When a project is coming together in your mind, all the moving parts are clear. You’re a pro at what you do...so this comes almost naturally to you. Your clients aren’t quite so well-versed though. They may have never worked with you - or anyone like you - before, so are coming to the project with their own idea about what will happen.
Making sure that you and your clients are on the same page when it comes to what working together entails is vital for ensuring that there aren’t any 11th hour snafus or disappointments.
It’s worth it to include the details of the work you’ll be doing in your contracts. Here are my recommendations on where to start.
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Setting your pricing structure and agreeing on fees with clients is one thing.
But it doesn’t do you a lick of good if that money doesn’t make it’s way speedily and safely from their account to yours.
Turns out, not all late payments are caused by malice. Or laziness. Usually, there’s confusion - on method, on timing - that’s getting in the way and keeping you anxious about whether or not you’ll have funds on hand to cover your expenses and investments.
Nothing beats doing work that you love and having clients who are raving fans...except actually getting paid for it.
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None of us are in business to struggle. Or not have fun. Or spend our days frustrated with where we are and where we know we could be with our results.
Yet, most of the time, most Ambitious Entrepreneurs are in that exact spot.
And most often it’s because one of these bad negotiation habits is getting in their way and stopping them (stopping you!) from going after what you want, need and deserve.
Here are the Top 6 worst habits when it comes to negotiation. Ditching them will take you far.
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18 months ago I handed in my id badge, packed up my desk and headed out into the world of entrepreneurship.
And it's been quite a ride.
Today on the blog I'm sharing the 3 biggest lessons I've learned along this entrepreneurial journey and how they've helped me get to where I am today.
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One of the reasons I started my work as a negotiation consultant was that I’d seen a few too many times how the ‘little guy’ can get the short end of the stick in business deals.
True enough, you’re not always going to have a whole lot of influence or power in a business discussion (even with folks your own size), but that doesn’t mean you lose your voice.
Today I'm sharing 5 techniques that'll help bump up your power and amplify your persuasiveness in any negotiation.
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There are a lot of different hats you wear as an Ambitious Entrepreneur. You've got to get a handle on writing copy, planning social media, marketing your business - and of course there's sales.
But your professional development doesn't end there.
Today, I'm sharing some straight talk on why mastering sales and negotiations are two different beasts. And why you need both of them to thrive.
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Working up the courage to share your proposal (and price...) with a potential client can be tough. So it's best to let them go first, right? Ask them what their budget is, and then work from there.
Nope. Nuh-uh. No way.
Shying away from making the first proposal may seem like the easier option, but if you're looking for your best business results, it's time to put on your Courageous Ambitious Entrepreneur hat and throw your proposal into the ring, first.
Read on to find out why.
Making sales – convincing people to hand over their hard earned money in exchange for your product or service – is fundamental to your business. When that flow of customers slows down, or we hit a rough patch financially, our first instinct can be to get out our price slashing tools and motivate purchases via discounts...but there's a better way.
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Having a healthy bottom line is a must in business. You need to bring in enough to keep expenses covered, and still squirrel a little something away for a rainy day. So if your profit statements are looking a little lacklustre – it’s time to act.
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If you’re just starting out in business, or you’re particularly shy when it comes to putting yourself out there…chances are you’re making this mistake on your website. It’s a mistake that’s costing you sales and wasting a whole heap of your time…and today we’re going to fix it.
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The words we use when we talk about money - especially our pricing - can have a big impact on how our clients perceive us. That language also massively impacts our success when it comes to hitting revenue goals. In this week's Smiley Sessions I'm sharing a lesson we can learn from one of the world's most luxurious brands when it comes to communicating our prices.
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Courage can feel as though it runs in limited supply. VERY limited supply. So after you’ve made the bold move of sending in a pitch, or making an ask for your business, the thought of finding even more gumption where that came from is overwhelming.
This week's Smiley Sessions video gives you the boost to be fearless in your followups.
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‘One size fits all’ is a myth.
Whether it’s a pair of leggings, a marketing strategy, or a negotiation technique. The attempt to cram your unique business (along with all those wants, needs and one-of-a-kind skill sets) into a mold alongside the rest of the world just isn’t going to be flattering. Least of all to your bottomline.
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In today’s Smiley Session I’m sharing why taking a holistic view of your business, and being honest about what your strengths and capabilities are will help you avoid the haphazard, panic-inducing activity that can come along with price increases.
Watch the video to learn more...
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