Ok folks, you CAN make some money in this shitty economy.
If you are willing to stretch a little beyond your comfort zone, you can cash in.
Last week I made $885 after expenses and it was a little out of my comfort zone.
I actually made more than that total, but this was the figure from a single client.
How did I do it? I took on a local client and built them a WordPress website.
I did not seek this client. This client called me.
The phone call went something like this…
Me: Hello?
Them: Hi Steve, My name is ____ and I understand you build websites. I need a website for my business.
Me: Yes, I do build websites but I only build sites for myself.
Them: We really need some help and ____ told us about you.
Me: Yes, he’s a good friend, what do you need?
I reluctantly agreed to help. Had a friend not been involved in the referral, the call would have probably ended soon.
Call me crazy, but I just prefer to build my own sites and content. The money is great with clients, but you have to earn it.
Don’t get me wrong, I love money and I need money very badly like everyone else. The difference in my life now is that I don’t chase the almighty dollar like I used to in my younger day.
If you are one of my 8 readers here, you understand that I have made a lot of effort into simplifying my life, not complicating it any more than it already is.
I am very selective about who I work with these days. I recommend that you use your gut feelings when selecting a client to work with.
In this case, my gut feelings were pretty good after I learned the scope of the project and I moved forward.
Let’s cut to the chase and explain what I did.
Knowing that I may only work with this client for a short time, I found a local web hosting company that offered good technical support as part of their hosting package.
I explained to my client that I can build them a site but I’m NOT their tech support. I will not take a call on Sunday afternoon that their website is down.
I also explained that I used pre-built WordPress templates. I am not a designer or a code guy. I am a simple dude. If they want fancy, they will have to look beyond me, I can’t go there.
The client agreed.
I LOVE the web hosting company I am dealing with. They bought the domain name and set me up a WordPress test site for the client.
I built the entire site “offline”.
The test site was accessible to the client and we were able to design it together.
Once the site was built, the hosting company took it “live”.
I can walk away from this project now knowing that I have left my client in good hands with a good web hosting company and technical support.
I can collect my paycheck and move on.
There is a high probability that I will remain for some time as a content creator and SEO guy for a monthly retainer.
How did I determine my fee?
Truth is, I didn’t. I let the client determine my fee as I always do. I’m working with more than one client right now and I let them determine the fees.
My process is simple. When a client asks how much do I charge, I ask what their monthly budget is?
I never give a price. When a client gives me a budget, I will then determine what I’m willing to do for them and I lay it out. If they agree, we move forward.
If a client insists that I give them a price, I simply tell them to call me when they have a budget. It’s that simple.
I advise you hold firm however you price your services. You will get the follow-up call.
I also advise that if it just doesn’t feel right, walk away. Trust your gut.
Ok Steve, now how can I get a client or how do I get more clients and earn more money. Simple my friend.
Whatever your talents or skills are chances are there is a demand for your services.
How can I get clients?
- Evaluate what you can do that people will pay you for.
- Stay local.
- Use Craigslist.
- You WILL get referrals.
- Rinse & repeat.
