(Book) The Wealthy Freelancer

A good practical resource for getting into freelancing.  Most of the books out there on consulting and freelancing are missing the details on how to really get started in the field.  This one starts with a quiz that helps you design the type of work you're looking for, designed around your lifestyle.  I think that's important.  If you're looking to make gobs of money, there are probably better ways.  For me though, going independent, meant more time, less money and an investment in my future.  In the end I went to a consulting company which provides it's own set of advantages.  I went from looking for less money to making more.  

My notes...

 

  • Master the mental game
    • Set stands for you and your business, high performance low stress, don’t be easier said than done guy
  • Simplify the process of getting clients
    • A funnel top to bottom with identify high probability prospects, generate leads, get opportunities, close sales, and nurture, not today prospects,
  • Create your amazing buzz piece
    • Create a report 5 to 10 pages, add it to marketing from ch2,
  • High impact prospecting tactics
    • Tap network, existing clients, local networking, social media, direct mail (still effective with buzz piece).  become genuinely active in social media, and your local community
  • Cultivate repeat and referral business
    • Create list of services and prices, learn cust business inside out, be selective, and ask for referrals at end
  • Nurture prospects perpetually
    • Stay on radar of “not today” prospects in a non threatening way by connecting once a month in different ways
  • Price your services for success
    • give fixed prices, put prices of other services on invoice, give ballpark quotes to allow room for discussion, start asap always
  • Bring focus to your freelance business
    • find a niche; do what, for whom, and what’s different about you.  discover, identify and position
  • Boost your productivity without perspiration
    • Find your optimal work hours and stick to them, but not if you’re inspired.  give new information and problems time to marinate in your brain
  • Construct your own work life reality
    • Balance is not a quest, it is a right now.  design a lifestyle that works for you, your time is finite, you can’t keep adding and stay sane
  • Create alternative streams of income
    • Can you charge for things you have done for free in the past?  Can you outsource that work, Can you sell info products for clients who cant afford you, or get referral bonuses?
  • Live and work in the wealthy triangle
    • It’s time or money, but follow the tips in this book for more time and money
  • Other stuff
    • Calibrate your freelance business with ch1 worksheets, pick some steps, implement
    • Ready fire aim, and don’t put goals on a pedestal
    • Don't work for profit share, especially with unproven people.
    • Create punch lists for endless revision people, set deadlines
    • The “your work sucks” client, professionally create punch list
    • Marketing materials should do 75% of the sell
    • Keep pushing even if you’re comfortable