How About Weekend Mood During The Week?

Weekends are for family.

Sure

And friends, gatherings, cleaning the garage, closets, movies, barbecue party, short trips, long drives

Absolutely

Just that, those who choose to do something different during weekends in their early years of their career can actually afford to have weekend mood during the week

Confused?

Is it hard to guess what would their lives be like 10 years from now, if a group of people were engaged in any one of the following during weekends?

Learning a new skill

Nurturing a hobby

Practicing an art

Trading some services 

Networking with right people

Doing something extra

Side hustle

Part time work

Let us not measure outcomes right away.

They may not make millions now, just a few extra dollars

This is probably not their shot to fame either, just a few likes and thumbs up on social media channels

However they are far more prepared with a Plan B and Option B than those who are busy planning parties and having that as their only agenda for every weekend.

Productive weekends will always lead to a productive future and no one can beat that.

Well, now your concern must be - Does that mean no family time? No me time?

You just have to think a little more creatively how you can do what you enjoy doing for a wider market and establish another income, while having your usual fun.

This blog is particularly for those who regularly complaint about their jobs and yet use their jobs as their excuse not to do anything else even during weekends

Begin in a small way

While cleaning the garage involve your teenager so that he learns how to do it – Tutoring

If you love shooting family videos, just shoot some nature videos - Youtube Channel

Learn bakery and gift homemade cake to a near one - Priceless as the cake has a part of your warmth

Learn web designing to create online portfolio for ever graduating student you know

Go and speak in the local health club – offer diet or exercise tips while your family watches you from a distance and feels immense pride about your contribution to the society

Can this ever translate to money?

Get started now and you will know soon

I do not want your imagination to soar as we are not pulp fiction writers however the reality is – when you do a good job with good intentions, it makes great impact stories. Impact and measurable contributions are the best inward marketing strategies.

You will soon know the benefits of small changes and small contributions you do. It will take time. Big things will happen if you do not give up. I am stating the obvious as most people tend to ignore just that.

Do share your impact stories, we will be glad to publish here for the benefit of others. The short distance between inspiration (thought) and motivation (action) should not take you a life time. Get started this weekend. 

Make Your Own Lane: Building Personal Credibility

The common techniques most of us use to assess a professional’s or a company’s credibility is to quickly surf through the following:

What does the Website say?

That is first proof a prospect will come across before reaching out the phone or shooting a mail to the service provider.

What is the quality of Samples that you see?

Regardless of a client’s budget, the first and foremost priority will be to ensure what a client receives as service is useful to their business. Samples speak volumes about the depth of expertise one has

WritingVoiceWeb DesigningMarketingConsulting

The scope can be anything and that really does not matter. The portfolio that reflects in the website should be the strongest proof of the professional’s skill/ expertise or company's domain

If you are beginner, do not let any of this stop you

If you do not have clients, you cannot furnish samples.
If you cannot show samples, you cannot get clients.

Do you best demo portfolio and upload even when you are new and I guarantee, it will be difficult and tempting not to try your services.

What kind of logos is listed?

Logos you have worked with, certifications, associations, badges and testimonials can create a positive impact however that is not enough to get a prospect to  reach out to you. It can create an impression, not guarantee a lead that can convert to a client and in turn to revenue.

Pitch query

Your first communication with a prospect should be aligned to what you showed them so far in your website, portfolio, online space  - what you are good at, what you can solve, how you can assist them. 

If a prospect perceives a gap between what you do, how  you behave online and how you communicate in that first mail or call, the disconnect will be very hard to bridge.

Refrain from standard business jargon, be specific about how you can assist and how you are different. Keep it short, simple and effective. If possible add a call to action

Online credibility

The blogs you write, the expert advise you share on forums and social media groups, the extent of support, assistance and useful inputs you provide pertaining to your domain - all of this build your credibility

It proves how valuable you are 

Finally, the most important aspect to consider before you work with a professional

Personal credibility

Language, both verbal and non-verbal is a great give away.

I am sorry for being late

I am late because the lift was not working. (Everyone used the same lift)

I can share as many samples you want for clients that I have worked for already (Does he bother to clarify if he has the right, approval and permission to do that?)

What is your opinion about the person who uses this language in the first meeting? I am sure you got the point by now.