As a Christian business owner, do you have people who constantly expect you to offer your services for free? Do people tell you a sad story about why they can’t pay and expect you to give them a break? Are you called a passive-aggressive Christian hypocrite if you send a late payment reminder? It can be difficult to balance wanting to help people and not giving your services away for free. Remember, as a business owner, you are in business to make a profit. You must protect your personal and business credit score.
Most business owners, service providers, and professionals have business expenses as well as living expenses that include a mortgage, utilities, and possibly student loans. Creditors want to be paid. Creditors will charge you a late fee if you don’t pay them on time. You may be reported to a credit bureau and this can negatively affect your credit score. So how do you balance helping others and owning a Christian business? My tips below will help you operate as a business owner while honoring your Christian values.
1. Contracts – Use very detailed contracts. Do not rely on handshake agreements or word of mouth agreements. Put the agreement or terms of service in writing. Be very specific about due dates, amounts due, late fees, etc. This includes barter contracts. Don’t be afraid or intimidated by not holding the other party accountable for fulfilling their part of the contract.
2. Billing procedures – Establish procedures and follow them. If you don’t want to deal with this task, hand it over to a virtual assistant or accountant. This includes sending reminders of late payments. I recommend that you work with a collection agent so that, when necessary, the agency can pursue the late payer. Using a collection agent will save you headaches and heartache. Plus, you know they’re following the law and you won’t get in trouble for accidentally violating a debt collection law or rule.
3. Choose your words well – I have learned that when someone asks me if I can help or says “so-and-so said he can help me” and I answer “yes, I can help” they are expecting the service for free. I have had to learn to respond with something indicating that this is a business service that I provide. Also, I’ve found that when someone asks if they can skip a payment during the holidays, I have a script ready to go that late fees will be assessed. Once again, it’s best to leave this task of communicating with people to your gatekeeper or a customer service manager. Listen very carefully to what the person requesting your services says. I also do not recommend giving away free strategy sessions. When you charge a small fee for an introductory session and charge for missed appointments, you will weed out kickers, thieves and tire grabbers. Beware of people who contact you on social media through Messenger pretending to be your friend and then immediately want free advice or services.
4. Know how much you can give away or discount – Set clear limits. I don’t mind helping people. But it gets old helping the same people over and over again. You have to know your turning away point. Observe the person on social media. If they’re out having fun while you sit at home eating ramen noodles, don’t get mad. Use it as a lesson. Just let that person skip a payment so they can have fun. The person does not respect or value you or your services. I recommend that you know how many scholarships you are going to be able to give each year and when you have exhausted that amount, know that you cannot help anyone else for free. Also, know what discount you will give to friends and family.
5. Know your value – Do not forget that you provide a valuable service. Just because someone else doesn’t see value doesn’t mean you don’t have any. Don’t let thieves and grabbers wear you down. Learn to identify who is not your ideal client and learn to identify where they are lurking and then go find a new fishing pond.
Those trying to steal your products, intellectual property, and services will always have something negative to say when you ask for payment. In our digital age, they will be so bold as to post nasty comments on social media platforms criticizing you and your Christian values. You’ll likely be “unfriended” as well. Remember, don’t open a door that God has closed. Count the blessings of him, he was not friends and saw the person show the true colors of him.
Don’t feel guilty or embarrassed about giving away your products or services for free. The funny thing is, these people wouldn’t work for free or give away their products or services for free, so they shouldn’t expect you to either. Not everyone will love you. Rejection is God’s protection.