The Confident Web Designer

https://mackenziegraham.ca/blog/how-to-streamline-content-collection-for-web-designers-and-save-time

How to Streamline Content Collection (and Save Time!) — Mackenzie Graham-Fehr Tired of chasing clients for content? Learn how to streamline content collection for web designers with clear expectations, templates, and automation. Discover how the Content Collection Library can help you save time and keep projects on track.

I'm back! And big changes are on the way!!

Finding your ideal client

I've talked with a lot of web designers & developers and something I see/hear often is a fear of picking a niche or defining an ideal client.

This fear can come from a few places:
The fear of missing out on work. If you're not open to working with anyone, what if you miss out on a project? (this one creeps up A LOT when you are first starting your biz)

The fear of going against what everyone else is doing. This is a biggie and I see it a lot - people are afraid to define their ideal client because it is different from what everyone else is doing. Doesn't it seem like everyone and their dog wants to work with coaches or course creators and small business owners... (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with serving these folks - as long as they are who you want to work with).

When I started my business, I went completely against the grain. I knew I wanted to work with large organizations, designing and developing their intranets. (FYI, I had several people tell me I was crazy).

So how do you define your ideal client?

If you google it, you will find A TON of activities that you can do to help you. I definitely encourage you to do those activities. But there are a few activities I like to do that are a bit different.

1. Define my mission, my vision and my values. I want to work with people who's values align with my own. They don't have to be the same, but they do have to align.

2. Figure out what I like to talk about (and can comfortably talk about). Here's the thing. Successful sales is all about making connections. Nobody wants to feel sold to all the time. But you do need to be able to reach out and make connections. What's a great way to make connections? A shared interest. Love talking about art? Awesome. Target artists. Love talking about video games? Great. Target streamers. I can talk about employee engagement and internal communications all day everyday, which is why I targeted large organizations that would have an intranet.

3. Decide how much money do I want/need to make. Look, I am all for working with whomever you want, but if you envision building a multi-million dollar business, targeting small mom and pop shops might not be the right choice.

So, with all of that in mind, tell me about your ideal client.

How many times have you heard that confidence and mindset go hand in hand? You need the right mindset in order to be confident. Your mindset dictates your confidence, etc...etc...etc.

You know what - I get it. There is a connection between your mindset and your confidence. But there is also something else. Something that helps both your mindset and your confidence. And that is the confidence you get from feeling prepared. Prepared for that meeting. Prepared for that new client. Prepared for that sales call.

Having systems in place for your business is a surefire way to give you a boost of confidence. Knowing you're prepared feels good.

And when you feel prepared you feel more confident. And when you are feeling more confident your mindset grows and improves.

It's a magical cycle of awesomeness.