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!

Hi everyone- I have a question for you today- which do you prefer: having regular clients or shaking it up a bit with new ones on a regular basis?

Having a steady stream of regular clients is a freelancer’s dream-right? Just sit down and write the content and send out that invoice – what could be easier?

Finding new clients keeps things interesting – after all who wants to write the same old stuff day in and day out, right?

What is your preference? Leave me a comment and let’s talk about it. Do you enjoy the security of knowing you always have work and income, even if it means you might be writing on the same topics week in and week out? There is plenty to be said for knowing the bills are paid, no doubt about it. I know I get a thrill out of knowing I don’t need to pack my undies and live under a bridge each month. I have kids and they like to eat- every day! Steady clients keep the fridge full and the pizza delivery guy happy.

New clients are fun though- aren’t they? I really enjoy getting to know new clients, finding out just how I can help them in their business and learning about their products and services. I love dealing with people from all across the country – or even overseas. I learn a bit about somewhere I may have never been, I have an “in” if I manage to travel to their part of the world and I get to talk smart when I get together with my non-Internet buddies about “my client in Florida” and “my client in Texas” so that always makes me look so much more interesting than I do otherwise!

Bottom line- my real preference? A nice mix of both. I have regular clients who’ve been with me since the get-go. It’s great building a relationship over the months and years. I look forward to the opportunity to get on the phone and talk in “real life” now and then and it helps relieve that “solo-preneur” loneliness that can get ahold of a person working at home. My regular clients feel like friends- and I wouldn’t trade that for anything!

At the same time, I really enjoy meeting new clients and having new ideas brought to the table, as well as new challenges to tackle. My new clients add that extra excitement that keeps things from getting hum-drum and routine. I also tend to keep learning new things as I add new clients- and that keeps the gray matter from atrophying, doesn’t it?

Your turn- toss me out a comment and let me know your preference and why. Regulars or New Clients? Do YOU have a favorite??