Comments on: This is why some freelancers struggle while others get hired again and again.

By: Marc Rodill

Marc Rodill — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 23:23:30 +0000

Your speculation is as good as any. Perhaps it’s a riddle embedded within a mystery.

By: E. Brian Rose

E. Brian Rose — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 02:17:01 +0000

How can you over promise and over deliver at the same time? It’s a paradox wrapped in an enigma.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 13:53:39 +0000

Yes! “people who over deliver get rewarded” – so true.

I would go one step further too, Derek.

You made a great point about being present, being part of the team. Team members who ‘show up’ to other events and opportunities that further support their clients will also make a stronger impression.

They also increase their chance of being introduced, first hand, to other new clients with a blazing introduction…

This has happened to me countless times – although I have no idea about make-up 😉

Who would you choose… the make-up artist who just does your make-up or the make-up artist who is not only present for your entire video shoot AND also makes it to a public speaking gig you have that week, in their free time…going the extra mile?

By: Kara

Kara — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 16:36:01 +0000

Thanks Darren,
I run a very small business- just me (about twice a year I am busy enough to hire an extra hand for a week or two). I’m a generally very positive person and I grasped the overall point of the video. Certainly, freelancers who provide personal care and obvious passion are more successful. I have put my all into producing for my clients and while I’ve known the reward of high praise and referrals, I’ve also caught those clients who are not appreciative and never satisfied. Burn out and high 2 year failure rates are 70-80% in my field in my city. In my competitive industry, I’ve stood the test of time, going on 8 years. I think one way I’ve been able to stay on my feet, where so many others have had to close down shop, is by balancing my desire to overproduce with both reasonable timelines and realistic analysis of what different kinds of overproduction will cost and benefit me. Dereks videos are great! For 3 minutes he speaks on a topic gives a great introduction and some solid advice for an issue. Personal implementation of that advice though deserves greater then 3 minutes of reflection.

By: Darren

Darren — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:21:10 +0000

Kara- you have dug deeper than the superficial observation and made a very accurate and compelling case; one in which I have identified in my own world. Constantly over-delivering, but I have had to reel myself in and realize that with providing value, it should also come with a price tag. So in short, over-deliver, but do not give your products and service away for free. It is a tough balancing act at time, and one in which ultimately resides on the business owner. For this reason I ask my customers the hard questions that many business owners don’t like to ask. I want feedback and when I ask the tough questions, I will let my customers guide me into what they really value as a customer and therefore can decide in which ways to over-deliver on a case by case.

By: Phyllis

Phyllis — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 23:20:12 +0000

I hired one roofing company over another because they quoted me a higher quality shingle and said they would put a new wood frame under my roof swamp cooler. The quote was higher and therefore I had to pay the amount above what the insurance would cover, but I now have a lifetime-guaranteed roof. They didn’t assume I wanted the cheapest fix.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 04:22:21 +0000

You should give your business coach a plug here. I’m sure she’d appreciate it and some of the readers would too. It would prove Derek’s point.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 03:13:45 +0000

Love this video. I’ve always made a point of under delivering. I never promise ANYTHING, and then I work like hell to get the best possible results for my customers. So far it’s working great!

By: Marc Rodill

Marc Rodill — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 07:43:17 +0000

“The secret to success is doing your job… and more.”

Okay. That was killer.

Marc

By: Barbara McKinney

Barbara McKinney — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 02:15:44 +0000

I think the bottom line here is to be great at what they asked you to do. Come in with the skills and the knowledge to get the job done. Do it on time, within budget, and better than they expected. Your job is to make your client look good. If you do that, they’ll remember it and give you another call the next time they need help.