Comments on: Want More Clients? Explain Yourself.

By: Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:10:17 +0000

This is even more important in the world of lifestyle design and self development where there’s a lot of people out there yelling “I’m awesome!” and next to nobody saying “you’ll benefit in this, this and this way.”

And why don’t we? Because it’s so hard to speak in concrete terms about something so touchy-feely as lifestyle design.

But just yesterday I decided to audit my website for the various paths people take and over the next few months I’ll be explaining myself in detail (but not too much), giving people stuff they can do to see the benefits right there on the site and showing my awesomeness instead of telling (as a good writer should).
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog ..Controlling Creativity: Timeblocking My Way to Success

By: 190+ Links For October: Freelance, Web Design, Social Media and SEO! | bkmacdaddy designs

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:10:29 +0000

[...] 6 Pros 100 Must Read Freelance Intelligence Tips & Tricks Six Foundations of Freelance Success Benefits of Hiring a Freelancer Web Designs Prices: Charging With Confidence The 4 C’s Of Freelance Marketing Oops! I Did It [...]

By: Jessie Chambers

Jessie Chambers — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:06:14 +0000

I definitely agree. The second guy communicated his value. Great article.

By: James

James — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:41:14 +0000

@ Lexi – Don’t give me more tempting ideas than I already have…

By: Lexi Rodrigo

Lexi Rodrigo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:36:45 +0000

James, this post has convinced me that all freelancers should have badic copywriting skills. Most stop at listing features – “I write SEO articles” or “I design beautiful logos.”

In fact, people buy or hire because of the benefits – “You’ll get more traffic and backlinks through the articles I write” or “Your readers will stay longer on your site and click around more with my design.”

We always have to think, “What’s in it for my client?”

How about it, James? A little ebook on copywriting for freelancers?

Lexi
Lexi Rodrigo´s last blog ..Day 29: To Find Clients, Give Away Useful Stuff

By: James

James — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:34:08 +0000

@ Star – I have to disagree with you. People do *not* “need to know how to buy creative services”. It’s entirely up to the creative service professionals to provide the information people need *when* they want to buy these services.

If I want to buy a bow and arrow, for example, and play Robin Hood, I do NOT need to know how to buy a bow. Nor do I expect to. I expect that when I head to the shop with my money in hand, the clerk is going to take care of me and tell me how to buy the proper bow for my needs.

AND, if he does it well, he’ll get my money. If he doesn’t, then I’m none the wiser for having dealt with him and someone else gets my cash.

By: Freelance Writing and the Big Screen TV Factor : Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing and the Big Screen TV Factor : Freelance Writing Jobs — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:45:36 +0000

[...] Yesterday I was making my blog rounds when I stopped at a post by James Chartrand entitled “Want More Clients? Explain Yourself.” James explained how some potential clients will choose the lowest bid, but might be inclined [...]

By: Star

Star — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:56:05 +0000

Recently, on another site, a guy who hires writers was interviewed and said he negotiates (downward) even reasonable bids. My comment was censored. But there was at least one useful germ of info there–people need to know how to buy creative services–and these days many do not. If you are marking up a writer and passing the cost on to a client, experienced writers will work with that. As for this awesomeness factor, I try to show how I will make or save money for the client. I will say, my mailings pull 2-4%. I don’t design, but I will say I am used to working with designers. I will say I am available and will create a schedule that will do what they want done. What I don’t understand–and never will–is how a startup publication can take any old copy they can find for a pittance and try to establish a track record to get advertisers using poor, boring, or just plain dumb stories. Often writers are not even included in the business plan, if they have one, as a cost of doing business. The writing is just…nothing.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:51:19 +0000

James,

The FTC doesn’t say a client can’t say what results they’ve had in a testimonial, does it?

Ech, you made me go re-read it to be sure. From the ruling:

Endorsements must reflect the honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experience of the endorser. Furthermore, an endorsement may not convey any express or implied representation that would be deceptive if made directly by the advertiser.

So: They have to tell the truth.

Also: if the results are NOT typical, you have to state it loudly. But you already had to do that under the old rules. The new ruling says state it more loudly. (Better to use testimonials with results that are typical… after all, you want other folks to see themselves having the same success, not being disappointed later!)

Also: if you paid them to say those nice things, you have to state it even louder. (But that would be counterproductive when you’re trying to get folks to believe you, so better not to pay someone to say nice things about you!)

True and reasonable testimonials with numbers that are typical of what other clients will get from working from you are still cool. And they’re still more convincing than talking about results yourself–which, under the new rules, has to follow all those guidelines above anyway.

Those silly rules are going to be a source of confusion for a long time, methinks.

Later,

Kelly
Kelly´s last blog ..Iâ€™ll Never Go Back There Again! QUIZ

By: James

James — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:24:30 +0000

@ Deb – There you go, said so perfectly. “What’s the bang for my buck?” YES! (Hee, I noticed you do the “right/write” thing too – I’m not alone!)

@ Kelly – I’m averse to numbers at the moment, specifically because of the FTC rulings (which appear to only apply in the States). Call it paranoia.