Knowledge is probably the best path (at least legal one!) to success. You can’t beat hard research and experiments that you make. The results you get, even bad ones, will give you valuable lesson in knowledge on how to proceed with your business in the future.

So here are some tips that you can follow up:

Nothing is Free

When you start your business, it can be pretty rough the first months, or even a full year. So you tend to take free projects to attract clients. While it can serve a certain goal, it can really backfire! Because how can you make money when you are working for free? Stop doing things like that if you have enough income and clients, become more confident because if you are expert in your niche, you shouldn’t be doing anything for free.

Ask for Money

You did an honest day job for your clients and it is only fair to get paid for it. Every business has to be done on a certain level of trust – they give you project that you do in change for money. You did your part, delivered the project and now they should do their part. Don’t be afraid to ask what belongs to you, but also make sure that you have all your papers in order and proofs of the deal. Business world can be pretty tricky so try to minimize the risk, especially with new clients.

How To Build Trust With Clients?

Raise The Price

If you have so many clients (yes, that is possible) that you barely meet their needs, there is a chance that you will not deliver the same quality they are used to. It’s just a fact! Instead of aiming on getting more clients, you should be aiming in making the most of those you already have.

People are never happy to have to pay more, but for great product or service they do. You are probably paying more for certain things you enjoy than you did a few years ago.

Value and quality can’t be beaten, so make sure that you focus on delivering those two things and people will stand in line regardless of the price raise.

Extra tip: Don’t be overconfident with the raise either.

The tips above are a broad topic, but here are also some that are more specific:

Don’t Pay Per Hour

Pay per hours is a terrible way to conduct business, because there are almost no ways to measure the effort the other party invested in it. Make sure that all the deals you do have a price negotiated in advance and a date of deliverance. Than your clients will know exactly how much they have to pay and when they get what you wanted.

Save Energy

A very small tweaks in the habits of the whole office can have an impact. All the electrical devices that are not being used should be turned off. Plugged out even! No matter how big is the office, it will can make a difference. Not to mention that you will be more environment friendly. Switching to energy saving lightbulbs, programmed thermostat etc. is also important.

Take/Pay a Course

Sometimes you really have to spend money to make money. Why not invest in your own education? Or education of your employees? As a business owner you should set an example and show that you are serious about the future of your company.

Automate

Your computer should be working for you, not the other way around. Use automated programs, tools etc. to help you save time.

Negotiate

In order to make more money you need to negotiate as best as you can. Never make a deal without trying to lower the price you have to pay, and always try to give a slightly higher price when you are selling. It can really add up!

Do The Numbers

Always and forever check the bank, receivables, pipeline, expenses, inbound leads, traffic, budget. 

ALSO READ: 

Cheap Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

Simple Ways Small Businesses Can Cut Costs