The Smart Business’ Guide to Winning New Work
Posted on Mar 24, 2011 in Blogging, Business Basics | 12 comments
You should know that I have not been paid for this post nor have I joined any affiliate programs. And Pawel has turned down my request for six unicorn pony tails and a back rub in return for this review, so I had to do it for free. So this is absolutely how I feel about this book and I’m motivated by nothing but my opinion. So for what it’s worth, here is my two cents:
If you’ve ever visited The Self-Employed Cafe or if you took advantage of The Year 1 Biz Support Group I was talking about last year, then you already know who Pawel Grabowski is. If you haven’t had the opportunity to come in contact with him yet, you’re missing out. Pawel is a veteran entrepreneur who was starting his first business while his peers were still tyring to get the hang of being college freshmen. Today he dispenses free advice for the self-employed through his website, his e-courses and Twitter every day.
Let me tell you about this Pawel guy. I don’t quite remember how I met him but I know it started on Twitter. Days later I moved to WordPress for the first time and he was very helpful, even though he didn’t know me from a can of paint. He made a video to help me work out my permalinks (and I know he made it for me because he was saying my name in the video). On my first day taking Diary of a Mad Freelancer seriously, he told me to do three things for my site. I did two of them. Then months and months later, I did the third thing and my traffic increased 138% in 30 days. No joke. And maybe I was stupid and just didn’t understand WordPress. So what? He didn’t have to hold my hand and help me, but he did. And he does stuff like that all time. Just the other day he was helping Sharon Hurley Hall fix her site header for no reason other than he just does that stuff.
But Pawel’s book can be especially informational to freelancers because it focuses on those areas so many of us have trouble with: prospecting, presenting and followup. It even goes into depth about cold calling and cold emailing new clients. And through it all, Pawel keeps reminding you of what so many freelancers need to hear: You can be a salesperson. You can sell your services. You just need need to know HOW to do it.
And now in the spirit paying it forward, I’m going to pass my copy of the book along. I’m giving away an ebook copy of The Smart Business’ Guide to Winning New Work to one lucky reader. All you have to do to enter is post a comment below about why you’d like to have it. I stop taking entries on Friday at 12:01am, so get to commenting.
12 Comments
I am always interested in learning new ways to promote my business because there is always something more I could be doing or learning. Cold calling and e-mailing is not my strong suit and I could use some help in this area.
Whoever wins this book is going to find it a wonderful resource, I’m sure.
)
Jodee recently posted..Freelance Writing Jobs for March 24- 2011
RT @iampsjones: New on Diary of a Mad Freelancer: The Smart Business’ Guide to Winning New Work http://t.co/oq0kt4D~ AWWW! Review of my book
RT @pawelgra77: RT @iampsjones: New on Diary of a Mad Freelancer: The Smart Business’ Guide to Winning New Work http://t.co/oq0kt4D~ AWWW! Review of my book
The books sounds an interesting read, but I would be curious to read it simply because I met Pawel on Twitter and I would like to know him more. What is more, it is always nice to hear succesful stories about your compatriots:)
Aga
I would love to read the book as a freelancer, because I rank “cold calls” on the same level as “root canal.” Both a necessary evil, but both I avoid like the plague! (Plague, not plaque.)
I would like this book because I have zero sales skills. I was the girl scout who begged her parents to buy all her boxes of cookies.
The Smart Business’ Guide to Winning New Work http://t.co/BRxvSE1 via @iampsjones
I’d like your copy PJ because I suck at this stuff…. is that a good enough reason?
Melissa Breau recently posted..Why You Need An E-Newsletter
I would like to “Win” this book to add to the collection I have started to share with other local writers in a writers group I am thinking of starting. Winning this book would obligate me to get off Top Dead Center, and start that rolling!
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Hi Princess, awww, thank you for kind words
You know, I recorded that video then simply to mesmerize you with my Polish-Irish accent, I knew it will work ha ha.
But seriously, I am glad to be of help.
@the rest of commenters, many thanks for the interest in my book guys. It is extremely helpful for any freelancer, small biz owner. I know, all the advice in it comes from my experience.
Best of luck with getting a copy and whoever wins it, let me know how the advice worked for you.
I agree completely with Kristine here and her ranking of cold calling. Although I’m new to Twitter, I love the knowledge sharing ethos of this platform and I have read some of your blogs, Pawel. Your ability to entice us with a well targeted tweet implies to me that you know your target audience very well. I am like a sponge soaking up knowledge about managing a new small business and would like to read your book for guidance. I’m sure I’d learn a great deal.
And the winner is. . . drumroll please. . . little Jenny Schermerhorn for being the worst Girl Scout in the history of mankind. Well, except me. But hopefully Pawel’s book will help you become a sales machine and you can go back and show up the whole pack.