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That first phone call with a new client is a nuanced maneuver that’s equal parts fact-finding, checking for professional rapport, and understanding the scope of the job. It’s kind of like a first date: What is each party hoping to get out of the relationship? Are they looking for something long-term, or a brief engagement? Does everyone have similar or complementary ways of operating and communicating? How much are they willing to invest in the partnership? And — most importantly—do you want to see each other again? Like most things, this is an effort that gets easier with practice. And
“So, what do you do for work?” This is one of the first questions we’re asked—or that we ask—upon meeting someone in both professional or social settings. We might reply by mentioning our title, role, or the company we work for. Yet rarely does this paint the full picture of the value we contribute. Furthermore, sometimes simply replying with our title or the company we work for gives no context to the asker. A rote answer can also be a reflection of our own confusion about why we do the work we do or an indication that we’re on autopilot—maybe
Being more confident and comfortable with yourself will have a real impact on everything from your decision-making to your self-esteem. How often have you felt stuck and completely unsure of how you really feel about something? This ambiguity signals being out of touch with your intuition and your instincts. Connecting with that impulse can serve as a guiding light in times of uncertainty and allow you the freedom to get out of your comfort zone. And when you trust yourself, it’s often easier to evaluate who else you can trust. This inner strength can ripple out across your creativity, productivity,
Comfortable armchairs, frothy cappuccinos, friendly collaborators, and rubber plants that seem to rise higher than the clouds. On the surface, what’s not to love about coworking clubs? For freelancing creative professionals today, hunkering down together in formerly abandoned warehouses to foster collaboration and idea sharing has become somewhat of the status quo. Research shows that 33% of today’s workforce is independent or freelance—and this workforce naturally needs desks to occupy—so it’s no wonder that in 2018 over 2,000 coworking membership spaces opened worldwide. And these numbers continue to rocket. If it’s between Skyping in pajama pants (“has it really been
“What’s your rate?” It’s hard to think of another question from a potential client that instills a greater sense of dread in freelancers. Even seasoned independent workers tell us they still balk when asked for their rates. If you think about it practically, it’s silly: you’re a professional, you’re good at what you do, and you have the experience and skillset to back that up. But in reality, emotions often kick in and it’s not that easy. Maybe it’s because we’ve been conditioned not to talk about money. Maybe it’s because of a nagging sense of imposter syndrome. Maybe it’s
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From Ray Manley dot com
- Case Study: Waging a successful local publicity campaignIt’s not always possible to quickly measure success in business, so when it happens, it’s worth dissecting the elements that contributed to the success. That’s why I want to look at a recent community toy drive spearheaded by Ripped City Gardens, an artisan cannabis grower based in Portland, Oregon. The post Case Study: Waging a […]
- Casual communication: The silent killerBusiness casual. We love it, but when it comes to business communications, it can be a killer...or at least an "injurer." The post Casual communication: The silent killer appeared first on Ray Manley.
- Best of the Web: December Productivity EditionI find that there’s an insatiable appetite for anything that might increase our productivity: tips, hacks, apps, ideas, approaches, philosophies, potted plants, odors, better chairs – anything. That’s why I collect the best articles from around the internet that give us ways to boost our productivity. The post Best of the Web: December Productivity Edition […]
- Still a slave to keywords? Set yourself free!See what you think of this book title: What happens when a strong-willed woman and man try to make a relationship work during a time of social upheaval? The post Still a slave to keywords? Set yourself free! appeared first on Ray Manley.
- Best of the Web: 22 shades of great adviceThere’s more content than usual in this installment of the best of the web. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling the last few weeks and neglected my curation duties, so I had some catching up to do. Sit back, relax, scan the 22 articles below and find the nuggets of wisdom that you can […]
- 3 lessons every business can learn from the Hallmark Christmas MoviesI realized that we have another tell-tale sign that Christmas and the holiday season are bearing down on us like a brakeless semi-truck the other day when one of my Facebook friends boasted that she was dressed up and ready for the Hallmark movies. I may be a little late to the party, but I […]