Finding assignments according to Helma Lensen

Do you enjoy being self-employed but are a bit short on assignments? Or are you worried because your calendar looks frighteningly empty after next month? Doing assignments is one thing, getting them is an entirely different art. How do you get new assignments?

Helma Lensen understands the art of finding new business like no other. As a New Business specialist, she teaches entrepreneurs and companies how to acquire. Her company Goacid specializes in supporting self-employed people and companies and helps them find assignments. “As a six-year-old girl, I sold my parents' gravel path. Pebble by pebble, a few guilders each.”

Pillars

According to Lensen, there are three pillars when it comes to your order flow:

1. Finding new customers through cold acquisition

2. Assignments coming in through your existing network

3. Existing customers

Cold acquisition

Cold acquisition means approaching someone who doesn't know you. That's scary, just calling someone up and offering yourself. “Just remember that we all get up, go to work, argue and plop down in bed tired,” Lensen said. In other words, we are all human, and overcoming that fear is changing a mindset. “If you keep that in mind for yourself, then phone calls are a lot less scary.”

Network

Your existing network is the most important source of assignments for many self-employed people. Family, friends and acquaintances, through them, especially in the start-up phase, you will get work. Maintain that network so you can always fall back on it. Let friends and family know regularly what you are doing, what you can do and that you are always looking for new clients.

Existing clients

Very important, but according to Lensen often neglected, is your existing clientele. Once the order is in, the focus quickly shifts to new clients. Wrongly so. Your current clients can help you get more work. Lensen: “Are they satisfied with you? Ask them if they know any other clients or if they expect any new jobs themselves. Are they not satisfied? Then you have a chance to fix things.”

Personal attention

Lensen's most important tip: personal attention. “Call your clients after and ask how they are doing, what they think of your work, and give something away. Advice, something that you know but is valuable to them, so that next time they think of you directly.”