Some writers hesitate to reach out to prospects and clients and offer to help with writing projects — especially in today’s environment.
These writers fear they will come across as greedy, insensitive, or out of touch.
If you boil it down, this fear reveals a lot about how you perceive the value of your services.
Because if you truly saw the value in your services, you wouldn’t hesitate to offer them, even in the time of Covid-19.
Why? Because in offering those services, you are raising your hand and saying, “I’m here to help you if you need me.”
But if you can’t sell yourself on the idea that you make the lives and businesses of your clients better, you won’t be able to sell them on the idea either.
In this podcast episode, I walk you through an exercise that can help you recognize your value so you can approach prospects and clients with greater confidence.
The notes that follow are a very basic, unedited summary of the show. There’s a lot more detail in the audio version. You can listen to the show using the audio player below. Or you can subscribe in iTunes to get this show delivered straight to the Podcasts app on your smart phone, tablet or iPod.
I’ve spent the majority of my life in sales.
As a kid, I ran a candy store out of my garage. I sold snow cones and popcorn to neighborhood kids. I sold greeting cards and other items as part of my school’s fundraising campaigns.
Before I graduated college, I sold computers in a retail store.
And before that, I sold water and air filters.
As a sales professional, I sold fire hydrants, sewer pipes, professional IT services and software.
Through all that time, here’s what I learned: you HAVE to believe in what you’re selling if you’re going to do well.
Take an Inventory
The same rule applies to writers and marketers. You have to believe in what you’re selling too.
And I can almost guarantee that you offer more value to clients than you give yourself credit for.
You offer more value to clients than you give yourself credit for.
You just don’t realize it because you’re so close to it.
And so, you discount your work as “nothing.”
How do you break out of that belief cycle.
Here is one simple way: Take some time and do a quick inventory of all the clients you’ve worked with over the years. Think about what you did for them and how you helped.
Think back to all the accolades you have received. All the praise. The testimonials. The clients that have brought you into new projects again and again.
And while you’re at it, take a couple of minutes to think about how far you’ve come in your business. See how high you’ve climbed.
Enjoy that moment. Let it sink in. Rejoice in the fact that at one point, you never thought you’d be where you are today.
Believe in what you are doing. Recognize the value you deliver.
Sell yourself first.
Only then, can you confidently approach prospects and clients and stand a chance of earning their business.
By the way… whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways I can help you grow your freelance business:
1. Grab a copy of my book for ESTABLISHED writers.
You’ll discover a different way to think about your challenges during this crisis. Plus you’ll get clear recommendations to get you through the storm safely … and to come out the other side stronger than ever. — Click Here
2. Download a free copy of my book for writers who are NEW TO FREELANCING.
I’ll show you the 3 things you need to do to get your business off the ground safely and land your first paying client faster. — Click Here
3. Join my implementation program and be a case study.
I’m putting together a new implementation group this month. If you’d like to work with me to grow your income quickly with better clients (and become one of my new success stories) … just hit reply and put “Case Study” in the subject line.
4. Work with me privately.
If you’re a 6-figure writer who’s trying to earn more in less time, with less stress, I might be able to help you get there faster than you think. Just hit reply, put “Breakthrough” in the subject line, and I’ll back to you with more details.
