I've found that speed is really important when it comes to impressing my clients - but it's the speed of response and the speed of getting the completed work back to the client that really counts - rather than the speed at which I do the task itself.
Respond Quickly
I like to acknowledge tasks that I accept straight away. I don't wait for a few hours as the client often takes this negatively. In the acknowledgement message I let them know whether I am going to start it straight away or later and, if so, when I am going to start it. I often also provide them with an estimated time of completion.
Do the Task Quickly
I try to make sure that I complete the work as quickly as possible - on the basis that my clients are busy and don't want to be waiting around. I am always mindful that despite doing things as quickly as possible, I must also ensure that the quality of my work is very good. I've found, as a general rule, that my clients don't worry too much about how long I took to actually complete the task if the quality of the work is good.
Trial Clients
When I am doing tasks for trial clients I find it's really important to create a great first impression within the first hour of the tasks - because trial clients only get a one hour slot in which to try the service. It's not long to make a good impression!
Trial clients, if they are impressed, go on to become members who, in turn, can provide regular ongoing work and income.
Penni Pike, formerly assistant to Sir Richard Branson
