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

and gather feedback, reviews and referrals.

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When starting out just offer one service (one result).

My one service is to find your niche.

Don't worry about getting paid. Maybe you work for cheap, free or maybe they give you some money.

Check-in with them after a short time 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

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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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They must know what result they get. 'Empowered' is not a result

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If they feel they didn't get the 'result', 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 can find 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 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, evidence of your work and the shop owner is like 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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