Client testimonials are marketing gold. They can deliver a convincing message that is relatable and persuasive to potential clients.

But great testimonials don’t just happen. Don’t be afraid to ask a satisfied client to sing your praises.

Ask select clients to give a recommendation on LinkedIn, then get their permission to repurpose those recommendations as testimonials on your website and in future client proposals.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

Well-crafted case studies can be a very effective way of communicating how the work you do solves problems for your clients.

You don’t have to get into a lot of detail. Simple is better.

Think about a project (or two or three) where you nailed it. Craft a concise summary that explains the problem your client was facing, how you approached the problem, the solution you offered, and how that solution made a difference for your client.

Ta-dah! You’ve crafted a case study that can help potential clients understand how working with you can help them solve problems and achieve their goals.

Put it on your website, add it to your LinkedIn profile, and look for other ways to share it with the kinds of clients you’d like to be working with.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

Want to grow your freelance business? It’s common marketing knowledge that it costs more to gain new customers than it does to keep existing ones. Add to that the fact that referrals tend to rank high as a source of new clients for freelancers, and you’ve got two good reasons to try to stay top of mind with clients both past and present.

Staying in touch with clients that you have worked with in the past keeps you on their radar screen, and it makes them more likely to contact you when they have another project come up.

It also makes them more likely to refer you business if they encounter someone in need of your expertise.

So stay in touch. Don’t be a pest, just check in once in awhile with a friendly email or call.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

Sometimes clients pay late. It just goes with the territory of freelancing. But if you have a client that routinely pays late, it might be time to cut the cord.

Slow paying clients take more of your time and energy. You have to take time to follow up on the unpaid invoice, and you may have to rework your budget when those expected payments don’t arrive.

If your “slow-pays” are creating a hardship for you, you need to ask yourself if they’re worth it. The time and energy you are spending chasing down your money could be better spent doing work for clients that pay you on time.

If you can’t quite bring yourself to cut the cord, at the very least, press the pause button on any new work until you’ve been paid for the past hours you have put in.

Be sure to communicate why, so your “slow-to-pay” client understands what your expectations are.

When was the last time you looked at your business website? I mean really looked at it.

Your website is essentially your online storefront. It provides 24/7 access to information about your business to potential customers and clients.

But because it is always working for you, it’s easy to get into “set it and forget it” mode.

Outdated information, broken links, and wonky images leave a poor impression. And, on top of that, those links to nowhere can hurt your search engine rankings.

Your business website may be the first representation of your business that people see, so it’s important that it be in tip-top shape. You want to leave a positive impression on prospects. One that makes them pick up the phone, fill out a contact form or stop by your business in person.

So take some this week to check website links, update information and photos and look at your website through a potential customer or client’s viewpoint.

Does it tell them what they need to know? Does it tell them what you want them to know? Make any changes and make it a habit to audit your website on a regular basis.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

Subscribe to #MoveForwardMonday.

RELATED CONTENT: Does Your Business Website Pass The Freshness Test?

Sending holiday greeting cards are great way to reach out to valued clients to tell them how much you appreciate them. Problem is – everyone else is doing it too.

Set yourself apart by sending a Thanksgiving or New Year’s card. Your greeting will arrive before or after the flood of others and will be more likely to be seen.

Go beyond just signing your name and include a heartfelt note expressing your appreciation for their business throughout the year.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

Sign up to receive FREE small business marketing tips delivered to your inbox every Monday.