This week I was talking with a fellow consultant who was struggling with his focus. He wasn’t sure which of three markets to position his services in. I could see he was starting to thrash about the decision.
Two minutes into the conversation with him I realized that:
- I was doing the same thing he was (not focusing)
- I was starting to thrash
- The advice I was giving him would apply directly to me
I know this uncertainty happens a lot. There’s even phrases in multiple cultures that date back hundreds and thousands of years: "The Cobbler’s children have no shoes".
One thing that’s helped me: if you pretended you were a client who came to you (the consultant) with this problem, what would you advise that the client do (you)?
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The Consulting Pipeline Podcast (consultingpipelinepodcast.com)
My good friend Philip Morgan launched a podcast for consultants about positioning, education-based content marketing, and marketing automation. He’s a really smart cookie and I can see this becoming one of my favorite podcasts.
Pay Your Love First (ittybiz.com)
For all those who are splitting your focus between two things. Full-time job and moonlighting. Consulting and products. My friend from the introduction.
The Freelancer’s Guide to Long-Term Contracts (theadmin.org) SPONSOR
Long-term contracts have been the one technique that really made my freelance business a success. So successful in fact that I’m able to work one week each month, taking the rest of the month off, and still make enough to live off of. This training teaches you how.
How Much Is THIS Costing You In Your Business and Life? (consultingsuccess.com)
People know about opportunity cost, what you lose when you make Decision A instead of Decision B. But many people forget that indecision or the decision to not make a decision has a cost as well.
Suck it up: when to stay with the unpleasant (or uncomfortable) gig (freelancersunion.org)
I’ve had my fair share of unpleasant projects. Learning when to quit and when to stick it out is a great skill to develop. This article by Kate Hamill can help give you ideas about when to stay around.
What Every Content Marketer Needs To Know About (Crappy) Feedback (ittybiz.com)
Not just for content marketers, anyone who gives away free samples.
5 Ways to Combat Shyness and be a Networking Ninja (bidsketch.com)
Though I avoid many forms of in-person networking, I know it’s a great way to build and strengthen relationships. This article by Tom Ewer helps shy networkers like myself feel more comfortable.
Productizing by Not Selling Talent (casjam.com)
Brian Casel has a great post on how he’s positioning Audience Ops. There are a lot of good ideas in here you can borrow.
Does a month of success affect your budget? (curtismchale.ca)
With cash cycles it can be difficult to budget. Everyone has advice about how to handle low months but Curtis McHale answers how to handle high months.
Freelance Freedom #375 (envato.com)
On inspiration. And very, very true.
Quick Links
You won’t drift to success (curtismchale.ca)
The Business of Freelancing, Episode 26: John Sonmez on Marketing Yourself as a Developer (doubleyourfreelancing.com)
How to boost your fan base as a freelancer (freelancersunion.org)
Roadmaps and Estimates – Freelancers’ Show #157 (devchat.tv)
Thanks, I’ll see you next week
Eric Davis (@edavis10)