Project 200k – Issue 03
Q1's Wildly Important Goal
Currently: I make about $8k/month freelancing
Goal: I want to make $16k/month
By: The end of the quarter
2021 income so far: $9,800
JANUARY total: $6,100
I had no client work in January (see below)
This money came from Dec invoices
FEBRUARY total (so far): $3,700
$200 small edit to a previous project
$1,000 logo animation for Pat Flynn
$2,500 initial invoice on a $5k project
Currently doing a day rate project for a major retailer
Several potential logo animations and explainers lined up for the coming months
Client Outreach Emails Sent: 35
This has resulted in several projects, but the two biggest factors in landing gigs and having a bunch in the works has been NETWORKING with fellow freelancers and posting my REEL ON LINKEDIN.
Freelance Chats: 17
JANUARY total: 13
2 people made WELL over $200k (think double that)
5 freelancers I talked to made about $200k, +/- $10k
FEBRUARY total (so far): 4
Slowing down after the initial "launch" of Project 200k
But still having quality chats with peers
Several conversations I had with peer freelancers has lead to them sending me work when they're busy.
Here's why I think my freelance chats are generating work
Ask for what you want! I have a clear goal: land gigs to make $200k this year.
I try to make the calls as much about them as about me/my goal.
This puts me top of mind when they get busy and need to find someone.
Actions
Not a lot of new outreach actions
Mostly going into follow up mode with new project requests
The ABC's of Freelance
Always
Be
Collecting
What this means is don't sit on un-sent invoices.
Send 1/2 upfront invoices before the project begins
Send the final invoice as soon as the project is done
When you don't have invoices to send, the ABCs stands for
Always
Be
Communicating
I see this too often (sometimes with myself)... you get a request and you say, I'll respond to that later. Later turns into 5 days and that potential client has probably found somebody else by now!
Don't get me wrong though... "respond to people in a timely manner" does not mean live in your inbox.
If you check your inbox 2 or 3 times a day and actually take the time to respond to important emails, that's more than enough.
NOW...
I gotta get back to a project and then move to Texas this weekend 🤠
P.S. Connect with me on LinkedIn... it's seriously where it's happening!