How to Build a Freelance Client Funnel

NOTE: After you watch the video, make sure to download the free spreadsheet at the end of this post!

Why is the thought of venturing out on your own so terrifying?

Is it because you’re afraid that you won’t be good at running your own business?

Is it because you’re afraid your ideas just SUCK?

SOME people (the media…your mom…etc) might have you believe that you’re just not “cut out” to be an entrepreneur.

And hell, they may be right…

EVERYBODY can’t do this.

It takes patience, and a certain type of confidence. Even when you’re not sure how things are going to turn out.

(Especially when you’re not sure how things are going to turn out…)

But can I level with you for a minute?

The main reason people never leave their jobs to start their own business is because they’re scared they’ll go bankrupt, homeless, and ultimately starve to death.

I mean, are we being honest here? This is about life and death.

The #1 reason you haven’t started your own thing is because you don’t think it will support you…and you don’t want to DIE trying.

That’s why when I encourage people to freelance, it scares them shitless.

Freelancing: The 30-Second Summary

Freelance?

Freelancing is simply taking skills you already have, finding clients who need your services and selling those skills for a profit.

If you have a job, you’re already doing this with one client — your employer.

The biggest difference as a freelance entrepreneur is that instead of one boss who controls your time, you have multiple clients who you can choose to work with at will. You make your schedule.

And instead of taking a salary, you have the power and flexibility to decide your own rates. You choose your income.

It’s f***ing awesome, if you do it right. You can make a LOT of money.

Don’t believe me…?

Just check out what some of your fellow Tribe members in Freelance Domination are doing:

Keyanna closed a $13,000 deal like it ain’t no thang

Xavier casually hit me up via text to tell me that he’d scored $2,192.

Yeah…no biggie, right?

I LOVE getting these text messages. This one came in while I was on the toilet.

Advanced Freelance Strategy: Why You Need a Funnel

Yeah…ok. This all sounds great.

YES — you CAN make quite a lot of money freelancing your services.

And YES, pretty much anyone can do something and find clients (here are some ideas to get you started).

But here’s the catch…

It’s ONE thing to get one or two clients and make a few hundred…or even a few thousand dollars.

If you’re able to do that, great. You’ve made some money with your hobby.

But can you do that over and over again — enough to pay all your bills? Enough not just to live…but to live comfortably?

How do you create a client stream for your business that guarantees you’ll always have money — and allows you to systematically make more month after month?

I’ll give you a hint — it’s not just blind luck and a prayer.

You need a funnel.

A funnel allows you to:

  1. Find the exact areas of your business you need to improve to make more money (instead of just trying harder at everything)
  2. Figure out how many clients you need to meet your desired revenue goal
  3. Strategize long term to take your business from “hobby” to full time cash machine

The 13-minute video below includes the exact strategy I used to scale my freelance businesses to over $100,000 — AND I even included the spreadsheet used in the video so that you can copy it and start implementing.

Whether you’re a beginner just getting your feet wet in the freelance world, or you’re an experienced entrepreneur looking for the tools to take it to the next level, this video will be extremely helpful.

Enjoy!

PS — Freelance Domination is closed right now. But you can sign up to get on the Insider’s List here and get updates before everyone else when it opens back up.

Make sure you grab the spreadsheet from the video. You can copy it and start building your own funnel right away :)

Grab the Freelance Funnel Spreadsheet

19 comments
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RyanKBiddulph
RyanKBiddulph

Hi Daniel,

Well done!

Build a funnel to save yourself precious time and energy.

Keep on inspiring!

Ryan

Luke F
Luke F

Awesome video Daniel thanks for sharing again! I'm sure you know how to but I was just curious if you know how to use formulas in Excel or Google Sheets? It would increase your productivity ten fold especially if your doing difficult calculations or future projections. Would be happy to help if you wanted!


Thanks again and Happy Holidays!

Sarah Peterson
Sarah Peterson

Daniel,


Awesome! This is some great information. I find anything that helps me track progress (which I don't have to create) incredibly helpful so I'll definitely be grabbing the spreadsheet. I think it can apply to things like guest posting, too, it doesn't have to be just freelancing. Thanks for the resource.

lloydc
lloydc

thanks for this post... it really is quite simple, but definitely something i was overlooking.


cheers

Rich20Something
Rich20Something moderator

@lloydc It's a huge key to success in any business, really. Start working on it, you'll start crushing it!

R
R

Hey Daniel,


Great to see success from others !

The 1 million question is tho, how do you approach companies ? email, phone, letter ? and what do you say ?

A very hard bit is GETTING the invite which is obviously depending on the approach.


P.s. weeks ago I mailed you with a question + an offer to check your website security for you but I didn't get a reply.


Anyway, great post :) !

Rich20Something
Rich20Something moderator

@R Hey R,


Elance is a good first step. After that, it's all about referrals :)


Send the email again. My inbox is crazy!!

Justin Tan
Justin Tan

Hey Dan seems like this is a great system to bring sales in (which is what I'm sure a lot of people have trouble doing). I always wondered though, what was your process for getting work done? Seems like you juggle many projects at once, so would be good to learn from a master!

Rich20Something
Rich20Something moderator

@Justin Tan Ah, thanks to this question, and questions from a few others, I'm launching a new series next week. Hope you join ;)

Justin Tan
Justin Tan

@Rich20Something @Justin Tan You know I'm always down to learn more from you!


Iamthejeff
Iamthejeff

@Rich20Something Daniel, what's up with the "Join" links in the emails? They seem to point nowhere! I want to make sure everyone has the chance to get in there!

Rich20Something
Rich20Something moderator

@Iamthejeff Hey man, the issues are happening with a few people because I'm testing a new software on a small segment of the Tribe. Basically, trying to move people from Aweber >> Infusion with one click. Are you having problems and what browser are you using?

Iamthejeff
Iamthejeff

I'm using Safari on iOS 8, and standard iPhone "Mail" app. When I tap the link, it highlights, then opens nothing. I'll have to try on PC when I get home.

ELP630

Hi Daniel,

I like the approach. I am confused by the fact that this shows you winning 3-6 jobs per week, every week, having each job at $500 or more. To keep earning at this rate, you would need to keep winning jobs at this rate, and you would need to pitch close to the same number of people per week (give or take).... so how would you have time to complete 3-6 jobs, that are worth at least $500, per week, every week, with good quality? Do you suggest outsourcing this work?

Thanks!

Rich20Something
Rich20Something moderator

@ELP630 Outsourcing, for sure (which is one of the things I cover in Freelance Domination ;p)


As far as the rate you need to book the jobs, the key is to use the funnel concept to get better and better at identifying leads and pitching — and over time, book more valuable clients.


Much better to book one $10k job than ten $1,000 jobs. But it takes time to fine tune :)

Xavier Major
Xavier Major

This is awesome helps my stay accountable to hit my numbers on my way to my goal of 10k a month and let's me focus my efforts on where to improve!