#341: What To Do If 2024 Was A Freelancing Sh*tshow
Dec 17, 2024
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Was your year a freelancing rollercoaster? Discover how to turn chaos into a structured plan for 2024. Relying solely on referrals can lead you to a feast-or-famine cycle. Learn to attract high-value clients consistently and predict your monthly income. Say goodbye to soul-draining gigs and embrace a strategic approach to client acquisition. This discussion offers practical steps and insights to refine your offers and leverage marketing for growth. It's time to take control of your freelance journey!
Freelancers must abandon the reactive, referral-based mindset and adopt a proactive client acquisition strategy to ensure consistent income.
Implementing a robust marketing system allows freelancers to attract high-value clients while reducing the stress of unpredictable earnings.
Deep dives
The Feast or Famine Cycle
Many freelancers often find themselves trapped in a feast or famine cycle, where income variability leads to stress and uncertainty. It is common for freelancers to start the month without a clear idea of where their next client will come from, causing anxiety about financial stability. This unpredictability can result in erratic income, with dramatic fluctuations from high earnings one month to significantly lower amounts the next. The mindset that relies solely on referrals and word of mouth is misleading; it fosters a false sense of security that can leave freelancers feeling helpless and over-dependent on others for their business survival.
Shift Your Mindset on Client Acquisition
The notion that freelancers should wait for clients to come to them is fundamentally flawed and can be detrimental to long-term success. By changing the approach to actively seek out and acquire clients, freelancers can establish a steady stream of high-value clients, which leads to predictability and sustainable income. Implementing a proactive client acquisition strategy, such as effective marketing techniques, is crucial for freelancers wanting to escape the limitations imposed by the traditional reliance on referrals. A significant shift in mindset is required to recognize that building a robust marketing system is essential to gaining back control over client flow and income.
Building a Consistent Client Acquisition System
A successful client acquisition system hinges on three key principles: consistency, inquiries, and high average client value. Freelancers should focus on consistently getting in front of their ideal clients using various methods, such as paid ads or content marketing, to maintain their visibility actively. Creating compelling offers that distinguish services from competitors can drive inquiries and interest from potential clients. Moreover, aiming for clients with a higher average value ensures that fewer engagements are needed for significant income, allowing freelancers to select projects that align with their skills and passions, ultimately fostering a more fulfilling business experience.
...Or were you caught in a freelancing feast-or-famine sh*tshow where you felt like you were slamming your head into a wall over and over and over and over?
If this wasn’t your best year ever as a freelancer, I need you to ask yourself one question:
Do you actually have a plan for next year, or are you still hoping referrals magically fall into your inbox?
That “wait-and-see” approach is why most freelancers stay stuck in feast-or-famine mode. One month, you’re making bank. The next? Crickets.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
I recorded a new episode breaking down the exact system you need to:
Consistently attract high-value clients.
Predict your income every month.
Finally say no to those nightmare gigs that drain your soul.