Top Ten Mind Tricks to Boost Your Career

by Candidate #10

When you freelance, you need to apply a great deal of social skills to market yourself, land gigs and keep clients happy. You also need to deal with clients, hammer out rates and land those gigs.

That’s psychology, pure and simple. Knowing how to interact with other people properly can help your career do well.

To help you have a better writing career, market yourself more effectively and nip problems in the bud, here are ten of the best mind tricks to boost your income-earning potential.

Social Proof

Have you ever faced a broken washroom in a high school – when you really, really had to go? You glanced at the boys’ washroom and debated ducking in to get some relief… but you didn’t. That is, until another woman boldly decided that a washroom is a washroom and stepped inside the men’s room.

Social proof is the icebreaker, the theory of, “Hey, if they can, I can too.” Use social proof when communicating with clients. Point out that other clients have already gone first and that it’s okay to follow. It encourages clients to make a decision.

Foot-in-the-door Syndrome

If you don’t nip scope creep in the bud, you end up working more than you expected to – without proper compensation. Scope creep is subtle. A client asks for a little more and a little more…and a little more… You don’t realize it’s happening until you look back to see you’ve put in twice the work that you should have.

Be clear from the start on the specifics of a gig – and stick to them. If a client asks for a small extra or something additional that wasn’t in the agreement, kindly tell the person you’d be more than happy to help… for a small fee.

Groupthink

This psychological phenomenon can be pretty powerful. If everyone is doing something or saying something, then the minority tends to go along. The herd mentality is strong. It’s survival, after all – the loner doesn’t last.

Use this to your advantage. When a client hesitates on a decision, sway the person with the power of the masses. Tell them “everyone” is doing it (if most people are). Your client will want to be part of the group, too. A caveat, though; be careful with your words. Influence, yes, but don’t mislead clients into action that won’t benefit them.

The Power of Positive

Miscommunication happens in a text-based world. It’s easy to become rattled or get upset over a comment from a client. It’s just as easy to get into an argument with a client who isn’t happy about your work. Negativity only breeds more negativity, and soon the job goes sour.

Learn to adopt a positive tone in your communications – under all circumstances. No matter how upset the other person is, stay pleasant and well mannered. Offer solutions with a proactive mindset. Ask clients what solution they’d like to see, and try to accommodate them. You can often turn a bad situation around quickly.

Stand Your Ground

Many people are excellent manipulators, and buyers can easily influence writers. We’re emotional creatures (and that’s okay), and some writers are often starving to land a break. Some clients use that to their advantage. They can be condescending, add pressure with subtle comments or push writers into actions that we shouldn’t take.

Learn to stay firm on what you offer. Decide on a rate and stick with it. Pleasantly hold your ground and know when to let a client find someone else for the job. Others will come along to replace the (no great) loss.

Thinking Critically

Critical thinking is pretty cool. When people present conclusions or arguments, critical thinking allows you to analyze each element and then decide whether the conclusion has support, and thus, merit. If you aren’t thinking critically while negotiating gigs, you can end up holding the short end of the stick – or worse.

Pay attention to the small details. Watch for loopholes. Tighten them up so that they don’t become a noose. Take the time to read where problem areas may need clarification. Make sure your agreements are solid, and set out clear business terms for each gig.

Wide Open Spaces

We all have our own perceptions and views. Sometimes, we meet someone who doesn’t have the same perception as we do. Conflicts quickly arise, especially when a writer and buyer don’t agree. Writers often take criticism too personally sometimes, and that can wreck a gig fast.

Always have an open mind. Accept feedback – no, embrace it – and see it for what it is: an opportunity to learn and be better at your job. Ask clients what they think about your work. Be ready to hear their opinions with an open mind. Look at what you can improve.

It’s Your Choice

People love to have choices. Sometimes, offering one thing (usually what the client wants) isn’t enough to make you a great provider. You can increase your chances of a better project or more appealing work by showing clients other options they can choose. Help them out a little, and they’ll thank you for it.

The trick is that you’re presenting your services – and showing what else you can do, too. The client feels more empowered. He or she may even opt for a more costly service simply because that person had the right to choose.

Name Calling

I bet that each one of you distinctly remembers the names you were called in grade school. I also bet that each one of you immediately notices when your name is misspelled – and you probably correct people too. I also bet that you feel differently about a clerk or a store representative who knows your name – and who uses it.

Names carry power – good power. When you speak with clients or write to them, use their name twice, both in the introduction of each and every email you send and in closing. Using a client’s name twice enhances the personal touch, makes them feel welcomed and shows you care enough to remember them.

Convey that Confidence

Clients often don’t know you, especially first-time clients. They’re reaching. They want to know that you’re competent. You telling them that you are isn’t enough – they need proof. And in a text-based world, the only place you can show them proof is in the level of confidence you convey.

Confidence instills a sense of trust. “I know what I’m doing,” your behavior says, and a client’s response is often, “Okay. I can ‘hear’ that in your tone, your communications and your answers. It’s clear. And it’s good enough for me.”