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F50 Issue #33: December 3, 2024

Be a “Life Lifter” to Your Clients!

November 13 was World Kindness Day, established in 1998 as a yearly celebration that inspires us to perform acts of kindness every day of the year. According to the World Kindness Movement, its mission is to “inspire individuals and connect nations to create a kinder world.”

As we reflected on our own experience at the drive-through, we were struck by how powerful kindness feels. It’s like a famous quote from Maya Angelou:\

Long after we’ve forgotten what our order was at the drive-through, we’ll remember how it felt to find out someone paid for it. And we’ll be inspired to pay it forward by extending that generosity to others.

To “start making kindness the norm in your daily life,” the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation recommends “be[ing] a ‘life lifter’ by taking something off someone’s plate.”

A life lifter — what a great way to describe how we serve our clients as freelancers! Kindness is not just for our personal lives; it’s a powerful way of building strong, healthy relationships in our professional lives.

When we provide valuable services that take something off our client’s plate, we encourage, uplift, and inspire them to reach their potential. This relieves their stress and builds trust and connection between us.

But providing services is just one way you can be a life lifter to your clients. Even the smallest acts of kindness will have a profound impact on your professional relationships.

Eight Ways to Show KINDNESS to Your Clients

K – Keep Communication Open

Be Proactive in Your Communication: Reach out with regular updates and address concerns promptly, especially if there are any anticipated or unexpected delays. This transparency will show that you value your client’s time, project, and priorities.

Send Follow-Up Feedback Requests: To show that you’re committed to providing quality services, ask for feedback on your work after completing a project. That way, your client will know that you care about their experience with your business and are willing to improve your services.

I – Invest in Their Success

Offer Valuable Advice: Share tips and suggest resources that will benefit your client’s business and help them reach their goals. For example, keep an eye out for ways to streamline their systems by suggesting relevant tools that can simplify their tasks, like Notion for project management or Buffer for social media management.

Offer Help When They’re Overwhelmed: If you notice your client is struggling with a particular task, offer to help, possibly as an add-on service or a future project. This attentiveness shows that you care about the big picture and are invested in their success beyond the current project you’re working on.

N – Notice Their Preferences

Respect Their Time: Be aware of your client’s preferred work hours and communication style. Notice whether they enjoy a bit of chitchat beforehand, or whether they prefer to get right down to business. Reply to messages promptly, arrive on time for meetings, and meet your deadlines. Tailor the length and detail of your messages to their preferences.
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​Respect Their Work-Life Balance: Avoid sending messages late at night or when you know your client isn’t available. If you need to reach out during those times, schedule the messages for their work hours, or indicate that a reply can wait until they’re in their office and available to communicate.

D – Deliver More Than Expected

Go the Extra Mile: Treat your client to random acts of kindness by fixing a minor issue, adding an extra feature, or providing a small bonus service where appropriate. If you have an idea of how to improve or enhance a project or task, share your advice and wisdom.
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​Finish Early: If possible, surprise your client by finishing a project early, especially if you know they’re heading out on holidays soon or are eager to complete the project. Delivering more than expected increases your value and lets your client know you appreciate them.

N – Nurture Long-Term Relationships

Stay in Touch: Even after a project ends, the client relationship doesn’t have to. Stay in touch by sending a friendly email or occasional follow-up to check in and find out how your client’s business is doing. That way, you keep yourself open to future opportunities.

Be Generous: If you’ve enjoyed working with your client, show them you value the connection by sending small gifts for their birthday or special occasions. Speak well of them to other business owners and colleagues, and refer others to their business when appropriate.

E – Express Gratitude

Send a Thank-You Note or Email: After a project ends, send a quick thank-you message to express gratitude for the opportunity to serve them. If you have an ongoing contract with a client, send periodic notes or emails to let them know you continue to appreciate your collaboration with them and their trust in your services.
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​Express Gratitude for Their Contributions: Thank your client for how they contribute to your business, especially if they provide referrals or valuable advice. And let them know how their insights on any projects or tasks contribute to the quality of your services.

S – Stay Professional and Kind Under Pressure

Offer Flexible Solutions: If you and your client experience challenges, maintain professionalism and be willing to adapt to their needs. Showing kindness through understanding and adaptability goes a long way toward building trust.
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​Practice Active Listening: At all times, and especially during challenging situations, show empathy to your client by listening attentively. Show them that you respect their point of view and value their input.
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S – Share Positive Feedback

Celebrate Their Wins: When your client achieves success in their business, send them a quick message. No matter how big or small the achievement, your acknowledgement will boost their morale and show your support.
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Be Generous with Feedback and Praise: Always look for opportunities to share kindness through positive feedback. For example, if your client is good at giving clear instructions, let them know that you appreciate their thoughtful collaboration.

These are just a few ways you can be a life lifter to your clients! What other tips would you add to the list?

Did You Know?

In September 2024, 63-year-old rock star Jon Bon Jovi helped save someone’s life! He was filming a music video on John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville when he noticed a woman who seemed prepared to jump off the bridge.

With calmness and compassion, Bon Jovi and a production assistant approached the woman and convinced her to come back off the railing.

According to a Vanity Fair article,
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​“Bon Jovi declined to comment, citing respect for the woman's privacy, but a source close to him said that he saw a situation where he thought he could help someone and offered his hand.”

This is not surprising because, in addition to continuing a successful music career after 50, Bon Jovi helps combat hunger, poverty and homelessness through his JBJ Soul Foundation, which he founded in 2006. He's also had training and experience handling crises, and he definitely put those skills to use on the bridge.

He's an example of how fulfilling unretirement can be and how important lifelong learning is!

Freelance After 50 Feature Video:

​"How to Start Life Over After 50: Breakthrough 4 Big Barriers"​

In this video, we dive into four major obstacles that often hold us back from starting something new after 50, especially when it comes to transitioning into a freelance career.

If you’ve been feeling unsure about how to start life over after 50, this video is for you — let’s break down those obstacles and show you how to turn this new chapter into one of the most exciting yet.

Here’s to being a life lifter not just for clients but for yourself as you pursue a fresh start!

An early Happy New Year to you and look forward to connecting in 2025!

Craig and Kelly

Co-founders of Freelance University

431B 41st Avenue NE - Unit 94, Calgary, AB T2E 2N4
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