As a service provider, you want to provide the best service possible and be the top of mind person that people think about and go to when they need your particular service. There are a lot of service providers, no matter if you’re talking about freelance writing industry, graphic design, programming or any other service. There are professionals with huge price tags, and sites like Fiverr that make some services incredibly cheap… but no matter which part of the spectrum you’re at there are some great ways to offer the best service possible.
1. Refrain from Competing on Price
Don’t charge prices based on the market, especially if you’re trying to undercut the competition. Do your homework and price your services based on what you think they’re worth, and what will produce a profit for you. Don’t worry if some people are willing to pay the price, and others are not. You’ll find that people who are looking for quality work, and find value in it, are willing to pay good money for it.
The problem that you will run into if you do compete on price is that it becomes a race to the bottom that will cause you to lose in the end. If you do not charge enough for your services then it will cause you to become pressured about finances, which in turn often results in poor service.
2. Consistency is Key
Be consistent with all of your clients, even if they don’t know each other. If you offer a product, charge the same basic prices to all of the customers that you have. If you make promises to multiple clients to deliver by the same deadlines and find you are unable to, don’t pick and choose policies based upon the client. Be honest and fair in your dealings. If you say you have a limited time offer, then follow through and make it a limited time offer... and so on. There are so many things to cover here it could be a work ethics course in itself.
3. Dot Your I's and Cross Your T's
Double and triple check your work before you send it out. Even catching one or two minor mistakes could mean the difference between a client coming back or not, or telling other people about your services. Take a few extra minutes with every single project and make sure it is 100% what the client wanted and that it is your absolute best work.
4. Don't Be All Things To All People
Be okay with saying no. There may be some projects that you don’t want to work on and it doesn’t really matter what the reason is. Maybe your personal values are not in alignment with theirs. You could have a moral objection or could be just too much work for the price that the person is willing to pay. The point is, be willing to say no to clients. They will respect you and not ask in the future.
5. Understand Your Market
It's very important to do your research and figure out what people’s problems are, and then try to solve them. If you can come up with solutions to people’s problems other than your regular services, you could make a great deal more money and could spark a business idea that will take off.
Those are just a few obvious suggestions I have to be the best service provider you can be. What do you do?
