The biggest mistakes people make when trying to attract quality clients

Freelancers and service providers make several common mistakes when trying to attract quality clients.

What are these mistakes?

No distinction is made between price and value

Many sellers are concerned about the price and are ready to sell their services cheaper than their competitors.

The problem is that you can get stuck at a lower price, and it will be difficult for you to raise it in the future.

Also, a lower price might only attract bargain customers, not quality customers with whom you could have a long-term relationship. Your top customers may turn you down because of a price that's too low.

Then there is the value issue. Price and value are not the same thing.

Your value is in how well you perform your work, how reliable you are, and how well you can stick to your deadlines.

Your value is also determined by your experience. For example, if you're a true WordPress pro, you're more valuable than someone billing the same amount who isn't, because you bring your knowledge and experience to every project.

Ambiguity of the services you offer

Make a list of everything you are good at and what you can offer your customers.

Then narrow it down to things you enjoy and can do quickly. Next, decide how closely related they are.

Can you offer multiple services that cover many of the basics that busy business owners would benefit from outsourcing?

They may include customer service, email marketing, uploading content to a blog, and so on.

For example, if you know how to do email marketing and also have a background in healthcare, this might be worth mentioning in some cases, but not in others.

For example, a person interested in finance may not think you are the right person for them.

No niche selected

Providers who choose a niche often find that it is easier to get work because they begin to build a reputation as an expert in that field.

Not a well-constructed portfolio

Your portfolio should give examples of all the services you want to offer.

Give the items a title, Link to them and if there are several samples, group them according to the category of services offered.

Too many donations

It's great to prove you're a talented worker who can deliver, but time is money and so is the work you do.

Many new service providers give way too much free information and time.

There's no need for free samples - you have your portfolio to show what you can do.

You should also avoid long conference calls.

To be helpful and prove that you are the right person for the job, you would probably provide a lot more information than you should. Then they have no reason to hire you because you've already told them what to do.

You're not marketing yourself enough

When you are a service provider, you need to let the world know that you are available for work.

This is no time to be shy.

You are not marketing yourself in the right places

Find out where your quality prospects are likely to spend most of their time.

Then come up with marketing material that speaks to their needs and offers real solutions at an affordable price.

Does not ask for referrals from satisfied customers

Word-of-mouth marketing is the key to a successful business.

Happy customers spreading the word about how reliable and professional you are will do you a great favor and save you time chasing customers.

Have you fallen into the above mistakes in customer acquisition?