Opportunities for growth: Boundaries

One of the biggest (and constant) challenges I have faced in business is setting boundaries.  Whether it is between my business and personal life, with friends and family, or with clients it is hard to know where to draw the line.  It can be harder if you have ever been abused physically, emotionally or sexually.  I won't go too deep here, but I have some basic advice for ways to set boundaries.

Not setting boundaries with clients can lead to a decrease in profit margins (giving away products, not being compensated for time) and creates an appearance of unprofessional business practice.  If you let your clients walk on you then they can see you don't respect yourself.  If you don't respect yourself how can you expect others to take you seriously.

I am not saying that a little bit of insecurity will allow you to be eaten alive.   Artist tend to be a bit insecure and you can use it to your advantage.  It will drive you to keep learning and growing.  That insecurity makes it that much more important that you set boundaries.  

• Make some policies, write them down, and let them be seen.  If you have policies that clients can read it becomes very easy to say, "if I let you, then I would have to let everyone."  Example: I have started using a contract that people sign online stating my portrait session policy.  That way they have right there in writing what they can expect, and how I expect to be treated.  I haven't had a no show since I started using this practice.
• Set routine hour of business.  It will make it easier for you to manage your families expectations, and your own.  If you work from 11 to 3, then you know you don't have to process that order you received at 11pm until tomorrow morning. Example: When I do order fulfillment I process and send orders on Wednesday and receive and/or ship them to clients on Friday.  I can tell people that orders placed by Tuesday will ship next week.  They know what to expect and I know what to expect.
• Under promise and over deliver.   Don't promise things to people because that is what they want to hear.  Tell them the truth and give conservative estimates, then blow them away by giving them more than they expect.

Here are a couple of links with more ideas on boundary setting.

Setting Boundaries with Clients

Boundaries vs. Barriers

If you have a great idea or an awesome practice share it here or on the Photograp(her) forum