Lessons Learned: Nothing Less than Perfection

I'm starting a new series of posts called "Lessons Learned". The series will share some advice based on the lessons I've learned as a business owner over the years. I think we all need reminders of the lessons we learn and I hope this can help save you future headaches.

Lessons Learned Series
1. Nothing Less Than Perfection
With this economy clients are demanding lower and lower pricing. I don't suggest it, but you can decide to lower your pricing if you really want or need the work. However, don't make the mistake of thinking you can spend less time on the project or lower the quality of your work to compensate for the lower rate you are receiving.
If you are promoting your services or products as the best quality, then your clients will expect that quality regardless of how much your charging. You should always deliver your best work regardless if the client knows it or not. If you can't afford the time or expenses to create the level of work you say you create, then don't take the job. If you produce a sub-par product, the project could end up costing you much more than the expense of doing it right. You could loose the client and worse, negatively impact your reputation.

This lesson goes for pro bono work as well. Only do free work if you take it as serious as paid work. Even though you're not getting paid, you know it will be just as demanding as the highest paid job. If it's something or someone you care about, and want to do it free for them, then do it, but do it right. It's a good way to get a great portfolio piece and push your portfolio in a new direction.

This post reminds me of an earlier post I had. If you are selling top quality services, make sure you promote your company at the same level of quality as the work you produce. If you use promotions that are of low quality, then how will they ever believe you produce high quality work? Check out the past post here.