How and why to work for ‘free’ strategically, as a beginner coach or freelancer

 

Work for ‘free’. As a coach

When you work for ‘free’ as a coach you get to

• hone your craft

• find out if you’re in the right niche

• get feedback

• reviews

• referrals​

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Start with one service (one result). Get great at it. Then maybe expand your services. I recommend staying niched for as long as possible. My one service is to find your niche. Yes I can help in other areas. But other services are not as effective if your focus/niche/strategy is weak

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Don't worry about getting paid. LEARNING is more important

When talking with them, check-in with them after 30-60minutes and ask if they are getting value. If they're not - stop, it's Ok. Some people just don't fit. Get feedback

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Where to meet as a coach?. Use a quiet cafe. It's not unprofessional. If you can rock-their-world they don't care, it's a cafe. Walk-n-Talks are good too; you walk and talk at Southbank at Brisbane or in a park. But don't talk about horse manure, like George

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How to get un\paid clients?

​Ask friends and family. "Do you know anyone who would like 2 hours of guidance in ...?"

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The client must know what result they get. 'Empowered' is not a result. Finding your niche with a 12-month roadmap is a result 

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If they feel they didn't get the 'result', don't charge them, ask for feedback and LEARN

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Be careful what type of business / person you do free work for because they become your public reviews and case studies. And you will probably attract that type of business / person

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Work for ‘free’. As a freelancer

IF you know a local business that you really 'connect' with. Then work free in exchange for various forms of free advertising.

When you offer to work for free be VERY precise. Go into detail about the process and results - Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? The same as if you were charging full price

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Then Instead of money, ask for the owners time.

Request a 2 hour meeting (it may take 1 hour). If they are not keen or say they will send their assistant BAIL OUT. If they appreciate your free service they will HAPPILY meet with you. ​

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Example - You go to a local pizza shop regularly. They don’t have a website and you have a good relationship with the owner. You offer them a free site in exchange for certain conditions

• The site must go live, so potential clients can see it. Then put it in your portfolio

• Your business name and website link in the footer of the website

• You have your business cards in the shop

• If customers ask the shop owner “how much did you pay for your website?” they agree to answer,      “It was a great price.” Nothing more

• A review from the Pizza Shop

• Referrals (You email the shop owner a short blurb about your service, they forward it to friends)

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Now you have a client AND evidence of your work AND the shop owner is now your unpaid-sales-rep

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The upside of working for free is that you control the end product.

It’s a pure expression of your ‘art’ in your portfolio.

They can’t make you do ‘tacky’ updates if it’s for free. Well they can, but you reply "forgetaboutit!"

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Then contact similar businesses for more work. "Hi, I make websites. I just made one for Bobby DeNiro's Pizza Shop, near you. Can I drop you a booklet I wrote on Digital Marketing for Restaurants?"

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NOTES

Most people that ask for ‘free’ are not looking for a good relationship with you. Meaning they’ll be a pain-in-the-neck. These customers are not worth having. Instead of saying NO to them, ask "What do you like about my service." Most bargain hunters don't examine your website, they just call a few providers randomly for the best price. Just ask them questions and let them filter themselves OUT - of your world

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Be careful what type of business / person you do free work for because they become your public reviews and feature in your portfolio. And you will probably attract that type of business / person

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