Get off your knees

Stop acting like your client’s servant — like you’re there to kowtow to their every whim and wish and you’re lucky they’ve graced you with their business. It’s not just about having a little self-respect… it’s bad business.

Was reading a Ben Settle email…

He was talking about “History’s greatest ad man’s advice for dealing with clients”. He was talking about David Ogilvy… who is arguably history’s greatest ad man… and his “rules for respect in business” and Ogilvy said this:

===

In meeting with clients, do not assume the posture of servants…

They need you as much as you need them.

===

I’d add this…

That’s true IF you’re positioning yourself correctly. Problem is… a lot of freelancers position themselves as — what I call — Taskmasters. Fiverr, essentially. You’re completing tasks the client could do themselves… they simply don’t want to.

Creating PowerPoint slides…

Data entry into a spreadsheet.

Even, I’d argue, certain kinds of web development, graphic design, writing, etc.

And when you do that, your value proposition is NOT…

Talent, knowledge, wisdom, expertise, etc…

The things people will pay a premium for.

Nope. it’s simply “convenience”.

Time saved. Effort not expended, etc.

Which IS of value…

But… when that’s all you have to offer, clients can find 1,000 other people to do that same thing. And, they will treat you like crap — regardless of how much “game” you might spit in a meeting. The easiest solution is to just re-position yourself.

Of course, you’ve heard me talk about “The Specialist” before.

Which absolutely will earn you a much greater amount of respect…

And higher fees for your services.

But, that’s not actually the ultimate evolution. The final evolution is into “The Pro”. A Pro is the ultimate savant — able to use all the tools available to him and quickly re-position and adapt himself to whatever situation he encounters.

Again, when we talk about “All Feast, No Famine”…

That is, breaking the feast/famine cycle in freelancing…

Adaptability is a core component.

You have to be able to adapt yourself to your environment so you can continue to feast while everyone else is suffering through the “famine” — recession, technology changes, industry collapse… and other crazy things that might happen…

Like a worldwide pandemic…

And countrywide lockdowns…

Pfft… THAT will never happen! :/

In any case, that’s why it’s the second lesson in my Freelance Feast course. Not some shiny new gimmick or slick tactic — that won’t work 2 months from now (and probably never actually did) — instead a fundamental insight into how to position yourself…

For maximum value and profitability.

Anyway, you know the drill… Part 1 of the course — where I’ll teach you this positioning skill — is up on Skillshare until the end of May. At that point, I’ll take it down and sell it on my website for probably around $150 or so.

But, right now you can take it essentially for free.

Because, as a teacher on Skillshare, I can offer you an exclusive 14-day free trial of the platform where you get unfettered access to all 30,000+ courses — including mine. What some people do is start the trial, take the course and then cancel before the 14 days is up…

And you never actually pay a penny.

It’s a few hoops, but will save you that $150.

Anyway, up to you.

The link to the course, if you’re interested, is here: https://myjohn.us/feast

It’s Lesson #3.

Later,

John

P.S. For my homies on Patreon, you already have access to the course here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/50847910 — since you get access to everything.

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story:

You might also like

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Pinterest
John Morris

JOHN MORRIS

I’m a 15-year veteran of freelance web development. I’ve worked with bestselling authors and average Joe’s next door. These days, I focus on helping other freelancers build their freelance business and their lifestyles.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story:

Success Stories

Ready to add your name here?

Tim Covello

Tim Covello

75 SEO and website clients now. My income went from sub zero to over 6K just last month. Tracking 10K for next month. Seriously, you changed my life.

Michael Phoenix

Michael Phoenix

By the way, just hit 95K for the year. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve taught me. You’ve changed my life. Thank you!

Stephanie Korski

Stephanie Korski

I started this 3 days ago, following John’s suggestions, and I gained the Upwork Rising Talent badge in less than 2 days. I have a call with my first potential client tomorrow. Thanks, John!

Jithin Veedu

Jithin Veedu

John is the man! I followed his steps and I am flooded with interviews in a week. I got into two Talent clouds. The very next day, I got an invitation from the talent specialists from Upwork and a lot more. I wanna shout out, he is the best in this. Thanks John for helping me out!

Divyendra Singh Jadoun

Divyendra Singh Jadoun

After viewing John’s course, I made an Upwork account and it got approved the same day. Amazingly, I got my first job the very same day, I couldn’t believe it, I thought maybe I got it by coincidence. Anyways I completed the job and received my first earnings. Then, after two days, I got another job and within a week I got 3 jobs and completed them successfully. All the things he says seem to be minute but have a very great impact on your freelancing career.

Sarah Mui

Sarah Mui

I’ve been in an existential crisis for the last week about what the heck I’m doing as a business owner. Even though I’ve been a business for about a year, I’m constantly trying to think of how to prune and refine services. This was very personable and enjoyable to watch. Usually, business courses like this are dry and hard to get through…. repeating the same things over and over again. This was a breath of fresh air. THANK YOU.

Waqas Abdul Majeed

Waqas Abdul Majeed

I’ve definitely learnt so much in 2.5 hours than I’d learn watching different videos online on Youtube and reading tons of articles on the web. John has a natural way of teaching, where he is passionately diving in the topics and he makes it very easy to grasp — someone who wants you to really start running your business well by learning about the right tools and implement them in your online business. I will definitely share with many of the people I know who have been struggling for so long, I did find my answers and I’m sure will do too.

Scott Plude

Scott Plude

I have been following John Morris for several years now. His instruction ranges from beginner to advanced, to CEO-level guidance. I have referred friends and clients to John, and have encouraged my own daughter to pay attention to what he says. All of his teachings create wealth for me (and happiness for my clients!) I can’t speak highly enough about John, his name is well known in my home.

Sukh Plaha

John is a fantastic and patient tutor, who is not just able to share knowledge and communicate it very effectively – but able to support one in applying it. However, I believe that John has a very rare ability to go further than just imparting knowledge and showing one how to apply it. He is able to innately provoke one’s curiosity when explaining and demonstrating concepts, to the extent that one can explore and unravel their own learning journey. Thanks very much John!

Mohamed Misrab

Misrab Mohamed

John has been the most important person in my freelance career ever since I started. Without him, I would have taken 10 or 20 years more to reach the position I am at now (Level 2 seller on Fiverr and Top Rated on Upwork).

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story: