Puntcuality is always a must, as almost everybody our clients have an specific amount of time for meetings and if you get late you can find yourself with too little time for the meeting or not at all, that can cost you a client.

And finally as Collin Powel says the school degrees are worthless in the battle field, the combat experience is that counts, and that is gained only working an learning every day, and it includes learnig about your client tastes, lives and everything that helps you nail it all the time and them the clients will sees you as a profesional.

I truly agree with the saying that ‘do not judge a book by its cover’. of course looks may be deceiving at times.
I think the six characteristics mentioned are so precise and accurate. Professionalism is about doing what is ethically or morally right, wearing a suit or not, even thougha good physical image is also important.

If every freelancer was truly professional as you described in your six points, we would all get more respect, and probably clients that are less apprehensive.

I also appreciate the point that professionals have lives outside of their career. It is perfectly fine to make clients aware of the point, as long as “life” doesn’t interfere with the business too much.

Igor