We got great feedback from Wednesday’s Q & A webinar.
Thought you might appreciate a recap of questions from the call and few others that hit our inbox since.
- What should I blog about?Try creating a Questions bank.It can be as simple as taking a note in your Notes App. Just start jotting down questions you hear your clients asking, jot down how they describe a problem or describe working with you.These thought fragments are your insight to your clients. By making notes your collecting potential content for you blog posts, newsletter, insta-stories and so much more. And what’s more important, write down their words (don’t change the words they used to tell you) this keeps it “real”. See when we write we tend to word smith our sentences, and by using their words you’re speaking their language.
2. What’s your advice on social media?
Embrace it.
Let me position it this way. If you’re doing what you truly love, wouldn’t you want everyone to know about it? I’ll bet the answer is “ABSOLUTELY!!!” right there is why you need to embrace it.
But let me remind you, social media is simply the mechanics of getting your message out there, and if your message/purpose or why isn’t strong, different or purposeful it won’t matter. It won’t make someone do business with you.
I challenge you to take a break from social media for a couple of days and get super clear about who you are and your purpose. Once you sharpen your message you’ll be able to share with a refined purpose that’s yours and only yours.
3. What should I do if my style is like other people’s style?
In short, refine it. Let me explain.
If you’ve been with us for a while you know I’m about YOU DOING YOU. It’s about reframing the scenario from you being a generalist to you being a specialist. We put a hard stop on “I did what my clients wanted, but it’s not my style” cycle. The solution is for you to commit to the design aesthetic that lights you up and brings you the most joy. But this question is the aftermath of designers examining their work. What should I do if my style is like other people’s style? Well, here’s where you’ll have to look inwards and look deeper.
So here are a few questions to help you refine and reframe: What do I want to be known for? How does what I do help people? Who are those people & why? Why should they choose me? How do I want the experience of working with me to feel to them – feel for me? What do I need to serve in this way? Am I ready? Who and what do I need in my circle to make this a reality? How is what I do and offer different from what’s already out there? Why should they pay for my expertise and experience? What would this vision look like in style/client/business for me? Does this align with my life vision and goals? I encourage you to write it all out on paper. Let it marinate for a couple of days.
Just remember, if you offer more of the same, you’ll have a harder time being perceived as different and this will impact your ability to level up financially.
4. What should I do if I’m bored with my projects?
Go out and soak up new faces, spaces, information, and inspiration. Travel.
From time to time we all feel we’re running low or on empty; even in the creative department. Our natural tendency is to hibernate when we’re feeling bored or uninspired, and I’m here to nudge you to GET OUT THERE.
It’s a great time to visit a new art gallery, meet another trade manufacturer, take in an informational talk or simply travel. You don’t need to travel to a new country to be inspired, try a new destination spot that’s local. I trust the venture of getting out to soak up new faces and places will help reignite you.
5. What should I do if the proposals I put out gave them sticker shock?
This is such a loaded question but know this, sticker shock doesn’t automatically mean “no, thank you”.
Often our first feeling is disappointment. But the truth is, we have an opportunity to reposition our value.
It’s very likely there are a few reasons for the shock. Perhaps they feel overwhelmed by the scope of the project, maybe they don’t feel that your service warrants the fee or maybe it’s just more dollars than they expected. Whatever the reason, it’s your opportunity to lean in and open up the discussion.
I would ask, “what’s preventing you from moving forward?”, “what will happen if you don’t move forward with this project?”. This extra discussion allows you to reaffirm your understanding of the project and allows you to elaborate on your values. Speak to your process, share how you handle problems, speak to your village of people that make it all happen and finally, repaint the picture of what awaits on the other side of the finished project. Share examples of past projects. This will help you establish trust, and gives you a chance to move the prospective client to a “yes”.
Remember though, you should genuinely be looking to build the relationship here and not just press harder on the yes.
All my best,
Wendy
