Comments on: 7 Limiting Beliefs Fatal to New Business Owners

By: Recommended Reading for Writers: Linkety-Link List — February 25, 2009 — Inkthinker

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:18:43 +0000

[...] 7 Limiting Beliefs Fatal to New Business Owners [...]

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:46:09 +0000

Cindy, thank you so much for your comment! I am so glad that you took the time to share from the other side of the desk! I brought my “corporate” mindset to my own business and I wholeheartedly agree with you! If I could frame your comment, I would so that people would finally “get it.” Thank you, thank you, thank you for this valuable perspective!

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:37:46 +0000

I'm not a freelancer, but in my day job I'm in purchasing, which puts me on the other side of the desk. I'd just like to address a couple of points: First, sales people are not automatically annoying. They only become annoying after the fifth or sixth "follow-up" call. Also, underpricing your services is a sure way to lose the job. I'm instantly suspicious of a bid that comes in much lower than the others. Price your work in line with the marketplace, and I will likely not have a clue that you are the new guy on the block. Just thought you might like some comments from the "other side." Cheers! Cindy´s last blog post..Sleep More, Weigh Less

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:15:44 +0000

@Meryl, I get the question all the time and I try my best to point them to resources and explain how they can arrive at their own. You’re right it is a complex issue and you have to understand your market and competition but all too often newbies do the research and then short change themselves.

@Rebecca, you are so right! It is way to easy to have your business take over your life until you have no life. Great point and I like your method for sticking to it!

By: Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:19:31 +0000

Excellent points, Karen! As a business owner, I’d add another tip: Take time off for yourself.

Sounds like a no-brainer, but when I first started up, I was surprised by how many hours I spent working (days, nights, weekends …). Face it: There’s always something to do. Accounting, marketing, networking … oh yeah, and let’s not forget doing your actual job (copywriting, in my case)!

For your sanity (and your family’s), take some time off for yourself. I actually schedule mine in my planner!

By: Meryl Evans

Meryl Evans — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:28:40 +0000

I've had new freelancers emailing me asking what to charge (#2). I am not trying to be rude -- your answer explains exactly why I can't help them figure that out. Pricing depends on so many variables even if we're both writers. Experience, content, knowledge, etc. Meryl Evans´s last blog post..7 Traits of Bad Twitter Follows

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:49:44 +0000

Roland, I’ve lived these mistakes and I’ve overcome them and helped others do the same. If I can help someone avoid them, I’m so happy to do so.

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:48:24 +0000

Friar, you are far too smart and too good for your company. I bet if you read Good Honest Dollar you will find more infractions that your company has committed. When Basile the Dog gets published…you can fish and write all day.

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:47:01 +0000

Andrew, great points! I have seen so many entrepreneurs fall into the pricing trap and it is not necessary. If I can help even one person get just this point I would be elated. Instead, people take on lots of little jobs, work lots of hours and at the end of the day they are burned out and not making much more than they would have if they had spent the day flipping burgers. Pricing correctly also leads you to higher value clients. Good clients (emphasis on good) mistrust cheap providers believing that they will also receive cheap quality. Yet, everyone chases the lowball jobs to “build credibility” and those clients are more hassle and headache than clients who will pay you more because they want value.

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:43:34 +0000

Ulla, #4 is huge for so many people – men and women. As Andrew noted, it is not limited to women. It really seems to be very true of “nice” people. I don’t mean to imply that those who are comfortable with it aren’t nice but I mean the people that you walk away from and say, “oh my gosh they are so nice!” In fact, later this quarter, I will try to present some tips, perhaps even by video to help everyone grow more comfortable with self-promotion. It is useful to everyone whether you are an entrepreneur or employee and a large number of people struggle with it.