Have you started experiencing the excitements that come from leveraging your skills? Some of you have asked me questions around working with your current friends and I have compiled this in response to that.
If you are starting with people that already know you, it might be hard for them to take you seriously. They feel they are entitled to what you have always given them free or for pennies.
At this point you don’t need to panic, its normal. You need to help them transition into seeing that you now have a shop 🙂 It might take a while for them to get it but they will. First you need to understand the concept too so that your own mental block can get out of your way.
A good example that will help you is this.
You have just signed the lease to your new store. Your rent is $1500 per month including utilities. You still need to run down to Walmart or your local office depot to purchase some supplies and one of your friends comes in (on her way to work) with a request for another favour- she wants you to help her with the usuals. This usual is now product number 5 in your new business. You want to help her and you might but this is a good time to remind her that you now have extra bills to pay to sustain the business and be able to help her next time.
First, note that your friend is going to work as well and she might not likely work for free for her employer today so its not right for her to expect you to work for free even though you are your own employer, right?
At this moment, one very important tool will be your professionally done price list. You bring one out and discuss from there. It will be awkward at first but she will get it. Best is to determine in your mind if you want to do this free, its fine but give her an invoice with the percentage off factored in.
Plus if you appear professional to your friend, they will be proud to refer other of their professional friends to you which is why its still good to give friends a discount. And they will also realized the hours you have invested into it your business and would see why they are paying you.
Thats why your price list is very important. Here you have it- a complete guide on how to create your price list.
I look forward to sharing your success story.
Olu.