One of the top priorities in your business should be to make enough money to operate and then some. In order to honor this priority, you will need to think critically and work smarter ... not harder.

 

Energy is finite, as are the hours in a day, and it's imperative that every opportunity you receive is evaluated and accepted or rejected with relative efficiency.

 

If you've ever gone to lengths professionally to please someone - for example, a client who in the end failed to pay you - you know exactly what I'm talking about.

 

 

It's time, energy and money out the window. And perhaps the unfortunate circumstances could have been prevented from the start if the opportunity was put under a microscope before committing to the work.

 

Never had this happen to you? Consider yourself blessed! This is your wake up call.

 

I've jotted down five questions that you can ask yourself before getting involved with a client, to protect yourself and conserve your time, energy, and save your money.

 

1. Is this client a first-time job poster? Have you worked with them before?

 

2. Can you read about their previous history with other service providers?

 

3. Does the job look too good to be true? Is it paying more than it usually should for thIs type of work?

 

4. Does this person have any public profiles online or a business web site to confirm their authenticity?

 

5. Are there any details that don't jive that would make you question the client's professionalism? For instance:

 

These tips are meant to help you conduct your own investigations, regardless of the circumstances or lead source.

 

Taking measures in advance to educate and protect yourself makes a great deal of sense, and it is worth the time it takes when you consider what may happen if you don't.