Support Your Supporters

Who is the person in your life that helps you be the best freelancer in your world?

Is it a loving spouse that goes to work every day, providing your family with the extra income you need to make sure the mortgage is paid, food is on the table, and your kids are not dirty urchins picking the pockets of the fine folks on the streets of London?

Maybe you’ve got a good friend that promotes you to his customers and business associates, and his influence is so vast that you doubt that you will ever be short of work from these contacts.

Or perhaps you have an amazing client that loves what you do, pays you handsomely for it, and trusts you to spread your creative wings on every project.

Have you said thank you to these folks lately?

Here are a few simple ways to let them know you are thinking of them, and that you appreciate what they mean to you.

• Supportive Spouse – Take a night to appreciate them.  Have the kids stay with friends, make your partner their favourite dinner, tell them why you are grateful for their support.  To someone that has to go into a real job every day, listening to you gripe about how rough your life is while working from home might be a bit difficult.  Let them know you couldn’t do this without their support – be honest, where would you be without them?
• Fantastic Friend – If you can afford it, take them out for a nice lunch and give them a gift that lets them know you appreciate what they are doing for your business.  It’s not about how much you spend, but make sure you show them how much you appreciate what they have done for you and your business.  If you can’t afford it, maybe you need to look at your rates again.
• Perfect Patron – Find a new way to promote your clients business.  Make sure your friends, family, and former high school crushes all purchase products from this client.  The more they succeed, the more you succeed – and that’s the best way to say thanks.

What are you doing to show your gratitude to the people around you?