Want to freelance but miss having a steady paycheck? Lemme introduce you to retainers — a way to ensure a steady workload and income as a freelancer, and a key factor that enabled me to build a profitable business so quickly. I wrote about retainer basics a while ago, and you can read that here….
One common prospecting advice in freelancing circles is initiating a prospect contact with specific feedback and suggestions on how to improve their content or content strategy. It makes me cringe and want to look away. That’s a risky move that could kill your sale. Let me explain. A few years ago, I was your ideal prospect:…
“What/How do I charge?” I bet no other topic generates more questions or discussions in freelance writing circles. Some time ago, I wrote about 7 freelance writing rate models and, later, how to switch from hourly to value pricing. In those posts, I argued against hourly rates, which tend to shortchange service providers. (I’ll tell you why in…
Every freelancer kisses some frogs at some point in their business. Especially in the early days, when you’re still refining processes, figuring out who your ideal client is, and you’re oh-so-eager to start making money, so you’re more tolerant of poor client behavior. Eventually, you learn some clients aren’t worth the money they’re bringing in….
Lately I’ve noticed a lot of questions about retainers — some posed to me, others popping up in freelance discussion boards. I’m not surprised. Retainers are the golden geese that enabled me to build my freelance writing business and quit my corporate job within 4-5 months. Just like a subscription model, retainers bring you a steady income and workload…
The perception of self-employment as high-risk scares a lot of people out of the freelancing game. After all, you’ve got mouths to feed, bills to pay, and a roof to keep over your head. Thankfully, many of the risks that may haunt your visions of solopreneurship are completely avoidable or easily manageable. Today’s insights on managing risks…
There’s no one-and-only right way to find clients as you build your freelance writing business. Like most things in life, a tactic that works like a charm for a fellow writer may not suit you, and vice versa. And yet, if you were my little brother or sister, I’d sit you down and plead with you to treat prospecting…
It’s freakin’ mid January already. Can you believe it? Listen. If this is going to be the year you quit your job to run a high-demand, high-income B2B writing business, you have to find a way to make real, sustainable progress, starting now. I’m talking about tangible, consistent forward steps — not those flimsy New Year resolutions that die before…
A few months ago, I met Lindsay, a freelance marketer, for coffee. Lindsay was just starting out and had lots of questions about running a freelance business. She brought up one problem that’s easy to avoid, but often not something new freelancers think about until it’s too late. “Revisions,” said Lindsay. “How do you handle…
Not a week goes by that I don’t hear the same questions from fellow and aspiring freelancers: How do I grow my freelancing biz when my day job drains all my time, focus and energy? How do I prioritize writing, prospecting, marketing and building my online presence? How can I build my side hustle fast, without burning…
Hey Andrea,
It’s encouraged no to hear how Brian has built up “retainers” over the years. Thanks for taking the time to speak with him. And BTW, it’s really nice to see you in action…no editorial comment needed on your video…it’s very good.
Thank you, Kate! Appreciate the encouragement! All the best to you.