How Creative Entrepreneurs Succeed
by Susan Kirkland
Published on this site: May 4th, 2005 - See
more articles from this month...
Wall Street predicts a 25% chance of recession in the next
year and small businesses are clamoring to ride out the next
tide of a continuing soft market. Many small businesses find
the current Marketplace more competitive as big fish dip lower
into the food chain to overcome business losses.
Those little jobs they ignored (the jobs one person shops thrive
on) are being gobbled up to replace lost revenues from big accounts
now in demise.
What can you do to protect yourself? Here are some tips to help
you solidify your client list:
- Stay in touch with clients whether they have a job in house
or not. A casual lunch, a quick call or a less invasive email
will renew and remind a good client of available services without
pressure. It's easier to maintain a relationship than establish
a new one.
- Call the vendors you've used most; they know who's buying and
succeeding even in a slow economy. Make friends at all levels
of your industry. You never know where your next job referral
will come from.
- Maintain industry presence; even though things are slow, stay
active in professional affairs. Attend that monthly meeting, press
the flesh, and work for charity to show off your creative skills.
- Revamp your website, then send out email announcements about
the eye candy you've just displayed. Be excited about your work
and that excitement will attract business.
Above all, stick to your weekly phishing schedule. Cold call new
clients whether you need them or not. Successful entrepreneurs always
have a few new clients ready to step in to replace those who step
out. What's the real key to success? Get up and get busy –-
there's no time for sulking.
Susan Kirkland, veteran freelancer and author of Start
and Run a Creative Services Business, shares the secrets to
finding and keeping clients, negotiating with vendors, protecting
yourself from scoundrels and scalawags--a valuable resource
for students and seasoned pros. For additional information
visit www.sdkirkland.com
|
