Unlocking Freelance Success: The Power of Reliability
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Chapter 1: The Essence of Reliability
In the realm of freelancing and small business, one principle stands out for its sheer simplicity yet profound impact: reliability.
Photo by Yuval Zukerman on Unsplash
When it comes to values and strategies promoted by business and self-improvement experts, reliability is paramount. It’s perhaps the most treasured quality one can possess. In a world filled with individuals who often fail to follow through on their commitments, being someone who consistently fulfills their promises is invaluable.
The freelance marketplace is crowded with both freelancers and clients who make grand promises but often fall short. The most effective way to distinguish yourself from these unreliable individuals is to ensure you always deliver on your commitments.
Have you committed to finishing a draft by the end of the day? Make it happen.
Did you agree to make a payment by Friday? Follow through with it.
Did you mention you would be available for a call at a certain time? Move mountains if necessary to ensure you are present at the scheduled time.
Section 1.1: The Importance of Follow-Through
In the article "What Successful Freelancers Do Differently," featured in Harvard Business Review, Ben Laker, Lebene Soga, Yemisi Bolade-Ogunfodun, and Ashish Malik stress the importance of being realistic about your commitments. They advise avoiding situations where you might not be able to meet your promises. By being transparent and clear about your capabilities and timelines, clients will appreciate your honesty.
It’s noteworthy that in discussing how to stand out in the freelance world, these authors emphasize the critical need to deliver on what you’ve committed to.
This reality is both disappointing and encouraging. It’s disheartening to see many who readily promise the world without any intention of delivering. Yet, this creates an opportunity for those who simply fulfill their commitments, allowing them to shine in a sea of untrustworthiness.
Subsection 1.1.1: Acknowledging the Unreliable
The first video, "Gigi Perez - Sailor Song (Lyrics)," captures a sentiment of commitment and reliability, echoing the theme of following through on promises.
Section 1.2: The Consequences of Inaction
Clients don’t care about the reasons behind unmet commitments. If you assured a client that their article would be ready on Wednesday, but unexpected challenges arose, it doesn’t change the fact that the article is still incomplete. Your struggles—whether they stem from life events or poor time management—are irrelevant to them.
To truly embody reliability, you must realistically assess your promises and timelines. This means understanding your own capabilities and communicating them honestly to your clients.
Reliability and honesty go hand in hand; to be reliable is to be truthful with yourself and others about what you can accomplish.
Chapter 2: Embracing Imperfection
The second video, "Do What You Said You’d Do - Robert Cornish," reinforces the importance of keeping your word and the value of reliability in professional relationships.
While no one can be expected to be perfectly reliable, maintaining a high standard of dependability means that when you do make a mistake, clients are likely to overlook it, as it’s not a recurring issue and doesn’t reflect a disregard for their time.
Ultimately, my message is straightforward: do what you promised to do.
No excuses, no overly complicated stories, and no overlooked details. Be cautious with your commitments, and always follow through.
By adhering to this principle, you’ll find yourself ahead of the competition nearly every time.