Can you sell a freelance business? The podcast discusses the possibility of selling a freelance business while maintaining its charm. They explore the factors that determine the saleability of a freelance business and the importance of monthly recurring revenue. They also discuss the factors that make a company attractive to buyers and the importance of establishing systems in a freelance business.
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Quick takeaways
Having monthly recurring revenue (MRR) is crucial for making a freelance business more attractive to potential buyers.
Removing oneself from the business as much as possible by building assets like courses and having systems in place can increase the saleability of a freelance business.
Deep dives
Growing a freelance business with an exit in mind
Nafisa is seeking advice on how to grow her freelance business while planning for a future exit. She wants to maintain the small, solo charm of her business and avoid building an agency. The question at hand is whether it is possible to sell a freelance business. Clay suggests that having monthly recurring revenue (MRR) is crucial for making a business more attractive to potential buyers. He shares his experience of selling a book of business rather than the entire agency. Preston emphasizes the importance of removing oneself from the business as much as possible to make it more turnkey and appealing to buyers.
Selling the book of business and building assets
Clay gives insights into selling a book of business and explains its value in terms of recurring revenue. He acknowledges that selling one-off writing projects may be challenging, but having MRR can significantly increase the saleability of a business. Preston advises Nafisa to consider building assets like courses that can be sold in the future. They also discuss the importance of having systems and subcontractors in place to reduce dependency on the business owner.
Factors to consider for a successful business sale
Clay and Preston discuss the concept of an exit strategy and the various options available, like retirement, selling the business, or hiring someone to manage it. They highlight the importance of calculating return on investment (ROI) and projecting future revenue when evaluating a business for sale. They also mention the significance of the buyer's desire for a smooth transition, suggesting a gradual handover period to familiarize clients with the new owner.
On today’s Q&A episode - Nafeesa is wondering if there’s any way to keep the small, solo charm of her freelance business while also planning for an eventual exit.
The real question: can you actually sell a freelance business?
We’ve got the answer on today’s episode of Freelance to Founder. Here we go.
To submit your question, visit FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode.
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