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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Ever since James Chartrand admitted that he wears women’s underpants, I’ve been intrigued by his story.

But James has been in my radar, not only because of his underwear choices, but more importantly because:

- he’s a successful copywriter, which is what I’d like to be when I grow up

- his blog, MenWithPens.ca is one of the best blogs for freelancers out there, and is what TheSavvyFreelancer.com would want to be when it grows up

- he is one of the authors of “The Unlimited Freelancer,” the book I credit for helping me take my part-time freelancing biz to the next level

- despite his popularity, he’s always been gracious, appreciative and just plain nice on his blog, my blog, and on Twitter

So it comes as no surprise that I’m interviewing James in the next Savvy Freelancing Webinar.

DATE: July 8, 2010, Thursday

TIME: 10 am, Eastern

Register here if you want to listen in:
I’m going to ask James to tell his story, give us success tips, and just hang out for an hour. Let’s get to know the REAL James Chartrand.

PS: It will be fun, so join us already:
photo credit: Faithful Chant [ back ]