Re: The Wealthy Freelancer
I love your review, Janine! I know the co-authors of the book and started working with them as their VA just before they launched the book, so I have some bias towards the book and the people behind it. (Who by the way are really as personable as they come across as in the book!)
I love seeing the book having been reviewed so objectively! It's one of the reasons I love the forums and look forward to reading the book reviews and VA interviews etc.
Here's my thoughts on the The Wealthy Freelancer:
I came into the VA industry with the mindset of "freelancer" that has transitioned into the more typical VA business model, so I relate to most of the book more naturally than others might. I think that will be a stumbling block for many potential readers of the book - to not discount the title as not applicable to them because they are a <insert title here> and not a freelancer, even though at the core, it's just semantics.
The pricing chapter wasn't wholly applicable to me either, but their advice and thought provoking questions gave me some great stuff to think about and apply in my business that is structured on hourly rates. It helped me in my confidence level in setting my prices.
I love their advice on defining your ideal client and brining focus to your business. I think so many VAs struggle with finding a niche, a market and even clients - and that when someone walks through their virtual door - they take them on even if they aren't "the perfect fit". I gained a great deal of clarity on why this harmful to your business and potentially to your reputation. Just as importantly, they tell you how to define that ideal client and find that focus. Interestingly enough, I thought this was one of the most applicable sections of the books to VAs and found it to be probably the most helpful part of the book overall to me.
Another great takeaway for me is on the subject of on client care. Not just about the getting clients.. but how to treat them from 1st contact to 1st project -how to build their trust in you, and keep them wanting more.
Other books outline how to get clients and how to market yourself, but I usually set the book down afterwards feeling like it's a huge task to tackle to apply what I've read. In reading this book though, I never felt overwhelmed in applying the secrets the techniques that they outline.
The biggest takeaway for me - living wealthy is about setting your standards - from your perfect client - to your work hours - to your fees and rates PLUS enjoying the lifestyle that you want. The book gave me a positive perspective on structuring my career and my life together and not having to sacrifice one for the other. The key, for me, was to be clear on what I want first.
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