Boundaries are some of the most important things in your business. Nothing will ruin a good working relationship faster than someone stepping over or through your boundaries. How do you make sure that you’ve properly established your boundaries and then enforce them?
First you need to lay them out for your clients. Everything from your hours of operation, how to communicate with you, and when you’re going to be completely out of the office. Once you’ve set these boundaries, you have to keep them. All it takes is one voxer message or email sent outside of your working hours and you’ve set a new expectation.
Your boundaries should be laid out in your contract. That way if ever there is some sort of miscommunication or issue, you can show that your client signed off on and was made aware of your boundaries.
You’ll definitely want to consider establishing one form of communication. If you dictate email as your preferred method of communication, then you’ll be able to easily incorporate a VA into your business. Whatever you choose, make sure to stick with it.
Some of your boundaries are and should be non-negotiable. Simply by communicating effectively and making sure your client knows your boundaries, you can alleviate a lot of headaches. Listen in to learn all the ways you should be setting and sticking to your boundaries.
In This Episode:
[00:45] Hey friends, welcome to the show!
[01:14] Jenn gives her definition of boundaries.
[01:45] Boundaries will protect your mental and emotional wellbeing.
[03:02] What are the non-negotiable boundaries that you want to stick to no matter what?
[05:01] Jenn speaks about setting boundaries around your business hours.
[08:20] Jenn gives an example of a time when she had to be flexible with a photographer she wanted.
[10:45] Boundaries within your contract are necessary, this is your legal binding boundary protection.
[12:15] What do your services entail? You must set boundaries around your services.
[14:50] Jenn shares what she believes are the most important places to boundaries in your business.
[16:41] If you have all of your communication through email, it will be much easier to have a virtual assistant come in and help you with your business.
[17:37] Jenn says that once you brainstorm your boundaries, it is then necessary to place them where your clients can find them.
[18:58] A welcome packet is a great place to make your boundaries known to your client
[21:51] Jenn shares that a welcome packet allows you to deliver your boundaries with a pretty package with a bow on top.
[24:15] Make boundaries a standard from the get-go rather than an afterthought once they have signed and paid.
[27:13] Do you feel guilty if you don’t respond to a client’s email after hours?
[28:11] That is all I have on boundaries, I hope it has been helpful.
Links and Resources
Find Jenn:
@successbeyondthelens
@successbeyondthelenspodcast