We assist small businesses to define and refine their processes, plan and build their web presence using current and emerging technologies.
We provide ongoing support and advice to assist businesses to
maintain and grow a crucial path to market and focus on growing your business
This last week or so, my team and I were working on generating some marketing materials so I could attend a busines expo here in Ravenshoe. It meant that some of the team have been working extra hours for me.
I ASKED them to do the work and I expected that my invoice for this last week would be higher. No issues there.
It got fed back to me that one of the team was concerned about the hours they were racking up and what they would have to invoice me for the work. It was a lot of hours.
Now, I've been in that position with my own clients. They keep asking for things, I do the work and submit an invoice. However, sometimes my tummy does flip flops as I worry if they'll be upset with the amount! I'm sure we've all been there an will be there again.
The question is, can you alleviate that?
The answer to the question I just posed is ... yes and it's it sort of a simple answer with the execution being perhaps a little more difficult.
The answer is COMMUNICATE. I know right? Simple. Just talk to your client. "Hey, just letting you know that this work we've already done is some many hours and we've got xyz things left to do. Did you want me to keep working on those this week, is there something that you'd like me to give more priority to, etc etc etc."
That does a couple of things. Firstly it lets your client decide if the budget can stretch for this time period and the priority of the things left to do. Secondly, it says that you're responsible and you care about their business too.
It really is a win / win.
Now, you might that the client is a bit ... surprised ... by how much time has been spent and that's ok - that's why we communicate. Managing perceptions is the other side of the coin here. It's difficult to understand how much work goes into something, if you're not familiar with doing it yourself.
By going back and giving your client that information, you're also educating them on the value of your work.
Of course, this approach goes to other things too. Asking questions, communicating, providing feedback are invaluable tools to understanding your clients communication style and their business. It also might help them structure requests to you in a way that is clearer and provides the details you need.
Overall, I've found that it makes for a great, long term, working relationship. And ... creates a team!
I'm sure you've all had some experience with this, why not drop over to my LOCALS community and leave it there ... start, or join in, the conversation.
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https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/662f1e44-115d-4094-862b-efe9307e0df4/ask-charly-leetham-online-business-manager
Life is busy and there's just so many things to remember. What tools do you use to help you keep on top of ALL the things?
It's easy to react or respond quickly to messages and the like. It's better to do that mindfully. That's why I try to Practice The Pause.
Your laptop could die, get stolen, or you might just forget to take it with you - and if you do not have a plan for what comes next, you could be in trouble. Without your laptop, you lose access to the very systems you need to run your business.
In this episode, Charly covers:
✅ Why losing your laptop means losing access to the systems your business runs on
✅ The critical difference between a dead laptop and a stolen one
✅ What to do in the first hour if your laptop goes missing
✅ How your downtime can grind your entire team to a halt
✅ The mindset shift needed to build a real continuity plan
Stop guessing and start planning - because the worst time to figure this out is when it has already happened.
Book a Free 30 minute Breakthrough Session: https://askcharlyleetham.com/book-me
(1 per person only)
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Locals: https://askcharlyleetham.locals.com
Rumble: https://rumble.com/askcharlyleetham
Odyssey: https://odysee.com/@askcharlyleetham:4
YouTube: ...
You installed a free VPN to protect your privacy, but what if it is actually doing the exact opposite? Most free VPN providers need to make money somehow, and if you are not paying with your wallet, you are almost certainly paying with your data.
In this episode, Charly covers:
✅ Why running a VPN service is expensive and how free providers cover those costs
✅ How free VPNs collect and sell your browsing history, habits, and behavioural data to brokers
✅ Why “no logs” marketing claims cannot be trusted without independent audits
✅ Why a free VPN is worse than other dodgy apps - because ALL your traffic flows through it
✅ Three practical steps: uninstall, change passwords, and budget for a paid provider
Stop being the product. A decent paid VPN costs less than a coffee a month and keeps your data where it belongs - with you.
✅ Free VPN 101 Course: https://askcharlyleetham.com/business-tech-boost/vpns-101/
(No signup required - Charly built this so you can sort it yourself)
✅ Get up to 3 months ...
Struggling to add a Gravity Forms form to a page builder that does not have a built-in connector? If you are using Divi, Thrive Architect, or another WordPress page builder without native Gravity Forms support, there is a simple workaround you need to know about.
In this episode, Charly covers:
✅ Why Gravity Forms is worth using over built-in form builders for better spam protection and integrations
✅ How to find and copy the Gravity Forms shortcode from the embed button
✅ Using the custom HTML or custom code block in your page builder to display the form
✅ Tips on customising the shortcode options like hiding the form title
This technique works across most page builders - if it has a custom HTML or code block, you can use it. Stop wrestling with missing connectors and get your forms on the page the easy way.
Book a Free 30 minute Breakthrough Session: https://askcharlyleetham.com/book-me
(1 per person only)
Follow us:
Locals: https://askcharlyleetham.locals.com
Rumble: ...
