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I've been full-time freelance for 3 months.
These 3 months have been the most valuable learning experience in my life, BY FAR.
A few lessons (thread)
These 3 months have been the most valuable learning experience in my life, BY FAR.
A few lessons (thread)
1. Start doing what you love
I have Sales & Ops experience.
I love research, strategy, & writing.
So, I ditched Sales & Ops.
And started writing like a madman.
I have Sales & Ops experience.
I love research, strategy, & writing.
So, I ditched Sales & Ops.
And started writing like a madman.
2. Find unsexy work
I didn't do this & learned this lesson hard.
What is flashy is often found by others on accident.
Also, unsexy work pays very well.
Bonus: The clients are better, too.
I didn't do this & learned this lesson hard.
What is flashy is often found by others on accident.
Also, unsexy work pays very well.
Bonus: The clients are better, too.
3. Find problems & find profit
I tried to bend the market to my will.
No one bought. Literally, $0 revenue.
Then, I started asking "what problems do you not have time to solve right now?"
This is from @jackbutcher's "do work that others won't do"
This is the easiest $
I tried to bend the market to my will.
No one bought. Literally, $0 revenue.
Then, I started asking "what problems do you not have time to solve right now?"
This is from @jackbutcher's "do work that others won't do"
This is the easiest $
4. Stay focused
Again, a lesson learned the hard way.
As a business of one, it's tempting to say "yes!" to every $.
But, if that $ didn't come knocking on your door, you'd figure it out.
The lesson? Stay focused & figure it out.
Again, a lesson learned the hard way.
As a business of one, it's tempting to say "yes!" to every $.
But, if that $ didn't come knocking on your door, you'd figure it out.
The lesson? Stay focused & figure it out.
5. Avoid work with friends
There's some nuance here.
If a friend wants your expertise that's within your current focus, go for it!
If they "have an idea that needs your feedback," say no.
This work may be fun to daydream about but it's distracting & underpaid.
There's some nuance here.
If a friend wants your expertise that's within your current focus, go for it!
If they "have an idea that needs your feedback," say no.
This work may be fun to daydream about but it's distracting & underpaid.
6. Pick ONE platform & invest
This is contrary to what @garyvee and "the hustle crew" believe.
I'm compounding results by investing only in Twitter. It's the most native to my brain, how I process thoughts & deliver value.
Like Gary says: "self-awareness is key"
This is contrary to what @garyvee and "the hustle crew" believe.
I'm compounding results by investing only in Twitter. It's the most native to my brain, how I process thoughts & deliver value.
Like Gary says: "self-awareness is key"
7. Spend $ wisely, but quickly
My business bank account had a few hundred bucks left for the month.
Just enough to buy @jackbutcher's "Build Once, Sell Twice"
Investment = $250
Return = $5,299 and growing
Spending $ wisely is a legitimate shortcut.
My business bank account had a few hundred bucks left for the month.
Just enough to buy @jackbutcher's "Build Once, Sell Twice"
Investment = $250
Return = $5,299 and growing
Spending $ wisely is a legitimate shortcut.
8. Use time to create time
This is similar to a thought from @aaraalto:
"The best use of Time is stepping back to identify the best use of Time." https://twitter.com/aaraalto/status/1311335202757648387?s=20
This is similar to a thought from @aaraalto:
"The best use of Time is stepping back to identify the best use of Time." https://twitter.com/aaraalto/status/1311335202757648387?s=20
9. Re-structure your day
If you dive into making money as a creator, you need to redesign your day.
You're not a factory worker.
@brandonthezhang elaborates on Paul Graham's Maker / Manager schedule in this article & it's helped me a ton. https://www.brandonzhang.com/blog/makers-schedule
If you dive into making money as a creator, you need to redesign your day.
You're not a factory worker.
@brandonthezhang elaborates on Paul Graham's Maker / Manager schedule in this article & it's helped me a ton. https://www.brandonzhang.com/blog/makers-schedule
10. Begin by starting
Before starting, this is what I used to do:
Learn
Take notes
Think of new ideas
Start (maybe)
Now:
Start (always)
Take notes
Learn
Think of new ideas
Repeat
Before starting, this is what I used to do:
Learn
Take notes
Think of new ideas
Start (maybe)
Now:
Start (always)
Take notes
Learn
Think of new ideas
Repeat
11. Build your own systems
"How I built this" success stories are extremely fun.
The truth? Most tactics won't work for you.
Build your own systems from first principles.
this
"what's *my* favorite way to earn new customers?"
not this
"how copywriters find clients"
"How I built this" success stories are extremely fun.
The truth? Most tactics won't work for you.
Build your own systems from first principles.
this
"what's *my* favorite way to earn new customers?" not this
"how copywriters find clients"
cc: no offense @guyraz , I'm a big fan
12. Problems-First Thinking
This is the foundation of my business of one.
'Problems-First Thinking'
It's a mental model on how to turn new ideas into profit.
DM me if this piques your interest--it changed my life & I'd be happy to try and apply this to your business or idea.
This is the foundation of my business of one.
'Problems-First Thinking'
It's a mental model on how to turn new ideas into profit.
DM me if this piques your interest--it changed my life & I'd be happy to try and apply this to your business or idea.
13. Share success & failure, in public
Huge shoutout to @thisiskp_ on this one.
I started sharing my process, thoughts, feelings, emotions, failures, and success in public.
The results speak for themselves.
Huge shoutout to @thisiskp_ on this one.
I started sharing my process, thoughts, feelings, emotions, failures, and success in public.
The results speak for themselves.
14. Burn the boats
I have very low expenses, I'm living with friends, have an at-home work station with few distractions and a robust support network.
If you can afford it, do it.
Take the leap.
Do that thing.
Stop planning.
Start.
Find work that brings you joy.
I have very low expenses, I'm living with friends, have an at-home work station with few distractions and a robust support network.
If you can afford it, do it.
Take the leap.
Do that thing.
Stop planning.
Start.
Find work that brings you joy.
If this helped you in any way, here's what I'm working on.
It's a weekly newsletter of high-leverage thoughts from high-leverage thinkers.
Content best consumed with coffee
https://saturdaymorningscroll.com/
It's a weekly newsletter of high-leverage thoughts from high-leverage thinkers.
Content best consumed with coffee
https://saturdaymorningscroll.com/
