Attempting to Build A Productocracy [Niche > Problem > Pre-sell > Solution]

[Edgar King]

Day 16

Editing the interviews and shooting other interview asks, this time with SEO as a focus- 3 hours

There was a guy who wanted us to do the interview right then and there. I was like, 'Now?' and he was like, 'YES NOW!'. Needless to say, I've learned not to underestimate anyone and just say yes to opportunities and learn along the way. I also want to combine this strategy with this thread GOLD! - CHECKLIST: How to Start a Digital Marketing Agency & Hit $5K in Less than 90 Days

Because I just feel the runway to add that in has already been set, and I'm starting to get a lot of useful connections in the field. SO would be wise lol, just hope I don't laze out on it XD

Good luck on whatever you guys are working on, and thanks for cheering me on as well, it helps a lot.

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Day 16

Editing the interviews and shooting other interview asks, this time with SEO as a focus- 3 hours

There was a guy who wanted us to do the interview right then and there. I was like, 'Now?' and he was like, 'YES NOW!'. Needless to say, I've learned not to underestimate anyone and just say yes to opportunities and learn along the way. I also want to combine this strategy with this thread GOLD! - CHECKLIST: How to Start a Digital Marketing Agency & Hit $5K in Less than 90 Days

Because I just feel the runway to add that in has already been set, and I'm starting to get a lot of useful connections in the field. SO would be wise lol, just hope I don't laze out on it XD

Good luck on whatever you guys are working on, and thanks for cheering me on as well, it helps a lot.

p.s. Has it only been 16 days? *mindblown*
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Day 17

Almost 20% there! Full cowling! I performed two interviews today and you guys... I cannot begin to explain the kind of free education I'm getting! I already feel like an expert in the field, and as I do more interviews they become more fun and I less stiff.

On that note, I think I will start interviewing PPC specialists as well. Just like Raja said, they handle results a lot quicker than SEO Specialists, which can take months of efforts. But in any case, all about value. Even if it's 6 months, or two weeks, what matters is I make it easier for them.

I also started learning about digital marketing fundamentals from here-https://www.linkedin.com/learning/digital-marketing-foundations/budgeting-for-paid-marketing

This is to follow this checklist- GOLD! - CHECKLIST: How to Start a Digital Marketing Agency & Hit $5K in Less than 90 Days

Two birds with one stone. So my goal still remains to earn $1K at the end of this, and weekly that translates to about $105.

This cost- 4 hours

Looking forward to tomorrow.

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ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ​

 

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[alfosua]

Less than one week ago I started using something like your approach of seeking contacts for interviewing. Honestly, I see more responses from my prospects, and I'm seeming to keep following ups with them. Thanks for the idea man! Unsoulful cold emailing sucks.

 

[Edgar King]

Day 33

(1 hour ) Copywriting guide- GOLD! - Lex DeVille's: 15 Days to Freedom - Make Money Copywriting in 15 Days or Less Day 11 (Result: Better copywriting skills and better paid work)

(10 minutes) Decided to help a friend write copy for their website for free. Awaiting their response.

(30 minutes) Upwork Work Proposals

Nothing yet on Upwork, still waiting. Will get something soon. Posted my first interview online today.

Looking forward to tomorrow
Log out...

Day 34
Took a break today, but I learned so much more.
I talked to @Capitalist_Cat after being inspired by his journey on copywriting and men oh men the value bombs I received, I had to share it. This isn't necessarily what he said, but what I took away from it.

If you're learning copy on Upwork listen. (Especially for proposals)

1. Ask for video testimonials

2. Ask for referrals

3. Do 5 star client work. Effort against results is exponential, it's worth the investment. Now instead of applying to 10 more jobs you get another referral client for example.

4. Aim for short quick jobs starting out to rack up reviews

5. Ask 5 why's to get to the root of the problem. You need to show your client what their
problem is and how you'll fix it. How you'll take then from point A (Problem) to point B(Solution). That's value. They pay for the path/bridge. Then back up your claims with specific facts that support the bridge. (e.g. I'm a great fit for this role because I am a CFO).



6. Be specific. This is an Achilles heel of mine, I normally focus on the big picture rather than the details and it cost me. It's time to be detailed.

7. Learn critical thinking. Watch some youtube videos to learn about it and apply it.

8. Aim for jobs that have 5-10 proposals. Preferably less than 5.

9. A proposal could take even 30 minutes to craft.

10. Ask yourself, "As a client what would I want in a proposal?"

11. Apply to 4-6 proposals/day.

13. Always measure the results of your actions. Especially when these actions are often repeated.

If there's one thing you take from this, it's this. Create a detailed step by step of how the process/action is carried out to improve it later. Measure the key result (KPIs). The key result is the desired qualitative outcome of this action/process. Document the results. Review it later on. Find out what worked and what didn't based on real world data. Adjust accordingly for the next iteration (The improved process).

It might help to create and use templates as a control.

If it isn't being measured, it won't improve and if doesn't improve you stay stuck at your position. You stay stuck in the same position, unable to move forward to the greener side. Review it at least once in a week or two if you can.

I was a victim to this. I've been sending about 2 Upwork proposals for the past 3 days with no responses and just hoped that mud would stick. But this just isn't the way. Even if it did work once, it would be insane to still go through the same approach.

Document the process so that it can be improved later. Don't trust your memory you'll forget. Gain feedback and improve it. Not doing this is like trying to move a slide puzzle into place when you can only see one piece of the puzzle. Very hard to do.


The only way you're going to get data is to ask and look for it, you'll need it.

The way Cat did it for the proposals was to ask potential interviewers on why they chose his proposal and adjust for the next iteration. Find out what works and why.

Finally, ABL. Always be learning.

Now if you;ll excuse me, I'm going to be wise and just start documenting right now before I procrastinate *Scooby doo run and dash*.

An example
Check it out and read carefully. Think in terms of pain and pleasure here. You should strive to satisfy both. She's formal, and wants to expand her business to reach more business owners. In expanding however, she quickly realises that the financial processes of the company have become a nightmare to manage. It's eating up too much of her time, disallowing her to focus on the things that truly matters in her business and to focus on doing what she loves. She also knows there's got to be a better way to do this, so she's also hiring for an expert who probably knows some secret software on how to speed the entire process for themselves and for future workers at that position. Write out the problem like this in detail first, preferably as a story.

Pain (What she's running away from)- Performing the financial processes of the company
Pleasure (What she's running too)- Expanding the business to reach more customers by upgrading/easing the financial processes of the business.

I made most of these assumptions by just reading in between the lines and really just understanding what she REALLY wants. And then I glanced at the winning proposal and I was mostly right.

Here's it is-

And lo and behold he's doing everything above.
Article- How to Write a Proposal on Upwork that Actually Gets you Hired

1. Restates their core problem (Point A [It's eating up my time])
1.5. Tells them why he's a good fit (Support [He's a CFO])
2.Describe the process he'll guide them through (Bridge [Documenting the processes and optimising])
3. To get to the solution (Point B [Less stress in financial administration])

Brilliant. Just a day ago, I knew nothing about this. And this was the kind of dumbed down proposal I was submitting-
Not really good. Now compare that to this-


Notice how I've got the whole slanting table covered? Problem, solution, support, bridge.

I've resent it to the client, if it gets a result I'll tell here. But now can you see the importance of documenting processes? There's always room for improvements, and documenting them is like saving your progress in a game. This is how you avoid starting from level 1 every time.

Thanks again Cat!

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[Edgar King]

Day 35

I have officially become a processes evangelist. Save your progress guys.

I'd rather just show you lol...
View attachment 38715
I've made a folder called processes and in it contains the different to do's in terms of actions I ought to get done all organised in a folder.

View attachment 38714
This is the readme. Each of these should have a desired result, the result to measure from the action (KPIs), and the actual results.

View attachment 38716
In each document contains something like this.
View attachment 38718
Below it contains the results of the action over the week.

Process streamlined. In this way, I can find out what works and what doesn't. Possibly outsource the work. And work a lot quicker and in less confusion. I'm going to try and wrap the interviews up in the next 2 months by collecting at least two recordings from the experts every day.

(15 minutes) Collect feedback for actions done
(1 hour) Lex copywriting guide day 11 | Learn what direct response copywriting is
(1 hour) Make processes for video editing, video posting on youtube, interview/discussion invitation, interview posting of questions and following up.

Looking forward to tomorrow. Dream big.

Log out...

Day 36

Today I made REAL progress. It's the first time I've felt I've done a lot for a day's worth of work.

I reread ICK's astonishing secrets thread and took two pieces of vital info from it.

1. Love others deeply
2. Take action on the things that matter (AKA push towards sales)

So I took his advice and made a recording saying, "I love everyone. I'm an action taking machine and take actions that get sales."

And like magic I worked for about 6 hours with barely a scratch. I'm also feeling a lot less detached lately due to the shifts. He wasn't kidding when he said the greatest value in this thing isn't money, but the person you become out of it.

(4 hour) Send in 4 Upwork proposals
( 2 hours ) Shoot for 10 messages today to CEO’s of the companies.
(15 minutes) Collect feedback for actions done for future tweaks

I was afraid to aim for 'big' companies. I searched up some of the owners on Linkedin and decided, you know what if I'm doing this thing I might as well make my actions worth it.

So I sent them messages and 1 of them responded, the owner of a fortune 5000 company. It's something and it was encouraging. Meanwhile my first youtube video on this has a whooping 2 views so far XD

Might need to make a TikTok to help with that.

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[Lex DeVille]

Day 56
Ghosted

(2 hours) Edit web copy and send suggestions, dealing with client side issues

Things were going so well with the client until I stumbled on his about page. The photo he used on it (An exact replica mind you with just the blue background edited out) led to someone with a completely different name to him. Fine.

The Biographies didn't sync though, like at all. One was a consultant who became an amazon seller, the other was a psychologist who taught 1000's of performers in music, at schools like Juilliard, Colburn, New World Symphony and spoke at a T.E.D talk... I'm not even joking XD

Not once, did the two Bios sync at all.

I was curious. We never actually had a video call. So I asked him if that man was him, since I found a similar man online.

I waited for a response.

Nothing. He didn't reply. He didn't clarify.

He could have said it was a placeholder image, but nothing.

Oh Oh.

I should have trusted my instincts in the beginning to not take the job, but because it was my first response in weeks, I made a bad decision.

This might affect my job score. Or so I thought.

Apparently,

"Contracts, where some payment has been made but that end without feedback, whether open or closed, do not negatively affect your JSS at all unless you have a significant percentage of such contracts."

Maybe @Lex DeVille or any other experienced freelancer can chip in on if this is really true.

I have sent the page for him to review and he's placed the $5 in Escrow.

If all goes well and it arrives to me in the next 11 days, it should allow my job score to not be affected. I really hope.

If he doesn't respond by tomorrow I'm leaving it be. And might flag him up for future freelancers.

Lessons:
1) Trust your instincts.
2) If client doesn't want to have a video call, and wants you to work basically for free run.
3) If a review says something starkly bad about them. Think about it.

Well it was my first official job anyway, so learning now for the future.

Log out...

It won't affect your JSS to have a client who doesn't leave feedback. Maybe if you have a bunch of them in a row, but probably not.

I didn't read this whole thread, but I was thinking a couple of things while skimming through it. Hopefully, this sounds as positive as I intend it to be.

1. Time
How much time do you spend writing these posts that could be better spent elsewhere?

2. Outreach
What use is sending X amount of outreach messages per day? Whether proposals or LinkedIn messages, it doesn't make sense when your goal is $1,000/mo. You only need one client to earn that much. So it makes more sense to spend all of your time searching for that one client and then crafting the greatest proposal you've ever written to make sure you get a response.

3. Approach
How can you master an outreach method when you're jumping back and forth? Stick with Upwork...or spend time and effort on LinkedIn. Trying to do both splits your time. Plus, they require different approaches. Become a master at one of them and you will make a lot more than $1,000/mo.

4. Length
Doesn't always equal strength, despite what direct-response copywriters like Drew Whitman say. This is especially true for Upwork proposals.

5. Settling
Once you fix 2, 3, and 4 if you're writing long proposals, then stop settling for low-paying gigs. Increase your Upwork rates and only take clients when it is a 1000% perfect fit for your skills and interests. To quote Roy Kent from the new Ted Lasso episode...

F*cking hell. ... You deserve someone who makes you feel like you've been struck by F*cking lightning. Don't you dare settle for fine. ... Not that it's any of my business.

Clients are a dime a dozen. There are more clients on Upwork than ever. You need one client that is a perfect fit for you to reach your goal. Someone you are 1000% sure you can help. You will know it when you find them just by reading their job post.

6. Feedback & Reviews
Don't be the freelancer who uses these to get revenge on clients. It will affect you when future clients read what you said about past clients.

 

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[Edgar King]

Day 63

(30 minutes) Watch copy course
(35 minutes) Profile edits
(30 minutes) Send 1 Upwork Proposal
(1 hour) Edit and rewrite web copy for client's page

Log out...

Day 64
LET'S GOOOO- AIDA works!
(Break)

Following the advice of Lex to apply to higher priced jobs, and after learning about the AIDA formula from the above Copy course I went through, I applied to a 500 cookies job.

I didn't get the job, but he did say he would reach back for a future job.



Even if it doesn't work out, it proved to me that whatever situation you find yourself in, you just need to Act + learn more to fix it and flip it around like a pancake.

I hope and pray you can do the same in whatever situation you may find yourself in.

This is another thank you post to all you greats who helped me along the journey.

Here's the template I used, that I've added to and modified with other resources across the internet.

AIDA TEMPLATE BLANK:

(Headline choices)
Subject 1: words
Subject 2: words
Subject 3: words
Subject 4: words

Purpose of this piece of copy: (insert ONE objective)

ATTENTION (Get their attention with something they will think is interesting or curious | Relevant, Interesting, Important, Curiosity): words INTEREST (Tell them interesting facts, or interesting quotes, or interesting use cases about the product/idea | Appealing to Logic): words DESIRE (Make them desire the product/service EVEN MORE | Show them how life (or a task) will be better with your product | Imagery, Appealing to Emotions): words ACTION (Get them to take an action | Handhold them to take the action you want): words

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[WJK]

Ahhh, this is the start of an adventure! (I just hope it's entertaining enough, profitably entertaining )

Who cares IF it is "entertaining enough". You're thinking about the wrong person in this equation. The person who counts is the customer -- not you. If this is really what you really want --you have this all backwards. Do something. Start. Add value. Give -- don't even thinking about taking. Throw yourself 100% in. Act rather than talk. Make something. Sell something. Are you listening?????

 

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[WJK]

I do wonder if you could move faster if you were less analytical?

I’m super analytical but what helps me move faster is to throw away the spreadsheets and dive headfirst into communities to engage, support, and help people.

Do it daily and you’ll start seeing what people are stuck on, what they’ll gladly hop on a call to resolve, and what they’ll pay you for.

As per the Mother Theresa quote in my signature.

Does that help or am I wide of the mark?

Andy, I totally agree. I got lost in the details of his post. I'm into action rather than into the weeds.

 

[WJK]

Thanks for the knock Andy.

I've actually earned in the copywriting niche (Not like 10K a month, just a good amount), and with good effort could find more people to do this for (work more on what I already know) which they've been proven to spend money here. So copywriting would actually be a good fit for this.

But I am concerned about scaling? The whole point of this part of the thread is to find a business need I can provide a service/product for that I can detach my time from, perhaps there is something I'm missing?

Maybe what I should focus on is actually getting to that goal of 10K a month with copywriting? But I'm concerned if I don't start early enough I'll miss the advantage of not having bills to pay in the meantime and being weighed more in time and mental drain by a job.

And I'm in Uni as a computer science, so I presumed most computer scientists earn upwards of 80K a year (just my assumptions) so it wouldn't be wise to get to 10K a month copywriting when it could be spent pursuing a business. Just my thoughts on the matter.

I'm getting a clue that you are trying to game the system by out thinking it. You are afraid you will make a bad decision. And if you just vet the possibilities enough, you can come up with the perfect plan. It is the double bind of a perfectionist. You can't do anything unless you are the best. And you can't be deemed the best without starting the process by sticking your toe in that pool as a total novice. You must start at the bottom to make it to the top.

Many times you don't know where your skills and your efforts will take you. Just start. Keep learning new stuff. Apply that knowledge liberally. Refine. Combine the new with other existing skills. Revaluate your prospects as you go. Change direction when it is merited. Remember, you are a mere mortal. Even you can't see over the horizon -- no matter how hard you try.

 

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[Edgar King]

Using the fewest words possible, what are you looking to accomplish?

A Productized service (10 sales or more). OR

Enough capital/experience/insight into problems in a specific industry, to solve their problems with a product Fastlane business.

So I plan to move from freelancing/copywriting to a productised service with time. And take it from there.

 

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[Edgar King]

Day 35-39
Monday
After sending in the product descriptions to company B, and watching bits and pieces of a copywriting course, I did a strategy revision.

These companies might not even care about my copy, because it hasn't shown any proof it's worked. So I need to show that it works, even if at a small scale, regardless of niche.

Tuesday
I did another strategy revision and went back to my old threads. I want to roll with this framework...

Big Why-SMART goal-plan.

For me, the why was simple.

Pain: Be the great person I want to be.

Gain: Help my parents and my family so they can relax and take it easy. Travel to exotic places whenever I want, if I want. And work on whatever, whenever I want, if I want.

Revamping my SMART goal, it would be (for now)...

Make $10,000 in 3 months from today (Roughly day 135 of this challenge).

Which with milestones would be $833 a week. At, 2 hours a day for 5 days, I'd need to make $90 per hour. If I want to achieve that, I need to act based on favourable maths and use an appropriate vehicle to get there.

Since, I have the why and the goal down. I need to formulate a plan or an outline based on people who've succeeded this goal or vision.

Then, I can act, fail, and adjust based on this goal, else I'm just hitting in the dark. The faster I run through that cycle, the faster I could probably reach this goal.

Likewise, I have to think of appropriate vehicles to achieve this with. One such vehicle is affiliate marketing. With affiliate marketing, I'll be able to not only prove my copywriting skills and get results, but also clients who may come to ask for help if I'm successful with it.

Wednesday
Didn't realise all the above until now. But did some reading on web design and sent 1 high effort Upwork proposal, of course no dice.

Thursday
(5 minutes) Study ad week copywriting
(10 minutes) Learn what affiliate marketing is with a general roadmap
(35 minutes) Learning the ropes of running a successful affiliate marketing campaign | Start selling the product

The main goal being to raise capital and train my copywriting skills.

Friday
I heard someone say, when you're at zero, it's because of you. It's because you're in scarcity mode, and thinking about yourself.

So with their advice, I went ahead to 10 people in my network to thank them, explained why I thanked them, and offered to help them whenever they needed. I wanted to switch my mindset to give mode, instead of take mode.

And sent one high effort Upwork proposal.

I discussed with my friend what to do about such closed feedback systems. Systems that don't tell you why you failed, like Upwork. Nobody will reach back out to discuss why they didn't hire you, but you can keep trying with slightly better angles is what I learned until you're eventually a success. Kind of like what Thomas Edison did, he kept acting to fail with different angles until one worked.

Orange...

Day 40-44
Monday
Applied to 3 affiliate marketing programs and even got a lead for a copy client, but lost them since I replied late due to Facebook notifs being switched off or not having the proper samples to show when they asked for them. Going to write more polished samples to show clients after I've finished the copywriting course.

Tuesday
Scheduled a meeting with an affiliate manager, sent an Upwork proposal and in the process of learning the fundamentals of copywriting from a direct response agency owner. My thoughts in booking for the affiliate meeting are that it's going to totally tank, since I don't have a website to show them. But I wanted to act first, before coming to fantasy conclusions.

Wednesday
Got into the meeting with the business/affiliate manager of the company to be an affiliate for the company. Success?! Even though I thought I was going to crash and fail. Yay.

Learning fundamentals of copywriting- the 5 stages of awareness and the rule of one in copywriting so I can confidently say, I can write something that can get people more sales. I realise I just need to put my copy to the test, perhaps I can help run ads to their website with this. Ooof, it requires Paypal. Or buy and sell something on Facebook marketplace, perhaps exotic plants? There's a store close to me.

Thursday
(30 minutes)- Learning the different methods on how to sell marketing/copy services to local businesses
(40 minutes) Podcast on how someone went from 0 to $75K on upwork to craft a plan
(20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(10 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(1:20 hour) Learning the fundamentals of good copy

Friday
Affiliate link obtained from the business.
(1 hour 20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy (it's a one off video from the direct response agency).

Emailed a local restaurant from Yelp with tips to improve their web copy. No response. Next time, I'm going to 'do' the work as a sample and send it, to the decision maker instead. If it's rejected, I'll just save it.

Going to strive to adopt a dive first approach before learning, since I realise that's the fastest way to make progress.

Log out...

 

[Edgar King]

Day 40-44
Monday
Applied to 3 affiliate marketing programs and even got a lead for a copy client, but lost them since I replied late due to Facebook notifs being switched off or not having the proper samples to show when they asked for them. Going to write more polished samples to show clients after I've finished the copywriting course.

Tuesday
Scheduled a meeting with an affiliate manager, sent an Upwork proposal and in the process of learning the fundamentals of copywriting from a direct response agency owner. My thoughts in booking for the affiliate meeting are that it's going to totally tank, since I don't have a website to show them. But I wanted to act first, before coming to fantasy conclusions.

Wednesday
Got into the meeting with the business/affiliate manager of the company to be an affiliate for the company. Success?! Even though I thought I was going to crash and fail. Yay.

Learning fundamentals of copywriting- the 5 stages of awareness and the rule of one in copywriting so I can confidently say, I can write something that can get people more sales. I realise I just need to put my copy to the test, perhaps I can help run ads to their website with this. Ooof, it requires Paypal. Or buy and sell something on Facebook marketplace, perhaps exotic plants? There's a store close to me.

Thursday
(30 minutes)- Learning the different methods on how to sell marketing/copy services to local businesses
(40 minutes) Podcast on how someone went from 0 to $75K on upwork to craft a plan
(20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(10 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy
(1:20 hour) Learning the fundamentals of good copy

Friday
Affiliate link obtained from the business.
(1 hour 20 minutes) Learning the fundamentals of good copy (it's a one off video from the direct response agency).

Emailed a local restaurant from Yelp with tips to improve their web copy. No response. Next time, I'm going to 'do' the work as a sample and send it, to the decision maker instead. If it's rejected, I'll just save it.

Going to strive to adopt a dive first approach before learning, since I realise that's the fastest way to make progress.

Log out...

Day 45-49
Below I will also write about how you may find NEEDS in the marketplace with a physical product you can find in your supermarket (or anywhere else).

Monday
(15 minutes) 100% complete Upwork proposal and uploading 3 copywriting samples
(20 minutes) Setting up Paypal account for affiliate program. Paypal was being naughty
(10 minutes) Craiglist ad. Signed up to a job board after they got back to me that the current roles were filled. Recommended to sign up to their job board though.
(30 minutes) Learning how to set up a listing for Facebook Marketplace.

Tuesday
(40 minutes) Writing up product listing to sell on facebook marketplace
(30 minutes) Copywriting course
(20 minutes) Copywriting course | Set up facebook marketplace listing for plant
(20 minutes)Copywriting course | Set up facebook marketplace listing for plant
(10 minutes) Copywriting course | Upwork sent 3 proposals
(30 minutes) Applying to jobs on Upwork (1)

Wednesday
(50 minutes) Sending an (2) Upwork proposal with the crystal ball technique
(1:30 hour) Learning how to write better copy

I learnt my most successful acceptances on Upwork involved having the specific relevant experience and/or samples (proof this specific job can be done).

So for every proposal I send from now on, I'm going to strive to send either mvp samples from now on or show how my experience supports the success of the job.
Paypal is now online after a prolonged battle.

Thursday
(30 minutes) Learning Upwork is-A method
(35 minutes) Sent 3 Upwork proposals using this method

Friday
(1 hour) Created a social media post for a friend
(1 hour) product research done, Indirect customer research coming up
(1:30) Writing up RIOA for plant product
(1:30) Learning how to actually write copy (What to write)

Finding Needs
On that note, it's amazing what you'll find when you research niche and problem specific places (reddit, youtube, amazon, forums etc) where your target market hangs out. And it's easier than you think.

What do I mean? I simply copied the data from these places (for Bonsai houseplants) raw into a pains (about 31 comments) and desires (about 15 comments) column. Something like this...


Once, you simply comb through this "indirect voice of customer data" to extract patterns (not specifics), and rank them by scale x magnitude, you get...



This is what the market wants and has pains with. From my research, no other products on the market actually solve these pains in an obvious way, so I'd imagine there's a skew you could take advantage of.

Oh your leaves are turning yellow due to a lack of sunlight? That's ok, our Bonsais come with pre built lamps that give it lots of indirect sunlight.

Oh your leaves are falling off due to improper watering? Well the Bonsai pot comes with an inbuilt water sensor that tells you when it's time to water it.

Oh you're scared the soil isn't appropriate for your Bonsai? Well, we ship it with fertiliser and use 60% aggregate soil best for growing plants.

If you did only two of the above, I'd imagine you'd have two distinct value skews for your product or service. How much so can this be applied to more complex products? This was literally a simple product I found in someplace like Wilkos. So perhaps, if you're stuck for products to sell, just walk in to your supermarket, grab a product you like with good margins, and just start researching it for what prospects on the market already want that's not fulfilled elsewhere. And when you're ready, take the dive and solve their problems.

P.S. Taking it a step further. what makes this even more amazing is making something especially for your ideal customer. I combed through the idea finding the one reader that would benefit most from the product and loved the idea of "low maintenance plants" (one of the desires above) and then built up their profile.

Low maintenance being a bonsai that's almost hands off. If we made a specific product just for them, they'd probably rave about us to their friends! Could you imagine a low maintenance bonsai for this audience (what they want) that comes with an an automatic watering system? I'd imagine they'd tell their friends all about it that want the same thing.

Then, we'd be stepping into the realms of a brand, as Ryan Moran states, "where we serve just one type of person on the marketplace".

Starbucks, Apple, etc Brands serve only a subset of the market, leading their customers to fall in love with. Brands are businesses that customers tell all their friends about it because they're just that much more special to them.

There are people who love Fords, but not Lamborghinis.

There are people who love Lamborghinis, but not Fords.

But nobody loves the Ford-Lambo (if that exists).

Log out...

 

[WJK]

If you're in the US, you can just do sole proprietorship for now to make things easy. You're correct that you don't need an LLC to invoice. For the sole prop, you can use your SSN or get a free EIN when it comes time to do any sort of paperwork that would require it.

Don't use your SS#. That's dangerous for ID theft. Get an EIN from the IRS. It only takes a few minutes to go on line and get one.

 

[Edgar King]

Day 230-235
Post Launch - Scared

Marketing
The strategy for posting on TikTok was to provide value to my target market in the form of education (nurture) and entertainment (reach), while adding trending music to the post once a day. It's been about 30+ days and the account has about 3500 followers.

Most of the growth happened the day after launch. From my understanding, the views didn't change much, but overnight I had gained +1000 followers. All I really did was add the website link so I have no idea why there should be such a big spike if at all.

Scared

I'm scared to open my dashboard and see if I've made any sales whatsoever. Anything more than 1, and I will very happy. If ever I see a recommendation, I will skip and dance for joy.

I'm thinking I should wait to the next Saturday. Because to me if it can't get 1 sale in one week, something is very wrong, and after all the work I've put into this, I'm scared to be really wrong.

Though I know regardless, I'll just need to act, assess and adjust.

Book
Stories have been added to the book. Though quite minimal before the launch.

Testing
The third prospect got back to me, explaining the information in the book was good but...

It lacked depth and structure. And the book title was generic.

I won't act on this just yet if at all. First off, I'm not able to cross-compare the feedback with other feedback (since the other prospects haven't gotten back to me yet). I also feel the feedback while well intentioned, is not very accurate (some things said I feel, don't match up with the tons of research I've done).

The 4th prospect is still reading it, but it was positive as well.

My hope is the market gives me feedback in the form of market echoes which I can use to pivot as necessary.

Log out...

Day 236-241
£34.50, 250 website visits, 26 subscribers

Those were the numbers that stared back at me on the dashboard. Prior to that, I was quaking in my boots on checking it out, before Funky gave me that last mile kick to open it.

But it was there! This was real! Two people felt a problem they were having and "saw" that I had the solution for their needs. One person could have been trying to swat the mosquito next to them and mistakenly clicked the buy button, but two?? That's not a fluke! My crazy idea for a solution actually made sense to them?? It's still a bit difficult to wrap my head around.

I remember the day I saw and applied MJ's 1/5/10 planner, that helped refine my direction and made me see where I wanted to be in the future. It's been about 4 months since then where I decided I was going to really commit to this to find a problem and provide a solution. Here's what that process looked like-

0% - Niche
10% - Profiling
20% - Messaging Content (The “yes, let’s meet!” message creator. What do you want? Make people understand that you really will solve their problems)
30% - Contact And Strategy (Message distribution)
40% - Problem Diagnosis Meeting
50% - Most Urgent Problem Selection
60% - Sell Before You Build
70% - Solve The Problem
80% - Don’t get more customers until you’ve worked on the product enough that it can actually deliver a result
90% - Productoracy Achieved
100%+ - Scale (Build a process that will get you multiple more customers)

Of course, I didn't follow this exactly. The first half of this was even aimed at window cleaners before finding out that I had to restart the process with a problem I really felt the value in solving. I had to scratch my own itch, and so far, doing so has changed my personal life for the better.

You can find that thread here if you want to read it- EXECUTION - How I Found And Solved A Problem I Cared About (Probably...)

For the above process, I didn't start with a niche, I started with a problem instead. I didn't message the target audience to find their pains, I researched indirect voice of customer data instead. I didn't sell anything before I built anything, although I tried. The last parts of the process, I hope I can iterate to.

Even after all this time researching my market, I feel like a bacteria moving up a leaf, always discovering new things about them.

There's a lot of work I can do from here on out. I could talk to my customers and find out how they're finding the book and ways to improve it, I could get my email marketing going I'd been putting off for a long time, I could work on improving my marketing to get more traffic, and the page for conversions, get reviews, but that's ok, in time we should be able to make it work. And if it doesn't, somehow, someway, hopefully we can find a way.

It might not be much, maybe I could/should have done much more, this might not even go anywhere, but I want to use this moment to again sincerely thank everyone I've ever come in contact to on this forum. You caused this. You are amazing. Read that again.

Until then....

Log out...

 

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[Edgar King]

Day 236-241
£34.50, 250 website visits, 26 subscribers

Those were the numbers that stared back at me on the dashboard. Prior to that, I was quaking in my boots on checking it out, before Funky gave me that last mile kick to open it.

But it was there! This was real! Two people felt a problem they were having and "saw" that I had the solution for their needs. One person could have been trying to swat the mosquito next to them and mistakenly clicked the buy button, but two?? That's not a fluke! My crazy idea for a solution actually made sense to them?? It's still a bit difficult to wrap my head around.

I remember the day I saw and applied MJ's 1/5/10 planner, that helped refine my direction and made me see where I wanted to be in the future. It's been about 4 months since then where I decided I was going to really commit to this to find a problem and provide a solution. Here's what that process looked like-

0% - Niche
10% - Profiling
20% - Messaging Content (The “yes, let’s meet!” message creator. What do you want? Make people understand that you really will solve their problems)
30% - Contact And Strategy (Message distribution)
40% - Problem Diagnosis Meeting
50% - Most Urgent Problem Selection
60% - Sell Before You Build
70% - Solve The Problem
80% - Don’t get more customers until you’ve worked on the product enough that it can actually deliver a result
90% - Productoracy Achieved
100%+ - Scale (Build a process that will get you multiple more customers)

Of course, I didn't follow this exactly. The first half of this was even aimed at window cleaners before finding out that I had to restart the process with a problem I really felt the value in solving. I had to scratch my own itch, and so far, doing so has changed my personal life for the better.

You can find that thread here if you want to read it- EXECUTION - How I Found And Solved A Problem I Cared About (Probably...)

For the above process, I didn't start with a niche, I started with a problem instead. I didn't message the target audience to find their pains, I researched indirect voice of customer data instead. I didn't sell anything before I built anything, although I tried. The last parts of the process, I hope I can iterate to.

Even after all this time researching my market, I feel like a bacteria moving up a leaf, always discovering new things about them.

There's a lot of work I can do from here on out. I could talk to my customers and find out how they're finding the book and ways to improve it, I could get my email marketing going I'd been putting off for a long time, I could work on improving my marketing to get more traffic, and the page for conversions, get reviews, but that's ok, in time we should be able to make it work. And if it doesn't, somehow, someway, hopefully we can find a way.

It might not be much, maybe I could/should have done much more, this might not even go anywhere, but I want to use this moment to again sincerely thank everyone I've ever come in contact to on this forum. You caused this. You are amazing. Read that again.

Until then....

Log out...

Day 242-248
Thanks, low conversions

Nothing much different from the week before. I posted some tiktoks (and a Tiktok of how the method in the book worked) and worked on the book minimally. I normally write if there are new problems to address caused by using the concepts in the book. But like an inverse exponential function on a graph, those seem to appear less and less.

Low conversions. I haven't made a sale since. At that time, I had 400 website visits. It was time to act, assess and adjust.

What do I know about conversions and how to increase them?

Basically this -

SIDE HUSTLE - COPYWRITING

Getting into copy writing, would you recommend any good books on the topic?

www.thefastlaneforum.com

I re-watched the video and I think I was missing the "how"...





It's a bit like wanting a heater and seeing one on Amazon, but having almost no idea where the buttons are on the product picture (how?). Another weak point, could be on the trust side of things. As I'm selling the product on my website, I haven't added a review section and if it was on Amazon, these would be there automatically. It's a sales channel I can utilise at a later time. The problem/desire phase is probably fine as to me, a sale is proof that someone wants that "bucket" filled.

To address the how part, I've added on the website and in the book a short birds eye view of how the method works so they can see that it can work for them. I read it to my friend and he said everyone should be able to understand that, and he's more aware of the world and how it works due to that.

To address the trust part, I've emailed my customers but no one had checked back at the time.

Thanks. Someone couldn't afford the book due to living in another country but explained that he really needed the information in the book (he downloaded the first few chapters), and in the process thanked me for the information, explaining that it was helpful. He'd been wanting the book for a while so I sent him the newest copy with the "how" part included. Hope he's happy.

Log out...

 

[Cano]

So I've put the book as free, well sort of, the download button now just lets them get the whole book (buy button is still there, I want them to not devalue the book based on it being free). About 15 people have downloaded this new copy.

Why you dont give the first chapters for free? (lead)
and at the end offer them a discount to buy the full book (offer)

After this you got the email & interest.
So you can write another book thats solves another problem for them to get them as repeat customers/readers.

They will trust you because you already solved there problem once.

 

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[Edgar King]

Day 492-498
Offer revamp - solve problems, beta reader engagement

Bridge: Product

Model of bridge: The Copy

This week was spent working on the "bridge". Due to the improvements here and there, potential beta readers seem more receptive to the main ideas in the book- in fact, for the second time ever since book launch, I've been able to have a beta reader apply the framework by showing them the value in it and have hence talked with them extensively just posting book bits according to their wants and problems to get live feedback - all in about 3 days he's been able to learn what took me months to discover. As I'm aware a great product is able to change one's thinking > behaviour > results - if I am able to guide him with the book towards that, it would be a big step forward. We'll see how it goes.

Log out...

Day 499-505
Offer revamp - solve problems, beta reader engagement

Bridge: Product

Model of bridge: The Copy

This week was spent working on the "bridge". Due to the improvements here and there, potential beta readers seem more receptive to the main ideas in the book- in fact, for the third time ever since book launch, I've been able to have a beta reader apply the framework by showing them the value in it and have hence talked with them extensively just posting book bits according to their wants and problems to get live feedback - all in about a week he's been able to learn what took me months to discover and apply the framework to the dream outcome successfully. As I'm aware a great product is able to change one's thinking > behaviour > results - if I am able to guide him with the book towards that, it would be a big step forward. We'll see how it goes.

At first I was using the strategy of forwarding them to leave feedback on a google doc, but the amount of live feedback you can get just posting book bits in relation to their problems, in my case is like night and day.

Log out...

 

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[Ziiell]

Hey guys! I've been on this forum for ages, but was just silently absorbing the valuable information you all provide and enhancing my mindset to start my entrepreneurial journey. I've learnt to just love everyone from the bottom of my heart which motivates me to desire to solve problems from the right place. I'm starting a 90 day challenge, of going from $0 to $1K a month as a starting point. Wish me luck! And thanks so much to MJ for helping make all this possible Please treat me well.

Hey Edgar! Just like you, I'm silently going through the forum too!

Just wondering if you managed to try out something or executed anything during this 1 year of reading the forums? Maybe just to test things out a bit before deciding to start this 90 day challenge?

 

[Kak]

Anyone have any ideas if I should think locally first or think international? I think I'm going to start local

Local is something I am becoming more bullish on these days. Local doesn't have to mean small.

 

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[Edgar King]

Just finalised picking my niche today. Will start emailing or meeting those in the niche tomorrow hopefully . I've also noticed that most of their websites are so poor looking compared to international markets own, perhaps I've already found an early problem they face.

Criteria-
(1) $100K - $1 million Revenue/profits a year ( Meaning a market size of around $40 million nationwide)
(2) High value industry where the number of businesses nationwide is 30K-50K (Or more).
(3) They have less than 25 employees
(4) Growth rate.
(5) Sell products in the $1000 price basket.

Digital Marketing
(1) $270m. The market's largest segment is Search Advertising with a projected market volume of US$153m in 2021. (SEO)
(2) (Probably yes)
(3) 2-10 employees
(4) View attachment 38279
(5) The average cost for digital marketing services in 2020 ranges from N50,000 to N350,000 per month.

Also realised that Nigerians don't actually earn so low in the $2000 range, it's all about their connections and how they market themselves as well.

Just finalised picking my niche today. Will start emailing or meeting those in the niche tomorrow hopefully . I've also noticed that most of their websites are so poor looking compared to international markets own, perhaps I've already found an early problem they face.

Criteria-
(1) $100K - $1 million Revenue/profits a year ( Meaning a market size of around $40 million nationwide)
(2) High value industry where the number of businesses nationwide is 30K-50K (Or more).
(3) They have less than 25 employees
(4) Growth rate.
(5) Sell products in the $1000 price basket.

Digital Marketing
(1) $270m. The market's largest segment is Search Advertising with a projected market volume of US$153m in 2021. (SEO)
(2) (Probably yes)
(3) 2-10 employees
(4) View attachment 38279
(5) The average cost for digital marketing services in 2020 ranges from N50,000 to N350,000 per month.

Also realised that Nigerians don't actually earn so low in the $2000 range, it's all about their connections and how they market themselves as well.

Day 7

Talked to a bunch of digital marketers about their problems with finding leads and contacting them. About 5 in all.

The problems I found were-
Finding clients consistently is hard
Messaging them is easy, but
Getting the contact info of the providers is hard
Leads repeating or overlapping
Checking quality of content providers is medium hard
Mail address might not be available and exhausting to do so many
Leads drying up
Don’t use Instagram because you have to message them which takes time

“sometimes all the resources are exhausted and it feels like there is no place left to look for new leads”
Cost- 2-4 hours a day to find leads

Time cost of finding leads- 3 hrs on average for 50 leads

Looking for more data tomorrow. Log end. 4 hours. This is getting fun.

 

[Edgar King]

Day 8

Fixing and making a web scraper based on some requirements- 7 hours

I'll start the plan properly today/tomorrow. Just needed to get my feet wet in solving such problems and gaining feedback.

Tomorrow's goal: Contact 5 digital marketers, and ask for their problems.

 

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[Edgar King]

Day 8

Fixing and making a web scraper based on some requirements- 7 hours

I'll start the plan properly today/tomorrow. Just needed to get my feet wet in solving such problems and gaining feedback.

Tomorrow's goal: Contact 5 digital marketers, and ask for their problems.

Day 9

Finished making the web scraper and hoping to sell it to a company. Now I CAN start putting in the work into this plan. - 7 hours

Contacted 5 digital marketers in the field- 50 minutes

Awaiting their responses.

Log out

 

[alfosua]

Great enthusiasm! A little question, what's your tech stack? I assume you work with Python or something like Shell/Bash on Linux. I wonder knowing it, long ago I was practising web scrapping, though just for fun purposes.

 

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[Edgar King]

Alright, so someone just agreed to an interview (almost) and I neither have a website or an insta and now I have to make one and I literally know nothing about the industry, like almost zero XD. so wish me luck in this interview, I'll comment about the results soon.

 

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[Edgar King]

Day 12

Took today as my rest day (In the original docs, one day of rest is allowed maximum in the early stages per week. I can't even edit it anymore XD. )


There was a bad power outage for a long time so I've learned next time I should leave my computer charged and finish tasks as soon as possible.

For day 13, (Today), I'm planning on scanning these companies pages for possible leaks in problems or goals they may have, building a brand from this- NOTABLE! - Lex DeVille's: How to Build a Kickass 4-Step Brand, create an instagram page based on that brand, create a website based on that brand, and then emailing the marketers I research for today.

Also, PLEASE, don't go to people and ask directly what are your problems, literally!

Check this out- NOTABLE! - I emailed 40 local organisations asking what their problems and frustrations are

I did this by email and received zerrrooooo responses and even tried it in real life, it barely works the way you want it too. Asking has to be specific and before you do that, you must provide value and only then do they have incentive to answer this easy question.

Since I can't edit my main thread post, the way I'm doing this currently is through interviews. Which digital marketer doesn't want exposure right? Which digital marketer doesn't want to be labelled an expert in his field and receive free linking to their business page? None! (Unless they have some super duper special scenario I don't know about). So offer value first, before even asking this question, and do let it be natural.

To make up for my robotic way of talking to people, and to use my strengths of public speaking, asking about their biggest problem in an interview setting is best for me! The only problem with this approach is that it takes time to schedule, and publish it. Right now, I'm aiming to do it once per week, but who knows I might double down on it.

Bug out (Log out, you know? Ladybug and Catnoir )

Day 13
Follow up with email contacts
Learn copy
Form a brand
Create instagram page based on brand
Aw yeah! My first interview is tomorrow so wish me luck.
Hours - 4 hours

This logo is looking fly if I do say so myself I've gone for a hero theme! Where marketing heroes are born, is the slogan.

 

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[Edgar King]

Alright I'm going to pick it up. Goal: GET THE FIRST PAYING CUSTOMER AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

 

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[Edgar King]

H

Day 19

Copywriting guide- GOLD! - Lex DeVille's: 15 Days to Freedom - Make Money Copywriting in 15 Days or Less Day 2

Worked on setup of digital marketing agency (Niching, business name, services to provide, packages etc)

Finished editing another interview

Sent a message to know pain points of 5 people (SEO Consultants)

This is the template I used-

"Hey NAME,
I’m collating marketing strategies SEO consultants use to market themselves to receive more business and aim to publish this for public use. But I’ve started noticing common pain points that you might share with them. Could we have a talk on them? Even a simple text of them would do. "

Really want to setup a website for this, but internship pay should be coming in tomorrow or day after.

Log out

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ​

Day 20 - SALE (You Wish, read update below)

Break time baby! Need to use this day to also refine my direction. Using Andy Black's advice of just helping the person closest to me I've been able to gain a semi sale with PPC advertising. My dad. He explained how he has a problem gaining more clients before but didn't really pay attention, because I was focused on trying to build a business and skills rather than devoting to focusing on the people around me and helping them in the way I can.

As a business owner, they want one of two things: Solve a problem, or get more of something. I noticed the way he gets clients is pretty outdated, he has to host events which limits his reach and is ineffective. So I asked if he had a digital marketing agency, but said he didn't so I said I'll help him with PPC, allowing him to get more clients and targeted clients. He even said he would give me a commission. Needless to say, we became a happier father and son that day . The niche popped up itself.

I've already run ads before on my youtube channel and didn't want to acknowledge that I was already well equipped to help people. There was no need to complicate it needlessly XD.

Just know, things are a lot easier to do and understand than you would think. Value is something that helps create a positive effect on others. Think whether it can at least positively help someone achieve something.

Ways to provide value:
Solve a problem.
Help people achieve more.

When I was talking to him, he became ecstatic that I could help him achieve more clients, more sales etc.

On that note, should also continue interviewing those SEO consultants to build up my SEO skills as well.

Log out

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ​

 

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[Edgar King]

Day 26

Just landed a $30 recurring revenue job from Upwork in copywriting, nice! It might not be much, but it's an attempt to grow a specialised skill!

It took two attempts, but it was probably a lot easier since there was a focus on providing value to them.

More so, in the process learned how to use Upwork to outsource.

(2 hour ) Copywriting guide- GOLD! - Lex DeVille's: 15 Days to Freedom - Make Money Copywriting in 15 Days or Less Day 6- Including starting a temporary job

(15 minutes) Asking someone for their problems in niche, got a result there

Day 27

Wow, looking back and me from day 1 was so dumb at this. Still learning copywriting. Couldn't get problems from people in the niche today, so trying a new method to drum up leads.

Also, I don't even need to have paying clients yet, I just need to drum up leads for them and send it their way *face slap*.

Also, got connected with a renowned copywriter on Linkedin. Super glad for that as well. It's about getting to know them first and genuinely just wanting to help them and then finding a real problem to solve for them. But to connect with them, you need to be on their level and to be on their level you need to check out their posts and voice that in the starting conversation and they'll be all the more likely to talk to you. But then again, this was based of just one test so that's a disclaimer XD (This 'XD' means laughing. Someone actually asked what it meant sometime ago).

(30 minutes ) Copywriting guide- GOLD! - Lex DeVille's: 15 Days to Freedom - Make Money Copywriting in 15 Days or Less Day 7- Including writing out an about page for a website

(15 minutes) Posting on social media to connect with more people in the niche

(5 hours) Working an Upwork job. Flat fee, but it's my first time of generating wealth doing it in freelancing to gain some skills woohoo!

Log out...

 

[BlackSuperman]

One more thing. Apply for more jobs. 2 isn't enough.
I did the same thing. I'd apply for 2-3 jobs and then wait for a response.
Ideally, 4-6 proposals/day.

Looking forward to your progress!

 

[Edgar King]

Day 38
HIRED
Guys TODAY I... relaxed. Strategy revision baby!

I've decided to in addition, add actions to do to improve already existing actions results. E.G.

(1 hour) Shoot for 10 messages today to CEO’s of X companies. | Use Inmail or normal mail this time to increase response rates.

I also learnt that stepping into the shoes of your customers is SUPER important. I received my first seemingly random Linkedin connection today (ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED) and was so confused by it that I rejected it, especially because there was no message attached to it and the profile picture looked shady.

But that's almost what I do lol. By connecting with CEOs and owners and sending a message you're asking them to commit to two things which will probably reduce responses by a lot.

If I had reasoned and imagined the interaction from their perspective, I probably would have noticed this. That's why feedback and implementing it is so important. To solve this, I should get their professional emails or use Inmail wherever I can.

I feel that without feedback, action is just not that useful, especially if it is repeated action.

On another note, I got HIRED by a forum member, @BlackSuperman

(He's Mr Cat by the way)
He offered me the chance for a partnership where I can help him write articles for his clients so he can find more clients.

I learn and earn as I gain a portfolio piece while he creates systems for getting more clients. Win-win, such deals are the sweetest.

I was a little hesitant at first though. My goal was and still is to learn direct response copywriting (Specialised skill) to use in future businesses (Like the one I'm currently interviewing others for).

But he cleared all my doubts and I knew I had to work with him. I was even willing to do it for free, because I believe in providing value first above all else, this would be my first official blog post/article after all.

But he rejected that since he understood that free work can almost never be the same quality as paid work. He's been there and done that. At the end of the day, we struck a great deal for the writing. Nice!

And all of this, because he offered to help other forum members with their Upwork applications.

Value is paid back in mysterious ways huh.

Thanks BSuperman! XD

Log out...

Day 39

Went out with my family for spurs, did I have loads more to do at home? You betcha!

(15 minutes) Collect feedback for actions done

(1:30 hour) Shoot for 10 messages today to CEO’s of companies. | Use Inmail or normal mail this time

(1:30 hour) Lex copywriting guide day 15 [Finished] | Read 20 pages of cashvertising and practiced it in the real world (Hacking into a foundational desire with the CEOs, hopefully produces a better response rate)
@Lex DeVille

(5 minutes) Post a similar job post on Upwork on landing pages to see what was already seen to compare and contrast proposals

(9 minutes) Watch how to get Upwork clients better (Need a video testimonial and aim to get clients on a call instead)

(10 minutes) Asked 1 prospects online to write free copy for them (Email)

Things are only probably going to get more complex as time goes on, not to fear however for processes are here!

Highlight of the day had to be posting an Upwork application as an employer. I wanted to see just what good proposals were made off so I made a client Upwork account and posted a job application. I already had 4 applications in less than an hour. WHAT.

Also received a response from another company, might be a generic reply soon email, who knows.

I'm going to start reaching out to clients outside of Upwork now. Need to be bold and just go with that.

Also, working with Bsuperman tomorrow, looking forward to it.

 

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