett Derricott

Brett Derricott — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:10:53 +0000

@Nathan: I’m sure other FreelanceSwitch readers can also provide valuable suggestions to help you present this information to your clients.

In my opinion, the best approach to presenting any idea is to frame it in the context of how it will benefit the audience. So, in your case, how does your client benefit from the fact that you’re working with other professionals to complete their project? Why is this approach better for your client?

By: Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:50:19 +0000

I really like this post. I want to “outsource” some of what I do, and I really hate the thought that I’m trying to look like a big company (thanks to this post I will be re-working my ad info. and website) but what I don’t know is how to present this to the client. Do you state straight up “for this type of work I will be using John Smith” or do you say “we have partnered with many professionals for this type of work:.” I want people to understand they are working with me, but I also work with other professionals to get the job done right.. I just don’t know what is the best way to present that to them.

By: Brett Derricott

Brett Derricott — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:37:42 +0000

All: Great comments! I really appreciate the feedback and I’m glad to know this post has been helpful.

By: Kevin M. Scarbrough

Kevin M. Scarbrough — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:05:10 +0000

I think quite often freelancers forget that other freelancers can help build their business in the same ways that other vendors can.

I use the same programmer for all the work I do so I don’t have to hassle with templates, learning the languages, ect. I no more worry about him stealing my clients than I do the printers I use. A matter of ethics!

By: Louisa Nicholson

Louisa Nicholson — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:28:55 +0000

Great resource! I find that freelancers or small business usually tend to make themselves appear larger and market themselves to be able to do every job. They should be honest and focus on what they do the best. That’s good marketing and it’s easy to follow because it’s the truth. Well done.

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:02:49 +0000

I agree with Anthony, being honest about who and what you are means that your clients expectations of you match what you are bringing to the table. You get the bonus of not stressing about being stretched too thin. Every one wins when you are authentic!

By: Anthony Bullock

Anthony Bullock — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:57:44 +0000

I think this post raises a very important issue that Freelancers are slowly becoming a more and more fashionable choice for projects and startups than fully fledged firms or agencies.

The clients I work with on a regular basis love my personal service, and every month I find myself working with more and more new people that own large scale established businesses.

When I tried to appear as though I was a big business it wrecked my reputation as people expected more of a bang for their buck, and when they realised that I couldn’t give them more than when I was a single band freelancer things began to fell apart.

I went back to being a one man show and advertising myself as this and It’s becoming seriously hard to find time to sleep since the work coming in is increasing exponentially.

Very good article

By: Dusty Reagan

Dusty Reagan — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:23:55 +0000

But it’s “the royal we, you know, the editorial.”

Seriously though. “We” think it’s absolutely essential that you be honest and transparent to your clients. It’s not about “fooling” people. It boils down to your goals and branding. If you want to expand your company beyond yourself, you should brand your company accordingly. That includes “the editorial we.”

Your company is an entity separate of yourself, but you are a key team member (maybe the only team member now) of that entity. So you refer to your company as “we.” If someone asks you how many employees your company has, tell them one.

If you’re a die hard freelancer you should certainly brand on your name and forget about the “royal we.” Use “I.”

That’s just “our” opinion.

By: Peter Cooke

Peter Cooke — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:46:48 +0000

Great advice Brett. I’ve recently had to make a decision about trading with a “Company Name” and with my own. For now I’m using my own name as it sits right with my work and your article is really helpful. Thanks.

Pete