Freelance Smackdown: Day 7 Update (Now Codeine Free!)
Written by Dave Navarro on February 22, 2008
For those just joining us, I called out Christine O’Kelly to put her Freelancing Guide to the test for 30 days and build a $1000-$2000 part time revenue stream. These are the continuing adventures …
Dave
Today’s post is going to cover:
- The last 48 (or so) Hours of Freelance Smackdown Activity
- Second Thoughts and Refining My Ideas
- They May Take My Rates, But They’ll Never Take My Freedom
- I Still (Want To) Know What You Did Last Summer (For Pay)
- Good Things Come To Those Who Expect Them
- We’re No One Without Someone Else
The Last 48 (Or So) Hours of Freelance Smackdown Activity
‘Tis Friday, and I’m closing in on the end of Freelance Smackdown: Week One. Total bank for part time freelancing since I read the eBook is $505, though to be technical, only $140 of that was after the call-out. But I’ll count the whole $505 since it’s all post-eBook freelance earnings.
I started to put out the word via email to a few SEO shops that I am available for writing services, along with my rates, but I’m backing off on that strategy. Not because it’s a bad strategy (it’s actually a great one), but because of some bigger picture concerns I’ll go into below.
Second Thoughts and Refining My Ideas
One thing that is so attractive to me about freelance writing is the schedule. I don’t have to interact with people at set times, which is great since my freelancing time is limited to early, early morning and late evening. Not having to depend on real-time communication is of prime importance to me since I’m essentially unavailable during business hours (read = day job). So it got me to thinking about the “A-Team” conversation in the comments of the other day’s post.
Do I really want to assemble a team? Do I want to create a layer of overhead that has me outsourcing work to this person and that person, finding clients and negotiating contracts and following up on this and that? Do I really want to - dare I say it - manage something else while I have so many projects in progress right now? I don’t think that I do.
But I still want to connect people with opportunities. I just don’t want to manage whatever it is I have to manage to get a cut. I’d rather just meet as many people as I can and throw the damn work I find at them. Because when I think about it, my primary goal isn’t getting a cut. My primary goal is creating goodwill, networking like a madman and leveraging the hell out of my connections so that everybody wins, big time. That’s worth a lot more than 10% off the top.
I’m thinking a little clearer now that I’ve run out of that lovely prescription cough medicine (mmm, codeine) and replaced it with Killian’s Irish Red (mmm, beer). Editor’s note: There is no need for any of you Canadians to tell me to put the word “beer” in quotation marks. I know yours is stronger. Remind me to tell you some funny stories about some Canadian girls I knew in college sometime.
They May Take My Rates, But They Will Never Take My Freedom
So I’m taking a step back in order to take two steps forward. I’m not going to go out there and try to extract the highest rates possible for my writing and strive to sell big giant packages. If freelance writing were my primary objective, you bet your ass I would, though. But it’s not. My objective with this 30-day experiment is to:
- See if it is possible to follow Christine’s advice to build a freelance (side) business in the $1000-$2000 range without a metric crapton of effort.
Now, given that, I have some “unspoken” objectives in this experiment as well:
- Create an income stream doing something that comes to me easily,
- Do it without adding additional stress to my life,
- Meet awesome people along the way as I surf this new experience.
Managing the “A-Team” takes care of my spoken objective but not my unspoken ones. I don’t want additional responsibilities that take me away from my core business desire, which is to build an online library of in-demand coaching products that bring me passive income. Passive income = freedom.
Writing when I feel like it = freedom.
Managing the A-Team = Second Job.
I don’t want to hand over freedom for a little extra money. So for the time being, I’m taking page 17 to heart, and letting other people do the legwork of finding new work for me (details in just a bit). Let them take their cut - they deserve it - and I’ll take the peace of mind I get by not chasing after new clients 
This is just part time, after all.
I Still (Want To) Know What You Did Last Summer (For Pay)
That said, I still want the emails, comments and introductions to keep coming. Tell me who you are, what you do, where you want to go over the next 12 months. Connect me with your connections, and let me do the same for you. Every good thing in my life has come from as a result of my ability to connect people with opportunities. And for the love of all things leveraged, do it in the comments. That way everyone can learn about you.
What goes around always seems to come around. I’d love to be able to pass business your way as I learn about it, and with as many people as I meet every week, the chances are high that if your skills rock, I might come in contact with someone looking to be rocked in the way that only your freelancing badass can rock. (Yes, that’s repetitive, but so is the line of empty Killian’s bottles I’m stacking next to my laptop.)
Good Things Come To Those Who Expect Them
I went into this experiment with a sense of expectation that I would meet my goals within 30 days. And it looks like that’s going to happen. I just got confirmation on the phone of over $1,000 of work coming to me next week (well, it’s spread out over 4 weeks, but it’s over $1,000 all the same), so unless it falls through (which seems unlikely to me), I’ve hit my goal for now.
How did it happen? By doing what the good eBook says - focusing on leveraging strategic partners. I went after someone who already had connections with high-volume clients, so it turns out I’m getting a slice of the overflow work. Lower rates than solo? Yes. Higher leverage? Hell, yes. Now I can simply schedule out the hours for this work (and any other work that comes my way) and use the remainder to network and build my business as well as spread the love to those I meet via this blog. And that’s what Million Dollar Leverage is all about.
Leverage is also about optimization, rather than maximization - in other words, getting more of what you really want rather than just “more.” Relationships are more valuable than cash, though ironically better business relationships bring in more cash long term.
We’re No One Without Someone Else
And speaking of better relationships, I have to give a big, major, incredible shout-out to Mr. X, the guy who got me my first freelance writing work (and hopefully even more down the road). I’m calling him Mr. X because I don’t know if he wants me to say who he is - I’m still don’t have my footing on how the whole outsourcing culture operates, so I’m not making any assumptions as to whether Mr. X wants the world to know he’s outsourcing some of his work.
It’s probably no big deal, but I’m erring on the side of caution, because this week has seen more than it’s share of me putting my foot in my mouth in both the online and offline world. All I want to do now is say thanks, bro, for believing in me. This cash will really help out in launching my core business ventures, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
We are no one without the people who support us, who believe in us, and who trust us. We gain the most when we give without expectation or return. There is enough to go around, if you hold on to that expectations and dig like hell for the opportunities. That’s a really long way of wording what Naomi would probably say as “Give, people.”
So give, already. Network in the comments below. Get in my field of vision, so if things come my way that are a good fit for you, I can get in touch with you and let you know there’s something up your alley. Be sure to put a website link in the appropriate comments field, but no phone numbers, please. I’m an email-only kind of guy.
This is just part time, after all.
Dave
freelance smackdown index | next article in series
Dave, that is some great thought pattern you have there. I think you are spot on when you say that managing an A-team would just create more immediate and also underlying work.
Your idea on building relationships is a whole lot better since most business deals go down underhanded anyway.
The old adage of who you know is still working every well as I just found out myself this morning. I did free blog setup for a friend last week and as a result of this she now refers me new customers who are actually willing to pay.
In the spirit of Naomi and yourself, it’s exactly that.
Give first and expect the best.
I do manage a team. I manage our full business, including handling hundreds of emails a day, negotiating with clients, supervising projects, writing, managing the blog, commenting on other blogs, telephone calls, IMs, keeping in touch with Harry via emails, IM and meetings, and discussing with various network contacts.
I clock - before I sit down to write - approximately 30 to 45 hours per week. I also clock an additional 10 to 20 hours per week writing for clients.
It’s often an exciting feeling for people to believe that they’ll launch a full fledged freelance business - but there are always dark sides to every job. I love mine, make no mistake, but the reality is that business often takes a lot of time and energy.
All that said, I really enjoyed reading this post. You brought up some very good points that in this virtual world, loners don’t survive and while opportunities abound, taking a realistic look at them is always a good idea.
I am pleased to hear that your efforts are paying off so quickly. You truly have strong drive and determination - uh, screwups with the foot and mouth thing aside - and that’s a good sign of someone who seizes success. Better than waiting for it.
Rock on, Dave.
Hm. I just reread my comment and thought to myself, “Well, damn. Doesn’t that sound bleak.”
I love my A-team. I love managing. I love everything about my job. I just wanted to say that it’s labor intensive, that’s all. And that it does respond to many people’s needs, because many hate the “administrative” side of things. They just want to work and get paid. We answer that.
(Hire us for kick-ass content and sleek designs that get your business results. We offer the best damned A-team in town.)
@ James -
It doesn’t sound bleak - just realistic. Just because I *can* do something doesn’t mean should
I do enough managing at my day job - I run a software testing department (a boring job to most, but I actually dig the challenge) and I catch any project management tasks that come my way.
There’s a “sweet spot” for everyone - and you rock at yours.
Hi Dave
I love your sense of humour - it makes reading your blog all the more enjoyable (as well as informative).
I admire you for following your own groove.
I love proofreading. Well, it’s one of the things I love (p.s: I’m ga-ga about mangoes).
So if you need some proofing in the future, and I’m not busy touring the world saving mango trees from extinction, do get in touch.
take care…
This is really an honest post.
Ventures that start with massive amounts of energy and enthusiasm are bound to evolve into something else. You can’t stay on the top of the mountain after all…
One of the best ways something can evolve is instilling new thoughts and thought patterns about what we want from life and about the choices we make. This has obviously happened to you
It’s a form of Clarity…oh wait, I recently read something about that
For me: I’m still working very hard to get projects done. I have way too many on my hands, even after eliminating the unimportant and non-urgent ones. So for now, no new ventures for me
That says it all for me. Must be the Killian’s.
Most freelancers nowadays do best with blogs rather than traditional websites. What I do is help with that part: blog setup, design, plugins, training, seo, content strategies (veeerrrry important for a business blog), and social media.
You have a business to run. You don’t want to make the same mistakes as everyone else. Having a blog consultant and coach to help you with this will give you the best ROI/ROTI for your business. What I do is very complementary to other services like copywriting and logo design.
You’re right about connecting with people. It’s taken me awhile to come to grips with that. I liked to believe that writing was a nice solitary activity.
In my pre-writing days, I worked with animals to avoid people too. As it turns out, cats don’t walk into a veterinary hospital by themselves with a credit card. Can’t get away from people.
So I’m learning to make friends.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
You really are a breath of inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey. A friend of mine bought me a copy of Christine’s book which I read this weekend. It really is a great book and has helped me refine my business idea. However, I’ve been having trouble “pulling the trigger” as she says because I lack the street cred “everyone else” has. Your article, “How I boosted my confidence and made over 5000″ was like a real world example of her sentiment that there are people out there willing to hire you whatever your background.
So I’d like to throw my hat into the ring as well and say if you are ever in need of a freelance writer or WordPress template creator feel free to give me an email jingle.
Also not sure if anyone has suggested this but if you create your email address as an image then the spambots cannot get it because they can’t read images.
Congratulations on your success! I’m sure by next month you’ll be able to quit your day job
I must say - Wow.
I found your blog through Christine post about your time management program, and I’m really glad that I did. Your eBook challenge is just what I’ve been waiting to see, and as it seems to be going well for you, I think I may just invest in my own copy.
I guess I’m a freelancer of sorts - my business is all about secretarial support. I would love to connect with awesome people and find my place in the world so that I can get my business off the ground. If you ever need any help or know anyone that does, feel free to send them to my website (It’s a little busted right now, but hopefully I’ll be able to take care of that after I land my first client. Wish me luck.)
@ Adeena - Forgive me for asking, but isn’t that like saying that you won’t build a grocery store to attract the masses until you sell an apple?
What are you waiting for? Fix the website! Promote your services! Get out there. Have something to show people. I was actually going to click through to your site until I learned you didn’t have one. If you wait for “one day”, how many clients will pass you by?
Nice post. I’ve been following your freelance smackdown since I saw your article on freelance folder. Very interesting. I like what you said about peace of mind. You can’t put a price on that.
[…] path to making lots of money. If you haven’t been following the Smackdown, you can read about why I decided that wasn’t my optimal path. Or I can sum it up for you: it was simply easier to leverage other people to find the work for me, […]