Hello, I'm a CPRW for the past 10 years, am self-employed, have no employees, so I do everything. I get the majority of my clients through LinkedIn's ProFinder program, which has been very good to me. The way it works is first, I had to apply and accepted to be a "pro," then people who need resume writing services (it's just one area of many) will fill out a request sheet that asks minimal information. I get sent requests based on the criteria LinkedIn has set and I get a ton - sometimes 50+ per day.

There's a 1,000 character limit for a 'proposal,' which I've prewritten and is general. I ask for a copy of a resume and will do a critique (this is the key to my success) explain my process and provide a firm quote. I literally increased my income by about 500% the first year. So, it works for me.

However, there are a few things that drive me crazy and I don't know what to do about them. I get a high response rate so then I'll provide general information (again prewritten) but when they do send a resume the critiques are primarily custom written. They do take time and nothing ticks me off more than spending an hour writing a critique to get no response, despite follow-ups. Then, there are people who commit. Yet, in my book, there is no commitment until I get a payment. They can say yes all they want, but until I see $$ there is nothing keeping them from walking. I'm finding myself spending more time and effort trying to close prospective clients, then get paid and often have days no work is done.

Obviously, I need a steady stream of business or I don't eat. It's hard to chase people for money when they're paying up front and I've been known to help out and allow them to split the cost in half, etc. So, I'm fair and reasonable. I have one "client" who I invoiced on 1/10 and all I hear is promises. When we're talking $400 or so, I'm not so quick to just let them walk. Yet, these people all have approached me with interest. This is after the initial proposal and they want more info and rates. So they come to me, I do my thing, then in many cases never hear another word. It's rude, disrespectful and puts me in a bad situation because they'll often pop back up 2 months later and want to play. I'm just getting so tired of what I have to go through to get clients. I'm exhausted. Everyone has some 'special' issue, wants to talk, or other things that take time. (I do talk to all clients once they return the worksheet I send them.) SO I do give personal service, but right now I have clients who owe me at least $1,000 and have $.33 in my PayPal account!

Am I the only one who has these problems? How do you handle it?? Thanks much.