Client Meetings In The Digital Age

So yesterday I had my first face-to-face meeting with a new prospective client since I've been a full time freelancer. That might seem shocking, but it's really not. Between email, instant messaging, and websites, most of my clients find that they have no need to meet with me in person to seal the deal and start working with me.

But this client wanted an actual meeting so I went to my basement and found my briefcase (dusting off the cobwebs--I haven't even had an in-person job interview in over five years), found my print samples (all from 2002 or earlier, since almost everything else since then is online), and then realized--uh oh; I need a package to give the client.

It's funny, but since I built this site I haven't needed to even create business cards. I just send emails, folks come check out the clips and my resume, and off we go. But clearly if I'm meeting with someone in person I need an actual physical something to hand over or I'll look like a fool, right?

So I cranked up the rickety ink jet printer (note to self: idea for office Christmas present; laser printer), printed out my (freshly updated and re-proofed, of course--I always take additional opportunities to re-proofread) resume, and created a Rate Card just to have something to hand him.

Creating the Rate Card was an ideal exercise because it allowed me to put down in paper what has been floating around in my head. It helped me lay out exactly what I do, how much I charge for it, and provided me with the perfect launching point in the meeting to discuss why I charge what I do. For instance, why do I charge a higher rate for keyword string insertion than just individual keyword insertion? Well, if you've ever tried to insert awkward but critical phrases repeatedly into already written material, you know how much more challenging full phrases are to add instead of single words--hence the higher charge. I firmly believe in writing excellent copy, no matter what, and that takes time and effort.

So while creating the rate card was a fun exercise and made good business sense, I guess I still need to consider business cards. After all, they make sense too.

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Much of what I write professionally is web content. One of the best ways that I can get my name out there more (therefore getting more work!) is by promoting articles I've written or contributed to through cool sites such as Digg or Reddit or similar others. So I'll probably post links to articles like this one and ask you to please vote for it if you would be so inclined now and again. Thank you ever so much!

Comments

[The Aitch]

Do you wanna talk business cards again? I could do something pretty cool and you could get them printed wherever you want... let's talk if ur interested.

[The Aitch]

Do you wanna talk business cards again? I could do something pretty cool and you could get them printed wherever you want... let's talk if ur interested.

[The Aitch]

Do you wanna talk business cards again? I could do something pretty cool and you could get them printed wherever you want... let's talk if ur interested.

[Nancy]

free biz cards from vistaprint.com
they have a little link of their own on back
you pay shipping
worth it
and nice to have for when at playgroup or storytime to, you know, make friends :)

[eve]

I second the recommendation for Vistaprint, but I would definitely pay to have the link removed. You can design your own cards, they're very inexpensive (so you can play with multiple designs - maybe a tech-oriented design to hand to techie clients, a funkier one for avant garde clients, etc.), and they're reliable. One caveat: they're not 4C process printed - they're more like inkjet printed - so if that would bother you, Vistaprint might not be the solution.

Another note on cost: Vistaprint is always sending free offers, so likely you could get 250-500 cards free if you just wait for the offer to hit your email inbox. :)

[susannah]

i have a question for you. i tried to obtain your email address from the about me page but it wouldn't work because i don't have a mail client set up on my computer. thank you.

susannah

[lynne]

Hello, I tried to find your old blog to wish you a good New year. I couldn't find it, but I did find this site. Good luck with the freelancing.