My year wasn’t totally bad…
I found the holes in my business and plugged them. Now it was time to focus on what is currently working for me and there were a few things that I did right this year. I was always attending webinars and taking tons of notes and the cycle just continued. I decided to stop learning (well more like cut back on taking part in so many) and start putting what I was learning into action. Basically that’s what we all should be doing – learn the knowledge and then apply it.
As I mention yesterday I started setting and tracking my monthly goals more closely. I also required a down payment for jobs before any work began. I put in place new polices and I plan on sticking to them. Since leads for new work came mostly from Twitter, I set up autotweets to promote my services. At some point I felt like I was getting too spammy and stopped (NEVER stop Marketing!). I am still working out the kinks on this one. Plus the service I was using started to suck.
I found the power in not saying yes all the time and it feels good. Trusting my instincts about which requests I should or shouldn’t take on and spotting the red flags is coming in handy. Eliminating as much stress as possible makes me happier. I got into email marketing to help me stay in touch with my clients. I learned its a must to stay in the minds of your clients so they continue to some back (SistaSense Circle again.). As the Johnnie Taylor’s song goes it’s cheaper to keep her (current client) then to find a new one. I know which client(s) bring in the most work and can identify the months I kick major butt (Thanks to Outright).
The key is to do something with all of this data. I used it when I revamp my services and reworked my marketing strategy. By knowing what’s working, you can then duplicate it to continue to see growth in your business. I know we all want to see our freelance/side hustles grow into so much more. However, standing in the same spot, doing the same thing over and over again is not going to get us anywhere fast. The successful people slow down just enough to see the holes and repair them so they can move on.
Every new side hustle venture you think of and start will have its highs and lows. Don’t let the lows keep you down and don’t let the highs distract you. This is why every freelancer who been doing this for a long time still stress to beginners to keep their day jobs and then in your spare time start a side hustle so you can work the hurdles before going full-time. Make a plan, put it into play and continue to make tweaks when needed.
Here’s to success in the New Year!
About Artiatesia Deal
