Not Charging by the Hour

Like so many other freelancers, I followed the common advice of charging by the hour. Starting at a modest $15 an hour and eventually moving to $30 an hour as a social media manager, I found myself burnt out and realized that this approach was not helping me reach my revenue goals. My pivotal decision was to switch to package pricing for my services, moving away from hourly rates to focus on delivering value-based packages to current and prospect clients.

Focusing on Becoming an Expert

Instead of offering a wide range of services, I honed in on one key offering—Facebook ads. By becoming known as an expert in this specific area, I not only positioned myself as a specialist in my industry, but also commanded higher rates for my services. I encourage you to consider your own strengths and passions and to specialize in one or two key services rather than offering an array of options. If you find yourself not enjoying what you chose to specialize in, nothing is set in stone – you can specialize in something else and use those acquired skills elsewhere.

Holding Off on Hiring a Team

While it’s common for entrepreneurs to rush into building a team, I believe in the importance of ensuring that your business is set up to support additional team members. It’s essential to be both at the right pricing point in your business and to have consistent lead flow before considering expanding with a team. Using this cautious approach allowed me to focus on scaling my business without sacrificing profitability.

Not Engaging in the Digital Product Race

In order to go from $30,000 to $250,000 my first year, I did not divert my focus to creating digital products, growing my email list, or aiming for a large Instagram following. While these elements might be important for certain business goals, they were not critical for landing and serving my 1-on-1 clients effectively in my specific freelance niche.

Avoiding the Get-Rich-Quick Mindset

As convenient as it would be, I resisted the allure of get-rich-quick schemes or shortcuts in my journey to building my freelance business. I truly believe in the importance of pursuing sustainable, predictable, and profitable business strategies and cautions against following the allure of “easy button” solutions that may not lead to long-term success.

The 3 Things I Did Focus On: Attracting Consistent Clients, Becoming an Expert, and Building Scalable Systems

Ultimately, I found three core pillars in my approach that helped me grow a successful freelance business. The first might seem obvious, but what’s a business without clients? Attracting consistent clients became a primary goal, as I recognized that a steady flow of clients is essential for sustainable business growth. Additionally, I focused on becoming an expert in my field by specializing in Facebook ads and continuously refining my skills. In order to ensure my business was functioning to the best of its ability, I built scalable systems that allowed me to maintain a balanced lifestyle while still growing my business.

Conclusion

While it wasn’t linear, my journey provides valuable insights for freelancers seeking to scale their businesses. By understanding the critical importance of managing your time and services, focusing on specialization, cautious team expansion, resisting shortcuts, and prioritizing client acquisition, you can build a sustainable and successful business. Through intentional choices and a steadfast approach, you can achieve your revenue goals and ensure long-term business growth and stability.

I hope my story serves as a reminder that success in freelancing is not always about doing more but about doing the right things. By learning from these insights, you can navigate your own path to success, one that is focused, sustainable, and aligned with your long-term goals.