you forgot another really important point that customers of mine still don’t get.

DON’T use a FREE email address such as AOL or hotmail etc….

you an email address tied to a domain name YOU own

I personally use a Skype phone number as my “office” number and have setup my voicemail as a company-only voicemail message. I also use GrandCentral to manage calls between my cell phone and Skype number. My GrandCentral number is used as my mobile number on my business cards and that way I can screen incoming calls and even pick up the phone as I hear them leaving a voicemail for me.

What a great article Mason!

Number 9 really jumped out at me.

Vague websites that seem to be avoiding going into detail immediately make me suspicious … i.e. what are they trying to hide?

Inadvertently giving off this impression would be a terrible mistake.

Hey Mason, great to see your article here on FreelanceSwitch!

I can definitely improve in every area. I especially want to have more detailed information and customer testimonials on my website.

It’s great (:
thanks you.

Nice article. I think you can still have varied pricing but come across solid about it. But that’s the key!

Nice tips. But I deliberately keep my site simple; it loads cleaner, and busy people get the information they need fast. I do have work samples and links to testimonials though.

I’ve never heard of Freelance Switch, will be keeping an eye on it.

Thanks.

Your first point, about having an established pricing structure, is so important. I used to wing it … figure the general number of hours times my rate to arrive at a ballpark figure, but that can backfire if you quote too quickly. So my stock answer had been that I’d get back to the customer with a proposal. That works ok when you’re just getting started and learning how long it really will take to finish a project. But like you, I noticed an increase in my own confidence level when I began to simply state a price range for the type of work being requested. How you present your price makes a significant difference in how much work you’ll be awarded.

Thanks for a great article!

I got a free local phone number through Google’s Grand Central project [http://www.grandcentral.com]. Its many of the features that I need to do freelance work line voicemail, call forwarding, etc. In addition, I can listen to all my calls from the website as opposed to calling a full mailbox and filter, sort and maintain voicemail messages by caller.

I especially agree with point 11. Sometime offering too much can cause major overload and since your range is now broadened across multiple responsibilities, it can be difficult to track and measure you performance, goals and costs.

Thanks for this post, find it very useful. Hope for more!

Pretty basic list–but it’s always good to get a refresher course! Thanks.

Nice article, though I would urge freelancers who are getting into freelancing to get out of the hubbub of the business world to remember the old saying “dress for the job you want, not the job you have” and remember that it works both ways.

If you want to attract young, hip organizations then you need to dress like a young, hip professional. I realized early on that I was actually losing work sometimes, to the really cool businesses that would be fun to work with; very often non-profits doing great things in my city, by coming all suit-and-tie.

Also, I have noticed that a good deal of my clients choose me over an agency precisely for the fact that I don’t have some calling service. When they call they either get me or my voicemail, which isn’t even necessarily professional, but it reassures them that they’re working with an individual who is a real person and they matter to you.

Just some additional thoughts.

I agree, Michael - that’s one thing I’d definitely add. Many clients who contact me have no idea what to expect in terms of process, and they are always reassured and impressed when I can lay it all out for them in clear, simple terms.

I also feel quite strongly about #11. Saying no is as important as saying yes. This isn’t just true in terms of defining what we can and can’t do, it also applies to dealing with requests and feedback. Clients hire us for our expertise, and it’s in our best interest to provide it, even if it is at times a bit uncomfortable for us. If we go along with everything they say rather than provide our insight, then we are letting our clients down. Not only that, but the work will become watered down and compromised by our attempts to be accommodating. Clients are paying us to fill in the gaps in their own expertise. It’s important for us to see where those lie and be the safety net that prevents mistakes and disasters, rather than nodding and smiling as they dig themselves a hole.

I have never returned from your site empty handed. Thank you so much!
CB~)

Your clients don’t want to know the process. They also do not want a ‘ballpark figure”. Clients want you to listen to the objectives and put them into the showcase position. They want their phones to ring. They want the mail flooding in so that they can sell!
Knowing how to write and create meaningful content is paramount. If your client knew what they want then they wouldn’t need you would they. They don’t want a yes sir /no sir three bags full sir response and it costs this. They want YOU to come up with great solutions to their problems.
Your prospect has come to you because they want to get on with what they do best. If they knew how to create, design and write then why on Earth would they need you?
They want your advice. The money is irrelevant. If you produce winning copy and content then you command the fee. Sound like a proffesional. don’t ask what they want. THEY DON’T KNOW!
Now take a look at http://www.thebaldchemist.com and get some great advice. Its free. no buttons to press. No links. Doesn’t need your business or anything else. Just fabulous knowledge.
by the way nice one Mave. The Baldchemist

Great Post. But just to expand on point #3, I think using a pre-paid cell phone as your second line can be very helpfully. No contract. No hassle and (unless your a really long winded talker) no major fees for talk minutes, which in my book equals controlled cost. Also you can take it with you anywhere. And incase someone has thought “Ohh, but I don’t want to have to carry around two cell”. We’ll tell your friends and personal contacts to call your pre-paid business phone during the day for emergencies instead of your personal cell so you don’t miss their calls and can carry one phone. Just a suggestion.

Great post! Simple, to the point information that will make a world of difference. I also like your suggestion of having an answering service. This could definitely help when I’m on vacation and answer the phone while not equipped with a pen and paper and the necessary information on hand.

Thanks for the inspiration to get off my a** and start doing it right!

This article mentions points that I can see would make someone appear as a professional. However, it’s a bit difficult for me to picture all these elements coming together, and the end result being authentic. When I’ve implemented all these steps, what’s left of me, who I am?

More concretely, I’ve never actually met anyone with all these characteristics. Sure, when I walk downtown, I see tons of people with suits on. But that’s a whole other time-space dimension away from where I’m at. Trying to follow these points without a real, live person to talk to about these issues would cause me to mimic what I’ve seen in television and movies. Of course, this would make me an obvious fake. Isn’t there any way to show professionalism by being yourself?

Thanks for the helpful tips. Much appreciated. Regard fee structure, I’d love to hear your thoughts on Value-based fees, vs. fixed ones.

While all the tips were excellent, #11 is one of the best lessons I learned early on. Saying “no” actually empowers you in ways that may not seem obvious at first. In addition to saying “no”, use the opportunity to refer or introduce the client to someone who CAN do what they want that you either can’t do well or don’t want to do. The client will think even better of you (often they are very grateful as they don’t know where to turn next), and you’ll get some karmic return at some point.

Well written! First rule is the one I should start to define better.

Thanks on a great article!

Such a great post, as myself who is venturing now in freelancing, i know that i lack of business tips in managing this, although i know what i am doing but the business deal with you clients can makes you on works.