As a Christian business owner, does one have people constantly expecting you to offer away your services for free of charge? Do people offer you sob stuff about why they can not pay and expect you to provide them with a break? Do they call you a passive-aggressive Christian hypocrite if you send a late payment reminder? It is often hard balancing eagerness to help people and not making a gift of your services for free. Remember, as a business owner; you’re in business to form a profit. You want to protect your personal and business credit score.
Most business owners, service providers, and professionals have business expenses, also as living expenses to incorporate a mortgage, utilities, and possibly student loans. Creditors want to be paid. Creditors will charge a late fee if you do not pay them on time. They’ll perhaps report you to an agency, and this will adversely affect your credit score. So, how does one balance helping others and being a Christian business owner? My tips below will assist you in working as a business owner while honoring your Christian values.
1. Contracts
Use very detailed contracts. Don’t trust handshake deals or word-of-mouth agreements. Put the agreement or terms of service in writing. Be very specific on due dates, amounts owed, late fees, etc. This includes barter contracts. Don’t be afraid or intimidated to not hold the opposite party in charge of honoring their part of the contract.
2. Invoicing Procedures
Establish procedures and follow them. Suppose you do not want to affect this task, then outsource it to a Virtual Assistant or bookkeeper. This includes sending out late payment reminders. I like to recommend you’re employed with a set agent in order that when needed, the agency can follow the late payer. Using a collection agent will prevent headaches and heartaches. Plus, you recognize they’re following the law, and you will not get in trouble for accidentally violating a debt collection law or rule.
3. Choose your words carefully
I even have learned when someone asks me if I can help or they assert “so then said you’ll help me” and that I reply “yes, I can help” they’re expecting the service for free of charge. I even have had to find out to respond with something that states this is often a business service that I provide. Also, I even have found when someone asks if they will skip payment at holiday time, I even have a script able to address that late fees are going to be assessed. Again, this task of communicating with individuals could also be best left to your gatekeeper or a Customer Care Manager. Listen very carefully to what’s being said by the person posing for your services. I also don’t recommend making a gift of free strategy sessions. Once you charge a small fee for an introductory session and charge for missed appointments, you’ll eliminate the tire kickers and snatchers, and grabbers. Be careful with the folks that hit you abreast of social media via Messenger pretending to be your friend, then immediately they need free advice or services.
4. skills Much you’ll divulge or Discount
Set clear boundaries. I do not mind helping people. But it does get old helping an equivalent people over and once again. You’ve got to understand your walk-off point. Watch the person on social media. If they’re out having fun while you sit home eating ramen noodles, aren’t getting mad. Use it as a lesson. You only let that person skip a payment in order that they could celebrate. The person doesn’t respect or value you and your services. I like to recommend you recognize what percentage of scholarships you’re getting to be ready to divulge annually, and once you have exhausted that quantity, you realize you can’t help anyone else for free of charge. Also, know what discount you’ll give friends and family.
5. Know Your Value
don’t forget that you simply provide a valuable service. Simply because somebody else doesn’t see the worth doesn’t mean you’ve got none. Don’t let the snatchers and grabbers wear you down. Learn to spot who isn’t your ideal client and learn to spot where they lurk, then go find a replacement fishing pond.
Those that are trying to steal your products, property, and services will always have something negative to mention once you invite payment. In our digital age, they’re going to be as bold on nasty post comments on social media platforms blasting you and your Christian values. They’re going to probably “unfriend” you too. Remember, don’t open a door that God has closed. Count your blessings you were unfriended and saw the person show his/her true colors.
Don’t be made to feel guilty or shamed into for free of charge |freely giving|giving freely”> making a gift of your products or services for free. The funny thing is these people wouldn’t work for free of charge or divulge their products or service for free, in order that they shouldn’t expect you to try to do it either. Everyone won’t love you. Rejection is God’s protection.
