Bidding Bar

In part 1 of this series I spoke on the importance of etiquette when looking to attract the best people to finish your tasks. Today I’m going to discuss etiquette from the other side of the coin.

Job seekers I felt it was necessary to address the “rules of the game” per say from a manners perspective for those consumers looking to find assistance in their tasks for a couple of reasons. First off there were a shorter list of points to be made from the creator’s perspective, and secondly I wanted everyone to see from a gig creator’s point of view because you are all-in fact-job creators.

Just because you are in search for work right now, doesn’t mean that you, either currently or in the near future, can’t plan on either posting a gig or checking out our barter search capabilities to find assistance in a project you need finished.

As an individual showing up to a gig/job there are any number of things one could do to make his/her presence stand out in the mind of the person you are working for. I am going to focus on 5 no-brainers that I feel people overlook regularly. Afterwards I will want your feedback to get this list to 10 or 12 solid laws that if followed will have you making more money at more gigs in no time.

Layout your workflow
It’s doubtful that every client you will work for is going to have the same knowledge that you do with your skill-set. I mean if they did, chances are they wouldn’t have hired you right? Being organized enough to layout in a discussion, or better yet, on paper how you plan on completing the task set before you clears up any future misunderstandings of how things are going to be handled. It also opens the two of you up to any questions that might not have been addressed, and sets concrete boundaries to the steps that will and won’t be taken towards the project completion. If compiling a list of details isn’t your strong suit, I suggest visiting this site, it will at the very least give you some ideas to incorporate in your layout.

Be personable.
This is definitely a no-brainer that can get easily overlooked when two people are introduced for the first time. Some of us are naturally charismatic and have no problem interacting with a complete stranger. There are those of us though that have to make that conscious effort to gain rapport with others. I’m not saying you should look for a unicycle, clown clothing, and a juggling for dummies book in order put on a fake show for someone. Quite the contrary, being insincere is actually pretty obvious to sniff out, and nothing kills rapport quicker than having a fake demeanor. If you aren’t an outgoing person by nature and feel that it’s challenging to start discussions with people you don’t know, asking questions is a great way to initiate dialog. Don’t be afraid to explain the details that go into the work you are performing for your client. He/she will appreciate that you are taking the time to address any concerns, and can also open up other topics of discussion that might allow your expertise to stand out. Next time that person needs to find an assistant to complete work for them they will remember how open and sincere you were, and that you were pleasant to have around.

Exceed expectations.
It’s the little things in life that matter the most, clients that see you are willing meet and exceed expectations without having to be asked to will be more inclined to utilize your services more often. This doesn’t mean that if you are walking a client’s dog you should feel obligated to groom them necessarily. But little things like asking whether or not the dog prefers brisk walks to dog parks, if the dog enjoys playing fetch, or if there are any situations that could arise from the walk to be aware of. This shows that you appreciate their business and are more interested in providing a great service than collecting some cash.

Be respectful of your work environment.
It should go without saying (but I’m saying it anyhow) that you should be extra careful when working in and around other people’s homes. Be mindful not to mess up their landscape, or leave their property messier than it was before you arrived. You get the gist I’m sure, if you’re in need of a water hose of theirs remember to put it back the way you found it. Your attention to detail in leaving the scene as clean as you found it can demonstrates a level of professionalism that can set you apart from others in your field.

Punctuality! Punctuality! Punctuality!
Show up early, stay within the pre-stated time quotas you have given, and show them that you do what you do well, and efficiently. You’ll be hearing from them, and quite possibly some of their associates very soon.

And these 5 things are by no means the only standards you should set for yourselves to work by. Try to add to this list, in fact put yourself in the shoes of a person creating work for someone else. You very well might be in the position of finding someone to work for you in the near future. What sort of things would you like them to include? What situations would you consider unprofessional if someone were working for you?

Post a standard you think might be beneficial for others to know, and gig posters feel free to jump in here also.