Faux Painting Business - The Seven Deadly Sins And How To Avoid Them
Most of us are familiar with the Seven Deadly Sins.
You know them, right? The things we might do in our everyday life that would be considered a sin and why we should avoid them.
It's been my experience that every professional faux painter has a "sin" they must deal with; some nagging vice that seems unavoidable.
Want to know how to avoid these faux pas' with a light heart and a clear conscious? Here's how...
Luxurea - Extravagance or Lust : Focus on your business during business hours.
Keep your eye on the prize instead of the guys or gals.
If you are a woman, and most faux painters are, you should never be looking at the hunks on the construction site with a lustful eye.
Never put your clients in a position to fire you, because you are spending more time flirting than working.
It's okay to talk to the guys and gals on the job site but, keep it light.
Joking is usually welcome as long as you aren't personal or provocative.
On most construction sites the men will usually have a boom-box blaring, so you could comment on their choice of music.
Remember, that commenting on the new homeowner's choice of materials or design is also strictly taboo.
Gula - Gluttony : Indulgence on the job is probably a subject that is just too obvious.
You have seen the beer cans at construction sites and you often wonder...
"Just how do they do their job with all that alcohol in their system?"Well, they don't do it well.
Remind yourself anytime you think of having a cold one on the job, which would be considered drinking on the job, will get you fired very quickly.
Just because you are self-employed, the paycheck is still written by your client.
You can't afford the reputation of an on the job drinker.
It will follow you.
Avarita - Greed : Do you desire more than you deserve? Are you charging much higher prices than your competitors, because you think your work is far superior?If you are charging more because you need to cut down on your work load, then you are doing yourself a favor.
But if you are raising your prices and losing work, then maybe you should rethink your motivation Another greedy sin is the sin of not sharing.
Be generous to a fault.
Give your clients more than they asked for.
Help new faux painting artists learn the business.
Praise your customers in someway.
Network with your competition by sharing new ideas and they may share with you.
Don't be greedy with your knowledge.
You will gain in so many other ways by sharing.
Acedia - Sloth : Get off your behind and do something.
If you don't have a painting job lined up, get out and sell yourself.
Never avoid the work load by being lazy, it will show up in your bottom line.
If you wonder at the end of the year, why you didn't make more money; then maybe you should look at your work ethics.
The golden rule in working your business is - 70 percent of your time should be in the creative end and 30 percent in the business end.
That 30 percent of your time is not just for paper work and bill paying duties.
Promoting yourself in creative ways is also part of your job description.
Meeting people is only part of the promoting equation, you have to follow up.
If you get a call for faux painting work, return that call as soon as possible.
If you hear of a new contractor or decorator in your area, go meet them and leave your information.
Then follow up with more calls to remind them about you and your work.
Ira - Wrath or Anger : Do you ever feel vengeful or resentful towards other faux painters.
Have you had a nightmare client that you can't seem to make happy? Do you let your feelings show? These emotions will do more to harm your business that get you new work.
You should react with a smile and comments of understanding.
Let the client know that you will be happy to discuss any problems and find a solution.
Chances are you will not get paid until you do.
Never badmouth a client or a competitor.
The design world is small and if you get into the habit of bad talking about anyone, it is likely to come back and bite you when you aren't looking.
Pick up the phone and speak to the other party in a calm and genuine manner.
Do this when you aren't fuming, but don't let much time pass either.
Time has a habit of creating caverns where no bridges can be built.
Invidia - Envy: Jealous of what others have? Does someone have abetter car, more talent, more clients, are they better looking, do they have a bigger house or are you just plain envious of anyone else painting while you're sitting at home? These feelings show up in your work, your demeanor and your eyes.
When you are envious of someone's achievement it can cause your work to suffer.
Instead of feeding those envious feelings, concentrate on your own accomplishments.
Look back over your portfolio and remember the good vibes you got from your clients.
Think about how many loans someone might be paying interest for the McMansion or the new SUV.
If you aren't working on a job today, you should be practicing your art or networking your business...
not whining.
Supurbia - Pride : Are you arrogant in your business relations? Do you think you are just the cat's meow? Let me be the first to let you in on a little secret, you are not irreplaceable nor is your business the only game in town.
Trust me.
We all want to think we do the best faux painting over anyone else available.
When your clients gush over their new faux finished walls and fill their sentences with comments about how talented you are; it would be easy to get a swelled head.
Instead of basking in all those wonderful comments, how about giving your customer some praise.
Telling them how wonderful their choices of color was, or how beautiful the new finish accentuates the furniture is far better than gloating.
Remember to be modest and generous.
Be enthusiastic without arrogance.
Improve your skills and stop worrying about the other guys.
Don't flirt, drink alcohol or wear skimpy clothing when you are working.
You will be remembered for your talent and fairness in business and in life.
You know them, right? The things we might do in our everyday life that would be considered a sin and why we should avoid them.
It's been my experience that every professional faux painter has a "sin" they must deal with; some nagging vice that seems unavoidable.
Want to know how to avoid these faux pas' with a light heart and a clear conscious? Here's how...
Luxurea - Extravagance or Lust : Focus on your business during business hours.
Keep your eye on the prize instead of the guys or gals.
If you are a woman, and most faux painters are, you should never be looking at the hunks on the construction site with a lustful eye.
Never put your clients in a position to fire you, because you are spending more time flirting than working.
It's okay to talk to the guys and gals on the job site but, keep it light.
Joking is usually welcome as long as you aren't personal or provocative.
On most construction sites the men will usually have a boom-box blaring, so you could comment on their choice of music.
Remember, that commenting on the new homeowner's choice of materials or design is also strictly taboo.
Gula - Gluttony : Indulgence on the job is probably a subject that is just too obvious.
You have seen the beer cans at construction sites and you often wonder...
"Just how do they do their job with all that alcohol in their system?"Well, they don't do it well.
Remind yourself anytime you think of having a cold one on the job, which would be considered drinking on the job, will get you fired very quickly.
Just because you are self-employed, the paycheck is still written by your client.
You can't afford the reputation of an on the job drinker.
It will follow you.
Avarita - Greed : Do you desire more than you deserve? Are you charging much higher prices than your competitors, because you think your work is far superior?If you are charging more because you need to cut down on your work load, then you are doing yourself a favor.
But if you are raising your prices and losing work, then maybe you should rethink your motivation Another greedy sin is the sin of not sharing.
Be generous to a fault.
Give your clients more than they asked for.
Help new faux painting artists learn the business.
Praise your customers in someway.
Network with your competition by sharing new ideas and they may share with you.
Don't be greedy with your knowledge.
You will gain in so many other ways by sharing.
Acedia - Sloth : Get off your behind and do something.
If you don't have a painting job lined up, get out and sell yourself.
Never avoid the work load by being lazy, it will show up in your bottom line.
If you wonder at the end of the year, why you didn't make more money; then maybe you should look at your work ethics.
The golden rule in working your business is - 70 percent of your time should be in the creative end and 30 percent in the business end.
That 30 percent of your time is not just for paper work and bill paying duties.
Promoting yourself in creative ways is also part of your job description.
Meeting people is only part of the promoting equation, you have to follow up.
If you get a call for faux painting work, return that call as soon as possible.
If you hear of a new contractor or decorator in your area, go meet them and leave your information.
Then follow up with more calls to remind them about you and your work.
Ira - Wrath or Anger : Do you ever feel vengeful or resentful towards other faux painters.
Have you had a nightmare client that you can't seem to make happy? Do you let your feelings show? These emotions will do more to harm your business that get you new work.
You should react with a smile and comments of understanding.
Let the client know that you will be happy to discuss any problems and find a solution.
Chances are you will not get paid until you do.
Never badmouth a client or a competitor.
The design world is small and if you get into the habit of bad talking about anyone, it is likely to come back and bite you when you aren't looking.
Pick up the phone and speak to the other party in a calm and genuine manner.
Do this when you aren't fuming, but don't let much time pass either.
Time has a habit of creating caverns where no bridges can be built.
Invidia - Envy: Jealous of what others have? Does someone have abetter car, more talent, more clients, are they better looking, do they have a bigger house or are you just plain envious of anyone else painting while you're sitting at home? These feelings show up in your work, your demeanor and your eyes.
When you are envious of someone's achievement it can cause your work to suffer.
Instead of feeding those envious feelings, concentrate on your own accomplishments.
Look back over your portfolio and remember the good vibes you got from your clients.
Think about how many loans someone might be paying interest for the McMansion or the new SUV.
If you aren't working on a job today, you should be practicing your art or networking your business...
not whining.
Supurbia - Pride : Are you arrogant in your business relations? Do you think you are just the cat's meow? Let me be the first to let you in on a little secret, you are not irreplaceable nor is your business the only game in town.
Trust me.
We all want to think we do the best faux painting over anyone else available.
When your clients gush over their new faux finished walls and fill their sentences with comments about how talented you are; it would be easy to get a swelled head.
Instead of basking in all those wonderful comments, how about giving your customer some praise.
Telling them how wonderful their choices of color was, or how beautiful the new finish accentuates the furniture is far better than gloating.
Remember to be modest and generous.
Be enthusiastic without arrogance.
Improve your skills and stop worrying about the other guys.
Don't flirt, drink alcohol or wear skimpy clothing when you are working.
You will be remembered for your talent and fairness in business and in life.