Yesterday, I decided to update my writing goals. I made them more short-term than I usually do because I am thinking about January 2010. It’s the day that I go from being a part-time freelance writer to a full-time one. Last week, I told my boss that I had to follow my heart, be true to myself, so I was leaving at the end of January. He asked me to stay and told me that he will give me time to reconsider, but I don’t think that I will. I realize that money is great, but it isn’t everything. This job has practically taken over my life, and I don’t have time to do much of anything, except work, work, and work. I thought that it would only be a crazy time til the end of October, but I have no found out that when one crazy phase ends, another one commences.

Everyone has good or bad stories to tell about people they have worked with or for. It’s a fact of life that everyone has different personalities and quirks, and not everyone is going to get along. Currently, I am one of the experts who is helping a client gather requirements for a new system that will help collaborate a bunch of legacy systems into one. During this process, I am working for two months in a conference room, all day with the client. One of the things that I love about is that I will get to know my clients as more than just the people who are cutting me a check. Knowing your client is something that is very important in order to have a successful outcome on a project. You are able to understand what they want, and how they are are used to doing things.

As a Consultant, you have to be flexible to deal with change and the different personalities that come with the job. Some clients let you take control and only check in once in awhile, and others have to be part of every step of the way. It’s something that you can’t take personally because you never know what the reasons are for the clients reason to behave in the way that they do. The only way you are going to find success is by smiling and going with the flow.

People see me now and think that I have always been a social person. No, I haven’t. I used to be the most antisocial person you will ever encounter. However, I realized that just because I am a Writer, doesn’t meant that I won’t be interacting with people. Therefore, I took a public speaking class and read books on how to be a little bit more extroverted. There are times where I have to force myself to be social. However, it’s getting easier to be this way because I realize that without a smile being attached to my experience, a client will not want to work with me.

Photo Detail: Two People – Business Meeting, originally uploaded by MyDigitalSLRCamera.

Freelancers are constantly having to meet with clients.  It’s different than if you work for a company because they usually have everything set in place to conduct a successful meeting.  One thing that a company doesn’t have, and you do, is YOU.  You are the deciding factor for a client to make his/her final decision to work with you or not.  Last week, while in Tampa, I met with over 20 different clients.  I had a blast, and I had a great time meeting with all these people.

Here are the things that I did to ensure that they wanted to continue work with me:

1. Dress professionally – My mother used to always say this to me when I was growing up.  “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.”  Wear a business suit the first time you meet with the client.  Take your cue on how the client dresses and the discussion to decide on what to wear the next time you meet.
2. Maintain eye contact – When the client is talking, make sure to make eye contact with them.  The worst thing that you can do is let your eyes wander around while they are speaking.  It shows a lack of respect, and you can say “au revoir” to that client.
3. Smile – When the client is speaking, don’t just maintain eye contact, also smile.  Don’t go overboard, like Matt Dillon in “There’s Something About Mary,” but ensure to occasionally smile.
4. Find something in common with them – I once took a public speaking course, and the professor said something that stuck with me.  He said that try to find something in common with your client, even if it isn’t about business.  A lesson that has helped me many times.  It puts the client and you at ease, and you are able to be yourself.
5. Listen to the client - When the client is talking, listen.  I’ve been in some meetings where the client will answer something, and then someone will ask the same question the client just answered.  It makes you look bad, so pay attention.

Do you have any tips that could help with meeting new clients?  Share them.

Photo Detail: group date on the moon, originally uploaded by ~BostonBill~.