https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2022/03/Karen-Fischer---I-Hope-It-Will-Be-Worth-What-I-Give-Up.JPG
(Art Credit: Karen Fischer) As writers, we spend numerous hours on our computers to produce a piece of writing which is influential as well as attractive. However, in the race to being a popular writer, we often lose track of our niche which leads to the loss of productivity and creativity. Similar to other jobs, one needs to be passionate about pursuing writing as a full-time career. While initially the passion is readily reflected in our writings, with time there are chances that the passion will fade away. To make sure you do not lose the grip of your writing, here are simple tips that will keep your passion ignited throughout your writing career. Define Your Goals If you prefer to be a specialist writer, then start by narrowing your interests and by gaining a deep understanding of your preferred subject. However, if you wish to be a generalist writer, explore different areas and widen your horizons to learn multiple topics in your career. Understand the Impact of Your Writings Stick to Your Niche Identify Your Writing Qualities Embrace Your Talent Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks Be Inquisitive Remove the Obstacles via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2022/03/09/how-to-stay-passionate-about-your-writing-when-it-is-your-full-time-career/
0 Comments
https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2022/02/PedroGomes_6.jpg
(Art Credit: Pedro Gomes) If you are just starting out as a freelancer, then you will need all of the help that you can get as you work to find clients, market to the masses, and turn an idea into a full-fledged career. While you probably have plenty of gumption and a will to succeed, you will also likely need money to get your business off of the ground. While freelancing provides plenty of perks over the traditional full-time job, it does have some drawbacks, especially when it comes to profits and income. It may take months to years to get the consistent earnings that you require, and you may need to get a loan in the meantime. The problem is that as a freelancer, obtaining a loan won’t always be easy, but it is not impossible. To help you out, we have some tips on loans that freelancers should pursue, what you’ll need to obtain them, and how you can make the most out of your money. You Need Good CreditWhen banks consider loaning money to a small business, they look at several factors, including your credit score, your capacity to repay the loan, the potential collateral that you can provide to help secure the loan, and other important factors. As a freelancer, you may not have the detailed business plan that traditional companies have because you are working for yourself, and if you are just getting started, then you likely don’t have any collateral. All of these factors make it difficult for you to get a standard business loan. What lenders are really looking for is your ability to pay back the loan on time, and if you don’t have proof of consistent work, then lenders get nervous. However, one way that you can prove your sense of responsibility and ability to pay back your debts is by having a good credit score. The minimum score that you can have to even be considered for a loan is 580, but you won’t have much luck. However, if you have a stellar credit score in the 700-800s, then lenders may look at you more kindly. If your credit score leaves something to be desired, then your next step is to raise your score to a promising level. This is not something that will happen overnight, but you can make the change by reviewing and reporting any errors on your credit report and ensuring that you pay your credit card bills on time. You should also focus on reducing your debt by either paying off your largest credit card first or paying off all of your smaller cards first, so you only have the big one left. If you don’t have a credit card, then you can still do the same routine with your debit card. Other Loan OptionsEven if you have a great score, the chances of getting a traditional loan are slim. However, there are many other ways that you can gain capital for your freelance business. For instance, you can research companies like Upstart or Prosper, which often offer freelancers loans of up to $50,000. Companies like these want to see smaller businesses succeed, so in addition to your credit score, they will also consider other factors, including your education and job history. Since you are likely a one-person company, you might also consider taking out a personal loan. While your credit score should still be decent, banks will often consider giving you a loan based on your income as well as the property you own, including your home and vehicle. The good news about personal loans is that you can get them quickly, often within a few days. The downside is that you will likely be paying a higher interest rate. If you are really confident in the success of your freelance business, then you could consider asking family or friends for a small loan until you get your feet on the ground. Any agreement should be documented for the benefit of both parties. If you aren’t comfortable going to someone you know, then you might also consider a crowdfunding platform like Kickstarter. While there, you can make a video advertising your business, and you can offer rewards to anyone who contributes to your cause. Budget to Make Your Money LastIf loans are hard to come by and your freelance income isn’t as consistent as you’d like, then you will need to be smart with the money you do have. To understand how much money you need and what you can spend, you should create a budget. This should be a detailed list of all of your incoming funds and every expense you have during the month, whether that is your utilities or gas for your car. If you find that you are spending more than you earn, then you may need to cut some of your unnecessary expenses, such as your streaming services or your printing and paper consumption so you can save on ink. Beyond budgeting, you will also need to be smart about how you move your money. When you get paid by a client, what do you do with that money? Are you saving some for future or unexpected costs? It is a good idea to split up your earnings and put a portion in a high-interest savings account every month. Do not withdraw those funds unless absolutely necessary, and while your cash sits in that account, you will make more money in the form of interest. As an independent contractor, you have the choice as to if you want to pay your taxes quarterly or a lump sum at the end of the year. If you are still growing your business and you are unsure where your next profit will come from, then consider the quarterly option. By going this route, you can pay a smaller amount more frequently, which may be easier with your sporadic income. This option also helps you avoid the potential of owning a large amount of money at the end of the year when you may not have it. In the end, if you have a good idea for a freelance business, then you should not be afraid to go forward and make your dream a reality. You just need to be careful along the way. Consider the tips above, and you will land the resources you need to compete. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2022/03/07/a-freelancers-guide-to-business-credit-loans/
https://blog.freelancersunion.org/content/images/2022/03/PedroGomes_9.jpg
(Art Credit: Pedro Gomes) By Dr. Janice Powis, Audiologist As pandemic restrictions have eased and people have returned to concerts and sporting events, many have done so wondering if they should still wear a mask to protect themselves from contracting COVID. As an audiologist, I hope people will also think about protecting their hearing when returning to noisy entertainment venues. Depending on your industry, you may or may not question if your hearing is at risk at work. But if you enjoy attending concerts, clubs or other typically loud entertainment settings, or frequently use headphones – or if you have kids who do – you’ll want to know about the new safe listening guidance for entertainment venues from the World Health Organization (WHO) released to mark World Hearing Day today. At least 22 million Americans are impacted annually by workplace exposure to hazardous noise, but more than one in two adults with noise-induced hearing loss do not have “noisy” jobs – meaning their hearing loss is due to recreational noise. Furthermore, almost half of teens and young adults between the ages of 12-35 are exposed to unsafe levels of sound from personal audio devices and 40% to damaging sound levels at clubs and bars. If you’ve ever left a noisy venue and experienced a clogged or muffled feeling or ringing in your ears, that’s a sign you’ve been exposed to potentially dangerous levels of noise. The WHO’s new global safe listening standards for venues or events include recommendations for limiting and monitoring sound levels at events, optimizing acoustics and sound systems for safe and enjoyable experiences, offering personal hearing protection, providing access to quiet zones, and training event staff on safe listening measures. To minimize the risk of hearing impairment, the WHO has long recommended that noise exposure levels not exceed 70 decibels over a 24-hour period and 85 decibels – the level at which prolonged exposure can lead to hearing loss – over a 1-hour period. To put this into context, a vacuum operates at 70 decibels, and a lawnmower operates at 85 decibels. An entertainment venue can reach 120 decibels, and the maximum volume for a personal listening device can hit 105-110 decibels, levels at which hearing loss is possible in under five minutes! When I lived in Boston, I worked with a local news station on a story about hearing loss and the T (Boston’s subway system). We measured the sound of the brakes at upwards of 110 decibels. If people knew how dangerous every day sounds like headphones or the subway can be, they might do more to protect their hearing. Will safe listening become the norm at loud entertainment venues? The first surgeon general’s report on the adverse health effects of smoking was published in 1964, and it was decades before indoor smoking would be banned widely in the US. I hope we will see the broad adoption of safe listening measures sooner than later. In the meantime, you can still heed the WHO’s theme for World Hearing Day: To hear for life, listen with care! Follow these tips to enjoy a music-filled night out, zone out with your headphones on, or productively participate in video meetings without damaging your hearing.
Dr. Janice Powis, Au.D. is a senior audiologist at Lively Hearing Corporation. Prior to joining Lively, Dr. Powis spent a decade working in hospital and private practice settings in the Boston area. She is a fellow of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and the American Academy of Audiology and is board certified with the American Board of Audiology. Dr. Powis earned her degree in audiology from the University of Memphis and completed her clinical fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. In addition to her work in audiology, she is a meditation teacher and founder at Vida Meditation. Resources: via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2022/03/03/why-ear-plugs-may-be-the-new-ear-buds/
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zmBKJeUfwtoYTK9vKlKSSikdbaIh-OLm3NaHnqOTMo5f52X9xT5KFk-AJQOT4CQMLPDUsjbs3afYukuiwYwqR4MoRn3WizjKTuEUNrP4qB4r6KxryAmfPLZBxCckQfBzkvU8iKgL
(Art Credit: Andrea Hernandez) One of the critical aspects of a company's success is customer experience. This is because providing a positive customer experience increases customer loyalty and higher profits. A business can't hide from a negative customer experience with so many review sites and social media platforms, which affects customers when deciding whether to purchase. Regardless of your reviews, the end result is the same: the customer's experience has been amplified and significantly impacts your business. According to research, 86%of customers are actually willing to pay more for a better experience. Hence, there's never been a better time to invest in your company's customer experience strategy. But, what does it mean to be a customer-centric company? What steps can you take to incorporate a customer-centric mindset? We've put together this post to help you understand what it means and to assist you in developing strategies to transform your brand. What does 'customer centric' mean?Customer-centricity is a strategy that prioritizes the customer in all decisions and actions. It's an approach in which every employee in the company is responsible for making consumers the most crucial job element. It's when you're concentrating on meeting their specific requirements, improving the customer experience, and cultivating long-term relationships. In a sense, your customers are the head of your business. When a company is customer-focused, it has designed all its policies and processes to provide customers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To produce profit and acquire a competitive edge, such a culture requires constant effort to give the best customer experience at the moment of sale and after the sale. Adopting a customer-centric approach and methods is critical to creating a successful and leading firm in any industry. Why is customer-centric a must?Providing your clients with the best experiences is no longer an option; it is now required. Your organization will never entirely create a positive customer experience until it embodies the concept of a customer-focused culture. When your customers are given first attention in your company, you obtain a lot of benefits like:
Take Slack, for example. Customer feedback was incorporated into the messaging app's strategy from its inception. Slack made its first customer-centric change when it was up against the stiff competition in the niche and tried something no one else had tried. Since then, they've always made modifications to their product in response to user feedback, making it their top priority. Source: Twitter They also see to it that their customer care representatives deal with situations in a more humane manner, rather than simply tracking the number of tickets that have been resolved. Customers are also frequently asked to leave reviews or appear in case study videos which helps strengthen reliability among other potential audiences. Source: Twitter This customer-centric behavior has contributed to the app's current user base of eight million people, three million of which are paying customers. Strategies to provide a customer-centric experience1. Focus on customer serviceCustomers always expect businesses to communicate with them and respond quickly across all platforms to better understand their needs and issues. It will increase the productivity of the company by implementing the requirements and providing answers to its problems. Facilitating direct consumer engagement will aid in the development of various customer-centric strategies and a customer-centric culture within the company. The customer support team is always the most trusted asset of any firm when it comes to engagement and answering concerns. This is why you should consider allocating significant resources to your support crew to provide the best possible service to your consumers. As a beginning point, you can consider live chat software, which is effective and the easiest method to get in touch with your audience. Source: LiveChat Customer service is not seen as a cost of doing business by customer-centric businesses; instead, it is viewed as a revenue generator. Their support teams are the engine that propels the firm forward. 2. Actively grow your customer feedbackCustomer feedback is the most valuable resource for any customer-centric organization. It reveals how your customers feel about your product or service and highlight areas for development. Sending a feedback form in the form of a questionnaire immediately after addressing a customer's issue will help determine whether or not the answer you provided was adequate. Don't only ask for input when things aren't going well; it should be a habit. However, simply collecting input is insufficient. You must also apply the information you've obtained to better your strategy and operations. Customer feedback demonstrates to customers that you value their opinions and listen to them. Which is the best thing that a company could do for them. Even if they didn't lead your product toward innovation on their own, a truly customer-centric organization would make use of the reality that their customers often know what they want. 3. Build a strong company cultureA company's culture can be defined as shared values, goals, and practices among its employees. The sum of these elements influences how individuals feel about their jobs which impacts the organization's development in building a strong culture. Companies must surround themselves with employees that believe in providing excellent service to their clients. To do this, you may want to hire the proper people or establish an environment where your employees can be themselves at work. Valuing your customers is one aspect of creating a customer-centric organization; valuing your staff is another. You must give empathy and care to your team in addition to building meaningful and compassionate relationships with your consumers. Here are some pointers:
You can also check our blog post where we explain some strategies to make the most of every workday while working remote. 4. Revise your business modelBusinesses have had to rethink their work models and convert to a remote mode as a result of the pandemic. It's no wonder that this circumstance has had an impact on the performance of many teams. But, is it really possible to provide customer service outside of the office? It can be difficult, but it'll be a breeze if you have the necessary equipment and a good plan in place. Source: Indeed Here are some things you could do from your organization's end to improve your business model and remote productivity:
We have also listed some easy steps to reboot your business model, if you’re a solopreneur. Check the post here. 5. Map your customer’s journeyTo meet your customer needs, you need to understand the different customer touchpoints and how they interact with your business across these points. That's where Customer journey maps come into play. Customer journey maps are tools that can be used as part of a larger customer experience management strategy. These end-to-end customer experience views to map the customer journey's success while emphasizing areas where consumer expectations aren't met. The mapping method can be a very informative technique to stimulate ideas, drive action, and lead to quick improvements for businesses interested in understanding the current state journey, informed by either internal expertise or customer feedback. Close the gap between the current quo and the ideal by frequently reevaluating your trips from the client's perspective. A simple spreadsheet or a complicated design could be used to create your travel map. In any case, the final product should be based on real-world facts and readily available to senior management. Source: Slidemodel 6. Create a compelling customer experience strategyYour customer experience strategy, like your brand strategy, is your plan to meet or exceed their expectations. It's the vehicle via which you may transform client expectations into reality, and it has consequences for practically every part of your business. Customers nowadays are digitally savvy and have high expectations of companies. It's no longer enough to be complacent; companies must continually innovate to attract and retain happy customers. Providing exceptional customer service is one of the best ways to accomplish this. Other fields are frequently integrated throughout this theme. Customer experience management (CXM or CX) is competing for attention. Strong CX begins with a human connection. A strong customer experience starts with a personal relationship. Many shops hire greeters to meet customers at the door. It establishes a rapport with clients and treats them as unique, individual people. When you concentrate on your customer experience plan, you're investing in your brand. For example, through customer loyalty programs and good feedback, you can get more significant income which will benefit your business in the long run. 7. Grow direct interactions with customersCompanies must develop methods for staff to engage directly with customers. After all, even if it's just subconsciously, every employee has an influence on the client experience. These first-hand contacts provide everyone with a more profound knowledge of consumers and insights and fresh ideas for improving the customer experience. Airbnb, for example, considers hosts to be customers, so it makes it easier for workers to engage with hosts by enabling them to stay in Airbnb rentals whenever they travel on business. When staff attends meetings at the Airbnb headquarters, the firm also urges hosts to remain with them. Furthermore, employees and hosts participate in an annual event where they discuss the previous year's lessons learned and future plans. Most businesses' models don't allow for as much organic employee-customer engagement as Airbnb's. However, you may still enable relationships by allowing staff to monitor sales and support calls, customer visits, co-creation labs, and participate in customer events such as advisory board meetings and industry conferences. 8. Be empathicEvery person in your company has to have a firsthand understanding of client difficulties in order to build empathy. Customer empathy is defined as the capacity to recognize a customer's emotional need, comprehend the reasons for that need, and respond effectively and adequately to that need. Empathy is one of those phrases that sounds great, but few businesses really grasp what it means, much less put it into practice. Empathy must be instilled as a universal principle that informs everything their business does. Employees should be ready to devote a significant amount of time to reading customer communications and monitoring clients in order to determine what they want and need. Customer service representatives should be encouraged to conduct research on the people they're assisting and construct micro personas for them to better understand how clients use your app or engage with your organization. Sending frequent email updates to your consumers, for example, is a simple, efficient, and economical marketing tactic that may help you enhance current connections. Keep in touch with consumers by sending a newsletter with unique offers, helpful information, or recommendations. You can find more useful consumer engagement tips here. Your turn to build a customer-centric cultureIt's safe to say that customers are the driving force behind your company's growth. The best way to keep your company expanding and fulfilling its full potential is to keep your customers in the spotlight. Companies that provide the most satisfactory experiences by using customer-centric tips and strategies will succeed in an increasingly competitive world. As a result, make sure that every employee in your organization rallies around this shared goal and takes efforts to focus more on your consumers. Don't delay it anymore! It's high time you start strategizing your own customer-centric plan that suits your business and see the results for yourself. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2022/03/02/tips-to-create-a-great-customer-centric-experience-for-businesses/ |
AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
April 2023
Categories |