Most solo professionals offer some sort of service as their way of making money. Now, I talk all the time about the fallacy of trading hours for dollars. (I know, I know -- we offer one-on-one services here at Avenue East as well, but it's only part of our overall business strategy and will never be our only source of income. Far from it.)

But ostensibly at some point in order to find clients, you have promoted your services by writing a letter, cold-calling, etc. It can work when it's done right, but what if there's a better way?

Here's an idea to get you thinking about new ways to help your clients: Have you considered helping your clients (and prospects who will become your clients in the future) in some other way than you've ever considered?

Maybe you give voice lessons and can create a course recorded on CD so that clients who can't afford your main service can opt for the less-personal option.

Maybe you ordinarily promote your services in a rather nebulous, "tell me about your project and I'll put together a proposal" sort of way when all you'd really need to do is put together 3 package deals and satisfy the vast majority of clients. (Not including prices very often scares off potential clients who otherwise would be interested.)

It's up to you. But think about it.