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Management

How to fire a client

How To Fire A Client: 8 Steps To Freedom

Do you have a client who’s perpetually pushy, mean, or just plain difficult to work with? Or perhaps one that pays you very little for the amount of time you are investing? It might be time to tell them goodbye. Here’s how to fire a client who’s making life hard, to make room for one you love working with.

Firing a client isn’t fun, but it can be the best thing to happen to both of you. Quite often, the discontent is on both sides of the equation. Part of the reason your client may be difficult is that they don’t feel a connection with you. And that’s okay. When this happens, firing a client can take a load off your mind and free up your schedule to work with other clients. Yes, it’s awkward to tell a client you don’t want to work with them in the future – but it probably won’t be as bad as you think.

How To Fire A Client

1) Make every effort to salvage the working relationship.

Just because a client grates on your nerves or asks a lot from you doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to fire them. Sometimes it’s easier to take a deep breath, minimize your contact with the client as much as possible, and wait until their contract runs out to stop working with them. Firing a client in the middle of a contract should be an absolute last resort.

2) Raise your rates.

If a client is taking far more of your time than they are paying you for, you will understandably feel less generous toward them. Consider raising your rates to get compensated fairly. If they refuse the rate increase, then you have a tangible reason to cut them loose. If they approve it, you feel a heck of a lot better working with them.

3) Set new boundaries.

If they are compensating you fairly but stepping all over your regular work boundaries (texting, calling, and emailing at all hours, for example), you need to set new boundaries. Have a talk with them about how they communicate with you and perhaps how you need ample notice on new projects (No last-minute projects on Friday afternoon!), or not to expect responses over a weekend. The ball is in your court here. What would it take to make working with this client better? Make a list and present it to them. If it goes well, you retain your client. If they don’t understand, then you know it’s time to move on.

4) Check the fine print.

Make sure you’re legally allowed to fire the client. Review the contract that you both signed when you started working together. Make sure there’s nothing that prevents you from dropping the client before the contract is up. If there is, you’ll have to grit your teeth and wait things out or hope that they fire you first.

5) Fulfill your obligations.

Maintain your high standards. Finish all the client’s work that you’ve currently got in progress. Get to a natural stopping point, like the end of a project, before you break the news that you won’t be working with them anymore.

6) Choose the right moment.

If it’s a retainer client, the year-end might be a good time to break it off. This often comes with the announcement from you that you are raising your rates. Never break things off with a client when you’re angry at them or fed up. Wait until you’re feeling calm and level-headed to have the conversation. It’s never okay to be disrespectful to a client. Make it your mission never to burn a bridge. You never know when you may need to cross it again.

7) Break the news.

Call your client and let them know that you will be unable to continue working with them. Keep your message short and concise – the less you say, the less they’ll be able to argue with. Instead of blaming the client for the break-up, try to find a neutral-sounding reason for why you won’t be working with them anymore. If you need some ideas for what to say, try something like:

• “I’m glad to have had the opportunity to work with you, but I don’t think our businesses are a good fit for each other anymore.”
• “You have a strong vision for your business. Unfortunately, I no longer feel that the work I do is meeting your needs.”
• “My freelance business has changed considerably over the last few months. I’m sorry to say that as of [date], I will no longer be able to work with you.”

In general, it’s more professional and polite to have this conversation over the phone. However, if you usually communicate with your client by email, it’s okay to break the news to them that way.

8) Refer your client to someone else.

It’s unprofessional to leave a client hanging, so while you don’t have to refer them to someone else, it’s generally considered the right thing to do. Send your ex-client the contact information for a few other freelancers who might be willing to take them on. This makes you look good, and it reduces the odds that your client will be angry about getting dumped.

Key Takeaway On How To Fire A Client

The way you go about firing a client has a significant impact on your reputation, so do it carefully. Don’t rush the decision. Finish all the work you owe the client if you can, and try to end things positively. There are exceptions to every situation, but it is possible to fire a client and remain in good professional standing with them. Just remember to NEVER make it about what you need, but rather how this change will benefit them in the long-run — even if it will help you as well.

What do when your business gets a negative review

So…Your Business Got A Negative Review

Online customer reviews are essential for small business success. They are the modern, digital equivalent of word-of-mouth advertising. Consumers trust them. According to Constant Contact, 90% of consumers say online reviews influence their buying decisions. With so much at stake, it can be scary when your business is on the receiving end of a negative review.

You may try to control everything about your customer’s experience with your business, but you can’t control what they say about your business online.

Sooner or later, a negative review is bound to happen. When you get one, don’t panic. Instead, use the experience to make your business better.

Don’t Delete Negative Reviews

No matter how well you run your business, it’s completely normal to have unhappy customers now and then. Showing negative reviews lets potential customers know you have nothing to hide. And, it can add more credibility to your positive reviews.

Address Negative Reviews 

Address the customer’s issue quickly and publicly. Do so in the same place where the review was posted. This shows the customer and any potential customers that you care about customer service. From there, take the conversation offline. Provide a way for the unhappy customer to connect with you directly, by email or phone.  You can get more details on their situation and work out a solution for them outside of the public forum.

Be Polite & Professional

Be polite and professional, even if you feel the review was unfair. Remember, potential customers are watching. You want to leave them with a good impression of your business.

Learn From The Experience

When your business receives a negative review, it’s a good time to reflect on what you’re doing right, and where you could stand to improve. Consider the issues that made the customer unhappy. Look for ways to prevent future customers from having the same negative experience.


RELATED CONTENT: Using Customer Testimonials To Promote Your Business

Overloaded Inbox

Shake The Burden Of An Overloaded Inbox

How many emails do you have in your inbox? Don’t ask me that question. I plead the Fifth. All I will say is that yes, I currently am in possession of an overloaded inbox.

A recent survey by Adobe reveals that 24% of Americans believe that the idea of a “zero inbox” is an impossibility.

I have to admit that I am one of them. My goal is to keep my inbox under 100. Right now, it’s not going so well.

Apparently, there are three types of us when it comes to managing email: the Deleters, the Savers, and the Ignorers.

If you belong to either of the latter camps, here are a few tips to help you get out from under the burden of an overloaded inbox.

It’s An Inbox – Not A Storage Box

I worked at a global nonprofit several years ago with a full IT Department. Our head IT guy was relentless about us keeping our inboxes under a certain max limit. He showed up in the marketing department a lot. With so many large graphic files being sent and received, we got our share of scolding. I can still hear his voice in my head – “Email is not for storage!”

Starting today, stop using your inbox as a storage.

Try to read an email just once, when possible, act on it immediately and delete it. If the email is part of an ongoing project, use the features of your inbox to file it in a project-specific folder or archive it.

Do this with new emails every day this week. Then do it again next week. You’ll begin to form a habit and before you know it, it will be just the way you do business.

Purging An Overloaded Inbox

Now – what about that mountain of “saved” emails – the ones that have pushed your total number into the triple or…ahem…quadruple digits?

You’re going to get rid of them.

Whether you realize it or not, that mountain of stored emails is causing you stress. It’s the virtual equivalent of a giant pile of mail stacking up on your desk. And I know you don’t need more of that in your life.

I also recognize that getting rid of them might cause you stress. But, it’s going to be ok. You can do this. And it’s not going to be the end of the world.

About two years ago, I was trying to do something on my computer that I should have left to a professional and POOF! all of my emails disappeared – every single one of them! You know what? I survived. And the truth is, aside from a few emails I had to ask clients to re-send, I didn’t miss anything.

In a way, I was lucky. I didn’t have to make any decisions. My overloaded inbox problem was solved for me.

Set A Goal – Sort & Delete

If you have a lot of emails to delete, it may get a little cumbersome. You can make it a little easier by first, setting a goal of how many emails you want in your inbox, then using a sort and delete method to get to that goal.

When I approach a mass email purge, I sort my inbox by sender. Go for the low-hanging fruit first, picking off promotional emails, and communication on projects long expired. Focus on one sender at a time and delete as much as you can from that sender, then move on to the next sender.

Don’t try to do it all in one sitting. Do it a little at a time – one sender a day, five minutes a day, a certain number of emails a day – whatever works for you, prevents you from getting bored and/or overwhelmed and keeps you moving forward toward your ultimate goal of saying goodbye to an overloaded inbox for good.


Recommended Content: Office Organization For Small Business Success

Get mentally prepared to start a business

Six Essential Steps To Get Mentally Prepared To Start A Business

We all know that there is a whole lot more involved in starting a business than just deciding that you’re going to do it.

You have to think about legal structure. There are financial considerations. And, you need to face hard realities about whether your great idea truly has potential as a viable and successful business.

But having the right mindset is also important. It can make a huge difference when you’re making the decision to take the leap. And, it can come in handy as you encounter challenges along the way.

So, before you leave your day job and take the leap into business ownership, here are a few must-do’s to help you get mentally prepared to start a business.

How To Get Mentally Prepared To Start A Business

Identify Your Why

You may know you want to be your own boss, and you may have some ideas about how you want to make it happen, but you need to dig deeper.

You need to clearly define your “why.” What’s motivating you to take the leap? And is it a strong enough reason to keep you going when you have a pile-up of slow paying clients, a hard drive crash or some other crisis?

Develop A Values-Based Business Plan

Having a business plan is crucial to setting your venture up for success, but take it a step further by asking yourself how your business plan honors your values and the passion that you have for your business concept.

It can be easy to get started or get excited about something new. But, trust me, you will hit roadblocks. Some of them will make you want to give up and go back to your day job. That is, if they’ll still have you.

You have to be able to find the motivation and strength to keep going when you encounter challenges that seem insurmountable. If your business plan is in alignment with your most passionate values, it’s much easier to stay on course and power through whatever obstacle is in your way.Getting mentally prepared to start a business

Having this foundation is an important part of being mentally prepared to start a business. If you don’t have it, you may be more inclined to quit.

Dismiss Self-Doubt 

There are many forms of self-doubt, including your own thoughts.  Self-doubt keeps you from achieving your goals by instilling a fear of failure. Learn to identify it and dismiss it before it gets the best of you.

Build A Support Group

We need people who can hold on to that dream for us when we lose sight of it.

Think of friends, mentors and family members who will be most likely to support your venture and reach out to them when you need a boost.

A support group can also help provide you with accountability and a healthy dose of reality when you need it.

Don’t Reinvent The Wheel

Research what other businesses like yours have done.  Learn from their mistakes and their successes.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for advice from people who have paved the way before you. You may be surprised at how willing other business owners are to help someone just starting out.

When I first considered freelancing, I contacted an experienced freelance writer in my city and asked if I could take her to lunch to get some advice.

I was quite nervous when I made the call, worried that she might just slam the phone down (back when you could do that) and not be willing to help someone she might perceive as competition.

It wasn’t the case at all. She was very willing to share her experiences and offer helpful tips and encouragement. Later on, she hired me to do some work for one of her clients, and today I am delighted to call her a friend.

Put Together An Action Plan And Go

Finally, once you’ve established a foundation for a positive and powerful mindset, put together an action plan and start moving forward. This is where a lot of people stall.

You may have a great concept but it will stay exactly that unless you start moving forward.

Lean on that support group for encouragement and accountability and turn that dream of yours into a reality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

better business negotiations

Seven Tips for Better Business Negotiations

If your business negotiation skills are less than stellar, you may be missing out on opportunities to gain more value and save money when you are dealing with other businesses. But, you’re in luck. The art of negotiation can be learned. Read on for seven rules that can help you sharpen your skills for better business negotiations.

Initiate The Business Negotiations

By starting the negotiation process, you will have some control over where it goes and when it comes to an end. This can be a significant advantage.

Do The Research!

Before you begin business negotiations, research what you are negotiating. Make sure you understand its true value, and any advantages and disadvantages associated with it. You should also research the person or organization that you will be better business negotiationsnegotiating with. Try to develop some intel on what it is that they may really want out of the deal. Knowledge is power.

Aim High

It is almost a given that you aren’t going to get everything you want. But you need to aim high. Ask for a lot, so when you do reach a compromise point, you’ll feel good about what you’re getting out of the deal.

Never Accept The First Offer

If you’re aiming high, you can count on it that the other side is doing the same. It’s pretty likely that the first offer will come in low. Also, they may test your resolve to try to determine if you’re a pushover. Hold out for something better.

Negotiate From A Position Of Strength

If the other side believes that you have no reason to compromise, they are much less likely to ask you to compromise.

Plan Ahead For Better Business Negotiations

You never know how the negotiation process will go. Spend some time before you open business negotiations thinking about everything that could happen. Make plans for each likely possibility, and even for some of the unlikely ones.

Be Honest

You don’t have to tell the other side everything, but don’t lie about anything. It is too easy to get caught, and when you do, you will have broken trust, which will likely wreck the whole negotiation process.

Give It A Shot

Successful business negotiations do require a lot of prep work and confidence. But if you keep your cool and follow the rules, you’ll get better and better at sealing deals in your favor.


Recommended Content: Eight Ways To Keep Your Business Competitive

office organization for small business

Office Organization for Small Business Success

Ok, let’s face it. The topic of office organization isn’t sexy. Or, maybe it is, if you’re a nerd like me who loves nothing more than perusing a glossy, printed catalog of office supplies. Yes, I said printed. I’m old school, and I’m not sorry.

I digress. Back to the topic at hand – office organization. Though a recent study by the University of Minnesota found that keeping a less-than-tidy desk can encourage creative thinking and stimulate new ideas, there are plenty of reasons that having an organized office space is good for business.

It Just Feels Better

First, it just feels better. Messy-deskers, let go of that University of Minnesota study for just a second and give me a thumbs up, because you know I’m right.

Walking into a tidy, organized work space at the beginning of your day feels like a fresh start. It gives you a sense of control even when you have deadlines crashing all around you.

And, while it offers you the feeling of control, if you are in a customer-facing environment, it also gives them a sense that you have your act together. That’s important, because impressions count and, like it or not, a tidy desk just looks more professional than a messy one. Even if you’re sure you know where everything is, a disorderly work space may make a client question how organized you are and whether  you’ll be able to take care of whatever it is that they need you to take care of.

Think Beyond The DeskOffice organization for small business success

While your desk may be the most obvious place to start an office organization endeavor, to really make a difference, your effort should go way beyond keeping your desktop clear. You need to take a close look at the way you manage your business overall. I’d recommend carving out some time after hours or on a weekend to review what’s working and what’s not. Then, start implementing solutions to bring everything in line.

Keep A Calendar

This may seem elementary to some, but trust me it’s not. You need ONE place where you keep it all. And, sorry, your brain is not the place. It needs to be doing other amazing things.

A single calendar is the way to go. Doing double entries across multiple calendars is not only inefficient and time-consuming, it also sets you up for an error or omission.

If you must keep separate work and personal calendars, use an app that allows you to merge them onto one screen view, so you can keep track of everything in one place. Microsoft Office and Mac Calendar both offer this feature.

Develop Easy, Repeatable Systems

It’s important to develop systems for every single business activity, from keeping the physical space in order, to keeping track of all of the details that keep your business running.

Are items in your office stored in a way that makes them easy to find? Do you have a clearly defined work-flow? If you have employees, do their systems fall in line with yours?

Developing easy, repeatable systems will increase your organization’s efficiency and productivity.

Think about where things get stalled in your business. Ask yourself some questions to help identify the problem areas. You want to avoid re-inventing the wheel as much as possible. Develop templates for documents that you find yourself (or your staff) creating on a regular basis. Set up processes for routine tasks.

Accounting and billing can be an arduous activity. Look for ways you can automate some of that. Most accounting and invoicing software programs offer time-saving features like allowing you to post invoice reminders and schedule routine billing.

Find the Right Tech Tools

While we are on the subject of software, there are a ton of tech tools designed to help business owners stay organized. Because there are so many, what may be the next best thing for someone in your networking group, may not be the right fit for you.

Take project management software for example. You could spend countless hours trying different ones on for size. But bouncing from one app to another kind of defeats the purpose of having an efficiency tool to begin with, doesn’t it?

Instead, think about what you really need. What problem are you trying to solve? What features do you think would be helpful? That will help you narrow down your wish list and make shopping for that new tool a little easier.

Office Organization Is Good For Business

Office organization may not be  on the top of your list of things to do, but it is good for business.  A lot of time can be saved by being organized. Imagine how you could spend that bank of saved time on other areas of your business – particularly the ones that make you money!

So, take a little time to put some systems in place, or organize the ones you already have. It will make living your life and running your business so much easier.

 

RECOMMENDED CONTENT: Six Ways To Achieve Better Work-Life Balance As A Solopreneur

Defeating Self Doubt and Dream Saboteurs

Defeating Self-Doubt About Starting Or Growing Your Business

Do you dream of starting a business? Or maybe you want to grow your existing business to epic proportions?

Too often, dreams stay just that – dreams.  There are many reasons that businesses don’t get off the ground or don’t expand. Sometimes it’s insufficient cash flow or poor client development. But I’d like to take a moment to talk about an obstacle that’s all too common among women who own or aspire to own their own businesses.

Self-Doubt

Self-Doubt. You know what I’m talking about. It’s that little voice inside your head that whispers all of the reasons that you will not or cannot possibly be successful in whatever challenge you are taking on.

It starts inside your head. But, it is often fed by friends or family members who don’t understand your goals or why you may be taking a risk or trying something new.Defeating Self Doubt About Starting or Growing Your Business

These internal thoughts and external influences don’t necessarily mean you harm. Typically, their objective is to keep you “safe.”  They are trying to protect you from failing, embarrassment or disappointment. But, while they’re doing that, they are also standing between you and your ability to move forward.

Two of the most common ways self-doubt emerges are as a perfectionist mindset and as a measuring stick mindset.

The Perfectionist Mindset

When you take on a perfectionist mindset, you will easily convince yourself  that you should not try anything new because you will never be able to do it perfectly. Even if you do have the courage to get started, those thoughts of not being perfect will be constantly nagging at you, trying to convince you that what you are doing is not good enough.

The Measuring Stick Mindset

The measuring stick mindset can also allow self-doubt to control your decision making. This is when you find yourself constantly measuring your work and yourself against others. When you are in this zone, you feel like your work will never be as good as others who are doing what you are doing.

Does any of this sound familiar? Yes? So, what can you do?

Conquering Self-Doubt

The key to defeating self-doubt is awareness. You need to be able to recognize it when it emerges and cut it off before it interferes with your progress.  Because self-doubt seems to have a direct, express route to our psyches, it may not be easy to conquer it on your own.

That’s where a personal coach or a supportive friend can help.  Find someone who can help you recognize when self-doubt or poor self-confidence are getting in your way.

The next time you are facing an important goal and you feel yourself leaning away from it, that coach or trusted friend can help you recognize that the self-doubt you are feeling is unfounded.  They can provide the support that you need to take a stand against the lies of self-doubt, help you own your individual awesomeness and give you the nudge you need to overcome whatever obstacle is in front of you.


RELATED ARTICLE: Move Beyond Perfection Paralysis

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Why You Should Love What You Do

Forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, harness your power to your passion. Honor your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart, and success will come to you – Oprah

Guess what. To do something well, you have to like it. In fact, it might even help if you LOVE it. If you are a business owner, service provider, or solo-prenuer, or maybe even just thinking about starting your own business, let me ask, do you love what you do?

It’s crucial that you enjoy, and yes – even LOVE, what you’re doing if you want your business to succeed. Doubt me? Entrepreneur.com reports that if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, in all likelihood that will be reflected in the success of your business–or subsequent lack of success. In fact, if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, chances are you won’t succeed.

I’ve been walking this road for a number of years and understand what it takes to build a business that has purpose, that is fulfilling, and yes, that pays the bills. We all want that don’t we? The opportunity to create a livelihood doing something that we love? The opportunity to work for ourselves?

If you are running (or preparing to run) a small business, there’s one thing you need to know straight out of the gate – you HAVE to be completely dedicated to your business, day and night, regardless of the circumstances. You have to be thinking about it, working at it, looking for opportunities, and be responsible for it, nonstop.

That’s why it’s important to make sure that you love what you’re doing, and to feel motivated to push through to the next level. Building – and sustaining – a small business takes a lot of work, and while it can provide a comfortable income, the responsibility of that business, the planning, the hoping, and the dreaming will be on your mind, if not all, then definitely most of the time. So, if your business is ultimately something that you are going to be focused on full time, shouldn’t it be exciting?

There is one question that you can ask yourself that will determine if your business is a good fit – would you do it for free?

Now let me say right now that there is no way any of you should work for free – EVER. The question really boils down to, do you love it so much that you often think, “I can’t believe I’m getting paid for this?” Are you so passionate about what it represents that you have honed your skills, for little or nothing? Have you practiced with purpose?

I love what I do. Period. And each and every client that I help reach their marketing objectives provides one of those, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this” moments. And each and every client I help learn how to market their own business provides the same rush when they “get it” and are on their way.

Mother Teresa said that, “Work without love is slavery.” You want your business to succeed, right? So, this week, before you do one more thing related to your business, take some time to determine if you really, truly, love what you do, and grow from there.

 

payroll outsourcing

Payroll Outsourcing: Does It Make Sense For Your Business?

Hiring employees can help your business grow, but it also makes your job more complicated. Take payroll for example. It’s a headache that recurs before every payday. Payroll outsourcing may relieve some of that pain.

Processing payroll internally takes time and resources. Also, it’s easy to make mistakes. Statistics from the Internal Revenue Service show that approximately 40% of small businesses incur penalties for failure to comply with payroll requirements. Total fines paid by businesses are in the billions of dollars. That’s money that could be better spent.

Payroll outsourcing can keep you on the right side of compliance. And, it’s really not that expensive when you consider the time and worry it can save you.

How Payroll Outsourcing Works

In general, payroll companies take care of payroll administration for their clients. If you’ve been doing it yourself, you know it is a much bigger job than just issuing checks.Outsourcing payroll

A payroll company handles all of the details to get employees paid. This typically includes check processing, direct deposit, W-2 and 1099 processing. They may also help manage employee benefits and other HR functions. But, where a business may find the most value in outsourcing payroll is in tax administration services.

Tax administration is an important part of the payroll process that many small business owners find difficult to manage on their own.

There are monthly, quarterly and annual deadlines for payment and reporting. Keeping track of those while you are trying to run a business can be overwhelming.  Also, regulations change on a frequent basis. It all makes a great case for payroll outsourcing.

Payroll Outsourcing Pricing

Pricing varies depending on the size of your business and the services that you need. It’s common for services to charge a flat monthly fee plus a per employee fee. Entrepreneur.com reports that basic payroll service pricing ranges from $.80 to $2.00 per check plus a base fee. Many companies will provide a free quote customized to your business’ needs.

So, is payroll outsourcing a good solution for your business?

If you need to focus on other areas of your business, payroll outsourcing seems like an inexpensive option.

Very few people go into business for the fun of payroll administration. By outsourcing payroll to a trusted provider, you can get back the precious resource of time. That allows you to put your energy into the areas of your business that need your attention. It also grants you peace of mind that your payroll administration is being done right.


Related: Knowing When To Outsource

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Tips for Working From Home

Five Ways to Make Working from Home Work

Where do you office? If you’re like a number of Americans (myself included), you are working from home. Home is where the heart is and when it comes to building a business, it can also be a low-cost place to launch. Whether it’s a corner of the kitchen table or a spare bedroom, there’s really no better place to get your ideas on paper, and name out to prospective clients or customers.

According to The State of the Remote Job Marketplace report, there are now 3.9 million Americans or 2.9% of the total US workforce who are working from home at least half the time.This number represents a 115 percent increase from 2005 when this group included only 1.8 million. The report not only looked at the growing pool of freelancers and budding entrepreneurs, but also remote workers for a number of small businesses and large corporations. In fact, researchers suggest that the entire labor force ecosystem is being influenced by remote/freelance workers.

Making Working From Home Work For You

Discipline – The first thing you need to keep in mind when deciding to work at home is that it takes discipline. Trust me. When people find out that I work at home the first thing they ask me is how I get anything done. My answer is always the same, I like living IN a house, so I work every day so I can pay for said house. It’s just like punching the clock for anyone else – you have to have starting times AND ending times, and you have focus in between.

Boundaries – While you may feel disciplined to do the work in front of you, if you make the jump to full-time working from home, your friends and family will treat you like you’re on a permanent vacation. They will call, or even stop by, and have questions, requests, or invitations for a fun filled day. The boundaries have to be set, and you have to define working hours and the expectations you not only have for yourself, but for those around you.

Schedule Wisely – Sure, you can still meet a friend for lunch on occasion, but anything beyond that should be handled just like it would if you were still punching a clock. It’s also a good idea to schedule any non-work-related appointments (i.e. doctor, dentist or vet appointments) for the early morning or late afternoon, to prevent lost time and productivity. Every client or customer appointment should be stacked. Personally, I pick a day each week and do my very best to schedule any and all work and non-work-related appointments on that day.

Support – When you’re working from home it’s important to build a community, just like you used to have at the office, there are thousands of other women, just like you, who are building their dreams from the spare bedroom. Find them, connect with them, and shoot them a text, or a phone call. Whether it’s a quick chat or a monthly meetup for a glass of wine, having a community of like-minded women will help you stay focused and on track.

Take Care of Yourself – Believe it or not, it’s a good idea to get dressed and show up at your home office desk. Getting dressed reminds everyone, especially you, that you are actually working. It’s also important to get up and get moving. Set a timer and step away from your desk and walk around. When you’re working at home, you no longer have a parking lot to navigate, an office to move through, or copiers down the hall. The walk between your coffee pot and your desk is not enough.

While working at home can be a struggle at first, once you get into your rhythm there’s nothing like it. You have freedom, flexibility, autonomy, and you don’t have to ask for anyone’s permission to take a break and walk your dog.


Related: Battling The Home-Based Business Blues

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freelancing tips

Positivity Can Increase Productivity

We've all heard about the power of positive thinking, but this one was new to us. Did you know that positivity can increase productivity? You can use optimism to battle … [Read More...]

freelancing tips

Try This “Old School” Tip To Stay Connected To Your Network

Online professional networking platforms like LinkedIn are great, we highly recommend them. But there's something to be said for going "old school" once in a while. Reach … [Read More...]

freelancing tips

Take Advantage Of This LinkedIn Feature To Add Curb Appeal To Your Profile

An often overlooked feature on LinkedIn is the cover image on your profile. That's the horizontal image behind your round profile photo. It's valuable marketing real estate … [Read More...]

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