I think the biggest and most important thing for any solo professional or freelancer needs to focus on is consistency. Keep whatever business idea or thought you have consistent and authentic. Does it speak to you and how you desire to do business, does it fit well with who you are?
No matter what types of service or product you have if it doesn’t connect with who you are and what you are about no business or marketing technique is going to make a difference... Click here to read the rest of this post at Redhead VA's Biz Bits.

The Redhead VA's Biz Bits Blog is authored by VAF member Renee of Redhead VA.


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Hi Renee,

Nice post!

To answer your question, "What about you, do you take on projects because your excited and they seem like the right thing for you? Or do you take on a project because you need the money?"

Currently, I am able to take on projects because they are new and exciting but there was a time I took them on because I needed to get my business going.

The good thing about doing work that IS NOT exciting is that it gives clarity to the next project and then the next. It helped to shape that list of only those exciting projects I wanted to take on for the future.

Even with having an established business now I still have clients call me with work which is half-exciting and half-not-exciting. And when I tell them that I can find someone to do the 'not-so-exciting' stuff, it's a turn off. So I have done the grit-work and bit the bullet just to get that 'out of the way' and move on to the better work.

It would be ideal to be asked to do only the work which excites me but on occasion, I'll do something which is low on that 'exciting list'. It is not something I prefer but I feel that if I do comply, it will give me greater opportunity to get to know a client's business in a more intimate fashion. So working on a database, for example, as ho-hum as that can be gives me the inside scoop on who the client's true target audience may be. So even the ho-hum projects have some redeemable merit.

Janine

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Yes, awesome post - so right on and such a breath of fresh air to see another business owner realize and own her own direction. Sure, there are people out there we can and should learn from, but copycatting just isn't a way to the top and it certainly isn't fulfilling either.

Finding, being and touting your authentic self, in business or otherwise, is always going to be the 'better' road. Harder? Maybe at first - but would you rather walk a mile in someone else's shoes, trying to make them fit. Or 1,000 in your own? (OK, that was cheesy... sorry )

Loved this post!

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Janine,

It's true that sometimes withing the projects and tasks there are some things that aren't exciting yet still need to be done, but I still believe that you can take on projects that represent more of what is exciting and what you are passionate about vs taking on projects because you have to.

I'm a firm believer that as hard as it might be to say "no" to a project that doesn't fit with you and your business opens up the energy to bring on tasks that are more in line with what you are passionate about. It's a giant leap of faith and a scary decision but I believe in the the concept that we're all energy and by saying "no" opens our energy to letting in those ideas, projects and clients that excite us.

I'm lucky enough to say that though I'm not quite where I want to be financially, I'm getting there quickly simply because I'm not taking on everything that is presented to me just those projects that excite at least 80% wise.

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Renee Shupe, Become a Techie Virtual Assistant
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Tess!

Yes, yes and yes! I can only hope more VA's will grab on to the idea and know that in the long run you'll feel better about your business and how it fits with your life!

Renee

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Renee Shupe, Become a Techie Virtual Assistant
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Renee,

Thank you for your reply.

I wish to add that I do not believe that saying 'no' is a cut and dry decision, rather there are other factors which will play into making that final decision.

Although I have said 'no' and am not fearful to do so, I believe each situation needs to be decided individually.

For example, I have a regular client who contracted with me to work on blogs, ezine and general writing, which is what I enjoy doing (the most). However, to set up that ezine, I was asked to create a database of email addresses so that the ezine project could move forward. For me, database work is not exciting and not what I love to do. But I agreed to do that portion of the work for the benefit of servicing the client full circle and to move on with the rest of the ongoing work.

I have another client who asked me to do only database work for a month and that I farmed out to someone else who enjoys this particular task.

But I had to weigh each situation carefully. Knowing when to say 'no' is also a learned skill.

I agree on the 80% you indicate.

And it does get much easier to say 'no' once that first project is turned down or subbed to someone else.

Great discussion!

Thank you.

Janine

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Janine,

What you have said is bang on, I'm with you on the the need to weigh each situation differently because it's situation has different elements involved that impact our decisions. Having just read ReWork by the 37Signals folks they have a chapter that talks about the questions to ask yourself when starting a new project and it also works for when working with clients.

I'll have to pull that out and provide the questions as it fits right into this conversation....

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Renee Shupe, Become a Techie Virtual Assistant
eMail Marketing & Aweber Training Starts May 15! - Save 50% using VAFAweber

Good advice. I have trouble saying no, but I guess I better learn how. :-)

Very helpful thread. One or the other day every VA has to learn this in her VA journey. Sometimes, it's hard to just pass on the opportunity when a VA just starting her venture. Once the business is established, it might be easy to decide which projects to work and which to pass on (if you really don't enjoy working on them).

Thanks for this tip Renee.

Jessie

Lots of good ideas that are useful for me as newbie. Thanks