Everyone needs a side hustle, something that is related to the real career you hope to have one day. However, when you first start working for yourself you might unknowingly make mistakes that can cost you time, money and even future clients. Here are seven (7) rookie mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Being too available: You want to be accessible without being too available. For example, return potential clients’ telephone calls promptly but don’t answer the phone. It’s good for clients to know or assume that you are working on other projects. It will indirectly help your business blossom.
2. Missing deadlines: One of the worst things that you can do is tell a client you will have something for them on a specific date but fail to deliver. Even missing a scheduled meeting or conference call is an absolute no-no. Your goal as a freelancer, consultant, or business owner is to under promise and over deliver.
3. Giving too much info away: Most clients will request and expect an initial proposal – even for the smallest project. Your goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of what you can and would do – without giving away all the details. For example, you might propose to create a new marketing plan for their core products. It’s far better to show examples of similar work that you have done for another client than to spend a week developing a detailed plan. A plan that the client can do themselves or hire someone else who charges less than you to execute all of the wonderful ideas you propose.
4. Working on projects that don’t provide professional benefits: Avoid opportunities that cause you to work on things that you DON’T want to do moving forward. And, grab any project that will add something new to your resume, portfolio or land a bigger opportunity down the line.
5. Unknowingly bad mouth a client: I once had a client who was hired for a consulting project. She said the clients loved her and her work but she was not hired to work on the second phase of the project. After asking her a few questions about her interactions, we soon discovered that she had shared what she thought was constructive feedback in a public forum, and her comments rubbed the client the wrong way.
6. Charging too much or too little for a project: One of the most difficult parts of working for yourself is determining what to charge for your work and time. When first starting out, take on any projects (paid or not) that you can benefit from. Then you’ll need to establish an hourly rate (that includes a 20-30% mark up) and a flat rate that allows you to make a profit.
7. Fail to offer your biggest clients a discount: Even if your client is a million-dollar corporation, be sure to give them – and all of your clients who you work with over an extended time – a discount for their continued patronage. Everyone likes to receive a deal and know that their business is valued and appreciated.
We all make mistakes, but luckily we can sometimes learn from the problems and mistakes of others. Take time this week to review these common mistakes and to proactively ask others for their tips and suggestions when first starting your new business.