I was fearless today...
Lately I've been doing some freelance web design work around my town. After a few rough months, I'm finally getting back to my roots and taking on clients again. I've landed a couple projects so far, so it's been paying the bills, keeping me afloat.
I've done some cold-calling here and there. My script feels very comfortable now and I'm finally passed the whole rejection phobia (seriously, it's not that bad). Haven't landed anything from cold-calling yet, but I've barely made 75 dials. Definitely need to put more time into that.
I've landed three projects total: one because I'm friends with the guy, the second from pitching a guy at a meeting with my friend, and the third from a referral. Not bad for two weeks, but not too great either.
Today, I was feeling pretty good. I contacted a guy from Craigslist and he emailed me back this morning. If all goes well (way too early to tell) it could be a really big project. So that's awesome.
Anyway, I was walking to my favorite restaurant when I noticed a clothing boutique across the street. I had been there before - in fact, I had already pitched and closed a deal with the owner almost a year ago! Hell, I'd even gotten the $100 deposit.
...but I missed the first deadline. I didn't email a mockup when I told her I would. Then, it happened again - I missed a second deadline. I was so embarrassed with myself that I gave her back the deposit and tore up the contract we had. I apologized that I couldn't work on the project and we parted ways.
So yeah, I had a little history with her.
Anyway... it was just one of those days where I felt indestructible. So I went in anyway. Just to see if maybe she was still looking for a designer. Luckily I remembered her name - greeted her when I walked in. Asked if she remembered me. She did.
First thing out of her mouth: She told me how much she respected that I discontinued the contract when I couldn't fulfill my obligations. Go figure?
I asked if she ever did have a website designed for the shop. She didn't.
The second thing out of her mouth: If you still do the work, I'm still very interested.
We talked a bit, I told her that I'm doing websites as freelance work (I'm 19, so it's a perfect angle), and she wants to get started next week. She also has a tuxedo shop adjacent to the store and gets slammed this time of year with prom right around the corner.
But I still secured a meeting tomorrow afternoon to show her some potential designs. And she's going to turn into a buyer.
Anyway, just wanted to share that today. Sorry about the length. If I had to sum everything up in a sentence, I'd just say: be fearless. So some people aren't going to want what you have to sell? Get over it, move on, pitch your heart out on the next. So you have some 'bad' history with a potential customer? Dive in anyway. What's the worst that could happen?
I was fearless today, and it felt great. If you've been wanting to take that leap, whether it's to start cold-calling, knocking on doors, going to meetup groups, sending out direct mail campaigns - whatever - and FEAR is holding you back, just ask yourself one question: What's the worst that could happen?
I've done some cold-calling here and there. My script feels very comfortable now and I'm finally passed the whole rejection phobia (seriously, it's not that bad). Haven't landed anything from cold-calling yet, but I've barely made 75 dials. Definitely need to put more time into that.
I've landed three projects total: one because I'm friends with the guy, the second from pitching a guy at a meeting with my friend, and the third from a referral. Not bad for two weeks, but not too great either.
Today, I was feeling pretty good. I contacted a guy from Craigslist and he emailed me back this morning. If all goes well (way too early to tell) it could be a really big project. So that's awesome.
Anyway, I was walking to my favorite restaurant when I noticed a clothing boutique across the street. I had been there before - in fact, I had already pitched and closed a deal with the owner almost a year ago! Hell, I'd even gotten the $100 deposit.
...but I missed the first deadline. I didn't email a mockup when I told her I would. Then, it happened again - I missed a second deadline. I was so embarrassed with myself that I gave her back the deposit and tore up the contract we had. I apologized that I couldn't work on the project and we parted ways.
So yeah, I had a little history with her.
Anyway... it was just one of those days where I felt indestructible. So I went in anyway. Just to see if maybe she was still looking for a designer. Luckily I remembered her name - greeted her when I walked in. Asked if she remembered me. She did.
First thing out of her mouth: She told me how much she respected that I discontinued the contract when I couldn't fulfill my obligations. Go figure?
I asked if she ever did have a website designed for the shop. She didn't.
The second thing out of her mouth: If you still do the work, I'm still very interested.
We talked a bit, I told her that I'm doing websites as freelance work (I'm 19, so it's a perfect angle), and she wants to get started next week. She also has a tuxedo shop adjacent to the store and gets slammed this time of year with prom right around the corner.
But I still secured a meeting tomorrow afternoon to show her some potential designs. And she's going to turn into a buyer.
Anyway, just wanted to share that today. Sorry about the length. If I had to sum everything up in a sentence, I'd just say: be fearless. So some people aren't going to want what you have to sell? Get over it, move on, pitch your heart out on the next. So you have some 'bad' history with a potential customer? Dive in anyway. What's the worst that could happen?
I was fearless today, and it felt great. If you've been wanting to take that leap, whether it's to start cold-calling, knocking on doors, going to meetup groups, sending out direct mail campaigns - whatever - and FEAR is holding you back, just ask yourself one question: What's the worst that could happen?
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