The realization that your business isn’t quite working out the way you’d planned isn’t a fun one. You might look back at your last few projects and see that the clients weren’t the type you want to be working with. Or you might not have any past clients to look back on and feel like you’ll never see consistent income.
I’ve been there. We’ve all been there.
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It’s a scary feeling, but know that there’s always a way to improve and start turning your business into what you want it to be.
Over and over again I see the same mistakes with designers related to their services and the way they’re getting the word out. These mistakes are attracting the wrong people and keeping you from making the money you deserve.
To help, let’s go over 4 mistakes that are keeping you from dream design clients and consistent income.
1. Lack of balance
This is one you might not expect and honestly something I never would have embraced without fighting through it myself and that is having a lack of balance.
This includes balance in work, in life, and between the two.
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When I think back to my last few big ideas, none of them came while sitting in front of the computer. My most profitable idea ever (to double down on affiliate marketing) came while I was running in the bush.
I’m very confident I wouldn’t have had that idea if I were at home sitting on the computer for a full 12 hours straight (which I’ve done far too many times).
To have the ability to take a step back and have “ah-ha” moments about improvements that can be made or changes you’d like to see, you need to give yourself space to do so.
And space comes as a result of balance.
If you need more balance in your life and business, be sure to check out the Simply Profitable Designer Summit presentations from Erin Flynn, Franzine Elaine, and Morgan Brewer.
2. Poorly packaged services
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The next mistake keeping you from dream clients and consistent income is not having your services packaged properly. The biggest offenders here come in when you:
- Don’t have packages
- Have too many packages
- Have packages that aren’t focused on the results you can get a specific type of client
Without packages, you’re asking prospective clients to tell you what they need when in reality, they just aren’t in a place to do that.
They’re looking for an expert who can see their situation and tell them what they need.
If you have too many packages or packages that aren’t aimed at a specific client, prospects are going to be overwhelmed by choices and underwhelmed by the results they see themselves getting.
3. Too many eggs in the marketing basket
Marketing yourself and getting clients in the door is tough. I used to get my name out there any and every way I could. I was on every social media platform, constantly publishing content, and so much more.
The problem with that is when you’re sharing your attention with so many marketing platforms, you can’t put enough effort into what actually works.
When I realized that SEO and building 1:1 relationships were where my clients came from, I spent way more time there.
4. Poor client experience
As a designer, you should get a large portion of your clients from past clients. When someone has a great experience, they’re going to talk about it.
So what does it mean if that’s not happening for you? It doesn’t mean that your design work isn’t amazing. It means that you need to create a better experience for the clients that work with you. Give them something to talk about!
Your client experience includes everything from how you onboard new clients to what kinds of results someone gets after working with you.
To create an experience that past clients can’t stop talking about, tune into the summit presentations from Abbey McGrew, Hayley Fedders, and Steph Wharton.
Choose 1 and take action
Look back at the 4 mistakes we went over, choose the one that is currently affecting you the most, and take action on it!
FREE Simply Profitable Designer Summit (March 15-19 2021)
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And for a whole lot more help making your design business more simple and profitable, check out the FREE Simply Profitable Designer Summit. We’ve got 40 experts lined up and ready to teach you everything from using design tools more effectively to creating an amazing client experience.
We kick off on Monday, March 15th 2021 and this is a must-attend event for designers.
Click here to learn more and get your free ticket
Can’t wait to see you there!