Hey there, fellow freelancers and contractors! Today, let’s talk about something that can be a bit tricky: keeping your clients from treating you like an employee. We’ve all been there – getting bogged down with tasks that weren’t in the original agreement or feeling like we’re at their beck and call 24/7. It’s time to set some boundaries and keep things professional while still delivering top-notch work.
Set Clear Expectations from the Start
One of the best ways to avoid being treated like an employee is to be crystal clear about what you’re offering from day one. Outline your services, deliverables, timelines, and communication channels in your contract or agreement. This sets the tone for a professional relationship where both parties know what to expect.
Communicate Proactively
Don’t wait until issues arise to communicate with your client. Regular check-ins can help you stay on the same page and address any concerns before they become bigger problems. It also shows that you’re proactive and committed to delivering quality work.
Define Boundaries
It’s essential to establish boundaries early on. Let your client know when you’re available for calls or meetings and when they can expect deliverables. Avoid responding to work-related messages outside of your agreed-upon hours unless it’s an emergency. Respect goes both ways, and setting boundaries helps maintain a healthy working relationship.
Be Assertive
If your client starts asking for tasks that weren’t part of the original scope or agreement, don’t be afraid to speak up. Politely remind them of what was agreed upon and offer to discuss any changes or additions separately. Being assertive shows that you value your time and expertise.
Offer Solutions, Not Just Problems
If you encounter issues or challenges during a project, don’t just present the problem to your client. Offer potential solutions or alternatives. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and proactive approach to finding solutions, which can strengthen your client’s trust in you.
Know When to Say No
Sometimes, a client may ask for something that doesn’t align with your expertise or values. In such cases, it’s okay to say no respectfully. Explain why you’re declining the request and offer alternatives if possible. Remember, it’s better to maintain your integrity than to take on work that doesn’t suit you.
Evaluate the Relationship
Periodically evaluate your working relationship with each client. Are they respecting your boundaries and agreements? Are they appreciative of your work and efforts? If you find yourself consistently feeling undervalued or overworked, it may be time to reassess the partnership or consider parting ways amicably.
In conclusion, keeping clients from treating you like an employee requires clear communication, setting boundaries, being assertive, and knowing when to say no. By maintaining professionalism and mutual respect, you can foster healthy and productive relationships that benefit both parties.
Keep freelancing like a boss!
Cheers,
Kathy ~ TheBestVA
Kathy’s ‘Book’[/caption]
This is also my last book like this one. I can’t believe its taken me over 20 years to get my logins and passwords all organized. I mean, the other was ok, just put a rubber band on it and throw it in the safe and you’re good to go. But, ugh!, it was a beast to manage. Every new ‘key’ or login was stuffed in there wherever it would fit. Finding anything was a chore. I would have to do a task and suddenly realize I don’t remember the password, or it wasn’t in the digital manager yet, so I’d have to wade through pages and pages of logins and passwords to find what I needed – hence all the stickie notes and flags! It was very frustrating to page through the old book when you’re on the phone trying to get something done with a client.
So, over the past few days I have revamped my ‘book’. Its still small enough to fit in the safe, but its now arranged by alphabet, and each client has their own sheet(s). It works so much better now! Its still the 5.5 x 8.5 size, so it fits where I want it, it has a built in pocket for holding notes I haven’t categorized yet, and I used an old set of contacts tabs from my DayTimer , with notes pages. I love it, I feel so organized now!
For those of you who are yelling at me from afar and saying, “Digital password manager!!!” well, I have one of those too, but, its always a good idea to have a paper backup.
I’m so proud of myself – it only took 20+ years!! :-)]]> 
Managing a project that requires a lot of back and forth of files is a harrowing experience. Email works for the first round or maybe two, but after that, it quickly gets out of control. You’re working on version “c” while your client is already on version “e” and soon important revisions and notes are lost.
A better way to work from a single document is to simply add files to a shared folder. This way, as you or your client make changes, they’ll appear in real-time, leaving no doubt about which version anyone has, or what changes were made when.
There are several players in the folder sharing market, making it easy to find one that will work not only for you but for your clients as well.
Dropbox
A favorite in the shared folder race is Dropbox. The simple setup and generous amount of free storage space (2GB) make this a top choice for many people even if sharing files isn’t on their minds. If you work from multiple computers, need access to files on your mobile phone or iPad, or just want the extra security of knowing your important documents are backed up in “the cloud” then Dropbox is a good option.
The free version includes 2GB of storage space, which is plenty to get you started, but you can earn more space by Tweeting about Dropbox, referring friends, and connecting other applications. You can also upgrade to 100GB for around $10 per month.
Google Drive
Not surprisingly, Google has its own document sharing system. Formerly Google Docs, Drive now operates similar to Dropbox in that you can view your files in a folder on your computer. However, opening a file requires a web browser and the use of Google Apps. If you want to edit a spreadsheet in Excel, you’ll have to download it first.
Google Drive offers more free space than Dropbox does, starting out with 5GB. Upgrades are less expensive as well, with 100GB available for just $5 per month, compared to Dropbox’s $10 fee.
One noteworthy difference between Dropbox and Google Drive is how files are stored. With Dropbox, files exist both on your computer and in the cloud, meaning you can work on them without an internet connection. As soon as Dropbox detects a change to a document, it syncs the new version with that on the Dropbox server. If you and your client are both working on a file at the same time, this can result in a “conflicted copy” showing up in your Dropbox.
Google Drive is different in that only one copy of each file exists. When you’re working on a file, you’re actually editing that file on Google’s server. You can see this in action if you have a file open that your client is working on – you’ll be able to watch as she makes changes.
There are a variety of other file sharing services available as well, and chances are your clients will have their own preferences, so you’ll likely use several in your business. But to start out, Dropbox and Google Drive offer a simple solution for collaborating with others, or just sharing files between computers.]]> 
The phone rings and you dash to grab it before your toddler – newly able to answer with a barely understandable “Hewo?” – can get to it. After all, it might be a client, or worse, a potential client.
Such is the peril of publishing your phone number on your website. Yet many virtual assistants find that offering a phone number increases the inquiries, and consequently, new clients, they receive. Having a separate office line would be a good solution to the toddler-as-receptionist problem, were it not for the cost.
The solution? Skype.
You’re likely used to using Skype day in and day out to chat with friends, IM with colleagues, and perhaps talk to online clients as well. But did you know you can use Skype as a phone replacement?
Skype offers two types of services: Incoming and outgoing phone calls, and you can purchase them together or separately, for maximum flexibility.
Make Phone Calls
If what you really need to do is call out to clients or others, and don’t want to eat up your cell minutes or reveal that number to the public, then Skype credit is just the answer. Purchase a monthly or annual subscription or a pay-as-you-go plan, depending on your needs.
With Skype credit you’ll have the ability to place a call to either cell phones or landlines right from your Skype app. And if you need to call internationally, options are available for a variety of countries starting as low as one cent per minute.
Accept Incoming Calls
Want to publish your number on your website and answer it at your desk? The answer is to get a