In last month’s Rainmaker Marketing Journey update, I shared how my lack of so-called WIP (work-in-progress) limits clogged up my content creation process. Realizing that is indeed helping me unclog my content creation process. However, I also mentioned a few other factors hindering my content creation process from flowing freely. I’m referring to freelance web design done for clients.
That part continued to bother and frustrate me. So much so, that one afternoon I found myself complaining to my partner Heidi about “too much work to do” and “never having time for my real work – the digital content dear to my heart – and future”.
Although I was complaining rather loudly and forcefully, I noticed another voice deep inside me, shouting from the depths of my creative soul; desperate to make me listen:
- You’ve complained about this before.
- Why haven’t you done something about it?
- The only one who can change it… is you!
I got the message.
I’m halfway through this digital marketing journey, and it’s proving itself a real challenge. Take a look at my latest metrics:
As you can see above, my digital content creation didn’t do better in October, than preceding months.
I know it sounds like a bad excuse, but distractions and too many commitments (like client freelance work) seems to be a big part of what’s obstructing the creation of my upcoming content: a super-exciting, truly revolutionary online course that I’ve been working on for years now, as well as other digital content, like the boatload of blog post drafts I have floating around, carrying out my website rebranding/realignment, and executing lots of other cool stuff I so deeply wanna bring to fruition. Lots I wanna do, and it’s all stuff I believe has huge value. But only if I bring it all to fruition.
Things gotta change. I deeply want to realize my digital content strategy. That, or I’ll go bananas.
The solution: firing my clients
I considered charging higher prices, but my rates have never been cheap to begin with, and truthfully:
My freedom – to create and realize my dreams – has no price. It is priceless. Not “priceless” in a funny way, but in a dead serious way. And yes: I am dead serious about it: I believe it’s toxic to your health to do something day after day that keeps you in a locked state. It literally drains your life force.
I had to ask my long-time trusty, loyal, super-lovable (really) clients to please… go elsewhere.
Not easy.
But the voice from within was clear: I’m the only one who can do something about it, to change things. Change my life and business, for the better.
As long as I’m doing client work: I don’t make progress towards my own goals. Part of the reason is accountability (when someones expects you to do something it tends to get priority over your own stuff) and of course: pay. Client work pays the bills, aka basic needs are met: you get complacent.
Change requires… change.
I realize those words could’ve been uttered by Dr. Seuss or Yogi Berra. But it’s true… and somewhat scary: if we don’t make a change – nothing will change. Think about it.
But yeah: I decided to “fire” my web design clients. Was really difficult sending that “I’m quitting” farewell email. It may sound like a scene from a romantic Hollywood flick, but yes: I really did send my farewell email from my iPhone, while walking through the rainy, dark streets of Copenhagen, on a dark and stormy Monday, a few minutes to midnight, October 31st.
I almost had to use my opposite hand to force my thumb to tap Gmail’s Send-button.
Still, it felt GOOD sending that email. Long-overdue. Like an orgasm when you haven’t had one for a looong while.
(okay… maybe it didn’t feel that good, but you get the picture……. oh… no no no… not that picture… of me naked… having an orga… nevermind, you get… what I mean, then ☺︎)
What do you think? Am I’m crazy doing this?
I say good on you for taking steps toward what you really want out of your work life. Managing clients in a service-based business can be a daunting task, and often requires your full attention. And, strangely, today (in this digital age we’re in), dream projects can prove to be more profitable – even in the short term. And with crowd-funding being the craze, you don’t have to wait for things to reach fruition… Just present your product concept and a discount for early adopters 🙂
Best of luck to you, Oliver!
Hey Mario
It’s difficult letting go of clients, though. Sometimes I miss working with them:) They’re good people. I’ve had a “red velvet rope” policy since 2009 or so, when I read Michael Port’s book Book Yourself Solid. It means carefully vetting whether potential new clients are a good fit for you – and you for them:)
PS: an early bird discount definitely works well, I can attest to that. It’s what I used when launching my online course Headway Hero a few years ago.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Mario!!!
Oliver
Good for you and good luck to you. You’ll only need a little bit of luck because you have the talent and intelligence and insight to make it happen for you, Oliver. And thank you for keeping us posted with what’s up with you.
Hi Daniel
Always love to hear from you. I hope you’re (doing) well!
Thanks for the encouraging words:) It’s scary, but at the same time… jolly! I find myself listening (and singing along to) lots of Dean Martin, Perry Como, even… Ray Conniff (!) tunes while working 😀
Have a great weekend *** (lucky stars)
=)
Oliver
Hmmm.. good feeling to be “free” of clients but sometimes you can’t be truly free, I have been trying to dump my last two clients but they can be a little like leaches and not bugger off until they take that last drop of blood.
Oh yea, the other thing is being able to afford to fire them…
Good luck, stay focused, no excessive orgasms please, not in public anyway…
🙂
Hey Nick
Thanks for chiming in!
Case in point: yesterday morning while eating breakfast, I noticed I had 2 missed calls I hadn’t heard while working out, walking the dog or showering. The 2 missed calls were from a (previous) client I already let go off in my previous round of letting “most of my clients” go, 2 years ago. Now, I’m still hosting her site, so in a sense, she is still my client.
I’m happy I didn’t hear the phone though. My guess was that it would have been one of those calls where she can’t log in, and is simply using the wrong password, and have gone down a rabbit-trail of resetting her password multiple times, now not knowing which to use.
Thing is: her email (which is usually the problem logging in to) is… tadaaa: on Google Apps. She wanted that, so I set up her email there. Now, why on earth would Google ever be down? And has anyone ever experienced Google changing their password at random? No. Am I “The Admin of Google” – able to magically log her in? Nope – and Last time I checked: I wadn’t on deir bayroll.
Was my guess correct?
Yes. It was. I got an email notification from Google about a lost password on a Google Apps account for which I’m listed as the backup email. Would it have been a big waste of time taking that phone call? Yes, as she can be close to impossible to get off the phone with, as she keeps mentioning what she’s trying, reading aloud what “the screen says” etc etc.
That’s not said to complain, but rather to illustrate how these random interruptions can pop up, out of seemingly nowhere.
I’ve been writing on a post on the side-effects of such interruptions. It may hit a browser near you soon, so watch out for it:)
Whether one can afford to lose clients:
It’s been my experience that only when one lets go of the old, can something new be allowed to enter. When friends have been dissatisfied in their jobs, I’ve often reacted with hope and a positive mood when they’ve been “let go” – or decided to leave by themselves. It’s much much easier to find a new job once the old one is gone. Provided that one can maintain a mental state of being a “success” or “wanted” – rather than “leftover” and “trash”. The latter will never get anyone employed – nor get laid for that matter. Both are situations of selling yourself – i.e. being attractive, because you’re attractive / have something of value to offer.
Still being in that lousy job situation: it’s difficult to muster the energy and stamina to find something better.
So yeah: better (IMO) to let go, then focus on the new:)
Agree?
PS: I’ll keep “le sexytime” private ?
=)
Oliver
PS: you’re right in that one can never truly be free. Freedom is a byproduct of commitment – being something to someone.
??