Building relationships - key to life in all facets

Building Relationships to further the business.

     So this so blindingly obvious it screams at you when you think about it, however it is something that we all forget.  It bears remembering when meeting with current and old clients, especially when they don't have any new work for you to pickup.  It doesn't take much to put someone off you when you pull a disappointed face about the situation.  However if you can manage it, then developing the relationship with this key person in your business, can lead to log term payoffs.  

Using work that clients might not have seen can add a positive
talking point to your conversation. Always try to inspire them.

"It doesn't take much 

to put someone off 

you when you pull 

a disappointed face 

about the situation"

     You know what I mean, so perhaps this obvious.  How you do that can be as simple as continuing on the conversation, and talking about their situation, their goals, you get my drift.  Or you can show them other work that might be relevant, (or perhaps not) that might inspire them.  If you don't have new work to show them, then come prepared.  You should be creating new content off your own bat, whether it's shooting food that you creatively shot and bought in the supermarket as part of your weekly shop, or a pet project that you're working on as part of your bigger picture.

Self driven work in things you like to shoot will create
opportunities if you have it in your portfolio. 

"Keep the conversation upbeat, pleasant, and hopefully you can inspire your client, and keep that 

relationship positive." 

     Other ideas can be to ask for leads to other friends, but keep the conversation upbeat, pleasant, and hopefully you can inspire you client, and keep that relationship positive.  Key for me is to share a little of my life, goals, etc, that lets them share and get involved with you.  Now I say a little, and that's completely up to you.  For me it's not that much, I'm a private person.  However you have to find your own level of connection with your clients on a case-by-case basis.

For me is an example of a relationship I have with a client. we had just finished a long term project that took nearly 14 months to complete.  We went out to lunch, and started talking about our businesses and shared out thoughts on where we were going and how we wanted to get there.  We found common ground and it was nice to develop the relationship outside the bounds of the work we had done together.  This might not pay off in the short term, however in the longer picture a stronger relationship with clients will lead them to remember you in a positive light when they have a conversation with a friend about your type of work.  Fantastic!

So there you go, perhaps just a reminder for you, but we all need it. Even me.

Getting lost

So last year was my first one in business.  Things were pretty hard, not many clients and not much work (= not much money).  But sticking with it, things got better.  Then.. Christmas and New Year, dead quiet with all my clients going on holiday.

So now it's the end of March, hoping that things are getting better, but it's still pretty quiet.  I have jobs coming through and money too, however not the level I've imagined.  So reaching out to everyone I can with new material and hoping to connect.   It almost feels like starting again.  It's hard not to feel down.   So obvious questions come to mind, am I doing the right thing?

This is easy to do, hard to stop, and if you don't it becomes a habit and a spiral down to crash bang, go work at McDonalds.

So what to do?

PUSH ON!  I have to keep moving forward, creating new work, inspiring yourself and potential clients.  Take the time to relax, find your inspiration, meet new people extending your network.   You need to do the small steps, keep believing in what you're doing.   If you can't get perspective, perhaps you think it's all going to shit, then find a business mentor.  But above all, be honest with yourself.

Keep shooting and doing what you love.

1 year up ... and I'm still here AND I still have more work coming.

SURPRISE!  
I'm still here!

(Big Smile)

It's been just over a year since I started this journey of freelancing (although I've read that it's not good to call yourself a freelancer).  It's been full of highs and lows.  I've learnt a lot about myself, business, life, etc.

"I'm very happy to say that 

I'm still working, projects 

are still being done, and 

money is still coming in!"

I'm starting to feel a little bit more comfortable with it all.  9-5 seems a long time ago.  I still have to confess that I'm still learning about this way of living and working, but it definitely is good for me.  There is a lot I want to achieve.  The goals have stayed strong and grown.

So here's some quick thoughts about what I have learnt so far.

1. Be clear on what you are trying to do.  
This might sound obvious and it is, however it's something that you need to look at every month, week, day if you have to.  It's part of the keeping your eyes on the prize and helps a lot in those down moments.

2. It's not about the hard problems you face, it's about the solutions you find.
It's not easy running a small business, especially from scratch.  I have had problems and problems and problems.  The thing that has gotten me through is finding solutions.  You have to enjoy the process of find solutions that work.  You might not even find the solution on the first try, but you must persist.

3. Think think think.
Think about what you're doing, from making the work, to buying the right gear, to inter-acting with clients, subjects, friends, family.  Let me clarify, not the obsessive turn yourself inside out, but considered objective stuff.  A moment taken to think things through can pay off in getting the results.  If you don't, you will suffer.


So here's to working hard, making good decisions, supportive family, believing in yourself, building relationships, finding solutions, and just going for it.

I have some new goals, write more, create more, sleep more, and enjoy more.  I truely believe that it's all there for you to take.  I'd like to thank my friends and family, and people that have kept me inspired, Chase Jarvis, is one example I need to point out.

Good shooting everyone.