Work for ‘free’ strategically

 

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. I offer to find someones niche. Then I can help them with other services. most people are super happy with my service. Some are not and I'm happy to discount my service or meet then again. It happens. All good. But that rarely happens because about an hour-in, i ask them, "how's it going" and we work-it from there

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Who? What? Where? 

Who and What are covered in your niche. 

Where, use a quiet cafe. It's not unprofessional. If you can rock-their-world they don't care where. Walk and Talks are good too. Stroll in a park. Tennis, anyone?

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Phone friends and family and ask them. Do you know anyone who would like 2 hours of guidance in ...?"

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And the client must know what result they get. 'Empowered' is not a result

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Don't be afraid to offer a result. If they feel they didn't get it, so what, they should have got something. Ask them what they would have liked more of and LEARN

 

And when you start charging Remember they have read your content AND will have a free get-to-know you call AND a $50 'tester' before that invest $100s

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Be careful what industry / occupation you do free work for because they become your 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 passion-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 their 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.

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Note, be careful what Industry / person you do free work for because when they feature in your portfolio you will probably attract that type of business / person

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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

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

• Your business name and website link in the footer

• 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.

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

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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 service, 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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