customers

Handling customer and client complaints

Toby Buckle | Managing Business,Training

Poor customer service can kill a business and it is absolutely vital to get client and customer service right, particularly when handling complaints. If you don't handle complaints well then not only are you likely to lose the customer who is dissatisfied, but they are more likely to tell others about bad service than they are good service, so you stand to lose many more customers by getting it wrong.

Business Mentor Toby Buckle shares his top ten tips for crushing your customer’s quibbles.

Relationships in a freelancer’s world

Anthony Hewson | Managing Business

Relationships are more important for a freelancer than for any other individual.

That’s a pretty bold statement and I’m bracing myself for a wave of incredulity articulated by examples of people going through any sort of emotional or physical trauma. Ok, leaving that probably overwhelming group aside… here’s why

Why a freelancer should embrace fear

Anthony Hewson | Lifestyle & Time out

Freelancing takes courage. No guaranteed pay cheque, no back-up team, no boss to give you guidance, no boss to take the fall.

No excuses – the buck stops with you. It took courage to take that first step into the freelance world, whether it was a bold and brazen stride with an armful of clients ready to commit, or a stomach-knotted plunge born of necessity.

Anthony Hewson gives us some inspiring advice on how to feel the fear and to use it to put some fire in your freelancing belly.

7 steps for troubleshooting troublesome clients

Joanna Ptolomey | Managing Business

Are some clients more trouble than they’re worth? Freelance information consultant Joanna Ptolomey reminds us that, when time and attention are your most precious asset, and time is money, not all clients are the same.

Her simple steps can help bring some balance back into your books and your business.

Money matters: How do I negotiate a great rate?

Michael Rose | Accountancy & Tax,Starting Out

Negotiating yourself the best rate possible is crucial to your financial success as a freelancer or contractor. However, it is also one of the most daunting prospects if you have never done it before.

This guide outlines a few things to think about when trying to secure yourself the best deal.

Better Business Cards

Michael Rose | Resources

Build Better Business Cards, with 25% off from Moo.com.

Starting today we’re looking for the most impressive, creative or cunning uses for business cards.

Got a great idea, or a card you’re already particularly proud of? Show us what you’ve got and the best will win a complete set of cards.

Freelance Training: The Personal Touch

Hannah Keep | Training

Clients not responding? To-Do list full of ‘waiting-for’ items for people who have not emailed you back yet? Training Expert Hannah Keep reminds us of the basics – picking up the phone, getting in touch directly and rebuilding rapport and relationships.

Small Business: Niche business

Emma Jones | Managing Business,News

In best-selling book ‘The Long Tail’ author Chris Anderson says the future of business does not lie in blockbuster hits but in niche products. Home businesses up and down the land are testimony to this. Emma Jones looks at why niche is good and showcases a few shining examples.

Freelance Business: 3 ways to source new work

Emma Jones | Managing Business

Freelance Advisor and Home Business diva Emma Jones explains why now is a perfect time to spruce up your business development and pursue opportunities that will mean new work from existing customers and new work from new customers.

Here’s three things you can do to keep the contracts coming in…

Working from home: top five freelance home-business opportunities in 2009

Emma Jones | Starting Out

The top 5 home-business occupations in 2009 Whether it is a second income to make ends meet, a result of reduncancy or a decision to make a fresh start as a freelancer, the home business and startup sector looks like it will continue to grow in 2009. Freelance Advisor and home business startup supremo Emma [...]

Freelance Advisor Reviews: Top 5 technology applications of 2008

Emma Jones | Technology

Freelance Advisor and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’ Emma Jones gives us her review of the best applications for freelancers. Top 5 technology apps of 2008 As we enter the month of December, I can’t help but look back at the year that was. The thousands of new businesses started, the people we’ve profiled, [...]

Tis the week before Christmas…

Emma Jones | Managing Business

Freelance Advisor and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’ Emma Jones give us a timely reminder of the things we could be doing in the run up to Christmas. What can freelancers do when things get quiet over the holiday season and what plans can we make for 2009. When the phones hush and emails [...]

Freelance Advice: Marketing yourself for free

Darren Fell | Managing Business

Freelance Advisor founder Darren Fell is a successful entrepreneur and all over the first page of results when you Google his name. We asked him to share the secrets of his success and he responded with this guide to marketing yourself. Marketing yourself for free, a guide. The big question running through everybody’s mind when [...]

Freelance Designer’s Guide: Choosing the right printing method for your clients

Andrew Walker | Managing Business

Whether it is business cards, promotional posters or flyers for a club night there are many printing options and quality and colours will vary greatly. Print adviser and consultant Andrew Walker guides can help you decide where to get your printing done. Choosing the right printing method for your client Digital vs Litho Printing The [...]

Freelance Advice: Portfolio Working and how to go about it

Dianne Bown-Wilson | Lifestyle & Time out

In part one of this series consultant, coach and trainer Dianne Bown-Wilson explored the advantages of portfolio working. Today she helps us identify the tools we’ll need to put it into practice. Portfolio career: How to Designing a Portfolio Career comes down to achieving an appropriate and desirable balance in your life between need and [...]

Freelance Advice: is Portfolio Working the right choice for you?

Dianne Bown-Wilson | Managing Business

If you’ve recently retired or are thinking ahead to your remaining working years now could be a good time to consider developing a portfolio career. In this two part series consultant, coach, trainer and writer Dianne Bown-Wilson tells us why it is a good idea and how to go about it… Portfolio careers: the perfect [...]

Create a professional welcome while working from home

Emma Jones | Working From Home

Freelance Advisor and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’ Emma Jones offers us the first in a new series of pieces for our Working from Home section. Here she takes a looks at what freelancers with a home office can do to create a professional image for clients and a great first impression for customers [...]

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