Getting clients is tough work

Starting as a freelancer is romantic.

It feels great.

When I got started, I bought my pelc.cc domain first, set up an email account, put together a quick presentation site, and declared on LinkedIn that I was indeed available for contract work.

And then you know what happened?

…

..,.

Absolutely nothing.

Crickets. 🦗🦗

In my mind, I had a build-it attitude, and they will come.

It’s funny because I would not build a SaaS like that, but I guess the cobblers’ kids ain’t got no shoes.

Here’s what I’d do differently if I started again.

Find out what problem you want to solve for whom.

Pick one.

Find out if they think this is a problem worth solving.

Find how to solve that problem your way.

Find out how to market that solution so that your potential customers take notice and reach out.

Find out what you’re willing to guarantee.

Find out how to differentiate yourself from the competition (what is your competition?).

For a start …

Then there’s the optimizations … when you’re getting enough clients, how do you optimize delivery.

How do you offer support once the project is over so that you can build recurring revenue and not always have to fish for the next client?

These are some of the questions I’m working through now.

But I wish that I’d apply what I already know about building products to my own service business.

At the end of the day, we’re all building products, even if the product itself is us.

Best regards,

Taj Pelc