Earlier today, one of my clients asked me about how I'm able to stick around in this industry since 2009. It's true that it's really difficult to put yourself online and compete with thousands of freelancers for a regular clientele. Somewhere out there, someone else will always be better than you - brighter, younger, more creative. So, how in this world did I stick around and still play my game 9 years after I started out? I'm going to share a little secret with you: I didn't compete aggressively for attention. I didn't do paid ads on Facebook, instead I stick by a certain mantra.
Here's what I did: I SSS daily.
SSS stands for 'Share Something Small' - I share a piece of me to the world in a regular basis.
Some of you may be asking how I do it when I'm technically a Netflix-and-sleep kind of girl. Well, it doesn't always have to be on social media. Most of the things that I share are with my clients - in simple, unfiltered conversations.
Here's what I usually share to my clients:
1. My personal life
Yes, you read that right. Every day before I start my work, I greet them 'Good morning' and tell them about my morning and how I've prepared for the day. It's usually just about coffee & breakfast, but I know it makes them comfortable to open up to me as well. Having personal & candid conversations paved way to more trusting & relaxed relationships between me and my clients.
2. My honest thoughts
You should read the news overseas sometimes. Those topics are really good conversation-starters. Sometimes, I drop by some Australian news websites in the morning and read the hottest headlines (example: economy, finance, a tragic local news, etc.). I turn to my Australian clients and talk to them about it. They would usually be surprised about how interested I am with their current events and it makes them feel like I'm truly involved in their businesses and their lives.
3. My struggles with the tasks at hand
Some business owners think of their contractors/freelancers as people who will just be completing tasks for them. Though that is OK, it's not really my type of work ethic. As much as possible, I want to build relationships because that's how businesses thrive for a long period of time. So how do I build relationships with my clients? I show them my human side professionally.
If there's something that troubles me, I stay honest about it. If I think a project is going in a downward spiral, I openly give my thoughts and concerns. The key here is that whenever you mention your struggles, it has to be followed by a suggestion on how you're going to overcome them - that's what I mean by 'professionally': showing a weakness but presenting another possible strength or solution. Trust me, when you open up rather than keep your mouth shut, your clients will realize that you are a proactive part of the business and not just a passive freelancer who doesn't think that much.
The best result that this technique brought me? Word-of-mouth recommendations from previous and existing clients. Why? Because they know that I'm a real person, and not a bot. Try it out and try not to overthink about how you're performing [because that's going to eat you alive]. Start small - little by little, day by day until it becomes a habit. You'll be surprised by the impact that it will bring not only to yourself, but to your clients as well.
If you think that this is a huge step for you, you may just be overthinking. 😊 Just relax and let the words flow naturally. Remember SSS!
Good luck x
Eve
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