By Think of a time when you first began your business. For many of us, it involved excitement and a willingness to really meet clients half way. You wanted the sale. Heck, you needed it in order to sustain, pay expenses, and put food on the table. So, you kept being flexible, doing extra work, and practicing gratefulness for the pay you were given.
For some of you reading this, you knew when something had to change and took action set standards for your business.
For others reading this, you’re finally fed up and looking for ways to be released from the trap of low to no paying clients with high expectations. You’re tired of clients wasting your time. Most importantly, you are tired of being on Brokeville Avenue.
Working in the online marketing sector has taught me a lot of interesting lessons. Some were hard and necessary, while others have been eye opening. The ‘budget’ conversation has long since been a common one not only among freelancers, but also with artists, speakers, writers, public figures, and consultants who found it quite awkward to state their worth or even negotiate terms. Feelings of intimidation and not wanting to overstep one’s boundaries while also seeking a fair wage is discussed in many forums, blogs, and social media groups every single day.
I’ve heard the horror stories.
I’ve experienced the horror stories.
And I want to address it.
Working in the online sphere is hard work. Its feast or famine sometimes even for those with large networks and followers. Staying ahead of the game and securing work on a consistent basis means being selective with clients, budget and project scope considerations, scheduling, and more. The cost to be your own boss or even manage a side hustle is expensive.
As part of the rat race, I know that any prospective client understands the struggle, because they too have a business to run. Yet, some still manage to turn a blind eye to fairness when it’s time to hire someone to help them fulfill a goal. Or worse, purposely take advantage of creatives by offering a fraction of the fee they are worth. Let’s have a serious conversation about budgets and deposits.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL BUDGET, THEN THE CONVERSATION IS INVALID
One of my serious peeves as a Graphic/Web Designer are those empty inquiries that really waste precious time. Most professionals with websites have a service page listing with their rates displayed and the ways to get in touch when the time comes to secure a spot. These are also severely overlooked by people who are either too lazy to look, or are hoping to talk them down to a lower price.
My personal favorite (insert sarcastic tone) is the ‘Pick your Brain’ phone calls disguised as genuine interest in working on a project. Designers and consultants, be very aware of this smooth way that people avoid paying you for a clarity call. I have marveled at the amount of free information I was giving out. Meanwhile coaches who know their worth would not answer a call before receiving a payment. Perspective. Priorities. Principle.
The “How much do you charge?” question is also popular among cheap clients and really a serves filler that translates to “what is the lowest you’ll charge me?” This back and forth happens dozens of times every single day. My inbox is flooded with individuals who will list a full-time job worth of tasks and ask if $100 is acceptable.
Another scenario is the “In 3 months, I’ll need you for a project.” This means you are likely to never hear from the prospect again. Why contact a person about a project if you don’t currently have a budget, can’t start within the next 30 days, or aren’t serious at all?
The landscape of online marketing has opened itself to overly accommodating freelancers willing to write 10 blog posts for $50 or be a virtual assistant for $3/hour. Because of this, small-mid size companies and new business owners tend to treat creatives like social media managers, graphic designers, copywriters, etc. as if their jobs were not worthy of making a competitive salary per project.
I know you want to help the world and feel that money shouldn’t be an issue. I do too. I also want to open the refrigerator and see food and turn on the power to have light and electricity in the home. You cannot pay your bills on the promises of a client who isn’t trying to invest in you.
DEPOSITS CLOSE DEALS
Show of hands to any creatives who started on a project with the expectation that they would be paid and the deal fell through? *raises index finger*
In my excitement and naiveté, I often gave people the benefit of the doubt without properly and assertively requesting that a non-refundable deposit be paid to secure the project. This is so important because at least your initial efforts will have been compensated. People who invest their money up front are less likely to waste your time. Beware of those who want to question why you send invoices, work estimates, and contracts. In fact, run far, far away! Yes, this is the age of digital signatures, scans, livestreaming, and Skype. However, business, in the traditional sense, is still very much the same. And in order to prove that you respect time, efforts, and operate with integrity, submitting a deposit is a legal practice.
PEOPLE WILL ONLY TREAT YOU THE WAY YOU ALLOW THEM TO. THEREFORE, ELEVATE YOUR STANDARDS. Click To Tweet
To any freelancer, contractor, and entrepreneur out there who has credentials, knowledge, skills, and hard work ethic, do yourself a favor…SET YOUR RATES COMPETITIVELY AND WITHOUT APOLOGY.
This means getting comfortable with the way you pitch, respond to business inquiries, and even negotiate terms with clients. Sit down and create a full FAQ list that your clients can refer to. Establish clear business hours. Send out work estimates and invoices for serious inquiries. Do not be afraid to add on extra fees for additional services rendered.
Know this: the moment you let someone push past your boundaries, you lose your value.
There are clear signs to look for when you come across fickle or low budget clients. Clients who expect you to do pro bono projects, frequently hits you with unnecessary compliments (i.e. brown nosing), are unsure about what they want, can’t give you a definitive deadline or start time, promise more work without follow through, are unclear about the budget and don’t respect boundaries are not your type of clients.
At some point, I had to look in the mirror and affirm that I AM ENOUGH. I am well worth the price I am asking for and then some. I am thorough, professional, competent, creative, and easy to work with no matter the project. This realization changed me and helped me establish a clear requirement that should have honestly been in place the moment I began self-employment. I call it the Apple Brand mentality lol. This is the one brand that will charge consumers thousands of dollars without blinking. Why? They are confident in the quality of their product, their mission, and their brand. Allow that confidence to influence you personally and make sure you can back it up.
Share Your Thoughts.
*Special shout out to Tami Roman, whose message inspired this title.
What do you think?