MAD • MEN • NESS: The mistaken belief that if you want to work with better clients, you have to charge less for your services
Traditionally, if you were a website designer or copywriter
And you wanted to work with really fun clients
Who understood great creative
You or your agency probably did some pro bono work for a non-profit
Or the Ad Council
But as a solopreneur or freelancer
You can only miss so many paychecks
Before you need to go back to more high-paying
Much less rewarding work
Because, you know
You can’t have it all.
See if this helps:
If you find yourself charging less
To work for clients you really want to work for
You might be marketing your talent
Rather than your expertise.
On the other hand
Consistently sharing your wealth of knowledge
Rather than your portfolio
Shifts the focus from your work
To your brains
And here’s where it gets interesting:
Even though you’re marketing to the same clients
If they come to you for your expertise
They don’t just pay better
They listen better
They’re more appreciative of your work
And they’re honestly more fun
Than even your lesser-paying
Do-it-for-your-portfolio
Non-
Or less-than-you-deserve
Profits.
I’m here,
Kevin