What Sheila Scarborough Said … About Getting Paid

November 29, 2008 by Liz

A community isn’t built or befriended,
it’s connected by offering and accepting.
Community is affinity, identity, and kinship
that make room for ideas, thoughts, and solutions.
Wherever a community gathers, we aspire and inspire each other intentionally . . . And our words shine with authenticity.

Asking for What We’re Worth

When we take on the role and reins of a professional, not all of the skills come at the same time. Often we’re great the work, but not so good at asking to be paid what the work is worth. How do folks figure that out? It comes from experience and trust in our own value.

Here’s what Sheila said . . .

For one thing, people are rather itchy about giving specific amounts when discussing payment and salary, so we go around not knowing that there are some people out there getting paid pretty good money to do what weâre doing.

Once I finally figured out that .50-$1/word was more than reasonable and even low-end for most print pubs, I started doing the math for my online work, which is just writing, after all.

Holy cow, was I giving away the farm! That led me to turn down a few blogging jobs that sounded nice but just were not paying enough for my considerable efforts.

So, letâs be more frank about money so we know what is âstandardâ and reasonable to ask for.

Then, letâs realize how increasingly valuable our online savvy is to businesses that want to move online. Knowledge that we think âeveryone knowsâ is in fact gold bullion to companies who have just found Web 2.0. Iâm not saying overcharge âbecause they can afford it,â but we should really appreciate our unique skillsets.

The teacher/consultant role and the need to pay such folks seems to be understood, so I plan to lean more in that direction, and try to make a decent living teaching what I know.

Sheila Scarborough from a comment on December 29, 2007

A successful and outstanding blogger said that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

Are You Letting Customer Relationships Pass You By?

January 8, 2008 by Liz

Don’t Let One Customer Click Away

One customer. That first customer. That next customer. Will that customer click away before you connect?

Most businesses don’t realize that the missing out on a single customer relationship is more costly than it appears. The customer that passes by today doesn’t mean the loss of one sale. That one customer gone represents

today’s sale
every purchase might have returned to make.
and every friend that customer might have brought to the business in future days.

Every customer that doesn’t connect takes those benefits to another business.

Strong businesses are built on strong relationships. Strong relationships are built on connections that stick.

Relationships that last don’t happen by accident.

Connection Central for Solos Opens Today

I’ve been working on a way to make useful 20+ years of education, the strategy, business, and relationships. The result is a sleek and flexible set of courses called Connection Central for Solos. They’re smartly focused on conversations connections, relationships, customers and paying the rent.

Connection Central is two carefully crafted curriculum — one stands alone, one comes in three versions. Each is designed to show you how to attract, delight, and form long-lasting relationships with customers. Both offer solid methods and strategies you can use to connect quickly, profitably, and predictably. I only made two because I only have so much time

Don’t let another customer click away.

Connection Central for Solos

Choose the course that fits your situation. Or call to discuss something tailored precisely to what you need. Visit SOBNet: Connection Central. If you have questions, call or email me. Don’t let those customers keep passing by. Isn’t it time that you connect?

Course 111: Getting Paid What You’re Worth

Are you ready to charge more for your services? Are you having a problem naming your fees?

Course 111-TeleLiz

Work with Liz to set the rationale for your fees. Use value, time, and math to discuss what you charge. Develop and price smaller offers. Check what you offer for missed opportunities to deliver value. Learn how to change the amount of work rather than lower your fees.
Enroll at Connection Central.
3 Telephone sessions with Liz ……………………………………………$295.00

Course 222: Connect with Customers

Like to Work Alone? Email Self-Coaching Course

Learn on your own with all of the tools you need or learn through conversations with Liz. See the complete 16-Step Curriculum in the box at the bottom of the page.

Course 222-Email

Self-coaching means just what it sounds like. You’ll get the tools and information and a push in the right direction. Weekly coaching plans and worksheets crafted by experienced educational publisher will guide you to define your product or service, fine tune your presentation, write a compelling offer, attract ideal customers, and close the deal. Begins January 20th, 2008
Enroll at Connection Central.
16-Step Email Self-Coaching Course …………………………………… $ 97.00

Don’t have 16 weeks to wait?
2 TeleCourses with Liz

Course 222 -TeleLiz-1

It’s the same curriculum with all of the same content, but fast-tracked through telephone sessions with Liz. Identify, connect, and form a relationship with your ideal customers by providing them with an atmosphere they recognize and an offer they value more highly than the price.
Enroll at Connection Central.
6 Telephone sessions with Liz …………………………………………… $585.00

Course 222- TeleLiz-2

Invite a colleague to work alongside you and share the benefits.
Enroll at Connection Central.
6 Telephone sessions with Liz ……… $970.00 [$485.00 each for two]

Click: What Folks Have to Say about Working with Liz

C’mon! Visit Connection Central to register and begin.
Questions? I’m at 773 619 0371 lizsun2 [at] gmail.com

TeleSeminars are available to limited number immediately.
The first session of the email course will begin January 20th.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

A Personal Model for Business Life: Who Gets How Much for Free?

January 4, 2008 by Liz

What I Already Do

Sometimes I’m fast, and sometimes I’m so slow. Sometimes the answer is sitting right next to me.

I got to wondering why I could negotiate contracts for companies and clients, but didn’t seem to be doing the same for me. It was just the kind of problem my head doesn’t let go of. I knew it had to do with my way of looking at things.

I had too many friends and not enough customers.

Fairly soon, I saw that I needed a set of rules defining who got my work for free. I walked around trying to find where to draw the line. Then it hit me like a brick on my head!

I set limits naturally in my personal life. they’re the ones I need.

I tested the theory.

The Model to Decide Whether I’ll Do Work for Free

If I’m making a rule or model for my work life. It needs to be something that reflects me. What I realized is that in my personal life I already draw lines around circles of who I can do things for. Bet you do something like it too.

So here’s how I extended my personal groups into business groups. Now I know who gets how much for free.

Some people are casual friends and acquaintances. When they come to town or when I go to theirs, I make an effort to meet with them. I’ll point these folks to where they can find the information they need.

Some people are friends. When they come to town or I go to theirs I do my best to meet with them. I’ll help these folks when I can, especially when it’s something I can do easily.

Some people are close friends. When they come to town or I go to theirs, I make time for them. These people will get my help and my time unless pressing projects must be a priority.

Some people are lifelong friends and family. When they have a need I’ll fly to them anywhere on the planet. They’re most likely to get my help and my time for free. We value each other deeply.

Now that I see I already have a working system, it’s easy to decide who gets how much for free. When people I hardly know asks me to do their homework now, I simply say, “I can tell you where you’ll find what you need. If they push for me to help them, I say, “If you’d like me to do that for you, we’ll need a more formal arrangement to cover my time. I charge $XXX/hour for that sort of work.”

I can’t believe the difference it’s made. How silly of me that I didn’t make this connection before. I wouldn’t fly around the world for just anyone. So what made me think I should give everyone my work for free?

–Me “Liz” Strauss