The Seven Deadly Sins are well-known across society. Do you recognize them? The sins we might commit regularly and why we should avoid them. From what I’ve seen, every good faux painter has their own personal “sin” that needs to be dealt with. Do you want to know how to avoid these blunders with a smile and a clean conscience? How to do it…
Do not indulge in luxuriant pursuits during working hours. Focus on succeeding rather than impressing the other guys or girls. Most faux painters are women, and it is inappropriate for them to gaze lustfully at the building site’s musclemen. Never put your clients in the awkward situation of deciding whether to terminate you due to your flirtatious behavior.
Maintain a casual tone when chatting with your coworkers. You should be fine as long as your jokes aren’t too personal or inflammatory. You can make fun of the men’s musical taste on construction sites, where you can always hear a screaming boom box. Don’t forget that judging the new homeowners’ taste in decorations or building supplies is also rude.
Gula, or gluttony, is arguably a topic that has been covered too much. You’ve seen the empty beer cans on construction sites and wondered, “How can they possibly get any work done?” So, they aren’t very good at it.
Remember that even entertaining the thought of drinking alcohol on the job can rapidly lead to dismissal. The client still writes the cheque even if you’re self-employed. You can’t afford to get a bad rep as an employee who drinks on the job. Eventually, it will stick close behind you.
Avarita, or Gluttony: Want more than you should have? Do you believe your superior work justifies the higher rates you charge compared to the competition? You’re doing yourself a favor if you’re charging extra to reduce your workload. But if you’re increasing pricing and seeing a decline in business, perhaps you need to reevaluate your goals.
The sin of hoarding is related to the sin of greed. Exhibit excessive generosity. Provide more value to your customers. Assist aspiring faux painters in learning the trade. Recognize and thank your consumers. Connect with your rivals and exchange fresh ideas; they may return the favor. Don’t hoard your intelligence. By helping others, you will benefit in countless other ways.
Apathy; acedia Don’t just sit there, do something. Get out there and market yourself as a painter if you haven’t found work. Laziness will always cost you, so never take the easy way out. You should examine your work ethic if you are puzzled about why you didn’t make more money at the end of the year.
The golden rule of running a business is to spend 70% of your time on creative work and 30% on administrative tasks. It’s not just paperwork and bill paying that take up 30% of your time. Your duties also include coming up with original strategies to promote yourself.
Connecting with potential customers is only half the promotion puzzle. Respond to those who call about faux painting jobs as soon as possible. Say hello to a new local contractor or decorator if you hear of one. Then, call them again to remind them of who you are and what you do.
Ira – Indignation: I wondered if you ever felt bitter or resentful towards fellow faux painters. Have you ever had a client that was a total pain to work with? Do you exhibit your emotions openly?
These feelings will hurt your business more than they will help you find new clients. The appropriate response is a smile and some words of agreement. Make it clear to the client that you are eager to hear their concerns and work with them to find a resolution. Until then, it’s unlikely that you’ll see any money.
Never speak ill of a customer or an opponent. The design community is tight-knit, so gossip about others might come back to haunt you when you least expect it. Just pick up the phone and talk to them like human beings instead of robots. Time this for when you won’t be so angry, but don’t procrastinate too long. Time tends to carve out chasms that are impossible to cross.
Jealous of other people’s success or happiness? Are you jealous that someone else is out painting while you’re in your studio? Does that person drive a more excellent car, have more clients, be more attractive, live in a more perfect house, or have more money?
Your work, manner, and gaze reflect these emotions. The adverse effects of envy on productivity are well-documented. Instead of giving in to jealousy, focus on what you’ve accomplished. Review your past work and think about the positive feedback you received from customers. Consider the number of loans someone could have to pay interest on to afford a McMansion or a new SUV. Today, if you aren’t working on a job, you should focus on your art or building your business network instead of moaning.
Pride in Supurbia How arrogant are you when dealing with other businesspeople? Consider yourself the top cat? I’ll be the first to tell you this, but you’re not indispensable, and neither is your company. Believe me.
We would want to believe that our fake painting skills surpass our peers. It’s easy to acquire a big head when customers rave about the faux finish you just gave their walls and flood your sentences with compliments about your creativity. How about praising the customer instead of taking credit for the positive feedback? Instead of bragging, tell them how great of a job they did picking out the paint color or how well the new finish complements the furnishings.
Always aim to be humble and kind. Act confident without coming off as arrogant. Hone your abilities rather than fretting over your rivals. Avoid distractions like flirting, drinking, and revealing attire when on the clock. You will be known for your skill and integrity in business and life.
Debra Conrad is spilling the beans on her tried-and-true methods for expanding your painting business, satisfying consumer demand for faux finishes and murals, and raking in more cash than you ever thought possible. Have I caught your interest yet? If you’re starting in the painting business, check out [http://twopaintersinapod.com] to listen to a weekly audio show tailored to you and to learn about the latest developments in the industry.
Read also: The Way to Prepare for the Annual Audit
