- It is OK to turn down business, and how to know when to do that.

- Networking is crucial when it comes to making the right connections to the right clients.

- Especially network face - to - face.

- You usually aren’t going to get a client at a networking event, you’re going to get a referral out of networking.

- Networking is also useful not only for what you can get from it, but what you can provide to other people.

- Limit yourself to how many networking events you go to.

- It’s usually more beneficial to show up many times at a few events, than once at many events.

- Don’t feel pressured to network. Network only when it feels right.

- Know how much you are worth.

- I wish I hadn’t worked for free so much.

- Put a dollar value on how much pro-bono work you’re going to do during a year.

- Sometimes, pro-bono work can be a tax writeoff.

- Be careful doing work for friends or family.

- Oftentimes, friends or family don’t know the value of the work they’re asking you to do.

- Have a good accountant and a good lawyer. Lawyer first.

- Surround yourself with people that know what they do.

- If people want to help out of the goodness of their heart, that’s fine. If they just want part of the business, then run for the hills.

- With free help, you get what you pay for.

- Up-front contracts can and should be used in every situation.

- Take a sales class. Know how to sell yourself.

- Whether you think so or not, you’re probably selling something. Usually yourself.

- RESOURCE - Ogilvy on Avertising - book

- Don’t get so caught up in your current work that you forget to get new business.

- RESOURCE - The Business Librarian at Poudre Libraries - Anne McDonald - FREE RESOURCE

- Have a Business Plan!

- Usually you have two different business plans - one for the bank, and one for how the business will actually be run.

- If you’re going to make a business plan, make it an attainable goal.

- RESROURCE - The Workforce Center does a Be Your Own Boss Class. Contact Cohere for the list

- In a proposal, assume everyone’s an idiot.

- Don’t be afraid to consult a lawyer for proposals and contracts.

- Make sure you have a payment deadline in your contract.

- Just because you’re a freelancer doesn’t mean you have to make less money than big companies.

- If you don’t know how much you’re worth, neither does anyone else.

- Make people realize that the value now isn’t worth the trouble later.

- Draw a triangle. Label the corners “Price”, “Time”, “Quality”. Make them pick two, you can’t have all three.

- Don’t forget about taxes.

- Factor in ongoing web support, if you have a website.

- Don’t forget about old-fashioned media. It’s a great way to get your name out there.