Social media is a funny thing. You may think it’s all in good fun. You may realize that it’s far more important than that. After all, you can make some amazing business contacts through your social media updates, which means money in the bank, right? And the big bucks are why we are all in the game, now aren’t they?

Well, in my latest social media hit-and-run, I just got a great reminder of why I really do social media- it’s all about the relationships. There is just no other way to meet some of the finest, smartest, hardest working, most socially responsible people I’ve ever known than through the technological wonders of social media.

A couple of years back, I got seriously involved in spending regular time on Twitter. I would stop in several times a day and over the course of several months, I got to know some really great individuals. Some of them, like Naomi Dunford at IttyBizand Michael Martine at Remarkablogger, were folks I had followed via their blogs for a while. Others, like Michael Schechter, Gina LaGuardia and, yes indeed, Mr. Danny Brown, I was privileged enough to come to know through the phenom that is Twitter.

Time passed, I got busy, life intervened and somehow I really lost my connection with Twitter. On a few occasions, I still drop in, but it isn’t the same. Once you stop connecting on a day-to-day basis it seems to lose a little of the magic. It seemed to me that the world of “here’s my link” and “buy my thing” was taking over the personal relationships. Rather than try to do my part to make sure Twitter kept its special place in my personal world, I stepped out.

After a while, I decided to give FaceBook a whirl. I must admit, the majority of my networking on FaceBook is purely personal. Family, old friends, high school memories (yeah, they had high school even when I was young) and a terrific connection with a lot of people who mean the world to me. I also hung in there with a few of my old Tweeps- most notably, Danny Brown.

I’ve admired Danny from afar for his work in 12for12k, among other things (like that really cool Scottish accent of his) so I kept up with him. Seems I rarely took time for the banter and fun though that was so much of the reason I enjoyed Twitter. Well, tonight, it was just like the old days. Danny made a comment and Mike Schechter jumped in with that old familiar snark. I couldn’t resist and the next thing I knew, I discovered an old penchant of Mr. Brown’s for wearing tights.

Out of sheer and utter respect for the man, I cannot share more, but I will say this: I remembered the reason I love social media. Yeah, there are great business contacts to be found and you get to know some of your superheroes, but the reason I love social media is this: it’s just plain fun! And the reason not to give it up? The fun is just so much more so when everybody plays!  Hat’s off to you, Mr. Brown! You are still my hero!!

If there is one thing that is consistent about freelancing, it’s change! Just when you think you have the routine all down pat, something switches things up. You get a new client, lose an old one, get a project that feels over your head or have a personal crisis that throws everything for a loop.

Change is no stranger around here, but the good news is it doesn’t have to de-rail your business or even cause anything more than a blip on the radar. One of the reasons change is so stressful is that we’ve trained ourselves to react to change with panic. OH NO – this is new and different so now I need to be afraid and freak out!! Well, guess what? You can take that same adrenaline and emotion and turn it to the positive. Change means I won’t be bored today! Change means I get to learn a new skill or take on a new challenge! Change means I get to know new people, see new places, think new thoughts and experience new things!

I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound so bad around here!

I’ve got a couple of new clients and a couple of new projects in the works. Not sure yet how it’s all going to go, but I am thrilled at the prospect! I’ll keep you updated as things move along!

Thanks!

Teresa

When you’re in business, there are typical ups and downs. We all have busy times and not so busy times. We also have times when life decides to step in and make things very complicated and business suffers as a result. Here at Write About Everything, there’s been plenty of those ups and downs!

As you may already know, I spent the past summer caring for my three grandchildren. I was very optimistic that I could keep an eye on the kids and still keep my writing business flowing along smoothly. WHEW, did I ever overestimate my abilities. Let’s put it this way – once you’ve been awarded the title “Grandma” that really means you’re too darn old to chase three kids full time everyday! Yep, many a day I came home and laid down on my bed and just stared at the ceiling for a couple of hours – compeletely and totally brain dead! Makes it tough to keep up with a writing business!

Through the fallout from my exhaustion, I lost a few clients – one that had been with me since I started and was one of my best clients, in fact! I just plain missed too many important deadlines- and in this business, that is the kiss of death! Clients need their work to be delivered ON TIME and if we don’t get it done, they will surely find someone else who will!

So, how does a business recover from falling flat on your kiester with your clients? It ain’t easy, but it is do-able.

Begin by getting in touch with those clients you have disappointed. Offer a sincere apology and short explanation. Don’t make excuses- you are the one who blew it and you have to own that- but you should at least let the client know it was an issue that has now been resolved- if indeed the problem is resolved.

Next, do whatever you have to do to make sure that your remaining clients get top notch work on time- or early! If you have to work 16 hour days, then do it. You need to hang on to what you have left or you’ll really be in trouble.

Get in touch with current or past clients who still love you and ask them to recommend you to anyone they know. Be straight up and tell them you’ve got some room in your schedule and you’re looking to fill things up.

Finally, start shaking the bushes again. Do your marketing- get on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn- whatever method you use to connect with people. Check out job boards and start hunting down some new business. If you are diligent, you’ll build things back up! There are a lot of writers out there- but there are also a lot of clients!

As in life, in freelancing some of the best lessons are hard learned. It costs a little- both in lost income and in pride and reputation. What you’ll find, however, is this: if you deal with your mistakes with integrity, you’ll make it. Things will turn around again – and you’ll be the wiser for it!

So, what do you think? Have you ever lost any clients through your own fault? How did you recover? Leave a comment and let’s talk about it!