I work daily running a continuing-ed company alone for speech therapists (I love this work – running a business is just natural to me). Because I run the business on my own schedule, I also freelance regularly in web design and I love the concepts you’ve put forth here; I think you’re dead on. Name identity is big.

Because I haven’t wanted to get too in over my head, I haven’t advertised in YEARS (I used to, and will again some day, but not now). I still have a steady stream of work coming in solely by word-of-mouth (proving my customer service is favorable) and from websites I’ve done (my work is identifiable (I guess!) and desirable). My name is also pretty unique What you’ve laid out here really works for me. Right on

Great post!

One, as someone else has already mentioned, “showing up” (the basics) really is 80% of the battle. I’m continually amazed at the lack of responsiveness and urgency I see out there from many freelancers. For so many of them, deadlines are just “suggestions,” not real milestones they need to meet. But that’s okay — I’m not complaining. Makes it easier for the rest of us to get steady, loyal clients.

Second, I like your point about leveraging your experience and background. What clients really want to see is that you bring something new, different and VALUABLE to the table. I’ve leveraged my sales experience from day one and I attribute most of my success to doing this. In my field (copywriting for software companies), having an understanding of sales and the sales process is very attractive to clients.

The key is bringing whatever makes you different to the surface. Promises of excellent service and “quality” deliverables aren’t enough to cut throught the noise in today’s competitive environment.

I listen carefully, and I’m enjoyable to work with.

You would not BELIEVE how rare this apparently is. Most clients get angry because the project isn’t what they were hoping for (i.e., what they tried to describe), or because their hire is a jerk, or indifferent, or just kind of annoying or boring. Being a fun person to talk to, the person who always says, “Oh, sure, we can do that for you,” the person who makes you feel like it’s all going to turn out okay – I have so many clients who come back to me just for that. My work is good, but so is a lot of other people’s. It’s the enjoyable-to-work-with factor that’ll keep ‘em coming back.