My embarrassing mistake...

And how to avoid it! [And how to avoid it!] [View Online Version]( [Quick Tips]( Avoid My Mistake: Ask More Stupid Questions Dear Creative Professional,  Have I made mistakes in my 35 years as a business owner? Sure. More than I can count. Like the time I hired a designer to create a print brochure… and received a box of something else entirely. Total miscommunication. It was early in my career and I was embarrassed. Here I was, trying to help people with their marketing and I had just made a colossal error in my own marketing. Want to know what was in the box, instead of brochures? Watch me share that story as a guest on the My Worst Investment Ever podcast, here: Or [listen in on the Marketing Mentor podcast here](.  But here’s the thing about mistakes: The only real “mistake” you can make as a business owner is making the same mistake more than once. Everything you do, no matter the outcome, is a chance to learn and grow. But if you want to avoid getting a product you didn’t order… Or worse - being the person who delivers something disappointing to a client…  Ask every question you can think of.  Even if it seems stupid. The most successful creative projects are more about collaboration with the client than they are about creating something on your own.  If you're uncomfortable asking questions that seem obvious, start with something like:  “Let’s just make sure we’re on the same page…”  Your questions might not be obvious to your client. And if you don’t ask, you could end up learning a lesson the hard way.  There are certain “mistakes” you’ll make in your business that will turn out to be the best thing you ever did. Others… not so much. But either way, you can’t go wrong when you clarify every little detail before you begin.  More tips on how to do that [on the podcast here](. And you can check out the "My Worst Investment Ever" podcast [here](.  Thanks for reading and listening. What did you think of this week's newsletter? [Loved it]( | [Great]( | [Good]( | [Meh]( | [Bad]( If you enjoyed this, please consider sharing Quick Tips with a fellow creative professional. [Share Quick Tips](mailto:?subject=I%20%F0%9F%92%96%20this%20newsletter.%20You%20might%20too&body=Marketing%20Mentor%27s%20Quick%20Tips%20newsletter%20takes%20the%20mystery%20out%20of%20marketing%21%20%0A%0AKnow-how%2C%20industry%20resources%20and%20motivation%20for%20busy%20creative%20pros%2C%20delivered%20with%20humor%20and%20insight%20into%20today%E2%80%99s%20marketing%20challenges.%20%0A%0AJoin%2024%2C000%20creative%20professionals%20who%20are%20leaving%20the%20feast-or-famine%20cycle%20behind.%20Sign%20up%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FQTfriend)  Ilise Benun Your Marketing Mentor (917) 750-0498  [Listen to a popular recent episode of the Marketing Mentor podcast](     On the Blog: Using Questions as a Marketing Tool Want to know the real way to impress clients and get more work, more consistently? Get curious! Asking questions is one of the most powerful marketing tools you can use. [Read more on the blog.](   Interview with Copywriter Rebekah Mays If you're looking for a few life and business lessons from a successful freelancer living abroad... Check out this interview Rebekah Mays just did with Matt Tutt. She covers finding a niche, choosing a business name, setting fees, working from abroad, and more. [Read it here.](   Here's How to Avoid Being Ghosted In [Writing a Winning Proposal: Land Your Dream Clients](, you'll learn my proven "Proposal Oreo Strategy" and the 3 most important things about writing a winning proposal: 1. how to identify the right prospects 2. the best practices for writing proposals 3. the 10 essential elements  I also show how to share it with your prospect so they say yes, instead of ghosting you!  "What a gem course. Straight to the point, no embellishments, full of tips, and a wealth of information. Highly recommended."  OMG! For a limited time, the course is only US$9.99.Give it or get it here: [( [[ratio] Â]( FOLLOW US [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [marketing-mentor.com]( | [View Online]( | [Unsubscribe]([%%20unsub_url%20%]) [Manage]( your preferences | [Opt Out]( using TrueRemove™ Got this as a forward? [Sign up]( to receive our future emails. View this email [online](. 350 Barnard St. | Savannah, GA 31401 US This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book. [powered by emma](