Ramdom tips for Entrepreneurs: People like sucessful people

It’s true. I’m not advocating that you tell lies here, but there is nothing more attractive than success. Think about it. If you were hiring a professional service provider, would you rather hire someone who seemed to be doing well, or someone on the verge of bankruptcy who insisted on putting themselves down?

If you want your business to do well, it’s important to at least give the appearance of success. That means exuding an air of confidence, maintaining a “can do” attitude, and never, but never, admitting that you’re struggling. (Not to your clients, anyway).

This may seem so obvious that it's hardly even worth mentioning, but trust me: it needs to be said. I’ve seen freelance writers apply for projects with the words, “I’ve never actually done this before, and I’m not sure I can do it, but I’ll give it a try anyway because I need the money.” I’ve received job applications from people who've said, “I know my price probably seems really low, but I can’t seem to get any work.” I've even had speculative emails from freelancers who've opened with a long, self-pitying rant about how no one will employ them and they just don't understand why, so could I please give them a job?

Needless to say, I’ve never actually employed any of these people, because the first thing that comes to my mind is that if no one wants to employ them, there's got to be a good reason for that: and there usually is. Sure, it may be true that you’re struggling. But you don’t want your prospective clients to know it. The employer isn't going to think, “Poor chap, I’ll give him a break.” He’s going to think, “If you can’t get people to pay you, you must not be very good,” and then move straight to the next candidate.

I repeat: I'm not advocating that you tell lies about your ability. If you genuinely doubt that you can do a particular job, and do it well, then you have no business applying for it. Instead, focus on building your skills in that area until you have confidence in your own ability, and in the meantime, look for jobs that you know you'll be able to handle.

Above all: never, ever put yourself down to clients. No good can come of it.

Comments

[Marce]

Great post! I agree with you. You need to present yourself as an expert on writing or specific niches. I also think people need to do it for clients and themselves. The self fulfilling prophecy is true, if you think you can do something, you will do it. Alternatively, if you have doubts in yourself, you will go nowhere.