16 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
16 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

My Situation. Advice?

by turntwo21
14 replies
Hey fellas. Happy holidays to you all, hope the coming days are memorable ones for you and your family.

I'm looking for a bit of advice. Three years ago I quit my day job and turned my freelance-on-the-side web design stuff into a really successful business. Built up a great list of clients here locally, and was set up for long term success.

Then, I became very ill. Was forced to take almost a year away from work. Now that I'm back healthy, I'm finding it difficult to rebuild some of those connections and get my name back out there. It's almost as if people are scared to go into business with me.

Well, there is no way I can go out and get a regular job now. I'm trying to rack my brain to come up with another way to generate revenue, and I remember these forums always being great.

I have about $30,000 in the bank with no debt and minimal expenses, and I'm asking you ... what would you do with that bank-roll in terms of starting a new venture. Doesn't have to be anything specific, just looking for some ideas.
#advice #situation
  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    You have a lot of positives to work with

    1) You already have experience working for yourself

    2) You have obviously achieved some level of success in the past

    3) You have worked with customers in the past and know how to please them

    4) You have capital

    5) You know how to build websites

    You have a lot to work with.

    I would suggest building ecommerce sites with a blog and list. Use the blog and list to build traffic and the ecommerce portion to make money. You can start out with digital goods or you can build a dropship retail ecommerce store.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7512066].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    To quickly ramp back up, I would stick to what you know, but expand your geographic range.

    There are many ways to market your services besides face-to-face, like craigslist, elance, etc.

    Then once you are getting some work, start figuring out how to expand your horizons by developing your own sites, or learning new skills for others like SEO, local/mobile specialization, etc.

    You are in a better position than many who need to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives. Good luck!
    Signature
    Fifteen Lessons I have learned over 15 years and six businesses (or, My 1000th-Post Manifesto)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7512147].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author SandyDuPlessis
      If you haven't already done so, set up a website that showcases your skills - Offer your services in the warrior for hire section (perhaps at a reduced rate special) in this way you can start building a list and it gives warriors a chance to get to know you and your abilities.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7512175].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author zspuckl
        Originally Posted by SandyDuPlessis View Post

        If you haven't already done so, set up a website that showcases your skills - Offer your services in the warrior for hire section (perhaps at a reduced rate special) in this way you can start building a list and it gives warriors a chance to get to know you and your abilities.
        THIS, I have done freelancing for a while and I know that setting up your site can be the best thing for your biz.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7513439].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Do you want to get back into the same business? If so, consider offering a "loss leader" to local businesses that don't have a site. They'll understand what a loss leader is, and the "scarcity" of being one of the few who can get one should make it an easy sell.

    The loss leader is an offer to design a website for them ($795 value, or whatever you charge), all they have to pay for is a domain registration and hosting. It looks like a great bargain t them and you can make a small profit from the hosting, and later from the site updates after a specified peried of time.

    You'll be rebuilding your portfolio and client base, and assuming they are happy with your service, you can ask them for referrals and testimonials to gain new clients who will pay full price.

    Once you have them set up with a site you can offer add-on services, like link building, video creation, and so forth to create more profit centers.
    Signature

    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7512155].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Captain Kent
    def go after what you are good at, be better each day, build authority, a new list, and learn a little bit more from time to time
    Signature
    When I say I don't love You, it kills me, its a lie that sets You free!

    PR6 backlinks only 49$/month via liberty reserve only
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7512189].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author d3signer
    hi, just build your portfolio website and start advertising on freelancer sites and get more order...or learn about cpa method and you earn good money.. i am also freelancer designer
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7512201].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author swtexans
    I would stick with what you are good at, and that is web design. Spend some time building up your authority and your list, and you will quickly regain what you had before.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7512993].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Confined To Life
    Instead of designing for clients personally, what I'd do is make a really great collection of quality designs. Perhaps a bunch of awesome squeeze pages, sales pages, or WordPress themes. Make a product of it. Make it something people cannot resist. As a web designer, and a good one, you should be able to make a very attractive collection of pages that us internet marketers can't say no to.

    Then, you've just got to market your product. Simple as that. I think you're in a unique position where you have the ability to create an absolutely excellent and highly wanted product.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7513043].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author David Micheal
    1. Build a new brand of you on internet.
    2. Try do other business but still related to your expertise. Example, you can sell graphic
    3. Make new friend and be positive on life.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7513057].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lotsofsnow
    My Advice:

    1. Never tell people publicly about your finances.

    2. Get cranking.
    If you were able in the past to create income with web design you should be able to create that again.
    Signature

    Call Center Fuel - High Volume Data
    Delivering the highest quality leads in virtually all consumer verticals.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7513071].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thetrafficguy2
    Find something to stick with it and make a bunch of money
    Signature
    zero traffic incomezero traffic income bonusZero Traffic Income Scamhow to build a solar panel
    Easy Video Suite Easy Video Suite reviewHow To Buy A Desktop Computeressay proofreading
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7513148].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author shane_k
    The first thing that you should do, is take $20 of your money, head to the nearest book store and buy "The Emyth Revisited" by Michael Gerber.

    In that book you will learn that you never had a business, what you actually had was a job.

    You will also learn how to actually set things up so it is a true business, and not a job that people think are businesses.

    In other words you will learn how to setup your business so it can run without you.

    So if you were to get sick again, then you will have a manager or someone else in place to run the business while you get better.

    I can guarantee you, that if you were to follow the advice in this little book, and truly setup your business in a way that it can work without you, it will absolutely be the best, and I mean best $20 you have ever spent in your life.


    Well, there is no way I can go out and get a regular job now.
    I am curious why not?

    Is it that you really can't get a regular job or you don't want to have a regular job?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7513472].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ChrisCastle
    Hi TT, mobile is what's massive at the moment, get in to producing mobile sites, it wont be long before more people use mobile devices than PC's to search the net, everyone needs a mobile version of their site.

    do a little research and you will see what I mean, and if you are looking for a great tool search ezmobilesitegenerator on this forum.

    If you need some pointers message me.

    As someone else as already said, I wouldnt advise disclosing your finicial details on the net, and for heavens sake resist the urge to give someone a large lump of your hard earned cash for a crash course.

    Im sure there will be those less scrupulous out there already thinking up ways to contact you with some offer or other.

    Good luck is what ever you decide.



    Originally Posted by turntwo21 View Post

    Hey fellas. Happy holidays to you all, hope the coming days are memorable ones for you and your family.

    I'm looking for a bit of advice. Three years ago I quit my day job and turned my freelance-on-the-side web design stuff into a really successful business. Built up a great list of clients here locally, and was set up for long term success.

    Then, I became very ill. Was forced to take almost a year away from work. Now that I'm back healthy, I'm finding it difficult to rebuild some of those connections and get my name back out there. It's almost as if people are scared to go into business with me.

    Well, there is no way I can go out and get a regular job now. I'm trying to rack my brain to come up with another way to generate revenue, and I remember these forums always being great.

    I have about $30,000 in the bank with no debt and minimal expenses, and I'm asking you ... what would you do with that bank-roll in terms of starting a new venture. Doesn't have to be anything specific, just looking for some ideas.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7516969].message }}

Trending Topics