A262 - A podcast for freelancers

03/13/19 • 7 min

As we embark on the second year of Ask Rezzz, the format will change up slightly.

The reason for this is so that you can take action. I'm all about that action taking as you know. Having a show each and every single day without a doubt can be overwhelming. You may already have a backlog of shows that you want to listen to. Maybe there's a bunch that you don't have any interest in hearing as well.

With that, the new format will be this.

Every Friday, you'll be a fly on the wall for a one-on-one coaching session with someone. I will have a conversation with someone who's applied to be on the show. They have a specific problem or situation that they want to get some help on.

The objective is for you to hear what they are going through and maybe it'll help you too if you are in a similar situation. As the saying goes "a rising tide raises all boats."

The big benefit of this is you, the audience. You as a Feaster can help and support them through offering encouragement, advice, and accountability. You may even want to work with them if you have such a need.

If you want to be on the show, it's easy, just apply here.

Every Tuesday there will be an actionable show. It will either be what you are familiar with already from the previous 261 episodes where I answer a question. Or I'm going to be introducing a resource or strategy that you can walk away from the show and put right in your business.

For example, how to use Advanced Search on Twitter to find local clients to work with.

Another example could be that I bring on a lawyer to the show to talk about contracts.

Doesn't mean that you may not see the podcast show up in your podcatcher on other days, but this is what I'm committing to you today and what you can expect from the show.

I want to make Ask Rezzz as actionable and valuable to you as possible. If you have any ideas for the show, let me know through Twitter or email.

The Ask Rezzz show is dedicated to being the most accessible and most valuable podcast for freelancers out there.

You can come on and get one-on-one coaching from me along with the support of the audience. Also get resources, strategies, and expert answers to your questions.

As we embark on the second year of Ask Rezzz, the format will change up slightly.

With that, the new format will be this.

The objective is for you to hear what they are going through and maybe it'll help you too if you are in a similar situation. As the saying goes "a rising tide raises all boats."

If you want to be on the show, it's easy, just apply here.

For example, how to use Advanced Search on Twitter to find local clients to work with.

Another example could be that I bring on a lawyer to the show to talk about contracts.

Doesn't mean that you may not see the podcast show up in your podcatcher on other days, but this is what I'm committing to you today and what you can expect from the show.

I want to make Ask Rezzz as actionable and valuable to you as possible. If you have any ideas for the show, let me know through Twitter or email.

The Ask Rezzz show is dedicated to being the most accessible and most valuable podcast for freelancers out there.

You can come on and get one-on-one coaching from me along with the support of the audience. Also get resources, strategies, and expert answers to your questions.

Previous Episode

A261 - One year in, what's the next 5 look like?

Chris Bintliff from Not Really Rocket Science, is someone who I met through Twitter, but someone I consider a friend. Chris appeared on Live In The Feast and we geeked out about marketing and creating delight for clients.

Not only that, but if you want to know anything about home automation, he's the guy to talk with.

During a conversation one day, Chris mentioned that if there was ever an opportunity in which I myself could be interviewed, rather than me doing the interviewing, he wanted it.

There's no better day than on this very special, milestone episode of Ask Rezzz.

I'll be honest, I really had no idea what Chris was going to ask me. He could've asked me anything at all. The only constraint was to stay within a certain time, the rest was up to him.

Chris rose above and beyond to the task and asked me 3 amazing questions that I know you'll enjoy.

Are you a Freelancer? Do you identify with the Unemployable?

What advice can you offer to someone to embrace where they are in their freelance career so that they can take that next step?

Where do you see yourself in 2, 3, or 5 years?

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👉 For full show notes to this episode & more resources for you.
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Next Episode

A263 - How to onboard a new client?

Today is going to be all about a process that I put into my business years ago that I reap the benefits from over and over again. That's onboarding for new clients.

If you want to get my own Onboarding Email Sequence which is 8 emails with the delays I put in between. Along with instructions on how to use them too, head to rezzz.com/a263 and pick them up.

What is onboarding

Onboarding is a term that's thrown around quite often and it has a few different meanings. In the context of this show I'm referring to when a client becomes a client, how are you bringing them into your world.

What sort of process to you have that helps that client understand what this engagement is going to look like.

When you open up any box, there's a quick start guide right?

Even for things that are commonplace like a TV, headphones, or even a mug that I got from my wife as a gift.

That's what an onboarding sequence is for you and your business.

I've heard it as a "Welcome Package." Whatever you want to call it, I want to share with you the 4 essential parts of it that you must include. Then share with you 2 other bonus tips that will help your marketing and sales.

Go ahead and grab mine, the link is in the show notes or by heading to rezzz.com/a263.

How to use your service

That's the first part, you want to explain all the ways that a customer can utilize your services. This means how they will communicate with you.

Set the boundaries right here. If you want them to use a ticketing system, email, text messaging. This is how you tell them to do so.

Also share with them what they can expect when they do communicate with you. Will you give them a response in 24 hours? Will there be an automated response? What can they expect during off-hours?

Define that process right from the start so that there's no confusion along the way.

What to expect

This maybe should've been the first since it's most important. If the client knows what to expect from you, then there's no way of misinterpreting anything.

This can also be setting the tone. If you want the client to be open to your suggestions, then share that in a nice way. Be humble, but firm too.

If you need the client to accomplish something by a certain date, share that with them.

Don't assume anything. Even by spelling something out that they may know levels that field

When to expect

Share with them when they can expect certain things from you. If you send out weekly emails, then tell them when they can expect them. If you have a timeline of tasks, give them ample time to get the things you need but share with them a date when you need it.

Open the line of communication

Having something that immediately goes out to a new client in this way, allows you to open that line up. They feel comfortable because they know how to talk with you. You feel comfortable knowing that you have set the tone and boundaries.

There is none of this awkwardness like it's the 7th grade winter dance and you are wondering who is going to start the conversation.

Bonus Tips

This is your opportunity as the professional to position yourself here. By doing this you are driving the conversation and because of that, you then can ask questions along the way.

Want to know how someone found you? Ask in the very first email.

Want to know why they hired you? Ask while it's still fresh in their minds.

These are opportunities that you can take advantage of get amazing information that you can then turn into your sales copy and conversations with leads.