I wished I could’ve gone back for seconds.

But that plan was foiled by the disapproving glance from my wife.

I love how she’s always looking out for my waistline’s welfare 😒

You see…

Today we were at the Auckland Botanic Gardens — enjoying a relaxing meander on a beautiful summer day.

Heading back to the entrance we made a beeline for the real-fruit icecream caravan.

Real fruit icecream is a bit of a New Zealand creation. Now spreading to other countries, I’m told.

There’s nothing complicated about the idea: berries — like strawberries and raspberries — crushed and mixed in with vanilla icecream. Then served in a cone.

😋

Not complicated. But certainly delicious.

And definitely a “taste of summer.”

The place was doing a roaring trade.

And we just managed to duck in before the start of a rush… and the queue started stretching out behind us.

They’d set up shop close to the on-site cafe where people bought lunches. Knowing they might just want a sweet and fruity something for afterwards.

And were right on the edge of a vast lawn where people like to sit for lunches. Or just rest after walking around.

Flags were placed nearby to signal they were open for business.

You knew they were there. And what was on offer.

It struck me that us freelancers can be pretty reticent about putting out our flags and making it clear we’re open for business.

How’s that going for you?

Do your ideal clients know who you are and how you can serve them?

Doing things like hanging out where your clients are. Where you can meet them. Where you can offer help.

Or are you instead sitting in the corner. Expecting (hoping) you’ll be noticed?

One of the biggest issues freelancers can face is finding clients. This comes up time and again in the groups I belong to.

The thing is… clients ARE out there…

You’ll know this when you’ve landed client number one.

But if you haven’t yet… or they’re still few and far between…

Perhaps it’s time to ask: do they know you exist?

I’m sorry (not sorry) to be the bearer of home truths.

But to freelance you need clients!

(Yeah… captain obvious, I know)

And as sure as freelancers need clients…

You and I need to do sales in one form or another to get them.

It may be fear of sales that makes you a bit shy about flying the flag and putting yourself out there.

If that’s not an area that’s holding you back… congrats! Please keep watch for newbie freelancers who need your help.

Sales is a necessary thing when you’re in business for yourself as a freelancer. You’ll have to sell yourself and your services.

But… don’t worry… it’s not always by the anxiety-inducing cold email strategy.

But you do need to be proactive in some form.

Because:

Sales takes action.

It’s more than just setting up a website or writing a LinkedIn profile.

If you want to connect with your ideal clients… those things can help a little further along the process… but most important is to be out there connecting and participating and showing you know your stuff.

Perhaps commenting and engaging with people’s posts on LinkedIn. Maybe making posts of your own. Maybe burning some shoe leather and talking to local business owners.

But the key word is: active

Not sure if that was a pep-talk or a lecture.

Either way… it’s something many of us will need to hear.

And maybe “action” needs to be one of your words for the coming new year…

Especially if it’s taking action on selling your services.

I found something that might help…

It’s a 13-minute video that helps reframe selling — so you don’t feel the need to take a shower after selling because you feel all icky! It’s by Chris Do from The Future:

All the best with selling yourself and your services!

Ready to build your email list? Go here…

EmailForTheWin.com

Chris Milham