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How and when to make the jump?

by Tiger_Claw
8 replies
http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...an-attack.html

Greetings,

In case some of you don't remember me. I am a new offline-marketer who has been doing this for a little over a month or now. The thread above is a link to my plan of attack and basically documents my journey into offline marketing with my first client. Lets fast forward a bit now to where we are today:

I have four clients and am to the point where I have people calling, e-mailing me, on a daily basis for price quotes, etc. Business is doing very good and I've no complaints in the least. The problem I am currently having is that I'm trying to find TIME to work for all of my clients and continue to work 40 hours a week at my "day" job. I do not want to make the mistake and dive into this endeavor without having everything in order, etc.

My question is, when and how did you guys figure out it was time to leave your old "day" jobs to do this for a living? I mean, I'm not to the point right now I can sustain myself and my family with these four clients. Though, I'm having trouble taking on more of a workload due to the time I'm having to put in at the other job. How does one make the transition? What advice would you guys give me?

Thanks for any advice you guys can offer on how one scales up and makes the jump without any issue.
#jump #make
  • Profile picture of the author mrmatt
    I made the jump without any clients. Scary as hell. But I have not been this happy in a long time. I love what I do and it shows when I am meeting with potential clients.
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    • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
      Originally Posted by mrmatt View Post

      I made the jump without any clients. Scary as hell. But I have not been this happy in a long time. I love what I do and it shows when I am meeting with potential clients.
      I did the same thing. I hate working for others. I love working for myself.
      I have started other businesses that were successful, and know that I can make this one the same.
      It's just a part of how I was raised. My dad owns his own company, my two brothers each work for themselves as well.
      I used my family as guinea pigs, once I showed myself I could do it.... I started a company. They spread the word about me, as well as, my own marketing efforts. The rest is history.

      Does this risk justify the reward?
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  • Profile picture of the author Enfusia
    Well, you may have more time than you think.
    Example: you only really need say seven hours to sleep. That leaves you with 17 hours one of which will be showering and eating.

    that means 16 hours is a doable deal.
    16 X 7 =112
    you only work 40 hours at a job this leaves 72 hours for you offline business.

    I think you should be able to handle a heck of a lot more that 4 clients in 72 hours.

    So, say realistically in this time you can handle 40 to 50 clients.
    Then it's pretty simple if 20 clients or so won't replace your current income then you need to find a new IM opportunity.

    Because you want to make MORE money than you do now and you need room to grow.

    As soon as you make your current income from IM go full time and triple it!

    Sure you may have a few months of long days but your working for your own freedom.

    That's my 2 cents.
    Patrick
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  • Profile picture of the author Tiger_Claw
    Thanks,

    I appreciate the insight guys. Yes, I obviously want to make more than I'm making now. I need roughly about 25 or so clients to be able to do that. With fifty clients, I'm doubling my current income and that would be amazing. I guess I will just continue to push myself harder and harder.

    I was trying to balance some family life in there as well. I suppose that is something that is going to have to suffer while I make this happen.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      To have a real business that continues to grow without you,
      you need to work out the pieces to the process.

      What made the phone ring or the email coming to you.
      Can those tasks be simplified by software automation and a Fiverr?

      What do you say to the prospective client?
      Take note of it and have somebody else do the same thing.

      How is the payments made?
      Can you send an email with a Paypal link while your assistant
      is bringing the client on board.

      Record what are the tasks that are done and have a Fiverr do it.

      You need to become the maker of a repeatable system
      that others can follow.

      You can even have a Fiverr do screen captures for training your assistants.

      Isn't the whole reason you are trying to leave your job is to create your own freedom?

      Don't create another time trap by doing everything yourself in your new business.

      Otherwise it really becomes another job you will end up hating.

      All the best,
      Ewen
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      • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
        Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

        To have a real business that continues to grow without you,
        you need to work out the pieces to the process.

        What made the phone ring or the email coming to you.
        Can those tasks be simplified by software automation and a Fiverr?

        What do you say to the prospective client?
        Take note of it and have somebody else do the same thing.

        How is the payments made?
        Can you send an email with a Paypal link while your assistant
        is bringing the client on board.

        Record what are the tasks that are done and have a Fiverr do it.

        You need to become the maker of a repeatable system
        that others can follow.

        You can even have a Fiverr do screen captures for training your assistants.

        Isn't the whole reason you are trying to leave your job is to create your own freedom?

        Don't create another time trap by doing everything yourself in your new business.

        Otherwise it really becomes another job you will end up hating.

        All the best,
        Ewen

        Absofreakinlutely....

        I am excited for you Tiger Claw.

        I know you have struggled to get this far. But you are really on the cusp of greatness.

        Ewen makes an excellent point. If you have not read it... I would HIGHLY suggest reading... "The Emyth" by Michael Gerber.

        We as business owners get caught up in wearing three different hats.

        The Technician
        The Manager
        The Entrepreneur

        If you do not break things down into systems and procedures... or SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) then you will give yourself a heart attack before you get 50 clients.

        It is impossible to be all things to all people.

        What you can do.... is compartmentalize each task of the process and hire individual people to handle the tasks that do not require your immediate attention. Let's use for example.. The prospecting process.

        I personally have had the experience where I get so caught up in client relations and making sure they are happy, that I forget to prospect.

        This can be a curse.

        Yes... you may have happy clients. But you have no new clients to keep the money flowing.

        If you take a few days and break down each process... you will find someone on ODesk that will be able to handle the portions that are monotonous and easily done by someone else. You can find people that are really inexpensive too.

        Now... that being said... DO NOT... well, I would suggest not... to have non american native speakers do any sort of calling or voice communications. You may also ask for any emails to be approved by you as well.

        Sometimes the inflection in our language is hard to understand or repeat. Being in Missouri, you want to maintain solid rapport and trust with all your prospective clients.

        Just a thought.....

        I am glad you are doing well... You truly are an inspiration to all of us on in the Offline Sub Forum....
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  • Profile picture of the author rafterman
    I'm still working my job that I like, and don't think will quit. I just want extra income!
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    Boston SEO Services

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    • Profile picture of the author The Kid
      I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but you could JV with another designer and take half of the earnings for getting the client in exchange for them doing the work.

      This way you can continue your day job until you have enough saved and in residual income to make the leap.
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