In multi-stage interviews, salary negotiations typically happen after you’ve passed initial screening and are shortlisted as a viable candidate. At this stage, they are interested in you, but need to finalize the compensation and benefits package.

Here are 6 key points to remember when negotiating your salary before joining a new company.

1. Gather Information

Many interviewees fail in salary negotiations because they lack sufficient information about their own worth and the employer’s compensation standards. You need to know what your potential employer typically pays for the position you’re applying for. If you can’t find this information, at least understand what competitors are offering for similar roles.

Additionally, know the demand for your skills. Are they in high demand, or is the market saturated? Assess your qualifications and experience to determine your value before negotiating a salary.

2. Do Not Mention A Figure

Avoid stating a specific salary figure during negotiations. Interviewers might try to get you to commit by asking questions like, ‘What is your expected salary?’ or ‘What salary can you start with?’

Providing a range below the industry average (see #1) can work against you. The company might have a higher budget, but if you quote a lower figure, they save money by offering you less. Conversely, quoting too high can lead to disappointment if they can’t meet your expectations.

Instead, say something like, ‘I will accept your best offer.’ This approach encourages the interviewer to offer you their best salary package and gives you leverage to negotiate based on your needs.

3. Aim for a Win-Win Negotiation

Many candidates view salary negotiation as a battle, but it should be a win-win situation. The company doesn’t want to overpay, and you don’t want to be underpaid. A balanced approach is ideal for successful negotiations.

Typically, companies start negotiations with an offer that’s slightly lower than the budgeted salary for the position. Understanding this can help you navigate the negotiation process more effectively.

4. Timing Is Everything

If you accept an offer without negotiating, the company might think you are desperate for the job. Negotiate to achieve a salary range that works for you. If the offer is close to your expectations, try to negotiate further to get what you want.

If negotiations don’t go in your favor, move on and look for other opportunities.

5. Don’t Negotiate from a Position of Weakness

Negotiating with a losing attitude can prevent you from getting your desired job. Your confidence matters, and if you appear too eager, the company might undervalue you.

Instead, make the company wait before committing to anything. Let the interviewer ask more questions. This waiting game can help you gain negotiating leverage and might even lead to a better salary offer.

6. Make Decisions Based on the Offer Letter

The offer letter can reveal more about the compensation package. Sometimes, companies offer additional benefits instead of a higher salary. These can include better pension plans, transport allowances, dental or eye care, flexible working hours, or compassionate leave.

Evaluate these benefits carefully. If they don’t align with your lifestyle, negotiate for a better offer. Take your time to read through the offer letter before making a decision.

7. Maintain and Close Negotiations

Many candidates focus too much on salary during negotiations. Remember to highlight your value to the company. If you can’t demonstrate your worth, your negotiations might fail.

Regularly assess your negotiation strategy to ensure you’re on the right track. Showing the interviewer how valuable you are can make the negotiation process smoother and leave a positive impression. This way, you emphasize that you’re concerned with more than just salary – you’re also focused on contributing value to the company.

Conclusion

Once negotiations are over, it’s truly over. Always end negotiations on a positive note. You never know when you might negotiate with the same person at a different company in the future.

The post Strategies for Salary Negotiation Before Joining a Company appeared first on Hongkiat.

From my own experience of importance of online reviews for businesses about products I’ve tried, I find that companies take these issues very seriously. Reviews reflect a company’s performance, and businesses don’t want to overlook them. They view them as a report card, where the product is their child, the review is the performance assessment, and the entrepreneur is the parent striving for success.

Negative reviews can be disheartening because a lot of funding, effort, and time go into ensuring a product’s success. Moreover, they can negatively impact customer trust, especially when the product is marketed online.

However, customers who post negative reviews often find the product acceptable but have concerns about certain aspects. It’s crucial for entrepreneurs to understand why customers post these reviews and how to address them.

Take Cues from Negative Reviews

Negative reviews can guide companies in developing their next line of products. As an entrepreneur, you should ensure your future products are free of faults highlighted in previous reviews. This is why mobile phone companies frequently release new models with added features and improvements. They rely heavily on reviews to gauge product acceptance and user preferences.

Improving your next product based on customer feedback helps make your products more user-friendly. Whether you’re in the food industry, tech industry, or any other sector, negative reviews provide a clear picture of your product’s performance from the customer’s perspective.

Use these reviews to adjust your products to meet customer tastes and create better future offerings as your company grows.

Take Action if Necessary

Reviews reveal what customers think about a product. Entrepreneurs should pay attention to negative reviews to identify faults and rectify them. If most reviews highlight the same issues, it’s time to investigate. Conduct an internal probe if necessary to identify and fix the problem. This was the case with BMW in 2010.

The luxury car manufacturer faced complaints about the brakes of their 5-, 6-, and 7-Series cars. BMW took concrete steps to fix the manufacturing defect, asking over 350,000 car owners to bring their cars in for repairs. This move helped BMW regain customer trust and protect their reputation.

Not every entrepreneur can take such extensive measures, but taking responsibility and offering solutions at no cost to customers can help restore faith in your product and company.

Address Product Design Reviews

Negative product design reviews can have long-term detrimental effects. Many entrepreneurs overlook the importance of design reviews. Remember, competitors will watch your product reviews closely and may imitate your designs.

While quality can’t be replicated, designs can. Competitors might use your negative design reviews to create similar products that fit customer expectations.

Ignoring design reviews can lead to rival products with better designs, which can damage your sales over time. Address these reviews promptly and make necessary design changes to prevent competitors from exploiting your flaws.

Clarify Doubts from Reviews

Reviews leave a lasting impression on potential customers. Negative reviews are particularly impactful as they tend to attract attention. Entrepreneurs should address these reviews seriously.

The company’s website is an excellent platform to respond to reviews. This allows potential customers to understand the product better and clear any doubts arising from negative reviews. Monitor forums discussing your products and engage with reviewers promptly.

Responding to reviews has two benefits: potential customers will see your commitment to your product and existing customers will feel valued. This demonstrates that your company is serious about its business and customer satisfaction, minimizing the impact of negative reviews.

Embrace Some Negativity

Not all negative reviews are damaging. A few negative reviews among many positive ones can actually be beneficial. They make buyers curious about the product, potentially leading them to test it themselves.

Not all buyers rely solely on reviews for their decisions. The key is to identify which negative reviews are not harmful. Reviews that don’t criticize the product’s quality may not be detrimental. If the reviews don’t indicate adverse consequences from using the product, it might be okay to leave them as they are.

Conclusion

Negative reviews are inevitable, regardless of how good your product is. There will always be someone who doesn’t appreciate your product. The reasons behind negative reviews can vary. What sets you apart as an entrepreneur is how you respond to and manage these reviews.

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The problem is, there is a lot of substandard writing out there, and it is cramming your entrance. Therefore, editors have decided to make the search process a little easier – for them. They want submissions to come with query letters.

What is a Query Letter?

A query letter can help convince an editor to give your writing a shot. Hence, you shouldn’t write it in a too-casual tone. It is not an application, and you should never write anything that remotely amounts to begging them to consider your manuscript. It is, however, a picture of your writing skills and achievements. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but you can use it to showcase your creativity and appreciation for humor. Overall, it should be short and concise.

Editors read query letters to get an idea of whether the writer understands the publication’s needs and style. Having your grammar rules right is definitely not enough. Editors are also looking for a professional approach, which will be reflected in your work. They want writers who are committed to fulfilling the needs of what they would consider ‘a good piece’.

Writing Your Query Letter

Consider the contents of your query letter a sales pitch. Every aspect of a query letter holds significance and should contain sufficient information to allow the reader to gauge if the writer is qualified to write on the subject.

Impress from the Start

Begin the letter by addressing the editor. Be formal, and never use a first name – be it yours or the editor’s. Your introduction must attract the editor’s attention and give them enough motivation to read the whole letter. Make it short but effective, ideally no more than four sentences long. The first part is generally an attention grabber. Some writers ask questions or identify a need, then propose solutions, bringing their services into the picture.

Pitch Your Ideas

The second paragraph should tell the editor how the article will be written. Include the title of the subject to give the reader an idea of the topic you intend to cover. The pitch is essentially a brief proposal.

Explain Your Ideas

Include a paragraph that defines the work. It should contain a full account of how you intend to present the topic. Include the sub-headings, complete details, and the flow of the topic. Even at this stage, it is important to figure out suitable sub-headings for the end product. Explain each sub-heading briefly.

Image source: Ellen Brock Editing

Highlight Your Achievements

List your achievements in the writing world. Present brief details of your past work, and if possible, links to articles available on the web. Name only the pieces that will help your cause. Briefly touch on published work in magazines or books to enhance your standing. Mentioning any academic degrees you have, especially in a field related to your writing, will help establish your credibility.

Conclusion

The conclusion should carry a note expecting a positive response from the editor. You may also use it to mention the time frame by which you will submit your article if the editor chooses to publish it.

A query letter should be written with honesty and must be formatted well to persuade the editor to read your actual piece. This is not the time to make spelling mistakes or grammatical slip-ups, so make sure you spell-check your query letter before sending it. Take your time with it and do revisions to minimize errors. It could possibly make or break your writing career.

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Many startup entrepreneurs opt for investor funding, as it offers potential tax benefits and importantly, reduces personal financial risk. However, convincing someone to invest in your vision and capabilities can be a demanding task.

Understanding Plans and Managing Pressure

To convince investors, you must thoroughly understand and articulate your business plans and assure potential returns, despite the uncertainties. On the other hand, self-funding means investing your own resources, which can create immense pressure and potentially distract from the primary focus of growing your business.

Entrepreneurs tend to perform best when they are free from stress, able to make decisions with clarity. While some thrive under pressure, it’s crucial to weigh all factors carefully to determine the best funding approach for your new venture.

Exploring Investor Funding Options

Finding investors willing to take a risk on your startup is never straightforward, often representing the only viable option to launch your business. Investors are naturally cautious, requiring thorough questioning and detailed verification of your business claims before committing their funds.

However, with a compelling idea and a persuasive pitch, you can convince them of the merits of investing in your venture over others. Success largely depends on your business pitch.

Preparing to pitch to investors involves a lengthy and meticulous preparation process. You need a detailed business plan and a clear outline of how you intend to achieve a break-even point and eventual profitability to secure investor backing.

Launching a startup requires intensive effort in executing your role as the primary decision-maker. Having financial security allows entrepreneurs to focus better and manage business responsibilities more effectively.

Additionally, the expectations set by your stakeholders create a constant drive to meet these standards, fueling your ambition for success and growth.

Considering Self-Financing for Your Startup

Self-financing might sometimes lead to a complacent attitude, allowing entrepreneurs to become stagnant, expecting results without active pursuit. As your own boss, there’s a tendency to relax standards and take things easy.

While self-financing can appeal due to its independence and control, maintaining motivation over long periods can be challenging without exceptional discipline.

However, self-financing can be effective for certain entrepreneurs who have the right strategies and robust contingency plans in place. It affords them the liberty to make decisions without needing to consult stakeholders.

Methods of Self-Financing

Self-financing encompasses various approaches. Many choose to partner with family members in a family-run business, trusting in familial bonds to support their entrepreneurial dreams.

Others may opt to bring in business partners to share both the financial burden and decision-making, ensuring terms are agreed upon by all involved. Additionally, securing business loans from financial institutions or tapping into government startup grants are viable options for funding.

Emerging Trends in Funding

The rise of venture capitalists and other financial entities, such as banks, has encouraged many well-funded entrepreneurs to consider external investment options. The appeal of investor funding, often requiring no collateral, is significant.

Investors primarily require a thorough examination of the entrepreneur’s background and, crucially, a compelling business idea.

This shift in funding is evident in initiatives by leading business management schools, sometimes offering financial support to enterprising undergraduates. These institutions invest based on their belief in the academic and entrepreneurial potential of their students, convinced that with the right encouragement, these ideas could flourish into successful businesses.

Choosing the Optimal Funding Strategy

Securing external investment often remains the ideal approach for many startups. However, the challenge of attracting an investor can be as daunting as launching the business itself. The key lies with the entrepreneur.

Can you align with investors who embrace your vision? Are you able to persuade them of your idea’s potential? Alternatively, would you prefer the autonomy to explore and potentially succeed (or fail) with your own resources? Understanding these choices is essential as you decide the best path for your business.

The post Choosing the Best Financing for Your Business: Self-funding vs. Securing Investors appeared first on Hongkiat.

While procrastination might not directly lead to a project’s failure, it can create significant issues. For example, poor or no planning can result in incomplete projects, last-minute work may be harmful to your health, and it could lead to team issues.

Procrastination is a delay that causes many problems, leading to a loss of trust from others. Why face a prowling tiger when you can cage it, or better yet, tame it?

In this article, we’ll explore 7 strategies to conquer procrastination at work.

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1. The Pomodoro Technique

The human brain tends to lose interest when working long periods without rewards. This concept is used in video games, where reaching a checkpoint gives you a bonus, encouraging continued play. In work, you can apply a similar approach.

The Pomodoro technique involves working for set periods and then taking a break as a reward. Look for Pomodoro apps for your desktop or smartphone to help with this.

2. Understanding the Impact of Procrastination

Reflecting on the negative outcomes of procrastination can be motivating. It can lead to job loss, financial setbacks, and missed opportunities. Keeping these consequences in mind can help curb the urge to procrastinate. Setting work milestones can also help manage tasks incrementally, avoiding the stress of completing everything at once.

3. Celebrate Your Achievements

Achieving goals feels great, and there’s no harm in enjoying these moments in small doses. Create a task list with deadlines and enjoy the satisfaction of crossing off completed items. Celebrate these small victories!

Utilize productivity tools like Monday.com (desktop) or Syncplicity (mobile) to keep track of your deadlines. These tools can help you become more efficient, work smarter, and achieve better results.

4. Tackle Small Tasks Immediately

Often, we prioritize large tasks and postpone smaller ones, leading to a buildup of uncompleted work. These small tasks, if done promptly, often can be finished quickly.

Neglecting them because they seem insignificant can cause them to accumulate and become unmanageable. It’s best to handle these tasks immediately, regardless of their perceived importance.

5. Avoid Working Until Exhaustion

Psychology shows that when we’re exhausted with nothing urgent on our minds, our focus easily drifts away from the task at hand. When tired, you’re more prone to distractions. Listen to your body’s signals and start tasks when you’re fresh.

Taking short breaks for relaxing activities, like reading or listening to music with a cup of coffee, can greatly re-energize you.

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6. Harness the Power of Motivation

Forgetting the fundamental purpose of our work can lead to procrastination. Remember, your work has significance. Aligning your personal goals with your tasks can be a powerful motivator. If you struggle to start your day or your tasks, it might indicate a deeper issue, such as lacking enthusiasm for your work. This may require introspection or even changes in your role, project, or management to rejuvenate your engagement and prevent procrastination.

7. Avoid Distractions

Distractions are major obstacles to productivity. Everyone has their temptations, whether it’s TV, social media, games, or phone calls. Recognizing and distancing yourself from these distractions is key to overcoming procrastination.

Consider disconnecting from the internet or finding a quiet space to minimize interruptions. Ultimately, it’s your determination to resist the ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ mindset that counts.

Read Also:  10 Tips to Make WFH (Working From Home) Work

The post 7 Ways to Overcome Procrastination at Work appeared first on Hongkiat.

Perhaps they saw the sales team as the heart of the company, which is why they took extra care of us. However, that didn’t mean things were always smooth. The sales team sometimes faced tough times, especially when we didn’t meet expectations. That’s when you’d really see what your boss was like.

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How to Work Well With Your Boss?

Bosses are people too, with their own likes and dislikes. If you know how to play your cards right, you can work with them, not just for them. I’ve known colleagues who weren’t top performers but kept their jobs because they were on good terms with the boss.

Understanding how to work with your boss is a crucial skill that will help you in any job. It’s a key factor in how far you’ll go in your career. While not all bosses fit neatly into five categories, if you recognize yours here, I’ve got some advice on how you can thrive in your workplace.

1. The Boss with a Superiority Complex

This type of boss often raises their voice and looks for chances to criticize others. They seem to think they’re always right and others are wrong. They’re quick to react, preferring to reprimand someone rather than solve the problem at hand. You’ve probably met a boss like this before.

You can tell by their restless demeanor, not just by their tone but also in their posture. If you glance into their office, you’ll notice they’re constantly moving in their chair. Their presence alone can make you tense, anxious about what they might say next.

How to work with them?

To handle this boss, be ready for some tough criticism. They seem to find satisfaction in seeing employees endure their harsh words. If you can do this without showing that you’re upset by their behavior, you’ll stay on their good side.

However, if you try to outsmart them or challenge them, you could jeopardize your position in the company. You may be better suited to working with a different type of boss.

2. The Boss Who Flaunts Their Power

This boss loves to show off their authority, not just at work but sometimes even at home. They enjoy playing the role of the boss and think it’s the most important job in the world.

They’re overly protective of their position and want to seem like they have everything under control, even when they don’t. They may ignore mistakes made by employees, pretending not to notice them.

How to work with them?

This boss values discipline over actual performance, believing that with discipline, performance will follow. If you have a boss like this, it’s best not to break the rules too often. And if you do, try not to let them find out. Show them respect, let them feel in charge, and you should be able to continue your work without issue.

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3. The Boss Who Feels Out of Place

This boss seems to have landed the role without being quite ready for it. Perhaps they were promoted due to a lack of other candidates, not necessarily because they had the right skills. They’re that person the management had to rely on, despite other options not being available.

In meetings, they often boast about their previous successes, but when it comes to inspiring the team, they fall short. They emphasize the importance of performance but don’t have the management prowess to back it up. Despite their shortcomings and the quiet jokes about them, this boss is diligent and willing to correct their mistakes.

They lack confidence and struggle to stick with a plan when things go awry.

How to work with them?

Offering guidance to this boss is usually appreciated; it’s a chance to build a positive relationship with them. Don’t expect leniency, though – they’re focused on proving themselves and can’t afford slip-ups, either from themselves or their team.

With time and patience, you may find that they grow into the role. Their willingness to learn can eventually make them a competent leader.

4. The Boss Who Intimidates

This boss is all about business, with an aggressive style and a commanding presence. He seems to have a big ego, which he doesn’t leave at the door when he comes to work. Sometimes, it feels like he’s trying to manage the team with an iron fist.

He may come across as threatening to ensure tasks are completed, but he won’t push too far due to his own insecurities – he fears losing his influence over the team.

He’ll occasionally ignore mistakes because he wants to maintain a certain level of control. By nature, he’s more reserved and likes to keep to himself.

How to work with them?

The best approach with this boss is to respect his space and avoid unnecessary interaction. If you’re clever and can find a way to connect with him, you might even be able to develop a rapport and enjoy some flexibility at work.

But be cautious not to take it too far, as he could also be the one to show you the door if you cross the line.

5. The Boss Who Excels and Influences

This is the ideal leader, someone who steers the company and its employees with skill. They bring a positive energy to the workplace and convince everyone that they can achieve great things, even when times are tough.

They’re serious about their work but aren’t too hard on their team. Influential bosses might not always be motivational, but they know how to push people to their peak performance. They’re very professional and expect the same from their employees.

How to work with them?

If you do your job well, you’ll find this boss easy to work with. But be careful: if they sense you could overshadow their ambitions, they might see you as a rival and could steer you out of the company.

An influential boss often has a trusted circle who keeps them updated on office dynamics. Stay focused on your tasks, and you’ll likely remain in their good graces.

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Conclusion

While we might not all have the chance to work under great leaders, we all must work under a boss – the one who leads an organization or manages a team. Bosses mobilize people towards the company’s goals, and often, people don’t quit their jobs; they quit their bosses.

So, what’s your boss like, and how do you manage your relationship with them?

The post 5 Common Types of Bosses and Strategies to Handle Them appeared first on Hongkiat.

Those who are not freelancers are often impressed by the laid-back style that defines the working life of freelancers, which may, in turn, inspire them to consider the same path.

What these ‘outsiders’ fail to see is the amount of hard work and insecurity every freelancer must endure to realize their dreams. The truth is, despite consistent hard work, not every freelancer achieves success.

One reason is their inability to cope with the pressure of having insecurities as a significant part of their career. Those who rely solely on freelancing for their livelihood are the ones who are most insecure.

In this article, we provide an inside look into the insecurities that plague freelancers and what you need to prepare for to establish a long-term career in freelancing.

Ensuring a Steady Flow of Work

The nature of a freelancing profession is such that nothing is guaranteed. As soon as a freelancer completes an assignment, they have to start looking for another one. New freelancers will feel this more than seasoned ones, but even the most successful, at times, struggle to secure new jobs. This is the most striking insecurity that freelancers face these days.

The fierce competition for jobs has made the piece of the pie smaller for each freelancer. To ensure a steady flow of work and income, it is crucial for a freelancer to build a strong and large clientele to source assignments from. It is equally important for freelancers to complete each assignment well and win over the client.

A satisfied client will return with more job offers. Building a good rapport with clients will pave the way for more opportunities for freelancers, keeping the hunt for assignments minimal, so that more time can be spent on performing the job well.

Fear of Losing Clients

In all my years as a freelancer, I feel that losing a client tops the list of a freelancer’s insecurities. It’s hard for me to pinpoint the reasons for a loss. I have faced situations in which I thought I had completed assignments perfectly, but still, I lost the client.

Despite the amount of hard work you put in, clients can be very challenging to deal with at times. I eventually came to realize that it’s not just about doing things perfectly, but also doing them in a manner that impresses your clients.

This is why freelancers should never become complacent with their work, even when working with long-term clients. Such an attitude could be detrimental to your career. It doesn’t matter how many good jobs you have done for them, it takes only one mistake for a client to stop coming back to you. Each client is precious, so give your best in order to retain your clients. One po

Scouting for New Assignments

You never know when you might experience a dry spell in receiving assignments from your clients. Sometimes, the wait for the next job seems endless. Such situations do arise, and the best action a freelancer can take is to scout for new sources of job opportunities.

However, this should be done within reason – don’t expand your client base too quickly, otherwise, you might become overwhelmed by overlapping deadlines and conflicting requirements.

Fulfilling commitments to a long list of clients simultaneously can be challenging for freelancers. You don’t want to make a poor first impression with new clients, and you can’t afford to renege on the deadlines set by your long-term clients. The decision on which job to prioritize can be difficult, so it’s best to avoid putting yourself in the uncomfortable position of having to choose.

Quoting the Worth of Your Services

Many freelancers face a dilemma when asked to quote a price for their services. They fear losing a client if they quote a high price. Conversely, clients might reject freelancers who quote below par for their services, believing that they may not be capable of performing the required task. I have faced similar situations when I was unsure how to proceed.

The best solution I’ve found is to quote a price that I’ve been charging other clients. It’s important to find jobs that pay according to your expectations. Accepting jobs that pay less will always put you in a difficult position. These clients will never increase the price, and may even pressure you to decrease your rate.

Losing Money from Unsatisfied Clients

There are many instances when freelancers fail to receive their payment because the client believes that the completed assignment is not what was requested, or is substandard. You may have worked diligently on the project, dedicating 18 hours a day to it, but in the end, all your efforts go unrecognized and are wasted.

If your client has decided not to use your work, there is very little you can do about it. A freelancer will always be plagued with the fear that a client might refuse to pay if they don’t like the work. The only option left is to sell the work to someone else.

If your client refuses to pay you for the completed assignment, you have the right to sell it to other clients, or use it elsewhere. A client may have their own reasons for not accepting your work. Instead of worrying about the money lost, think of ways to salvage what you can by taking your work elsewhere.

Conclusion

Insecurities will always exist for freelancers. The best freelancers are those who learn to accept and overcome such insecurities, emerging stronger than ever. In the freelancing field, you have to learn to live with these insecurities and develop strategies to deal with them.

The post How to Deal with Insecurities for Freelancers appeared first on Hongkiat.

As a business owner, it’s crucial to understand that customers’ decisions are influenced by their social and psychological needs. Sometimes, your product might not meet these needs, and the customer won’t buy it, even if they were initially drawn to it.

Take, for example, middle-class shoppers looking at high-end, luxury items. Their buying decisions are often influenced by their social circle – friends, family, colleagues – people whose opinions they value. So, as an entrepreneur, your challenge is to figure out how to make this work in your favor.

1. The Impact of Peer Opinions

Have you ever asked a friend for their thoughts before splurging on a high-end item or a tech gadget? Purchasing a new smartphone isn’t the same as picking up a jar of jelly from the store.

For tech-related purchases, you’re likely to seek advice from someone more tech-savvy to determine if it’s a good investment. This is a perfect example of how peer opinions, or “reference groups,” can sway a consumer’s decision.

This influence of reference groups is even more pronounced among shoppers in developing or under-developed countries. A customer might genuinely like your product, but if someone whose opinion they value doesn’t approve, they might not buy it. In these cases, the customer’s decision-making power is undermined.

Turning the Tables

To counteract this, some companies create their own reference groups and encourage people to join. This strategy indirectly influences consumers’ purchasing decisions. Entrepreneurs can also introduce referral programs, where customers receive discounts for referring others.

This approach can help neutralize external influences on the customer’s decision-making process. The discounts provide a justification for the customer to make their own decisions, regardless of others’ opinions, leading to a purchase based on their personal preferences.

2. The Power of Brand Loyalty

Many consumers have a strong attachment to specific brands. This loyalty can be so intense that they’d choose to wear their favorite brand’s T-shirts for business meetings, rather than switching to formal shirts from other brands. Even when presented with equally good alternatives, their devotion to a single brand can stop them from exploring other options.

This strong brand preference is a key factor in why some customers might appreciate your product, but still hesitate to invest their money in it.

Especially for entrepreneurs in developing countries, this brand loyalty can pose a significant challenge. Consumers often stick to brands they’ve known for a long time, even when presented with a wide array of new choices. They prefer the familiarity of known brands over the uncertainty of trying something new.

Turning the Tide in Your Favor

Traditional advertising methods like billboards may not be effective in this scenario. Your products are up against industry giants who have staked their claim and won’t easily yield to a new competitor. As an entrepreneur, you might need to create a strategy to highlight the unique benefits of your product.

One effective approach could be partnering with an established brand. This strategy is popular among many manufacturers as it makes their products easier to sell. The partnership doesn’t necessarily have to be with a brand in the same industry.

The goal is to leverage the established brand’s recognition to introduce your product to the market, making consumers more open to your brand.

3. Embracing Simplicity

The lifestyle of your customers can greatly influence their buying habits. For instance, those who lead a simple life often stick to what they know and avoid experimenting with their purchases. They view shopping as a chore rather than a pleasure, preferring to invest their time and energy elsewhere.

These individuals typically only buy what they absolutely need and stick to products they’ve been buying for years, within a price range they’re comfortable with. They perceive trying new products as a financial risk and are unlikely to be swayed by traditional advertising methods like billboards, radio, or TV.

Turning Simplicity into Opportunity

To appeal to this group, consider launching a comprehensive promotional campaign that encourages them to try your products. Offering enticing discounts, free samples, or discount vouchers can pique their interest and make them more open to trying something new.

If your product proves to be effective and isn’t significantly more expensive than what they usually buy, there’s a good chance they’ll switch over. In this way, you can turn a simple-living consumer into a loyal customer.

4. Fixation on Social Prestige

Some individuals place a high value on their outward appearance and the company they keep. They view their attire and product choices as a reflection of their societal standing.

This mindset is why luxury items like fragrances, beauty products, and watches often employ famous faces for promotion. If your product doesn’t align with their perceived social prestige or isn’t marketed as such, it won’t catch their attention. These individuals often move in celebrity circles and are highly status-aware.

These consumers prioritize brand recognition over product quality. They focus on how a product looks and whether it can boost their social standing. For instance, they might purchase a car that they only drive once a year, finding more satisfaction in simply owning such a vehicle.

Making it Work in Your Favor

The solution here is straightforward. If your product doesn’t cater to their specific needs, there’s no use chasing their approval. Instead, focus on marketing your product to your intended audience and invest your energy in selling to those who are genuinely interested.

5. The Role of Pricing

The price tag on your product can greatly influence a customer’s decision to buy it. Even if they adore what you’re selling, they might hesitate to purchase if it’s too costly. As a business owner, it’s crucial to understand that your product’s price can significantly affect its market performance. However, this doesn’t imply that you should slash your prices dramatically to draw in more customers.

For everyday necessities, price might not be a big deal for shoppers. But when it comes to luxury items, customers tend to be more cautious and considerate.

This category includes things like high-end fashion, televisions, or other expensive electronics and gadgets. Shoppers often factor in price before making their final choice. If your product exceeds their budget, they’ll probably choose a more wallet-friendly option.

Making Pricing Work in Your Favor

As business owners, it’s important to know who your customers are and tailor your marketing strategy accordingly. Keeping your prices competitive is also key. If you believe that your product’s quality surpasses that of others in your category, you might choose to keep your prices higher.

However, you’ll need to invest in a comprehensive advertising campaign to make your product stand out. Keep in mind, shoppers can be very selective, and if your product isn’t showcased effectively, you might miss out on potential market share and business opportunities.

The post 5 Reasons Your Products Aren’t Selling (An Entrepreneur’s Perspective) appeared first on Hongkiat.

Eventually, you start falling sick often, feel moody or reluctant to get out of bed (does this remind you of the same feeling you had in your 9-to-5, which made you choose the freelancing path?).

This may have happened because you didn’t take the breaks you needed to recharge your body, mind, and soul. Hold half a glass of water on an outstretched arm long enough, and even that glass of water may feel like it weighs a ton.

Taking breaks goes a long way to making you a better freelancer. It gives you more emotional stability, keeps your health in check, and ensures that you can reload your creativity bar to produce better and more engaging results.

Not sure if you are ready to take a break from your hectic freelancing job? Here are a few signs.

1. When you run out of creative juices

Being creative is the hallmark of a freelancer. Without having to deal with the inhibitions or cultures of a company that you have to adhere to without question, you can let your creative designs soar through clients who know how to appreciate your work.

However, it isn’t easy to always stay creative. Part of the formula to help you recharge your creativity is to get enough rest. Working for long hours without a break may lead to a dry spell, where your mind stops being creative. You will find that it is difficult to trace even the most common creative element in yourself then.

The bottom of the barrel

There are times when you simply can’t find the next best topic to write upon or a new design idea that nails the client’s requirements. Your mind draws a complete blank, or you feel that whatever that does get sketched, or written, belongs in the wastebasket.

It’s a scary situation to be in. Am I losing my personal touch? Why aren’t I churning out enough good ideas? Does this mark the end of my career? Take a break and see if you feel the same way.

2. When you’re not in the right frame of mind

Everybody has problems, even freelancers. You may have had an argument with your spouse, or got into a fight with your kids, your neighbor, or your colleague, or perhaps you failed to deliver one of your client’s requirements on time.

These are times when you are emotionally unstable, and you will not be able to do anything productive. This is when you should take a break to calm your nerves.

It’s me, not you.

Speaking of clients, sometimes you will meet clients who are so difficult to deal with that you feel like you want just to drop the whole thing and go back to waiting on a monthly paycheck. Hold your horses; that’s just frustration talking.

Look back at your priorities and determine if you are at fault or if your client was out of line before going back to work. Get your confidence back in order to make the rest of the journey ahead.

3. When you are tired

Many freelancers continue to work, even though, their bodies can take no more. If you are one of them, then you will probably produce substandard work very soon. Take a break when you are not rushing for a deadline so that when you are rushing for one, you won’t fall sick!

There is also a different kind of ‘tired’, the one that refuses to let you out of bed in the morning because it dreads the ton of paperwork on your desk. You feel the numbness of ‘work’ and you simply don’t feel like doing it anymore.

When you find yourself saying out loud, ‘Nobody appreciates my work’, ‘Why does everyone want something from me all the time?’, and ‘I have no life’, then you seriously need to take a break – a long one.

3. When you should celebrate & be part of life

It’s so easy to devote all of your available time to working and earning money, so much so that we usually miss out on the simple things in life. What we should do is take a break and celebrate the birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, reunions, and festivities that are cause for merriment.

Besides, why would you want to be cooped up with work when everyone is counting down to the New Year?

Work with peace of mind

There is also a practical side to this: sometimes, due to your involvement with some of these functions, you have to split yourself two-, sometimes three-ways to cover all grounds.

Instead of being busy with the conceptualization stage, you are busy planning a home renovation, arranging a wedding or organizing a family reunion. Who can work in these kinds of conditions?

You’d be kidding yourself if you think you can balance work and your personal life well under these situations. So just take a break from work and get back to it when you are done playing the party planner.

4. When you feel like calling it quits

Perhaps an extension of ‘When You Are Tired’, when you feel like calling it quits, is a clear call for help. You know when you have reached the brink probably because it’s umpteenth time you’ve said, ‘That’s it! I can’t stand this anymore. I quit!’

Indulge in the better things in life

This is when you should take a vacation; a non-wireless, non-reachable one where you can hide away from the world. Spend it with family or your partner, or just spend it with people who like you and don’t need you to finish something urgent for them.

Splurge to reward yourself, and to remind yourself of the real reason you went into freelancing: for the independence, for the decision-making privilege, the flexibility, and for the freedom to take a break like this anytime you want!

When you come back, think if you are willing to give all of that up. Chances are, the reset is enough to ensure that once you become a freelancer, you never go back. For added inspiration, check out these entrepreneurs who made it big from their roots as a freelancers.

The post 5 Signs to Take a Break From Freelancing appeared first on Hongkiat.

The world is a place where everyone has his or her own views. Whether it’s in the office or at home, different views may lead to opinion clashes, a breeding ground for criticism, if you will.

When you are working freelance, you will also receive, your fair share of criticism from your clients. Each freelancer operates differently from the next, and while some can fulfill the expectations of a particular client, others may be found lacking.

What is the best way for freelancers to handle criticism? Do they need to inculcate additional traits, or should they develop certain attitudes to get things under control? We will look into the few ways that can help you cope with criticism.

Accept criticism

A person who accepts criticism gives himself a chance to dwell deep into his shortcomings and take a reality check. In the freelancing business, mistakes can take place, and to make room for improvement; one must start by being open to criticism.

Fending off any sort of criticism will keep the person aloof about his shortcomings, hampering progress in the long run. A timely reprimand could save you from a big loss, as small chides help you to be fully aware of where you stand, and you tend to work on your shortcomings to come back to where you belong.

Accepting criticism is the hallmark of a successful freelancing professional. A successful freelancer understands the value of being condemned, and he knows that the only thing left to do is to fight back and prove others wrong.

Distinguishing criticism

At times, there is a thin line between abusing someone and criticizing him.

This seems to take place a lot in the freelancing business. A client gets irritated by the submitted outcome. He is not particularly impressed by what he sees, so he starts firing abuse. Criticism, when directed from the heart rather than the mind, usually comes in the form of abuse.

It is important for a freelancer to ignore such criticisms as it will only bring hurt and resentment. Instead, focus on criticism that pinpoints your shortcomings and gives you reasons or a direction in which you can follow for improvement.

Take it in and make improvement

The magazine that declined my article spotted and pointed out my mistakes effectively. I took a second look at my work and found that I agreed with them: my article lacked the quality standard that the magazine was looking for, and secondly, I had not explained my topic well.

The magazine gave me a disapproving response, which did not have a touch of abuse, was well directed, and had value for a freelancer. It motivated me to find my mistakes and improve on my work.

Freelancers should have the habit of reflecting on their weaknesses when pointed out. Having the humility to know that even they can also be wrong, and can be criticized by their clients allows them to never take criticism as a personal hit, but more as a step towards building a professional career.

Thinking positively

I remember an episode when one of my articles was rejected by a print magazine, with good reasons. What impressed me most was the manner in which they refused me – polite yet with a tinge of criticism wrapped up in gently worded sentences.

The magazine declined to publish my article saying, "The article is well written, but unfortunately lacks the standard, which our magazine adheres to. The article could have been written in a much better way. We would love to publish articles that dig deep and covers the topic elaborately".

This piece of criticism could have hurt me, but the magazine chose to be more polished. And that spurred me to find out my own shortcomings in my work.

Grapple with the fear of repeated criticisms

Despite our best efforts, we should realize that the criticisms will never stop coming. We may believe that we have rectified our mistakes, but somehow, clients can still find fault in our work. If we let this continue, then an imprint of failure will cement its footing in our minds.

Carrying that attitude, or more precisely, that fear is certainly harmful. We would develop a negative attitude or even start doubting ourselves. The negativity of any kind for a freelancer is deadly for one’s career.

Therefore, we should avoid being negative and stop bothering about mistakes being pointed out in the next completed assignment. Instead, take measures that will prevent the same mistakes from recurring.

The best way to know what your mistakes are is to ask your client. if your project is rejected, ask your client politely what the problem was. I remembered when I had a piece of work rejected continuously by a string of clients.

I had no idea what was wrong with my writing until one day; I decided to ask one of my clients, who told me, "You had incorrectly constructed sentences in many places and had used singular and plural forms together in many of your sentences, which is wrong."

And to this day, I never regretted facing up to my fear of being criticized and just asking point-blank where I’ve gone wrong.

Conclusion

Criticism may haunt you, but as freelancers, you can only become successful by consistently negotiating the criticisms you receive in your career and making them help you improve.

Insecurities are a dime a dozen for a freelancer’s career; here are suggestions on how to deal with them. While you’re at it, you may want to find out if what you are doing is actually causing you to lose a client!

Have you ever received criticism that came from the heart, not from the mind?

The post How to Deal with Criticism in The Freelancing World appeared first on Hongkiat.

Everyone has their own opinion on matters, and it’s not uncommon for freelancers or entrepreneurs to disagree with clients, making agreement somewhat hard to attain. So how do you deal with this? How do you deal with difficult clients?

Well, a client is difficult only if and when you fail to live up to his or her expectations. At times, beginning the project by expecting the client to be difficult will lead to that becoming true.

It is, therefore, important to understand the degree of expectation a client has from a project or a product, and lo and behold, you will find that even the trickiest clients are actually easy to deal with.

Here are some other pointers to make life with your clients easier to bear.

1. Show them (clients) you know what you’re doing

For any client who is passionate about a project or who takes his or her work seriously they are bound to be anxious about every little aspect with regards to the project. How will you deliver this, when is the next sample going to be out, I want this and this and this to be modified that way, can it be done?

The string of questions is endless, and even from the get-go, some freelancers won’t be able to take this constant badgering because if you want to be honest, I’m here to deliver the project, not to lecture you into understanding how I do it.

But you know what? That’s the precise remedy to the client who constantly breathes down your neck.

I had a client whom I have worked for more than a year. At the start of a new project, he began acting strange, out of the ordinary, speaking as if he was unsure of whether I could tackle the task ahead. He started asking questions and with the newfound pressure he was exerting me, I realized that he was starting to turn into a "difficult client".

Now, we can’t have that now, can we? I thought about it and realized that it was probably the difficulty of the project that made my client act in such a manner. I met up with him and briefed him about my plans on how to tackle the project, and wouldn’t you know it, he got the idea and left me be to settle the project.

2. Don’t be complacent with work

Another reason why clients can be difficult is due to them not knowing who you are or how you work. The only thing they can fall back on to put their faith in your services is to look at your past achievements or in some cases, the first impression you give them at the initial stages of the project.

But here’s where it can go horribly wrong. You can never be complacent because if you do, the client will surely notice and he or she will surely point out your mistakes, why you haven’t been improving or some other similar taunts characteristic of a difficult client.

Well, in this case, it’s not the client’s fault. It’s yours, it’s mine, it’s the person who is providing the service who is at fault. And if you really do not like difficult clients, then do not give them the reason to turn into one! Don’t take things for granted, like taking their silence as nods of approval.

They are always judging, always testing, always considering if your level of professionalism is up to the mark and before they assess your quality of work, you better put in some measures to ensure that you had not compromised your work in the first place.

3. Keep clients informed

One of our biggest source of sighs come from client complaints. And one of the sources for their complaints comes from them becoming aware of what was formerly ‘hidden’ facts.

For instance, if they had not been told about certain drawbacks, additional costs involved or requirements needed for a project to go smoothly, they’re more than likely to be upset. And an upset client will indubitably become difficult.

If it is a ‘possible’ scenario, don’t put the word ‘guarantee’ in place. Make all your pay rates clear from the start of a project and not near the end to prevent the client from feeling like you are overcharging them because they were not aware that you charge for revisions.

Entrepreneurs should be especially wary of their use of words, particularly when they write disclaimers for a product. They should make it a point to explain their products and services ahead (where necessary) to prevent misunderstanding or discontent that could arise from it. Never make your client feel like you are withholding information.

4. Offer prompt solutions

Every difficult client is most likely like that because they are pushing for a solution. Whenever operations hit a snag, the first thing clients look for is the people behind the problem, because they expect the solution to come from the same place.

So in fact, they are looking for solutions, a way out, a way to minimize the damage caused or to provide the best alternative for when the original solution could not be used.

Offer your clients prompt solutions to get the problem fixed. Arrange for the right actions to be taken, rather than wait until the chaos catches up with you. The sooner you can do this, the less likely you have to deal with a difficult client.

5. Be mega patient with them

So far, the idea is to not give your clients the chance to become difficult to deal with. But as far as preventive measures go, sometimes some people are just difficult to deal with. Period.

It’s not their fault, but it is very tiring to work with clients who just go on and on about how this is not satisfactory, how that has to be done a certain way, or how every little thing is just "not quite right" or "not there yet".

Where possible, take their criticism in stride and never try to tell them that they are wrong because it doesn’t help the situation. If it is in their habit to find mistakes in every little thing you do, take note of their preferences and try to mold your results to suit what they like.

And if all else fails, just steel yourself against their words and get it over with. Be the bigger person and at the end of the project, just pack up and run!

Conclusion

No matter how good you believe you are with your clients, there will always be some ready to cramp you with complaints, and haplessly push you towards the edge.

Always bowing down to your clients may not be a great idea, and sometimes the only way to handle them is to stand up to them to convince them of the credibility of your work and opinions. Who knows, that may actually be the key to winning a stand-off with a difficult client?

Have horror stories to share? Tell us what happened and how you dealt with them.

The post How to Deal With Problematic Clients appeared first on Hongkiat.

Every freelancer, at some point (but more often at the initial stages) of their career had to be content with low pay. It’s rare to find anyone who starts off a freelancing career with high-paying jobs. That would come much later on after they have already proven their credentials, credibility, and their worth.

Stepping stones

It is important that freelancers learn to give due significance to low-paying jobs. Such jobs have its own place in the professional ladder of success. These low pay jobs act as a platform for achieving greater success.

More importantly, it prepares you to get hold of better jobs. It also teaches you the intricacies of the freelancing trade.

Whether you are a designer or a writer, or any other kind of freelancer, low pay jobs allow you to be more relaxed and work with greater freedom. The fact is, a certain degree of freedom helps in building your expertise.

Remember, low-paying clients, are more tolerant, allowing you to learn while you work. High-paying clients are not so forgiving because you are expected to deliver high-quality results for the price they are paying you.

The perks of lower expectations

I vividly remember when I started out in my freelancing career. I faced difficulties in landing regular jobs, except for one client who would give me regular jobs.

I may or may not receive jobs from other clients, but I will always have my hands full with jobs from this client. She had plenty, and she paid me low sums, but she kept me occupied, and more importantly, she pointed out my mistakes to me.

I was given to opportunity to rectify them and perfect my craft. And the results were clear. I improved and better offers came pouring in. And that’s when I realized that my low-paying client had been teaching me the intricacies of the trade, even without me asking for it.

Abandoning clients?

High-paying jobs are usually reserved for experts, those who have proven their skills, and have learnt their trade. Those who are now ready to unleash their skills and expertise in highly professional (and sometimes cut-throat) environments.

Evidently, it is never easy to get high paying jobs regularly unless you have been around for a number of years and have established your freelancing reputation and career.

However, once they got a couple of high-paying clients, many freelancers (whom I know personally) start taking things easy. They abandon their old low-paying clients, as they think that they now have the experience and credentials for better clients.

The results became distinct with time. As these freelancers bask in their newfound glory, they will complete their assignments only from high-paying clients and then sit idling for long periods of time, waiting for their next high paying project to drop onto their lap.

Losing their touch

Since they begin working less and waiting more, they now have fewer opportunities to practice their skills. Some lose their edge and winning traits, and worst of all, the lack of jobs has made them lazy. That is something freelancers should be wary of.

Freelancing is not just about getting projects and earning money, but also about understanding the beauty of freelancing and the discipline you need to have to be in the business. It is also a profession that is networked and based on mutual respect.

Why stick to low-paying clients?

If the question here is "should freelancers completely get rid of low-paying clients after they get high paying clients" then the answer is definitely no. The fact that not all freelancers are able to get highly paid jobs regularly, is enough reason for them to stick to low-paying clients as well.

Also, the fact remains that there is always a dearth of high-paying jobs. These jobs quickly fall on someone else’s lap as soon as it arrives. Therefore, to strike out low-paying clients from your contact list is an act that is not recommended.

Even if you have started getting high-paying clients, keep working for at least a few low-paying clients. You never know when you could hit a dry spell. Freelancing insecurities may catch up on you and they are very real sources of worry.

Strike a balance

Nonetheless, there is a need for you to strike a balance when selecting which project to take up and which to reject. There is a thin line that separates highly successful freelancers from mediocre ones.

The highly successful ones strategize their career and always make full use of their precious time and every opportunity. They understand that opportunities might dry up soon, and therefore, they build a database of clients and work to satisfy all of them. They know how to deal with crunch times and almost always have their hands full.

Freelancers who have attained average success may fall into the trap of being overconfident. True, they will look to seize high-paying opportunities, but when they get one, they actually believe more of these opportunities are around every other corner, ready to come knocking on the door.

Even if they don’t believe it, they act like it when they start neglecting their previous low-paying clients. These freelancers face may face an acute shortage of work and will probably learn the hard way that it takes time and effort to build a good clientele.

Improving your standings

The success formulas change very fast in a freelancing world. Those who have just entered the practice and only have one or two high-paying clients, should also keep good number of low-paying clients so that they don’t fall short on work.

In the meantime, they should keep improving their reputation and keep working on getting more high-paying clients, which is never easy even for well-established veterans. If you are a very skillful freelancer, with time, you will be able to get better clients.

By the way, never ever spoil your relationship with any of your clients – you never know when times can change, and you might again have to start reaching out to your old clients.

Wrapping up

The story may differ from one freelancer to the next, but for me, low-paying clients were responsible for my progress. And I still feel grateful to them.

Once you have established yourself in the trade, it may not be possible to work for any or all of them in the long term, but it is important for you to acknowledge their contribution nonetheless.

The post Should You Abandon Low-Paying Clients (And Jobs)? appeared first on Hongkiat.

I think freelancers like you and me surely will go through a phase like this, one that is not constructive or productive, a thorn in a freelancer’s career that reminds us that sometimes our human side takes over and we fail to even kickstart our writing or design.

To dig myself out of that hole, here are a few things I did, over a period of time, to replenish my idea vault – the 20 things I do when my freelancing ideas all dry up.

1. Just sit back and relax

Don’t do anything except sit back and relax. That was the first thing I did. It’s not like there is any loss anyways. It made me relaxed and helped me to clear out the half-thoughts that didn’t make the cut yet danced around in my head not wanting to clear out.

By forcing my mind to go blank from sitting back and relaxing, it laid the platform to develop new ideas.

2. Catch a new client

Dealing with your regular clients make you fall back on the regular way things are done. Talking to new clients open up possibilities and give you fresh ideas or new approaches to the same old problems. You will be coerced to find something different.

It helps to create a foray, an entirely new thought process to work upon, and, it also makes you more creative.

3. Start commenting on blogs

Idea exchanges can happen in blogs particularly the kind that gets a lot of commentators. And it does wonders for you. You will not realize its importance until you start doing it. Your brain cells become more active, and you react instinctively, which eventually leads to better ideas.

4. Go through forums

Similar to #3, forums give you more topics to talk about of course online communities can be a great source of fresh ideas. The back and forth you get from these places allow you to pick up on new trends and happenings, leading to the discovery of an interesting and new take on things.

5. Follow current news

Not one for socializing online? Then, just catch the news. It doesn’t matter what means you prefer to get the current news happening in your area. Offline and even online news magazines should be your partner in drier times. Done with local news? Go international.

6. Try giving a monologue

Talking to yourself alone is a recipe for bright ideas. I had done it several times, especially, when I am in the middle of a work crisis. Monologues motivate you because you not only think about the ideas, as you listen to them being said out loud, it gets processed via another channel.

Just don’t do it too often, otherwise, others might think that you have gone crazy.

7. Argue with someone opinionated

Social interactions can go a long way in triggering emotions or a new way of looking at things, particularly coming from someone else who has no filter to their own thoughts. It’s a good thing that everyone has different views over the same matter. You can adopt those views in your writing or your sketches.

8. Watch a reality show

Reality shows are not just fun, but you learn a lot. These shows have the potential to steal your attention, and you don’t forget them for long, even after the show ends. It allows you to gain insight into how a person from another background or from another place thinks.

You may even come across new revelations that can be useful for you to frame your ideas around.

9. Try to fix something broken

Detach yourself from your desk and go fix something broken. If everything is fine and dandy at home, try to clean the dishes or mow the lawn. These hands-on activities awaken other areas in your mind, allowing you to reflect further on your problem and figure out great solutions to it.

10. Make something from scratch

Like writing? Don’t write what the client wants, write what you want to write: release your poetic side, write a story for your children, write an opinion post about a current issue and post it on your blog. Like sketching? Make a trip to your special place and sketch whatever it is that you see.

Make your hands dirty with arts and crafts, or a new dish or a DIY accessory. Indulge in making yourself happy and the ideas will come afterward.

11. Make new friends

Met somebody new in the business? Have a drink or a meal with them. New interactions make your brain healthy and push you to try to impress them. And this works in the opposite direction too. It not only makes you excited, but you are also ready to learn more too.

12. Do you play any sport?

Being outdoors, playing a group sport with friends can get the blood pumping and help you feel a sense of belonging. Nothing motivates the brain better than a good run or even better, winning a game!

13. Sit at a curb for a tea break

Find a nice cafe or restaurant that is by the side of the road and watch the cars and pedestrians go by as you sip a cup of coffee (or tea). Believe me; it makes you feel better, especially if you happen to find a street that isn’t too busy or crowded.

14. Visit new places

Better yet, leave your state or your country and take a trip to an island nearby, or take a trip back to your hometown. Meet new people or reconnect with old friends and you may be able to seek out inspiration from places you never thought would help you get new ideas.

15. Buy something for yourself

Shopping can bring enthusiasm and vitality back to your life. The feeling of owning new clothes or new gadgets has a profound effect on how you think. However, it’s essential to buy what you want to, so that the feeling of being rewarded is there and can further motivate you.

16. Take a ride

Leave your car, and catch a bus, or better yet take a round trip on a train. Watch other travelers while you travel. Observe them, watch the scenery, pretend you’re on a soul searching journey (which is partially true) and take a notepad with you to jot down whatever ideas that pop up in your head.

17. Revisit nature

Parks are not just the places to have an evening stroll. It also keeps you engaged with natural beauty. Go fish, jog around in the park or take somebody to go camping with you. Removing yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city life can give your senses a rest from being bombarded with white noise all the time.

18. Visit a charity organization

That was perhaps, the best thing I did. Apart from having a new appreciation for your own life, you also take a look in the lives of others and sometimes be inspired by their resilience and toughness in facing life’s challenges.

19. Do yoga

If you have not done yoga yet, you should start doing now. Yoga heals the mind, keeps you young, and helps you destress easily. An alternative is a meditation. Do find a nice spot that will allow you to do yoga or meditate in your privacy.

20. Write a post!

Yes, write a post like this about your predicament and helpful readers will be sending in their two cents on how you can find new ideas.

Wrap Up

Here’s one last thing: if after doing all the above, you still did not get any ideas, leave freelancing, and find a day job.

The post 20 Things to Replenish Your Idea Vault (When You Run Out Of Ideas) appeared first on Hongkiat.

Although I have never personally interviewed them, it is easy to imagine their plight. A writer’s got to eat, right? Don’t fall into the same trap. It’s time to look into why it is important to have a solid form of reputation management and how the ability to handle damage control can help you survive in a dog eat dog world out there.

Recommended Reading: 7 Insane Habits That Destroy Your Freelance Writing Career

Your Work Has Gone Live

When I started out, I would normally assume that only the client, who I work with, is taking interest in my work. The truth, however, was that clients of my client, his Twitter and Facebook followers, and his other social networking contacts are also looking at the work I produce for him.

One day I received mail from my client, lambasting me for my shoddy presentation of a task because one of his Twitter followers commented negatively about my work. That was when I realized that I need to be careful. Someone else, aside from my client is also looking at my work.

Though, I eventually lost that client, I learned a valuable lesson. When I lose a client, I lose all potential clients that I could get from his network. And there goes my reputation down the drain.

Read Also: Get More Clients: How To Harness The Power Of Testimonials

Tough Crowd

In my view, online freelancing is the most transparent profession in the world. Everything is laid out for everyone to see. You incur wrath for the slightest mistake. Your work can be discussed and mocked, and there is nothing you can do but sit and watch.

The comments section, in particular, can nail you. And if you have been fooling around all this while, then you can be in for some serious trouble. Criticism can finish you off.

My advice for any freelancer is to not fool around on the Web. There is always someone watching, and everyone is ready to comment. Negative testimonials can ruin your career. This is what the Internet can do. Your reputation hangs by the thread. It is, therefore, essential to use common sense while dealing with clients.

Read Also: 5 Ways To Tame Difficult And Problematic Clients

Freelancers Thrive on Networks

You cannot continue being a freelancer if you think that you only have to answer to yourself or to your immediate clients. It is an industry for the freelancers by freelancers. Look at some of your clients. Chances are they might be freelancers themselves. Freelancers are usually judged by their peers, and that is the beauty of this profession.

Read Also: How To Deal With Criticism In The Freelancing World

The sooner you understand that you should take every step only after careful deliberation, the better. To do this, you might begin to put more effort into fulfilling certain freelancing norms, which comes along with each project.

What to Do and Not to Do

On top of meeting deadlines, open communication with your client is essential. At times, I see it my personal responsibility to inform my client of small changes that I thought I should make in an ongoing project. While the update would not make a difference to the client, I still chose to do so because I think my client should get the latest updates.

It has to be said however that a freelancer should not dramatize things to establish a reputation. You should do things out of the desire for being the best, and allow your golden reputation to be the outcome. Your goal should be your performance, not your reputation. When you perform well enough, your reputation will follow and possibly precede you.

When you give prime importance to building a reputation for your work, you lose your focus, and can’t look at the broader picture. You might end up not fulfilling primary responsibilities, which ultimately puts a dent on your reputation.

Read Also: Freelancers: 10 Things Clients Don’t Like Hearing

Overcome Negative Feedback

Even after trying your best, you can still get into trouble, as negative feedback could haunt you. Those who work on freelancing sites like elance should be careful with what they do. Any conflict with a client may land you in hot water. Strike a balance and avoid any discord. You must have the inclination to fix things rather than provoke it further with inflammatory remarks.

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The best way to deal with this is like how hotels handle it on sites like Trip Advisor. Any negative review is firmly addressed by a representative of the hotel, which will post a clarification on why the incident happened. It actually helps potential clients to understand the ground truth.

No one can satisfy each and every customer; there is bound to be someone along the way who gets frustrated over the slightest of things. An honest clarification is perhaps, the best way to deal with it.

Calm, Collected, Consistent

Every successful freelancer is an excellent public relation manager. And one of their most important traits is to be temperamentally sound. Reacting aggressively to comments and criticism with an egocentric approach will not help either. The ability to accept feedback and grow from it will be essential to your growth.

Your consistency in rendering service of a certain quality is also important, in that it will give off the impression that you are level-headed. And for clients, level-headed freelancers are the best because they are street smart, and don’t over-react over the slightest of things.

If you leave a good impression with all of your clients, that’s where your reputation will stem from, and who knows, it may open a lot of new opportunities for you in places you’ve never imagined.

The post How Reputation Management Can Affect Your Freelance Career appeared first on Hongkiat.

After knowing how to manage your reputation as a freelancer, how to use testimonials to win more new clients, how to get rid of the bad habits that destroy a freelancing career, and how to handle different client types like a charm, you probably think everything is set and ready.

And yet it seems that you can’t get your clients to love you enough to keep you on their speed dial. If you are facing this problem, this post may be of some help. We’re going to look at 7 traits you must have to keep clients coming back because in many cases, at the end of the day, good chemistry is the most important part of most client-freelancer relationships.

Recommended Reading: Guide To Freelancing Series

1. Committed To Professionalism

Commitment is required in any job but freelancers who are clearly committed are the client’s favorite. Is commitment just about deadlines though? No, there’s more to it. It’s about giving your best in every little task, getting to the problem in-depth to find the best solution for the problem at hand.

Clients love freelancers who go the extra mile, are proactive and professionals. With these kinds of freelancers, you never have to instruct them to give their 100%. They think you deserve no less, and are seriously devoted to get the job done.

Read Also: How To Quit Acting Like An Amateur Designer

2. Accepts Clients As His Boss

Sure, when freelancing, you consider yourself the boss, but in truth, the client is the freelancer’s boss. The freelancer produces work based on the creative brief as provided by the client, and takes payment as provided by the client.

Even if, you don’t see him face to face every day, the client is still the boss. As a freelancer, you must carry that attitude with you, and always be eager to produce work that will make "the boss" happy. At the very least, you have to be respectful of their wishes, opinions and thoughts. And like how you treat any other boss, you will need to learn to tolerate some of the idiosyncracies of clients.

Read Also: How To Handle These 9 Client Types Like A Pro

3. Assumes The Client Is Always Right

This is far from a phrase you use in mockery. It’s an attitude, a behavioral pattern that culminates in the way you treat your clients, and your work. I have come across freelancers who think they are more knowledgeable than me, who knows better, and are therefore "more" correct. They think my way is neither good enough nor the right way; their way is better.

Safe to say, those relationships did not last long (did you think it would?). I have my reasons for requiring things done a certain way, and I acquired their services because I needed their skills, not so much, their views. A freelancer must understand where their clients are coming from and assist them in achieving their visions, where possible.

Read Also: How Creative Bounds Can Bring Out Your Creative Best

4. Has The Ability To Surprise

And yet, you have to leave the door open, just a little, for surprises. Clients love those who can surprise them with something new, fresh and unexpected in the project. It can be just about anything that the client has never thought about: a new or a novel way of doing a task, or something surprisingly peachy about the project.

Just make sure the surprises have a positive bearing. Never surprise him with your crazy antics or something that is the total opposite of what they wanted; otherwise, you might be off his list.

Read Also: How To Keep Your Design Skills Fresh

5. Handles Mistakes Well

We all make mistakes, as the adage goes, but note that if you make mistakes you should be the one responsible for fixing said mistake. Be smart about it, find a win-win solution that can serve both you and your client. And do it fast, not after it has escalated to a point of no return.

No one likes to be pointed out where they have done something wrong, but we are only human, and we make mistakes even when we try not to. When criticized for a job not-so-well done, accept it, deal with it and let go. Having a huge ego gets you nowhere, especially in a profession where you have to depend on someone else liking your work.

Read Also: How To Deal With Criticism In The Freelancing World

6. A No-Nonsense Attitude

Successful freelancers don’t take nonsense or produce nonsense. There is a need to place an invisible gate between freelancer and client. Just because the both of you play the guitar and stay in the same city, don’t think that you are now both best of friends and projects will drop on your lap.

If you expect that, then also start expecting when your clients will turn around and ask for discounts for your services because you guys are best buddies. Doesn’t sound too appealing now, does it? Keep your distance, and you might be able to keep your bills paid.

Read Also: 10 Tips To A More Professional LinkedIn Profile

7. Pick Up Things Fast

A client is expected to be a busy person, that’s the reason he hired you in the first place. He doesn’t have enough time to devote to his projects. So it’s no surprise that clients love freelancers who know what they are doing and who can pick up things fast. If it takes too long a time for you to understand their instructions or their methods, the client may prefer another freelancer who can "get it" faster.

That said, every project offers something new to learn, hence the eagerness to learn has to be there. Otherwise, we would stop learning and won’t ever improve. Some clients love those who have this "I want to learn anything" attitude. It’s way better than a "this is beneath me, let someone else do it" attitude.

Read Also: How To Get Busy People To Answer You

Have more traits you’ve seen in successful freelancers? Share them with us in the comments area.

The post 7 Traits That Make Clients Love You appeared first on Hongkiat.