Last week, we opened a competition for readers to win a copy of The Wealthy Freelancer.

To enter, all you had to do is leave a comment with the freelancing tip you believe has made the most impact on your ability to earn a great income, and you had the chance to be one of free readers to win a copy and have your tip posted on the blog.

Today we’ve chosen the winners, and their tips are below the break!

Les

First and foremost is to do good work. Without it, you don’t get more work, and you don’t develop a reputation that resounds throughout the community.

Second is to be honest, if you make a mistake or miss a deadline, admit to it and apologize, it goes a long way and actually has gotten me repeat business even when I wasn’t perfect at certain points in the project.

And thirdly and perhaps most importantly, turn every job into a unique positive experience by the end. No matter what things go wrong throughout the project, if you ultimately did good work, the best work in your field, and you somehow turn each job into a positive experience for the client at the completion of the project, you will get repeat and referral business, time and time again. I’ve never had to advertise once and there’s never a day I don’t have work.

For example, one time I missed a deadline by two weeks. I had to keep my client at bay the whole time since they were very upset. My coder was behind schedule and there was nothing I could personally do about it. So at the end of the project, I offered to deduct $500 from the project as a good business gesture. What they didn’t know was that I build $500 extra from the rate I want to get into every project I quote so at the end I am able to offer discounts incase something goes wrong throughout the project, or if everything goes very smoothly, I can offer my client up to $500 for a referral. The client is usually ecstatic with the end result of my work anyway, they refer a friend for let’s say $3000 when all I wanted was $2,500 they get $500, I get my $500 back plus more work at my full rate, and around and around it goes. The work keeps coming in and each customer feels like I’m giving them something in addition to great quality work that exceeds their expectations. Everyone leaves happy

Dorothy Ryan

My tip is to always go for the “Ikea Factor” with clients. Have you observed people checking out, floating out of Ikea with their new stuff? They are excited, confident, happy, empowered. Kind of like being in love. They absolutely know this purchase is the start of something great. They are on their way. From this day forward, everything changes.

So with clients, my goal is to deliver proposals, concepts, ideas that generate that excitement and hope. Doesn’t matter how small the job. We are not selling logos, postcards, tri-folds. We are selling possibilities. Really listen to what your clients want to be, want for their business and go for the “Ikea factor” every time.

Katy Ryan

Don’t be too quick to pigeonhole yourself. Look to other interests or hobbies you have that can be developed into another area of freelance expertise. If prospective clients approach you for a job you hadn’t originally envisioned, carefully weigh the pros and cons and, if the job is worthwhile, take advantage of the opportunity to broaden your skill set and areas of expertise, which in turn can result in unforeseen clients and projects, adding another dimension to your freelance abilities.

Congratulations guys!

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