You know you’re a business when….

If you take your business more seriously now than you used to, I'd like to know what's different. For my session at CFC, You are a Business, are there rules and policies you've developed about what you will (and won't) do?

To get this topic started, here is what Laurel Black posted on LinkedIn about this topic:

In 30 years of freelancing, I have developed several rules.
1. Never work with anyone who treats you like you're stupid. 
2. Never sell something to anyone who doesn't understand its value. 
3. Never let the client set your price.  

These “Nevers” are the result of having ignored red flags. So are these three "Always":

1. Always observe the golden rule. 
2. Always put all agreements in writing. 
3. Always get a deposit.

What makes you a business? What rules and policies do you keep? What is your business mindset made up of?

Comments

[lidia varesco design]

What a great topic, Ilise. In the early years of running my business, it was a challenge figuring out the rules. A workshop like this would've been very helpful!

Here's my 2 cents:
1. Always get a deposit (#1 rule!)
2. Don't work for free. (exception: giving of your time and talents to a nonprofit organization you believe in)
3. Back up your files every day.
4. Know what you are worth, feel confident asking for it, and don't settle for less.
5. Don't conduct business on weekends (unless absolutely necessary).

Along the lines of Rule #2, I created a document for personal reference outlining my business policies regarding fees, i.e. design & production fees, minimum project fees, stationery reorder fees, rush/revision fees, standard in-house printing expenses.

Putting it in writing seems to create business confidence, and makes it easier to stay on track.

[Stacey Morris]

These are great rules; simple, direct, and right on target.

I wonder if others have the same issues I have around "clients understanding our value." As a freelancer, I think it's been harder for me to get the same "legitimacy" as I did when I was an employee.

[Di]

I think I'll print off Laurel Black's 3-Nevers and 3-Always and tape them to my computer.

I've been a real business for five years (17 years in the industry) and am just now starting to feel confident enough to command respect (or should I say smart enough to know that I SHOULD command respect). In retrospect, I see many times in the last five years where I submitted to of all three of Laurel's Nevers.

I've now eliminated those personality types from my client list. I'm also learning to spot them earlier on in the initial inquiry stage and know they are clients I don't want to have even though I want work.

With these thoughts in mind, my business rules are:
1. Never let someone else determine my own feelings of business self-worth
2. Never keep a difficult client just for the sake of having the account
3. Never succumb to the shopper who wants everything for nothing, just for the sake of gaining the account

4. Always surround yourself with positive people who encourage growth and improvement
5. Always strive to do better and learn more
6. Always believe in the value of your work, your expertise and your business. Convey that to others.