From Nothing To Everything - My Journey

[rynor]

Update - 01/27/2020

Here's what I've been up to since my last update (01/19):

• Finished small projects for a client on Upwork
• Finished small project for a client on Fiverr
• Worked remotely for client in New York, Mon - Fri, as helpdesk manager

I have plans to sit down and have a discussion with current client's CEO about extending into my territory in Florida. I'd be solely responsible for bringing new clients on board, getting a team together, etc.

 

[rynor]

How did the 100 voicemails work out for you? Love your thread, keep it going!

To be honest, I stopped using it since I felt it was a bit of a waste of time for me.

I spent roughly an hour curating a message that didn't sound too "salesy" and tried to focus on the benefit of the customer. Then, I recorded my message on the Windows 10 Voice Recorder app with a Samson Q2U mic (and pop filter), and made sure the sound quality was good, my voice was clear, etc.

Now to the figures...
I bought 100 voicemails for $10 and got another 100 free by using a referral code for a total of 200 messages. Only successfully delivered messages are deducted from your total, so I sent them in batches of 100 at a time.

Total messages sent: 487 voicemails - 287 residential, 200 business.

Out of the 287 residential, only 40 were successfully delivered to a voicemail box. Out of the 200 business, only 30 were successfully delivered. Total: 70 successfully delivered voicemail messages.

Only one business called me back. None of the people I sent messages to called me back.

This is likely due to using the wrong message and wrong target audience. Ultimately, I decided to put it on the back burner for now and focus on a more organic strategy of custom acquisition, which has worked a lot better for me.

 

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[rynor]

Update - 04/07/2019

Since last Monday (04/01), I have done the following:

• Found a couple of new customers - both from freelance websites (Upwork and Thumbtack)
• Created a new Craigslist ad for web design
• Removed and added Thumbtack services
• Answered a few Quora questions related to technology
• Edited YouTube video SEO and closed captioning
• Created a Bing Places account for my local services business
• Removed discounts from my website, MailCheat(Chimp) sign up form, etc.

Both of the customers I acquired this week needed a website designed. I completed the first one yesterday - it only took me roughly 5 hours to complete and paid decently. She also gave me an excellent review, which always helps for freelancing. As for the other customer, he was a bit put off by the price that I quoted him (like all web design customers lol), but we scheduled another call to discuss in-depth this week.

I have been taking on more web design jobs because they're easy, don't take a lot of my time, and pay handsomely if you negotiate properly. I know what you're thinking - "you're trading time for money", but I'm working on it.

My gf and I are going to define our large goals for the week today. I'm going to try a new tactic this week of creating a checklist for each day to provide additional accountability.

 

[rynor]

Hi rynor! You are doing grate! Please keep doing the updates because are really an inspiration for me and I think for others! I will read them all!

Hey Alex! Thank you for the encouragement - much appreciated.

 

[rynor]

Update - 05/28/2019

Since Monday (05/20), here's what I've been doing:

• Finished 2x projects via Upwork
• Currently working on one WordPress design projects for a client
• Creating WordPress portfolio for my old colleague's cousin
• Potentially creating a portfolio for my girlfriend's cousin
• Scheduled onsite visit for a client this week (05/29)
• Sent out web design proposals via Upwork and Craigslist
• Followed up with previous Upwork clients about repeat jobs
• Discussed partnerships via LinkedIn

A relatively light week for me. Wasn't able to find many large jobs to fill my time, but still got some work done.

 

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[rynor]

Update - 06/02/2019

Since Tuesday (05/28), here's what I've been doing:

• Completed a job (onsite visit 05/29) for a business client, simple job
• Currently in the middle of one WordPress job for an Upwork client
• Still in the talks of creating a WordPress portfolio for my girlfriend's cousin
• Scheduled chat with a company looking for some part-time consulting help
• Sent out proposals via Upwork, Craigslist, and Thumbtack
• Upwork client from previous job reached out about more work this week
• To follow up with a business client about an onsite visit this week, after 06/03
• Studied JavaScript via Codeacademy - currently 66% done
• Started UNSCRIPTED - currently 10% done

Another relatively light week work-wise. On an introspective note: I need to begin thinking about services to offer B2B instead of B2C and what that transition process will look like long-term. Also, I need to network more and put my name out there; I've been too shut away recently.

Quote

 

[Monica Rose]

As you start to understand your processes more and have a system in-place, hire people that can do the things you suck at.

You are so right in saying that you need to understand your processes and have a system in place prior to hiring/outsourcing. I am working on this now in my business with a goal of making our first hire within the year.

 

[rynor]

Update - 06/17/2019

Since last Sunday (06/08), here's what I've been doing:

• Still working on a WordPress job for a client via Thumbtack
• Finishing up another WordPress job for a client via Upwork
• Completed a quick WordPress job for a client on Upwork
• Currently in talks to pick up two new web design jobs via Upwork
• Waiting to hear back from a client for an ongoing support part-time consulting gig via Upwork
• Added eCommerce functionality to my girlfriend's cousin's WordPress portfolio
• Sent out proposals via Upwork, Craigslist, and Thumbtack
• Read part of UNSCRIPTED
• Continued JavaScript course on Codeacademy - 78% done
• Built a PowerShell script to cold email businesses after collecting emails, sent roughly ~1,093 emails last week
• Met with Tax accountant on tax strategy going forward

Very productive week, a lot of potential opportunities in the pipeline.

 

[broswoodwork]

This is probably a wildly inappropriate intrusion into your progress thread, but could you build a WordPress clone of an Etsy Pattern website hooked into PayPal, or whatever the kids are using nowadays, instead of Etsy's payment processor?

I'm trying to claw back as much control of my own system as possible, and if I am going to make a move, I'd rather work with someone from here than anywhere else.

 

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[rynor]

Update - 06/24/2019

Since last Monday (06/17), here's what I've been doing:

• Still working on a WordPress job for a client via Thumbtack
• Finished up a WordPress job for a client via Upwork
• Finished up a small WordPress job for one of my business clients
• Finished up a small G Suite set up job for another one of my business clients
• Working on a Squarespace eCommerce site for another person
• In collaboration talks with another company to tackle a one-time project
• Still waiting to hear back from a client for an ongoing support part-time consulting gig via Upwork
• In the process of finishing up my girlfriend's cousin's WordPress portfolio
• Started web portfolio to showcase my web design projects
• Sent out proposals via Upwork, Craigslist, and Thumbtack

 

[rynor]

Update - 06/30/2019

Since last Monday (06/24), here's what I've been doing:

• Still working on a WordPress job for a client via Thumbtack
• Finished up a small WordPress design tweak job for a client via Upwork
• Finished my girlfriend's cousin's WordPress portfolio
• Finished Squarespace eCommerce site for another person
• Working on an old colleague of mine's WordPress portfolio
• Starting tomorrow (07/01), I will be helping out every Monday onsite for a client of my old boss
• Added work to my own web portfolio to showcase my design projects
• Sent out proposals via Upwork, Craigslist, and Thumbtack
• Hired an accountant via Upwork to help categorize my transactions/clean up my books a little
• Started a Sales course (Business Development & B2B Sales for Startups- Sales Valley) via Udemy
• Read more of UNSCRIPTED

 

[rynor]

Update - 07/08/2019

Since last Sunday (06/30), here's what I've been doing:

• Still working on a WordPress job for a client via Thumbtack
• Still working on an old colleague of mine's WordPress portfolio
• Finished a small WordPress design job for a repeat customer on Upwork
• Working on a WordPress page speed job for a repeat customer on Upwork
• Went onsite for part-time work at a client's office on Monday
• Added more work to my own web portfolio
• Sent out proposals via Upwork
• Discussed books cleanup job with an accountant on Upwork
• Watched more of my Sales course on Udemy
• Read more of UNSCRIPTED
• Vacation from 07/03 - 07/07 - checked emails, followed up with clients

 

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[rynor]

Update - 07/28/2019

Here's what I've been doing since last Sunday (07/21):

• Still working on a WordPress job for a client via Thumbtack [forever in-progress]
• Still working on an old colleague of mine's WordPress portfolio [waiting on reply still]
• Finished a small Squarespace job for a client on Upwork
• Migrated girlfriend's website from WordPress.com hosted to Blue Host
• Sent out proposals via Upwork
• Read a bit of my rental property investing book
• Vacation July 22-27, showed parents around town

 

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[rynor]

Update - 08/11/2019

I missed last weekend's update, but here's what I've been doing since then (07/21/2019):

• Followed up on WordPress job for a client via Thumbtack
• Finished a small job for a business client
• Went onsite for part-time work at a client's office both Monday's (07/29 & 08/05)
• Started part-time remote consulting for a small MSP in New York, worked with them T-F of last week
• Started a couple of jobs for clients via Upwork - one web design, one G Suite-related
• Sent out proposals via Upwork and Thumbtack
• Read more of my rental property investing book

 

[rynor]

Update - 08/19/2019

Here's what I've been doing since last Sunday (08/11):

• Working on a website design project for a client via Upwork
• Working on G Suite migration project for client on Upwork
• Worked on a small data migration project for a client via Thumbtack
• Went onsite for part-time work at a client's office Monday (08/12)
• Worked remotely for another client Tuesday - Friday
• Finished a small job for a business client
• Sent out proposals via Upwork and Thumbtack
• Read more of my rental property investing book

 

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[rynor]

Update - 08/25/2019

Here's what I've been doing since last Monday (08/19):

• Working on a website design project for a client via Upwork [in-progress]
• Working on G Suite migration project for client on Upwork [in-progress]
• Worked on a small data migration project for a client via Thumbtack [in-progress]
• Went onsite for part-time work at a client's office Monday (08/19)
• Worked remotely for another client Tuesday - Friday
• Spoke to a colleague about potential consulting partnership
• Read more of my rental property investing book

 

[rynor]

Update - 09/08/2019

Here's what I've been doing since last Monday (09/02):

• Working on a Wix design project for a client via Upwork [complete]
• Went onsite for part-time work at a client's office Tuesday (09/03)
• Worked remotely for another client Wednesday - Friday
• Hired accountant for reconciliation
• Previous clients followed up about repeat work

 

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[Vairavan]

unfortunately, Quora has cracked down on this sort of thing. Every time I would answer questions and put pingbacks to my own website, they would take down my answer.

Thank God! I have a quite popular quora account. I thought about adding my service link to my popular answers. That could have got it removed.

I do work with clients outside of Upwork for continuous work

I think it's against their TOS to get paid outside of their service with the clients you found there. I've heard horror stories of accounts getting permenantly banned even for mentioning Paypal in their chat. How did you get around that?

 

[BaiAnrui]

Update - 01/19/2020

Hi Fastlaners, I've been gone quite a while... again. After moving back to Florida, I've been working on getting my capital back in order, and thinking about my next moves and what I really want out of life.

Admittedly, not much has happened in terms of my professional life. I work full-time for a client in New York and received a promotion recently. I've been focusing on building my skills and learning everything I can from this business. It's a good temporary situation for me because I can work on myself and my own goals while growing my capital.

Here's what I've been up to since my last update (10/27):

• Finished various projects for clients on Upwork
• Started small project for client on Fiverr
• Worked remotely for client in New York, Mon - Fri every week
• Received promotion from remote client
• Read more of my rental property investing book

Just read your story...just keep on posting. The field your in is not my cup of tea but love reading it. Good luck for now!

 

[guidaccio05]

Hi Rynor, excited to see what is next for you. What is your fastlane strategy?

 

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[rynor]

Hi Rynor, excited to see what is next for you. What is your fastlane strategy?

Good question, @guidaccio05. Eventually to build something that cash flows without needing constant surveillance, either by way of rental properties or a business.

It's still a work-in-progress for me.