A Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to enhancing your success as a freelancer
Enjoy this Curiosity Q & A of eight Curiosity Questions and Actions to enhance freelancing success using Curiosity-Based Thinking
1. What if I struggle to find enough clients?
Action 1:
Network with other professionals in your industry and seek out referral opportunities.
Attend industry conferences and events and connect with other professionals in your field.
Join professional organizations and participate in local chapter meetings.
Reach out to colleagues in your industry and offer to collaborate on projects or refer clients to each other.
Action 2:
Consider offering discounts or promotions to attract new clients.
Offer a discounted rate for first-time clients.
Consider running a promotion or special offer for a limited time to attract new business.
Offer a referral discount to clients who refer new business to your company.
Action 3:
Utilize social media and online job boards to advertise your services.
Create a company page on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and use these platforms to share updates about your business and promote your services.
Utilize online job boards and platforms specifically geared towards your industry to advertise job openings or contract work.
Create a company website and using search engine optimization techniques to increase your visibility online.
2. What if I'm not able to complete a project to the client's satisfaction?
Action 1:
Communicate with the client regularly to ensure that you are meeting their expectations.
Schedule regular check-ins with the client to discuss the progress of the project and address any concerns or questions they may have.
Set clear communication channels and expectations with the client from the start of the project, including how frequently you will communicate and what types of updates you will provide.
Be responsive to client inquiries and requests for information. If you are unable to meet a deadline or deliver on a specific request, communicate this to the client as soon as possible.
Action 2:
Seek feedback from the client throughout the project to make any necessary adjustments.
Schedule regular review sessions with the client to get their feedback on the project and make any necessary adjustments.
Encourage the client to provide feedback at various stages of the project, rather than waiting until the end to address any issues.
Use online tools like Google Docs or Trello to collaborate with the client and allow them to provide feedback and make comments in real time.
Action 3:
Consider offering a guarantee or promise to redo the work if the client is not satisfied.
Offer a satisfaction guarantee to the client, stating that you will redo the work at no additional cost if they are not happy with the final product.
Consider offering a money-back guarantee if the client is not satisfied with the final product.
Consider offering a discounted rate or other incentives to the client if they are not satisfied with the work and you are unable to meet their expectations.
3. What if I'm not able to deliver a project on time?
Action 1:
Create a project schedule and timeline to help you stay organized and on track.
Break the project down into smaller tasks and assign deadlines for each one.
Use a calendar or project management tool to track your progress and ensure that you are meeting your deadlines.
Set aside dedicated blocks of time to work on the project and try to avoid multitasking or taking on too many other commitments that could distract you from the project.
Action 2:
Set realistic deadlines for yourself and communicate with the client about any potential delays.
Be realistic about how long it will take you to complete the project, and be sure to allow enough time in your schedule for any unexpected delays that may arise.
If you encounter any issues that could cause a delay, communicate with the client as soon as possible to let them know what is happening and provide an updated timeline.
Consider setting intermediate deadlines for yourself to help you stay on track and meet the overall project deadline.
Action 3:
Consider working with a project management tool to help you stay organized and on top of your workload.
There are a variety of project management tools available, including Asana, Trello, and Basecamp, that can help you organize your tasks, collaborate with team members, and track your progress.
Use these tools to create a project schedule, assign tasks, and set deadlines.
Consider using a time-tracking tool like Toggl or Harvest to help you keep track of how much time you are spending on different tasks and identify any bottlenecks that could be causing delays.
4. What if I'm not able to charge enough for my services?
Action1:
Research industry rates and pricing to determine a competitive rate for your services.
Look at industry benchmarks and see what other professionals in your field are charging for similar services.
Consider the value that you bring to your clients and what sets you apart from your competition.
Determine your own costs, including your time and any expenses related to the project, and use this information to help you set your rates.
Action 2:
Consider offering package deals or bundles to make your services more appealing to clients.
Group together several of your services into a package deal and offer a discounted rate for the bundle.
Consider offering additional services or perks, such as a free consultation or a discount on future services, as part of your package deals.
Action 3:
Negotiate with clients to ensure that you are being fairly compensated for your work.
Be open to negotiation and be willing to listen to the client's concerns or budget constraints.
Consider offering flexible pricing options or a tiered pricing structure to make your services more accessible to clients with different budgets.
Communicate the value of your services to the client and explain why your rates are justified.
Here are some step-by-step examples of how you might communicate the value of your services to a client and explain why your rates are justified:
a. Begin by understanding the client's needs and goals for the project. This will help you tailor your message and show how your services can help them achieve their objectives.
b. Research the client's industry and any unique challenges or opportunities they may be facing. This will help you better understand their perspective and how your services can address their specific needs.
c. Make a list of the benefits and value that your services offer to the client. This might include things like increased efficiency, cost savings, or a better end product.
d. Use specific examples and case studies to illustrate the value of your services. This will help the client understand how you have helped other clients achieve similar results.
e. Be transparent about your pricing and explain the factors that go into determining your rates. This might include things like your expertise, the time and resources required for the project, and any additional expenses.
f. Be open to answering the client's questions and concerns about your rates, and be willing to negotiate if necessary to reach a fair agreement.
g. Follow up with the client after the conversation to provide any additional information or clarification they may need to make a decision.
5. What if I don't have a steady stream of work?
Action 1:
Diversify your services and consider offering a wider range of services to appeal to a wider range of clients.
Research your target market and identify areas where there is demand for your services.
Consider offering additional services that complement your existing offerings, such as training or consulting.
Think about ways you can differentiate your services from those offered by your competition, such as by offering specialized expertise or unique value-added services.
Action 2:
Reach out to past clients and see if they have any new projects or needs that you could help with.
Create a list of past clients and consider reaching out to them via email or phone to see if they have any new projects or needs that you could help with.
Offer special discounts or promotions to past clients to encourage them to work with you again.
Follow up with past clients regularly to stay top of mind and let them know about any new services or capabilities you have developed since you last worked with them.
Action 3:
Explore new markets or industries and see if there are opportunities for you to offer your services in these areas. This might involve networking with professionals in these industries or doing market research to understand the needs and challenges of these markets.
Research new industries or markets that could be a good fit for your services.
Network with professionals in these industries and attend events or conferences to learn more about the needs and challenges of these markets.
Consider offering specialized services or expertise that is relevant to these markets and can help you stand out from your competition.
6. What if I'm not able to balance my workload effectively?
Action 1:
Create a schedule and timeline to help you stay organized and on track.
Break your tasks down into smaller, manageable chunks and assign deadlines for each one.
Use a calendar or project management tool to track your progress and ensure that you are meeting your deadlines.
Set aside dedicated blocks of time to work on specific tasks, and try to avoid multitasking or taking on too many other commitments that could distract you from your work.
Action 2:
Set realistic deadlines for yourself and communicate with clients about any potential delays.
Be realistic about how long it will take you to complete your tasks, and be sure to allow enough time in your schedule for any unexpected delays that may arise.
If you encounter any issues that could cause a delay, communicate with your clients as soon as possible to let them know what is happening and provide an updated timeline.
Consider setting intermediate deadlines for yourself to help you stay on track and meet the overall project deadline.
Action 3:
Consider using a project management tool to help you stay organized and on top of your workload.
There are a variety of project management tools available, including Asana, Trello, and Basecamp, that can help you organize your tasks, collaborate with team members, and track your progress.
Use these tools to create a project schedule, assign tasks, and set deadlines.
Consider using a time tracking tool like Toggl or Harvest to help you keep track of how much time you are spending on different tasks and identify any bottlenecks that could be causing delays.
7. What if I'm not able to market my services effectively?
Action 1:
Utilize social media and online job boards to advertise your services.
Create a company page on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and use these platforms to share updates about your business and promote your services.
Utilize online job boards and platforms specifically geared towards your industry to advertise job openings or contract work.
Consider creating a company website and using search engine optimization techniques to increase your visibility online.
Action 2:
Network with other professionals and seek out referral opportunities.
Attend industry events and conferences and use these opportunities to connect with other professionals in your field.
Join professional organizations and participate in local chapter meetings.
Reach out to colleagues in your industry and offer to collaborate on projects or refer clients to each other.
Action 3:
Consider offering discounts or promotions to attract new clients.
Offer a discounted rate for first-time clients.
Consider running a promotion or special offer for a limited time to attract new business.
Offer a referral discount to clients who refer new business to your company.
8. What if I'm not able to handle the financial aspects of running a business?
Action 1:
Create a budget and financial plan to help you manage your income and expenses.
Action 2:
Keep track of your financial records and receipts.
Action 3:
Consider working with a financial advisor or accountant to help you manage your finances.
Curious why more curiosity is great for whatever you are doing?
Curiosity is a bio-hack. As Dr. Huberman points out, the act of getting curious releases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine simultaneously to produce a unique effect on the human body and brain. Learning how to harness and leverage this “hack” gives you a tremendous advantage in getting more done in whatever you are doing and finding greater satisfaction in what comes from it.
Curiosity can be so many things, it is easy to get lost in its power and potential. To simplify things here's a quick list of just some of what we know curiosity can do. Enjoy and stay curious!
Curious people are less anxious
Curious people are less timid
Curious people are not as defensive during initial counters with strangers
Curious people have less aggressive actions to perceived triggers
Curious people have improved conflict resolution skills
Curious people have enhanced motivation to put themselves in another's shoes
Curious people have less attachment to their own ideas
Curious people have an increased interest in others' ideas
Curious people are more likely to receive social support at work
Curious people are more effective at building connections at work
Curious people are more effective at building trust at work
Curious people are more committed to their teams at work
Curious people discover more innovative solutions that increase one's sense of meaningfulness at work
Be sure to follow along with What If Curiosity as I will dive deeper with more specific examples and actions for how you can take a Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to learn, get, and enjoy more out of all you do.
Let's chat to maximize the power of your curiosity!
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