Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

5 Things to Tell Your Clients at the End of the Year

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imagesThe end of the year is a good time to make sure that you have expectations set for the following year for your business and with your clients. For the past month, amongst other things, I’ve been thinking about what my clients need to know for 2015. Here’s a few things you may want to make sure your clients know the next time the contract is up, or if the end of the year is a natural time for changes…

1. Rate changes. It’s good to review your rates each year. I bill at an hourly rate, and that rate went up this year. Not a ton, $5 an hour, it won’t kill my clients, or so they’ve said.

2. Changing your fee structure. I had been billing in 15 minute increments and after some suggestions from friends, I decided to switch to bill in 6 min increments. I think it’ll save my clients some money because I’m pretty efficient. But that’s taken care of (see #1)

3. Holidays and vacations – make sure your clients know what’s going on in your schedule. I try to communicate about a week prior at the LEAST to let my clients know of vacations.

4. Billing– my invoices come out on the first of the month. So for December, I always ask my clients if they’d like to pay early (if they have excess in the budget) or wait till January. It doesn’t make a difference to me, and they’re happy.

5. Major Life Changes- okay, maybe not major, but if you know there’s some big things happening for you in 2015 that you can share, do that. “We’re moving,” “We’re going on a 3 week road trip,” “I’m taking up under water basket weaving,” “I’m prepping for the Zombie Apocalypse, and you should too!” Whatever it is, if it makes sense and will effect your clients, let them know so you can plan around it.

Texting Etiquette 101

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imagesIf you know me, you know I don’t love text messages. It’s one of my least favorite forms of communication. HOWEVER I know that it serves its purpose and it’s helped me find my husband in crowded venues and friends when last minute schedules change.

However, when I spoke on a follow up a few weeks ago, I was SHOCKED to receive a follow up message via text! Seriously? NO. And it wasn’t a simple “great to meet you” it was a short paragraph with info and actual follow up on something we had discussed. I was so surprised by it, it took me a few days to respond (in a different medium).

Text messaging still seems personal to me and not an acceptable way to follow up or network with people you have just met or barely know IN A BUSINESS SITUATION.

Now, if I am meeting someone and they are running late, a text message saying “I’m stuck in traffic, will be 5 minutes late” is fine. But email (my favorite communication medium) and phone (meh, it has it’s purpose) are always the right options, not texting.

The Emily Post Institute, home of my new favorite podcast, Awesome Etiquette, has a great article about texting if you need a quick reminder.

Ask Yellow Dog…That Stack of Business Cards

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imagesI recently spoke at an event  about my favorite topic, FOLLOW UP. The first thing I talk about is putting systems and schedules in place, which includes getting your business cards out of a box and into a spreadsheet and/or CRM. Here’s a note I sent to one of the attendees afterwards…

For that stack of business cards  put them in a box, and just start doing it. Last night when I got home I took all the cards from the day and while I was watching TV and drinking a glass (or so…) of wine, I input all the business cards.

Just start doing it. As I also mentioned, neighbor kids or family members looking to make extra money are GREAT for this. Depending on the quantity of cards, you could pay from $.10-$.25 per card I’d say (or an hourly rate depending). You could also outsource it to a virtual assistant.

Get those business cards out of the box!

This holiday season when you have a quiet day, or are getting your office cleaned up for the end of the year, make those business cards a priority!