cherry pick your clients!

In a day job, there may be times when you don’t always get along with every single supervisor, coworker or client that comes into the office.

One of the benefits of being a freelancer is that you get to pick & choose your clients. (Sure, sometimes money is tight and you don’t have the luxury to be incredibly picky).

You will be speaking to this person on a regular basis, so make sure you consult first with a face-to-face over coffee. Are they on the other side of the country? Enjoy a continental cup o’ joe over skype. The point is, get a feel for the client personally before moving on to any sort of proposal.

No paycheck will be worth it if you are stuck dealing with somebody you can’t stand.

Do they seem passionate about their business or product?

Do they have realistic goals in mind?

Are they communicative / accessible or do you go days / weeks without contact?

Are they somebody you would be proud to have on your resume / portfolio someday? Meaning…do they inspire you?

It’s easy to work for somebody who feels passionate and confident in themselves or their product. As a freelancer, you shouldn’t be settling for anything less than these types of clients – your hours are too valuable to waste getting frustrated on sub-par prospects. The worst thing you can do is take on a client that ends up making you regret the project or worse, burn any bridges!

In the spirit of the season, I thought I’d give a quick case study run-down on some of my most inspiring clients this year and what they are up to these days:

Recent case studies of inspiring clients:

• Everybody learns public speaking in schools, but what about how to listen?
  Congrats to Chris Fama, Cayuga Community College professor for his thesis for his second master’s degree “listening” being published!

  The book, called “A Listening Curriculum for the Lower-Division College Student,” helps professors create a course solely on listening – a skill Fama believes is not taught enough in schools. The book is now selling on Amazon.com. Published by the German company Lambert Academic Publishing, the book sells for $55. Chris has an inspiring work ethic, keen research skills and unique insights that truly will help shape the future of communication.

• We are in an age of a reading renaissance, where Young Adult (YA) novels like Harry Potter, Twilight and Hunger Games spark infectious interest in books at an early age. A perhaps unexpected – but welcomed effect – of this generation is young aspiring writers. Allyson Richards started writing her first novel Enlightened when she was 15 years old. Currently 17, she is developing her supernatural fiction novels into a 4-part series that is sure to capture the hearts of readers, from early tweens to Twilight moms.Her year was full of national, regional & local TV, radio and internet features; book festivals; secured speaking opportunities for libraries, schools, clubs and book stores. Allyson Richards most recently emceed her local library’s teen reading week. She manages to juggle these engagements with the poise & professionalism of a true industry veteran. Look out for, publishing world! =)Some people go their whole lives without go after their dreams headfirst. Allyson’s accomplishments would be admirable for anyone; but for someone to achieve her dreams before high school? Her passion is contagious and she is a joy to work with.
• One of the most fabulous ladies of Orlando, Heather Unger of Heather the Realtor launched her new website and gained even more momentum establishing herself as THE realtor for first time buyers and families alike. What I loved about Heather is she is not afraid to be quirky, different and “own” it. She has an unparalleled sense of style (you can tell from her new site and the homes she sells) and such a wide array of life experiences. She was on the Bachelor, House Hunters and sold more than $50 million worth of real estate in Orlando?

What about you? Where do you find your favorite clients?

JK really knew what she was doing.

Don’t worry, I am not talking about turning my home office into Hogwarts or anything, but there are a few tricks up my freelance sleeve that I can attribute to my four-eyed friend.

Modesty is underrated. Think about it. When Harry was a small, insecure orphan and he found out his powers were indeed, magic, he did not go around lifting up his bangs, Bieber-style, pointing out his lighting scar. Everybody else talked him up, gushing about his legacy and foreshadowing his importance. Even when he first demonstrated telltale acts of bravery, he did not inflate his accomplishments. Only when he gets cocky for a chapter or two does it backfire on him. Moral: Let your actions speak for themselves. Don’t just tell a prospective client what you will do for them – do it. Give them an example of two of the types of ideas you can bring to the table.

It’s okay to acknowledge and say the name of your “evil enemy.”
Initially, everyone in the Wizarding World would gasp in horror if they heard the name “Voldemort” escape someone’s lips. Harry learned to defy this concept later on in the series, realizing that just saying the name wouldn’t bring destruction. It would, however, let your enemy know you are still a formidable opponent, and force their hand, putting the proverbial Quiddich ball in their court.

Of course, there are many cases when it’s looked down upon to mention your competitor in advertisements or articles. A start-up company needs to prove themselves first. But look at companies like Apple versus Google, or the most recent example of New Egg calling out Best Buy. Sometimes it only brings to light certain company weaknesses or perceptions that give you a chance to respond accurately and in some cases, spin the story the complete other way. In  this instance, either ignore a parody and either poke fun right back or comment intelligently. (Responding by going overboard with defensive corporate legalese is almost like Malfoy bullying Ron repeatedly just because Ron mutters a joke under his breath.)

If your mentor told you to trust somebody – and you trust your mentor – follow their footsteps and don’t over think it.
The friend of your friend is your friend. (I won’t go into too much detail here in case of spoiling the last movie for those who didn’t read all the books). But let’s just say an old mentor or professor constantly talks fondly about another professional contact, but you keep hearing rumors that the person is not the greatest person to associate with. If you trust your mentor, you should also trust their judgment and not burn any unnecessary bridges. You will need them later!

Don’t open a 50-year-old book without knowing the reason it was shut to begin with.
Remember when Ginny Weasley became possessed by Tom Riddle by confiscating the book and then getting sucked into its magical – yet evil – vortex of communication? Similar to the old adage “don’t take down a fence without knowing the reason it was put up,” this tip is especially important when it comes to the business world. Before making any huge process changes at work, make sure to research the history and purpose behind the current methods. Somebody before you just might have known what they were doing, so take some time before judging books by their covers.

Discover your inner Patronus
A Patronus Charm is an insubstantial animal protector created by the advanced Patronus Charm spell, and one way to defend against Dementors and certain other dark creatures.

Patronus shapes been said to reflect the personality or feelings of the witch or wizard. For example, Harry creates a stag, Hermoine creates an otter and Ron creates a Jack Russell terrier. When faced with risky decisions in the business world, do you avoid the situation, or face it head on with your own strategies and tactics? Many people reach a certain level of success, but very few can maintain on top for a long period of time. Providing great service, listening to client feedback and constantly improving without getting too comfortable are just a few ways to protect your business.

Awards are not the most important thing.
The Goblet of Fire was thought of to be the most honorable award bestowed upon a wizard. Contestants were forced to sweat blood and tears to participate in dangerous, exhausting tasks to receive…a Goblet. A Goblet that sucked you into another location where your enemy has you right where they want you. I am not saying that submitting to awards makes you more vulnerable – a little friendly competition is always healthy. And who doesn’t want a shiny trophy or two, telling the world of an accomplishment of glories past? The trick is to not let it consume you. Don’t let the idea of an award dangle in front of you, making you lose sleep when those are precious hours you could be using to dedicate to your client or office. If your clients are happy and feel you are their priority, then you all win in the end.

In the real world, nobody cares what your Ordinary Wizarding Level (OWL) score was, or about your Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test (NEWT) courses.
Sure, a diploma is impressive and shows dedication. But how often do you check a new hire’s GPA or their exam scores? It really doesn’t matter what how high your grades are as long as the internships, the connections, the leadership roles and the portfolio can show off what makes you unique and proves you can excel at the desired position you want when you graduate. I wish I could go back in time and tell my studious self to not let school define me. It’s how you apply that knowledge outside the classroom that matters most.

Sacrifice for the greater good of the company or client.
Don’t literally sacrifice yourself or stop eating or anything! But as we all know, valiant Harry and the Order of the Phoenix risked their lives to help save the world from evil (on several occasions). Be not a burden, but a blessing, to your business. Don’t get in your own way. Instead of wondering why somebody else in the office is getting promoted and you are not, stop feeling sorry for yourself and try harder. If you own your company, don’t get discouraged with small failures or feel defeated when you lose out on a project. It can become a vicious cycle of failure, insecurity and then defeat. Instead, remember why you are here in the first place and try to become more selfless. If you work for a company, try to see the end goal from your boss’s perspective and do your best to help the business grow. If you work for yourself, then remember that clients always come first. If you remain selfless in the workplace and keep pushing forward the battles that lie ahead, you just may come out victorious.

I can think of a million more, but I must be off now. My clients need me! =)

Cheers to the final Harry Potter movie!

Refreshing and Infectious

“Pura vida!,” The most commonly used phrase in Costa Rica, literally means “Pure life,” but the saying goes beyond its simple translation: it symbolizes the idea of simply enjoying life and being happy.

As the Urban Dictionary states, it’s a synonym of “hakuna matata” and reflects the relaxed, blissfully simplistic lifestyle of Costa Ricans. Everything is organic and natural – even the personalities of the wait staff are warm, friendly and unassuming.

My husband and I recently went there on our honeymoon and were truly amazed by the country. From the lush vegetation and breathtaking volcano views to the easy-in, easy-out hospital care provided, we were incredibly happy with our vacation selection. But one thing that stood out the most was the people. They completely make you feel at ease by treating you as a new “amigo.” One hot springs bar even had an honors system for how many drinks you had – can you imagine that working in America? No way, Josué! (Name of our favorite waiter at our hotel.) =)

Our trip back to the states felt like an unexpected cold shower after a nice, soothing Jacuzzi. Our harsh jolt into reality started with snippety airline workers, pushy passengers and gum-chewing, eye-rolling coffee baristas who acted like it was pure torture to pour coffee. I could have let it get to me. I could have dreaded going back to work and returning to my bed with no origami animal towels or rose petal-filled pathways…but, I didn’t.

Instead, I tried to squeeze my eyes shut and remember what every Costa Rican said to me almost every day on my honeymoon. “Pura vida!” Not just remember it, but embrace it and let it completely envelop my everyday actions and guide my at-times mundane or tedious office tasks. Instead of diving through my emails and calls straight away, I identified the top priorities and took time to nurture only the most important existing and soon-to-be clients with a completely good-natured, down-to-earth spirit that would have made my new Costa Rican amigos proud. I remembered certain details to follow up on, like birthdays or new marriages and just had a conversation. No pretenses, no pressure to close a deal. I just wanted to go back to what made me get into marketing in the first place: building successful relationships.

My first week back of work was expected to be spent playing catch-up. Instead, I welcomed back my job and clients with open arms and a fresh rejuvenated outlook. I actually cared what people were saying and doing in their lives, and not just going through the motions. The results? A record-breaking amount of new partnerships were fostered, from event synergies and organization partnerships to advertising and media partnerships with major industry publications.

Also on the freelance side, I received so many new client inquiries that I am going to start adding people to my roster of referrals! Always a good thing.

I truly hope my new attitude lasts longer than the souvenir coffee I brought back from Costa Rica. Oh, well. If I find myself depleting later in the year, I will just have to take another vacation…=)

bachelorette should use her work skills when weeding through the candidates!

The social media-savvy Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky should follow her brain as well as her heart when weeding through the potential husband candidates. The way I look at it, it’s a similar process as finding the perfect new employee or client.

You have to force yourself be keenly judgmental, observant, and analytical, but above all, be true to yourself and your instincts.

1. How do they speak about previous relationships? You wouldn’t hire someone who spoke harshly about their previous employer without taking any blame; why would you want to be around someone who talks negatively about previous love interests? It shows immaturity, lack of responsibility or a love of gossip. Either way, move on, Ali!

2. Enthusiasm and passion. You have FIFTY guys in the house. It’s time to go big or go home. To prove they are here for you, they need to be assertive and not afraid to politely ask to speak with you in private to get one-on-one time. The ones who get kicked off and complain like whiny babies because they “didn’t get enough time” are just using their time unwisely or being a pushover to more eager-to-meet-Ali guys.

3. Just because someone looks great on paper doesn’t mean they will work in the long-term. If there is something about them that irks you, don’t wait to second-guess yourself, get them outta there! (It could be something as telling as their career choice, or as trivial as their lack of eye contact or annoying laugh.)

4. On the same note, have you ever met someone, thought you knew them, but then met their friends and were completely shocked at how much you must have misjudged them? Friends and contacts of a person can explain a lot about a person’s lifestyle and interests. Ali is a social butterfly in real life and needs a man who can keep up and get along great with other guys. She should steer clear of drama-causers and attention-getters who care more about TV appearances than quality time. And when she hits hometowns, she should specifically ask to meet their group of friends to see if she can envision a life in that circle of friends.

5. Communication skills are a must! While they may be a good match on dates in exotic faraway lands, Ali needs to evaluate whether each potential husband shares her values and holds her interest on a boring night at home. I know the show would drop ratings if they had do more “normal people” things like grocery shopping, cooking at home or working out, but these are situations that tell a lot about a person’s compatibility and character. If it’s raining, does he drop you off and then park the car? Does he like to cook or order take-out every night? Is he a remote control hog and/or a weekends-dedicated-to-sports-only kind of guy? And if so, does that bother her? What does he REALLY like to do in his free time? (Or is he a workaholic like her?)

These are just a few quick things off the top of my head. I was rooting for Ali last season, but I think she played her cards right for a [strategic] second chance at love. It’s always more fun to be in the driver’s seat.

So, I didn't update for a while...stick a pin in it.

I haven’t updated my blog in months. And you know what? It feels amazing.

Heavy, dark dread used to seep through my veins when I missed a week or two of blog updates. The feeling was reminiscent of coming in past curfew and stepping on a creaky wooden staircase.

Now, I don’t feel the least bit dirty or guilty because I’ve learned to love my blog for who she is…a living, breathing online representation of my relevant thoughts and comments on the world of creativity, writing and advertising. Simultaneously, she serves as a soundboard for my tips and tricks on the subject – this helps boost credibility and shows off my “tone of voice” for those interested in hiring me for future freelance writing or editing work.

Don’t get me wrong, you will see tons of blogs who disagree and say that if you don’t update your blog a million times a day, you might as well remove yourself from the Internet. However, this can cause stress, which can cause writer’s block, resulting in content nobody cares about. Seems like a “lose-lose” situation.

The good news is that my blog (along with other pertinent social media tactics) has acted as a solid support system and only improved my freelance workload. I also used to attend way too many networking events a week, and beat myself up over missed marketing opportunities.

But the strangest thing has happened. In the last few months while my personal “promotions” have calmed down, my well of work has not run dry. In fact, I have never been busier, with a clogged pipeline of work from client referrals or residual effects from social media.

Think about it this way: sometimes you have to order lots of food from a restaurant, and then sometimes you have to sit back and actually eat what you order (while more is cooking).

It’s not like I have shut down communications from the outside world or anything – I still am constantly catching up with friends, coworkers and colleagues. And if someone shoots me over a resume of a friend, of course I will do my best to fix it up or pass along to someone of interest.

I guess the main difference is, I am here if others need me, but I don’t feel like I am shoving my business card down someone’s throat anymore. If a week or two passes by and my blog collects cobwebs, I can still rest easy.

Thankfully, word-of-mouth marketing from previous clients has allowed me to stay busy and even pass along referrals to my other favorite copywriters and marketing professionals. Here is to a great year of business for everyone!

A few wonderful coinciding quotes:

Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up. ~Jesse Jackson

Stress is the trash of modern life – we all generate it but if you don’t dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life. ~Terri Guillemets