A lost for a win | RCD Project Update

Hello RCD readers,

I've missed writing purely for writing. I've been really busy with content for September and potential project's. If you want to know more about September check last blog post.

Let's have a quick recap of August. 

In August I celebrated RC Designs Blog by posting OG RCD Articles from my YouTube channel and choose to not post on my blog website for more than a month. Funny but I've noticed my blog website got a lot of views while I was on a blogging break. I estimated more than 600 views on my page. I have absolutely no clue how this happened but hello readers if you are still a frequent reader on my page welcome and hit subscribe.

THANK YOU FOR READING. ENJOY THE CONTENT. COMMENT ON THE BLOG POST WHERE YOU'RE FROM OR JUST SAY HI.

Let's get back to the recap.

Last August I choose to distance myself because this constant content posting was feeling overwhelming and I felt a burn out coming. I have to be honest my personal goals where not coming along. Most important would be reading my bible with soap method. 

But September I felt God giving me a shift into choosing what is best for me and my growth.  That would be a simple social activity. It's fun. It's relaxing. It calms me entirely from the stress of the week. It feeds my soul. I even love the drive back home that is just great. I make sure to take the longest route back home. I turn on the volume for my favorite radio station and just enjoy the ride home.

Missed project's 

In August it felt like my kind of month. You see I'm not delusional. I know a starting business in this economy is going to get hits. So I mentally prepared. I keep myself away from unnecessary drama. I feed my soul.  And I trust in the Lord that He will find a way for me if it's His will.

This means when things fail I don't take it that hard anymore like I use to when I was a freelancer.  I'm more focused on finding the right fit for me. Instead of begging for crumbs. Because I'm a start up firm so many people expect me to budge in my price. 

I have lost two project's in August that were a certain yes. Both were not able to pay for my services.  

House project 1:

The infamous free site visit / consultation. A sweet family welcomed me to do a non conventional site visit. Which meant they thought you are already here so you don't have to come back. Meaning if I have to come back to measure they would have to pay for that. They subtly offered to measure themselves and tell me the dimensions.  I knew red flag number one. I got home calculated how much it would be to design their dream business and sent it. Nobody responded to my offer when I asked what the decisions would be. I didn't get a yes or a no. I got I'll call you later. To my knowledge I took this as a no. Two weeks go by and the client calls if the work is done. Of course on a Sunday. I politely explained the miscommunication of nobody responding, no deposit so no work and I got an explanation. Finally after the infamous message.  Long story short. I had to explain why that's my price and very not smoothly I was asked to do something with my price so the project can be a yes. So I sent my polite message "I understand you will not be able to pay for my services. So I have to politely say goodbye to you here.".

House project 2:

This project was from a Facebook boost. They contacted me. They knew the price for site visit and the drawings. They wanted to be smart with their money so contacted as just asking for advice. This grew into potentially hiring me for my services. *hint they knew the price per m2. The preliminary phase had started and I made a sketch of what they wanted. They changed it but wanted to discuss this face to face. We discussed the drawings. The end price for the definitive drawings was now shared. They were happy. It was a yes. Until they had to pay the deposit to start the project. First a paying method that I don't use. And after I asked officially they finally expressed not sure about paying the price. My mistake was making free sketches. But I stayed polite and kept it pushing.

God feeds my soul with peace

That's why praying is important. I didn't sorrow for these two loses that I was really excited to do. I mean I was so happy that these project's would be my first RCD project with people I don't know. You see my first project's are from friends and family. And these two would be from a referral and boost from Facebook.  So that felt amazing.  The more new people the better.  But it didn't work out but I'm happy that I tried my best.  And know I was well prepared for both project's.  Most important I'm happy for the experience. 

A lost for a win

Now explanation for the title by the end of August I had finished one project and was fully paid for a second project.

Both new finished project's were fun to do.

House project 3:

This was a breezy site visit. I went with my little nephew.  I needed to make a 3D design for a outdoor kitchen concept. They client knew what he wanted I had to provide the roof ideas and the appropriate dimensions.  It was a easy client-designer work relationship so the work flow went smoothly. 

House project 4:

This was from my labor day discount.  The client needed work drawings for a project proposal. I had so many ideas but the client loved them but didn't want to many cost for the interior side. 

What have I learned from these experiences?

1) always stay professional 

Any client can try something really unprofessional but it's your job to always think of your brand image and that means how you react to situation. Your response to anything should be thought through and never filled with your emotions. Be polite but never to overly friendly. Don't cross that thin line between client- designer relationship into friend relationship searching for a discount or free services.

2) keep your personal feelings to yourself

This was hard but necessary.  You can complain to your friends or family but never overshare what you are feeling

3) don't take your problems to bed

I have learned not let a potential income get into me having fun and enjoying my life.

4) don't take it personally to your character ever

This was a hard one. Overthinking if I potentially did a terrible job in explaining. If I should've been a better negotiator. If I'm going over my head. These are negative thoughts that I haven't overcome but God is helping me silence those words enough that they don't influence my daily life. 

5) you are worth that price

It sounds so weird. In a country where people want to design for almost nothing but pay almost more than a 1000% to building it or buying the plot. I have learned to not budge with my price and to not be scared of loosing a potential client of that. That just means they were not your potential client to begin with.  They were just a preparation for the real potential client. Your potential client will be okay paying for your asking price. 

"Patience is not about doing nothing. Patience is about constantly doing everything you can. But being patient about results."