The getting of clients remains the number one challenge for freelancers today.
At least, that’s what I found when I surveyed the participants in my recent webinar with “the real” James Chartrand.
As you may already know, James knew all about the pain of struggling to get clients. In fact, that’s what drove her to take on a male persona.
Sadly, I found other cases of freelancers changing themselves for the sake of their freelancing biz.
For example, somebody told me she dyed her light blonde hair dark just to be taken more seriously.
How sad! I happen to be envious of blonde hair, and would probably bleach my hair blonde if it didn’t clash with my coloring.
People Judge: It’s A Fact
All this talk of having to change an aspect of yourself in order to get more clients worries me.
After all, I have a lot of things going AGAINST me:
- I’m female
- I’m Asian
- I have a hispanic family name
- I look young for my age
- I’m a work-at-home Mom
… and so on and so forth.
Should I create a different, more acceptable persona? One that does elicits more trust, credibility and expertise?
I won’t.
Here’s Why
- The first reason is I’m just plain too lazy. If I changed my persona in any way, I would need to maintain it and exert so much effort just to keep my real identity from coming through.
- My second reason is, I’m stubborn. I refuse to pander to the prejudices of those who let gender, race, hair color, age or whatever else affect their decisions.
- And finally, I’m all about being authentic. Not to say that those who’ve changed their identities are not authentic. However, I would feel like a fake if I did.
I would feel like a traitor to “my kind” if changed my public identity in any way.
And besides, I really don’t want to work with people who would think less of me because my demographics.
WHO NEEDS THEM?
So that’s me.
Your Turn
How about you? How far would you go to get more clients? Or get paid more by your clients?
Be honest! No judgements here, just keeping it real.
photo credit: mark sebastian
I haven’t tried to change at all, unless you count giving my business a nice name. (I recently changed from Emma Thomas-McGinnis Design to ETM Creative, to encompass more services, not sound bigger!) I still let people know that I’m a work-at-home-mom, one-woman-business. I’d rather work with people who accept and admire that than the ones who need me to say “we” and “us” and pretend I have an office full of minions!
Great topic, I appreciate and admire your honesty too, Lexi!
“An office full of minions” LOL, Emma! Thanks for your comment… Which reminds me I really ought to have a business name. I’ve been trying to come up with one, but I’m too scared to commit to one name.
I haven’t changed anything since starting my business, and since everything is set up I am just too lazy to start all over again lol
However, when I was working outside the home, I did find that colouring my blonde hair red I was taken A LOT more seriously as an accountant and business woman. *shrugs* However, I went red just for me, not for my job
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@Melinda – I’m right with you on the laziness, LOL!
@Bakari – A business name does help communicate your brand. Like you, I haven’t found one yet that I’m totally happy with. Meantime, I’m just using my name, which may not be a good idea in the long run. Oh well!
Hi Alexis, I’m new to your site. I totally agree with what you say in this post. I don’t think anyone should try to change who they are to be accepted by others—even if it is “just business.“ I want my services and work to speak for itself.
However, now that I‘m trying take my freelance writing to full-time, I’m not quite confident about the current title of my business, “Bakari Writes.” I chose it mainly because I had purchased my name as the URL. It’s not my name I have problems with, it’s just I think I need a business name that is a little more savvy. But hey, I’ll stick with it for a while until I figure out something I‘m more comfortable with.
Anyway, thanks for writing your 31 days challenge. I’ll definitely read through the series.