Freelance Bootcamp - Jerico Aragon

Lesson 1: Mindset

Fear
- Uncertainty (It’s ususally worst on the head)
- It’s ok not to figure it out all
- Breathe (inhale 3s, exhale 6s, close eyed)
- Frame things in positive light to see more options (Psychology)
Consistency
- The only tactics that will work for you are those you do consistently
- For feedback to know what works
Pro
- Treat freelancing as a business
- Go about your work as a professional

Focus on profit
- Forget about perfection. Get feedback.
Be specific with your offer
- Describe what you do in one sentence
Narrow
- Narrow in to what you specifically do
- Clients hire freelancers for their specific problems
- Look for a niche
- Narrow by: Geography, Demography, Income, Industry

Case studies of previous works done and clients that you have
- 3 – 5 examples
- Clients are busy
Results
- Providing results for real people, humans
- Have testimonials (have faces)
Work for free. Do 1-3 projects for free. Get better at your craft.

It changes everything

Network
- Come from people you already know
- Inform that your services are available
Benefits
- Client doesn’t really care if you like your idea
- They want solutions to their problems
- They need to hear the benefits of working with you
- Let’s say you design presentations
  - I can get you presentation at a reasonable price
  - They’re not looking for low-cost way to do it
  - “I deliver presentations on time every time when you don’t have time to do it”
  - This is the benefit they want
  - Focus on the benefit of the client
  - Target to specific need

Once you understand what your customer really wants
- You can imagine how to craft what they need
They can imagine life with you as their freelancer
Ask yourself these questions
Who is the ideal person I want to work with?
What is her job?
Who surrounds her?
What types of pitches and offers does she see daily?
What types of problems does she encounter?
- Understand the problems clients are facing
- Clients hire people who could deliver solutions
Who influences her?
What is important to her?
What are her dreams and aspirations?
- Can you help them get there?
- If you can make that a reality, you’re going to be an easy hire
What are her biggest frustrations?
What stands in the way of what she wants to achieve?
How does she measure success?
- What are they really looking for
What are some strategies that might help her achieve her goals?
If you can help answer any of these question and make like easier for customers that’s a powerful thing
How can you make it easier for them
The more you make it about them the more you’re going to have success as a freelancer

Baseline price _ Rate calculator _ Talk to other freelancer
Price tiers _ Packages at different price levels _ Feel out what customers are willing to pay for _ Change customer mindset to pay you or not to what should I pay you _ Don’t make a decision for yourself
Avoid hourly rates _ Start charging project _ Start charging per chunk (per 2 weeks, per month)

Network
- Network the right people
- Reach out to another freelancer
- People love talking about themselves
Make you and your services easy to find
- Build a website
- SEO
- LinkedIn

It’s only asking questions
It’s your responsibility
- What the rate you’re going after
“How much does it cost?”
- Every project is unique, I tailor all my solutions to particular clients
- into negotiations
What’s your budget for this particular project?
“Surprise”
- If the budget is too low
Fair

Emotional issue
- If I raise my rate my client will go away, I’m not worth that much
- Raising rates is natural part of business

Just raise it
- You can always go back
Price Tiers
Schedule
- After 5 clients, etc
Value
- Based on value you provide to clients
- Develop better portfolio
- Focus on results delivering
- Value will be just an after thought

Watched on: April 2014