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how to attract better clients who pay

How to Attract Better Clients & Earn More Money

If you’re a professional just starting out, or even an established consultant or business owner, your main gripe is probably this: How do I get my clients to pay for my services? Or, Why do I keep attracting clients who don’t want to pay me what I’m asking for?

For starters, you’re going to have to reassess what value you’re offering and then make a mindset shift. Secondly, you could just need a lesson on how to create better boundaries.

Or third, you could just be blowing all 5 of the “Business, Mindset, Money Mastery” rules, which are:

One: Integrity.

In ‘The Four Agreements‘, Don Miguel Ruiz speaks about being impeccable with your word. I am a pretty literal and precise when it comes to tasks, appointments and my outlined duties with a client. And I generally expect the same. You are the mirror for the current (or future) clients you’re attracting. If the customers you’re currently attracting aren’t ideal, it could be several factors, one of which begs the question, what kind of client are you? Be the mirror to your clients. If you operate out of integrity and consistency, you will attract the same kind of individuals. Attract what you want by being and reflecting the value you’re asking for.

Two: Command Premium Prices.

Are your services or products worth it? Here’s the thing: If you don’t think you’re worth the price you’re asking, everyone else will think it, too. We teach people how to treat us, whether in our business or personal lives. If your products or services are not yet worth what you’re asking, do what you need to do to raise the bar. If they are worth more but you’re not asking for more because you are afraid, you still aren’t telling the client that you’re worth it.

The first thing you’re going to have to do is remove the blocks that keep you from asking for what you’re worth. Find out whatever those blocks are and fix them, stat! They could be something as deep as inner emotional work or as superficial as creating a better website or program. Whatever they are, seek them out and fix it. You aren’t helping anyone, including yourself, by playing small.

Don’t worry about pleasing everyone. And don’t spend too much time with tire kickers or the ones who don’t want to pay for your worth. Spend your energy attracting the clients who will respect and value your time and talent. Smart clients who pay more for quality work generally get better results, and they know this.

As a freelancer, consultant or business owner, you also know that you will deliver a much higher quality product when you know your clients are paying you what you ask.

There is an expression I love and it states, “If you think hiring a professional is expensive, try hiring an amateur.”

Have you honed a skill so well you’re a master at it? Are you great at selling, speaking, writing, consulting, changing lives for the better? Don’t be afraid to ask for the price you deserve.

✅You are not just selling a service, you are selling VALUE and most importantly, RESULTS. Because let’s face it, positive outcomes are priceless.

What is the value of the results you can give that client? Is it $15,000 worth of sales, $9,000 worth of unnecessary fees or $50,000 worth of advertising exposure for only $2,000?

Three: Position Yourself as an Expert

When you’re first starting out, nobody knows a damn thing about you. Humans don’t generally like things that are too unfamiliar, either. But, that’s ok, I’m sure you’re not reinventing the wheel. Just find ways to show them what you do and how you can make their lives better.

Don’t spend so much time with ads trying to tell or convince everyone how much you know. Create freebies, video content or printable literature and give it away; show them what you know and do until your reputation supersedes you. Give value through free webinars, tutorials, lessons, samples, downloadable books, etc. Create social proof with the value you consistently offer. And THEN, bring in the ads to drive traffic to your value.

Four: Become a Master of Your Time

Time doesn’t always equal money. In other words, don’t be afraid to aim for low-hanging fruit and harness a ‘less effort for the highest reward’ strategy. The more time you spend on clients should not always equal the amount of money you make. For example, you could spend 30 minutes each, per day, with 5 clients at only $45 each ($1,125), OR, you could be reaching 50 clients in 1 week through a 1-hour group conference call or live webinar at $50/ea. ($2,500). Which one will utilize less time, emotional energy and offer a higher reward? Obviously, the once per week webinar or conference call.

And if a client requests 1-on-1 time, the price you set should be higher. Again, if you’re really good at what you do, s/he will understand and honor your prices. Yes, your time is valuable, but it should be priced accordingly.

Five: Don’t Try to Do Everything By Yourself

I realize when you’re just starting out it can be tough to find people to work with who you can afford and trust. But as a new business, you need assistance and help from people who are experts in their field. Whether graphic design, marketing, copywriting, billing, personal assistance, website design, videography, business consulting — whatever area you need that will help your business grow should be prioritized and delegated to someone else. Trying to do it all yourself can create delays, mistakes, overspend in unnecessary ways or poor brand positioning and creative visuals.

Don’t try to do everything on your own. Prioritize a budget for help and find the right people to assist. Build your tribe!

Bonus Tip: Stay away from Freelance Marketplace sites such as Fiverr, UpWork and CrowdSpring, unless it truly pays off big time. Sites like this take a huge chunk out of your pay and you have to spend an awful lot of time working upfront and writing proposals for clients who may waste your time or hire someone else simply based on a lower bid price. Don’t fight for scraps, or deal with low-ballers or tire kickers. A lot of clients on these platforms are looking for free consulting, discount rates and don’t want to pay anything for high-value services.

What ‘The Secret’ Isn’t Telling You

“Manifest it!” the gurus keep telling you. But you’re still stuck.

“Why doesn’t it work?” you ask.

Let me share with you my philosophy and advice on using The Secret and the proven techniques I use to manifest cool shit in my life and career. Stay with me, this is a long read but it’s totally worth it.

Get What You Want by Claiming It

Whether you want to change careers, become a consultant, find love, attract more money, make cool stuff for a living, blog about your favorite things, etc. I am going to say first and foremost: It’s doable. There are plenty of resources for you to accomplish this and the universe is limitless.

Want to make money following your passion? You can. Not sure if you have a skill that is valuable to others? You do. Everyone does. Even if you think your skill isn’t a skill or “not quite ‘there’ yet,” it’s there.

Wherever you are in the process, I encourage you to: recognize it, validate it and then sharpen it. Sharpen it like a samurai sword and invest in yourself, first and foremost. Make yourself as valuable as humanly possible.

In fact, see yourself as a Master of whatever it is you love to do. For the next 2 weeks straight, your task is to go to sleep each night and wake up every morning and say, “I AM A MASTER OF   _______________________”.

manifestation mantra

After a few weeks of consistently doing this, you are going to start believing it, and stuff is going to start shifting.

Whatever you state, you believe. Whatever you believe, becomes. This works for better or for worse. So definitely stop saying you’re fat, ugly, broke, can’t find work, can’t find a good mate, can’t do anything right, etc!

Rule #1: Stop the negative self-talk.

What ‘The Secret’ Isn’t Telling You

We have all heard about ‘The Secret’, right? Or Abraham Hicks, if you are deeper in the spiritual community. Most people have read ‘The Secret’ even if they don’t consider themselves “spiritual.”

I love those ladies and their work. But so often I see people walking away feeling energized and then a few days or weeks later, feeling discouraged because “nothing is happening.” (Maybe a lot of people are expecting something to fall from the sky?)

What message are these leaders leaving with us? Are we missing something? That seems to be the question I hear from audience members all the time.

This frustrates me because manifesting what we want is not so hard to achieve if we’re willing to be open, be courageous, have faith, or just do the work. As Jim Carrey stated in an interview with Oprah: “You can’t just say ‘I want to be an actor’ and then go eat a sandwich.”

“By thought, the thing you want is brought to you. By action, you receive it.”

-Wallace D. Wattles

Why it Doesn’t Work for Everyone

You see, I like the intention of Abraham Hicks, Neville Goddard, and Rhonda Byrne messages, but I feel as though they have left some very important (if not crucial) elements out of their philosophy, books, and seminars.

And the marketing portion of my brain sees a bit of hypocrisy.

What makes their business model work so well is that they’re addressing valid pain points with an ancient law of the universe philosophy and they don’t follow up with clear, actionable steps. The message is getting misinterpreted by people who want something (money, love, and success, usually), and want it immediately without really doing anything, or taking any kind of action — because a lot of these gurus state that ‘no action is required.’

Except simply wanting it. Or “getting into the vortex.”

What happens is, people aren’t getting to the meat and potatoes of the Law and they keep returning for something they missed. Entire books are written devoted to expanding on this subject. Groups and networks of thousands of people are created discussing how to get what they want using the Secret or the Law and yet, I keep seeing the same questions over and over.

The teachers are failing to teach, and so the students keep coming back to learn, wondering if they missed something. What they are missing is the most crucial element of manifesting. And that is F A I T H.

FAITH is what “the Vortex” is. It’s the emotional vibration of faith and knowing. With faith, we have the courage to take the action required for The Universe to meet us on that road.

Why ‘Nothing’ Happens

People aren’t truly getting the results they want because they either aren’t convinced they can get what they want (faith), they lack the will or courage to go out and get it, or they aren’t sure how to align their actions with what they want because they feel it may interfere with the process.

Example: “I shouldn’t be looking for that job right now because I want to manifest to win the lotto and looking for a job will tell the universe that I don’t believe I’m going to win the lottery.” 

Ok, I get that this is an extreme example, but. Do not do this.

So, what you hear is, “It’s already yours but you’re blocking it”, “You aren’t getting what you desire because you need to get back into the vortex.” Or, “just think it and let it go and it becomes yours.”

What they forget to tell you, or emphasize, are these important factors:

  • Your actions must then match your goals and desires
  • Your ENERGY must match what you desire. Money energy is what? Freedom, ease, gratitude, charity, joy, a relaxed state, excited? If you want money, for example, you can’t focus on the lack of money, you have to feel and express the emotions that having money creates.
  • Your skillsets much match your goals. Do you want a new career or a higher paying job? Do what you need to do to be a candidate for that new career or the higher paying job. I can’t say I want to be a doctor without completing med school. If your skill sets don’t match, work on making yourself more valuable. Yep, it may take time, and that’s where the next step comes in. But give the Universe something to work with!
  • Be willing to do the work and be patient. It may take 3 years. Be willing to commit and motivated enough to see it work out. It didn’t happen overnight for JK Rowlings, Rhonda Byrne or for Abraham Esther Hicks, either.
  • You really need to have incredible faith in yourself. Believe you are a Superhero and Creator of your life. You are a Magician and everything you set out to do comes to pass. Say this all the time, never let doubt take over. Ever.
  • Avoid negative self-talk. Never speak poorly of yourself, of your life, your surroundings or the people who come into your life. Never say, “I always get ripped off” or “I’m not good at that, or “I don’t ever win at that.” These kinds of phrases should not exist in your life.
  • If you want it: Then claim it, state it. Be it. Prime example: Gary Vaynerchuk — “I AM going to own the NY Jets.” If you want something there is no ‘maybe’, or ‘hopefully’. There is only one phrase: “I AM __.”
  • Have patience, have faith and take action. Believe it is coming to you but work with the universe to facilitate the receiving. It could be something as simple as a meeting, showing up, making a phone call, creating a new resume, finishing the book, or just asking. Actions don’t always have to be big. ‘Action’ just means: create a space for your request to come into fruition. I know of people who need and want work and they refuse to get on LinkedIn or attend business mixers or even meet new people. They wonder why a job isn’t manifesting, but what they are missing is the action required to be discovered. A recruiter isn’t going to show up at your doorstep because they got a message from the universe that you are looking for a job and then got your contact details from a homing pigeon.

Again, Jim Carrey is a prime example of someone who has been fearless in his desires and pursuits. He manifests whatever he wants. (And he did so BEFORE he was rich and famous). But his success, nor anyone else’s’ didn’t happen overnight. And it won’t for you either. It may take a few months, a few years even. And that HAS to be ok.

Choose to be happy and optimistic, even in the down times — it will keep you motivated.

My Manifesting Strategy and How it Will Work for You

[My backstory] It took a little over a year to really switch gears in my career. Over 10 years had passed as a fashion designer and in the last year of my fashion career, everything for me had totally shifted. I was no longer interested in doing corporate fashion nonsense or designing fast fashion clothes. I had been juggling fashion, branding and social media marketing for the last several years. But now I wanted (needed) something that provided more freedom, less stress. I wanted a career that was more fluid. I wanted to do something where I really felt like I was making a positive impact and a difference.

After having a very honest conversation with myself, I realized my current profession as a fashion designer was going to have to go. I needed to make room for the new future and career I wanted to immerse myself in, which was creative, branding and digital marketing. I struggled with this change pretty bad. Shifting gears in my late 30s was freaky. I listened to every TedTalk and YouTube guru I could until it finally sunk in.

The overarching message behind every successful author, businesswoman/man, entrepreneur, public speaker, motivator, etc. was this: Decide. Make yourself valuable, stick to the goal, be patient, believe in yourself 100% (faith) and be willing to do the work.

They used The Secret (kind of) to visualize what they wanted. But what made them successful wasn’t just imagining it, but knowing they were going to do something (setting their intention), and sticking to their plan, which allowed their actions to match and be in alignment with the thoughts.

I had already decided: Fashion design was simply not conducive to me earning the kind of money I wanted or working from a warm beach in Hawaii or south France (or anywhere I pleased, for that matter). So I got rid of everything in my office that was fashion related and closed the book on that chapter.

I literally just DECIDED, and it changed my course.
My actions matched my decision.

If you want to soar with eagles, you can’t peck with chickens. — Dad

After the big decision, and after I kind of went into autopilot and started purging all of the things in my life that didn’t serve or match to the end goal, my office space was now clutter free and I no longer had the weight of dead, expensive projects hanging around my neck. With the fat trimmed, I was able to concentrate on the meat of my goal. It was now time to hunker down and work on my other skillset: being a Creative Director and Digital Media Marketer.

Switching tracks in your career may not be easy, but for me, I decided to make it fun and challenging. It wasn’t entirely new territory for me, so that helped. I had been doing it all along, just not as a profession for others.

Yep. It was scary sometimes, and I had issues with identity because I had been tied to fashion for so long. But I believed in myself enough to know I had this. Over the course of the next two years, I read every article or book I could get my hands on about digital marketing and social media, I tried out what worked and learned what didn’t. I plugged away with branding, influencer outreach, blogging, building WordPress websites, creative content, short commercials, and even learned how to make a little passive income with eBooks and affiliate networks; I learned SEO, Google Adwords, Facebook advertising and got pretty darn good at social media marketing. Within a year of flipping the switch and becoming obsessed with my new career, I launched my media company, gained three long-term clients and several short-term high-paying contracts. I was already making triple what I used to make.

The Power of ‘I AM’

What you want, who you want to be, or the life you want to live isn’t just about thinking about itasking and hoping for your wish or prayer to be grantednor is it about negotiation: (ex.) “When I retire, I’ll be able to do this”, or, “When I have money, I can do that”, “Maybe if he’d do this, I could do that”.

It’s about YOU being the ultimate creator of YOUR life and story. It’s about you knowing the power of change and that creation lies in YOU.

Don’t overthink it. Just think, decide, have faith and do. Creation begins with “I AM ______ (fill in the blank). And allowing and aligning your actions to match that statement.

Reaching Your Big Goal

Define what your BIG GOAL is and envision it (to travel, be financially independent and earning $20,000 per month, quit your day job, start a business, etc). See it, smell it, feel it, BE it. Really take it all in and try it on.

Your actions MUST match your goals. Ask yourself this question whenever you arent certain: Does this serve my end goal?

For example, if you want to take a direct trip to Los Angeles, California, you wouldn’t take a highway up to Montreal, Canada, would you? The same is true with your end goal. Once you’ve made your mind up for what THAT is, all decisions, actions, goals should match with your end result. Once you tell your brain where you want to go, it (and the universe) will help you in getting there. Be patient, have faith. KNOW that it is working with you and for you to manifest itself.

When we decide to be or do something, our brain not only sets us up to go in that direction, but we find we are accomplishing every goal along the way that leads to the big goal. Not sure? Keep a list of goals posted on your cork board and cross them off and refer to them often to see where you’re at. You’d be surprised how awesome this works.

I’m All Over the Damn Place”

Call it energetic or universal law. If you find yourself all over the place, it’s most likely because you don’t know where you want to go, or your goals and thoughts are all over the place. Remember, wherever your thoughts go, energy flows. If you keep changing up the story, the road trip is gonna be a long one before you finally get to your destination.

THE KEYS TO MANIFESTING ARE THIS:

1. Deciding what you want — Decision is a powerful action. Do it without hesitation.

2. Speaking it into creation — Don’t allow for negotiation on who or what you want to do, or be. Speak it. It is yours. Use the phrase, “I Am ___”

3. Committing to that goal 100% — This means staying focused; commit yourself to do the work. Your actions should match your words.

4. Matching your energy to what you want — Your vibration (aka your mood and mindset) should match what you want. If you’re certain you are going to make 6 figures this year, why are you in the low vibration of fear, lack, and worry?  “Act as if it is already yours” simply means, “Be joyful, grateful and excited about your life!” 

5. Become absorbed in whatever it is you want to experience, do or be. Hone your skills, learn everything you need to learn. Learning more about what you want to manifest will not block what you want.

6. Knowing it is yours and staying the course — It may be scary or tiresome at times, but your patience and work will pay off. Maintain your positive, joyful and grateful attitude. When you begin to doubt or feel impatient, say “GOOD THINGS ARE COMING.”

Because they truly are. ❤️

What Does “Women’s Empowerment” Mean?

What does “Women’s Empowerment” mean to you?

Think of the successful and powerful women you know. What attributes do all of these women have in common? What I see most often are: Bravery, education, contribution, and financial freedom. The phrase ’empowered woman’ always brings me back to the writing of Pamela Redmond Satran, “A Woman Should Have.” I think it’s also important to recognize the most important element of becoming empowered: Freedom.

Women who are truly empowered have authority over their lives. They are not dictated by anyone or any circumstance.
Empowered women first believe they are powerful (capable), and then become so through their unwavering FAITH, actions and personal financial wealth. They are able to create their own story at any time because they CAN. Having faith that you CAN, and then creating the means in which to stand on your own, to me, is a defining truth of women’s empowerment.

I’m not talking about the wealth of your husband, nor the shared finances between a husband and wife. I’m referring to your own money, (created by your own job or career) and a bank account with just your name on it. How many married women do you know who have their own bank account —with only their name on it?

The first thing a woman can do for her self-empowerment is to have her own bank account. It isn’t wrong, it isn’t weird and it isn’t a sign that she isn’t committed to her marriage.

I get it. Not all of us are designed to be business owners or entrepreneurs. Not all of us are financial whizzes or Suze Orman’s. But we need to learn and understand the importance of a healthy relationship with money. Once we get a handle on our personal finances, we are going to find more options than we ever imagined and a lot fewer obstacles in our path.

The excerpt is taken from ‘Girl Power’, due to release March 2019⠀⠀⠀⠀