Hey there,
A long time lurker of the FLF here. I'm starting my progress thread after being encouraged by other web-designers and digital marketers (especially @GuitarManDan - I'm also a member of @Fox 's group).
The backstory:
I've been growing my business for almost a year now: webdesign as the core + SEO, Google Ads and copywriting. Most of the time as a side hustle, but two months ago I decided to go all in and left my job as an AI developer.
Biggest external problem: lead generation
Biggest internal problem: fear
Secondary internal problem: digital addiction
I've finished several projects so far, all with great results, such as:
While getting this type of results, it's really hard for me to get more sales.
I feel super confident talking with (and closing) inbound prospects. I just don't have many people to talk to.
What has worked best so far:
1) Crafting my LinkedIn profile
2) Inviting CEOs, founders, directors to my LinkedIn network
3) Writing articles in a theme of 'marketing for CEOs', then sharing them on my LinkedIn wall
What else I've tried:
4) Purchasing a business related FB group
5) Recording weekly 'free website reviews' for group members. It didn't even spark interest.
6) Running weekly live videos with guests in the group
7) SEO for my own site
8) Local SEO with GMB profile
9) IG profile – posting micro-takeaways from other forms of content
10) YT channel
11) Asking clients for referrals
12) Letting everyone around know what I do and asking for referrals
13) Upwork
What I'm about to do:
14) Networking - finally found a BNI-like local group
15) Cold outreach - calling, mailing, DMs
And here comes my biggest internal problem: fear.
100% of what I've been doing was focused on inbound lead generation. While it may sound reasonable to focus on inbound for the long term, deep inside I know I need outbound for now. I'm just trying to avoid it at any cost (=action faking?).
The plan:
I have great value to offer. I just need to get before people's eyes.
Generating inbound leads requires lots of time and energy and has not worked great so far. I need to start outbound now.
I'll be attending networking events - the group I found has meetings biweekly, and there's another one my friend will introduce me to soon.
I also want to go with some type of cold outreach. I'm thinking of:
a) cold mailing, then following up with a call.
b) DMing people on LinkedIn with value (a link to my article they might find useful) then asking for a referral.
A long time lurker of the FLF here. I'm starting my progress thread after being encouraged by other web-designers and digital marketers (especially @GuitarManDan - I'm also a member of @Fox 's group).
The backstory:
I've been growing my business for almost a year now: webdesign as the core + SEO, Google Ads and copywriting. Most of the time as a side hustle, but two months ago I decided to go all in and left my job as an AI developer.
Biggest external problem: lead generation
Biggest internal problem: fear
Secondary internal problem: digital addiction
I've finished several projects so far, all with great results, such as:
- 10x'd my client's sales,
- generated leads in winter (100% dry season for the business),
- improved lead quality → decreased time spent per lead,
- reached municipal projects,
- found business partners,
- "stolen" customers from competitors.
While getting this type of results, it's really hard for me to get more sales.
I feel super confident talking with (and closing) inbound prospects. I just don't have many people to talk to.
What has worked best so far:
1) Crafting my LinkedIn profile
2) Inviting CEOs, founders, directors to my LinkedIn network
3) Writing articles in a theme of 'marketing for CEOs', then sharing them on my LinkedIn wall
What else I've tried:
4) Purchasing a business related FB group
5) Recording weekly 'free website reviews' for group members. It didn't even spark interest.
6) Running weekly live videos with guests in the group
7) SEO for my own site
8) Local SEO with GMB profile
9) IG profile – posting micro-takeaways from other forms of content
10) YT channel
11) Asking clients for referrals
12) Letting everyone around know what I do and asking for referrals
13) Upwork
What I'm about to do:
14) Networking - finally found a BNI-like local group
15) Cold outreach - calling, mailing, DMs
And here comes my biggest internal problem: fear.
100% of what I've been doing was focused on inbound lead generation. While it may sound reasonable to focus on inbound for the long term, deep inside I know I need outbound for now. I'm just trying to avoid it at any cost (=action faking?).
The plan:
I have great value to offer. I just need to get before people's eyes.
Generating inbound leads requires lots of time and energy and has not worked great so far. I need to start outbound now.
I'll be attending networking events - the group I found has meetings biweekly, and there's another one my friend will introduce me to soon.
I also want to go with some type of cold outreach. I'm thinking of:
a) cold mailing, then following up with a call.
b) DMing people on LinkedIn with value (a link to my article they might find useful) then asking for a referral.
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum:
Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.