Read on Twitter
Today marks 6 months (+1 day) since I went out on my own, full-time, as a freelance SEO consultant. Some thoughts on my experience so far. [THREAD]
1. If you are able to secure work, the money is significantly better than any agency/in-house SEO gig.
Unlike other small businesses, your overhead costs are tiny and margin large. Sweat equity pays the bills.
Unlike other small businesses, your overhead costs are tiny and margin large. Sweat equity pays the bills.
2. Being your own boss is as great as everyone says. Hold yourself to the highest standards but execute on your schedule. You no longer report to one manager but to every client that you have.
3. I've been reprimanded for swearing on Twitter and having spelling mistakes in my newsletter by previous employers. "You're an extension of OUR brand." 
I can do whatever the f*ck I want and I only have myself (OK, and my wife) to answer to.
I can do whatever the f*ck I want and I only have myself (OK, and my wife) to answer to.
4. Be consistent in your pricing. It's tempting to discount your rates to land gigs. What you'll find out is that these discounted gigs prevent you from taking on full price gigs in the future.
5. Freelance SEO consultants might think full-service SEO agencies are the competition. The reality is that they can and will be some of the best recurring revenue you can get. Just remember point #4.
6. No office drama or politics. What got me in trouble at one agency won me awards at another agency.
Skip the games and work with those who appreciate results. Period
Skip the games and work with those who appreciate results. Period
7. My biggest fear is having my pipeline dry up. Therefore I've prioritized a 6 months savings and have diversified my income across clients, affiliate work, and other web properties I own. I suggest you consider this too.
8. Work/life balance is incredibly important to me. I've spent more time with my kids in the past 6 months than I did the last 6 yrs.
If you are working over your salaried hours then you are just making others rich.
Own and value your time. It's not "cool" to work 50+ hrs.
If you are working over your salaried hours then you are just making others rich.
Own and value your time. It's not "cool" to work 50+ hrs.
9. Make sure you have a good strategy in place for your books. Freelancing means taking in 100% revenue but budgeting for taxes and expenses. A good accountant for anyone making more than 50K freelancing will likely save more $$$ than they cost you.
10. Finally. I want to thank a few people.
@_uproer (Griffin) for pushing me years ago to make this leap.
@timbrownmpls for challenging me to get the full 4 quarters on a dollar
@djthompson13, @tstolber @jonathanbwilson for hooking me up with work on day 1
@_uproer (Griffin) for pushing me years ago to make this leap.
@timbrownmpls for challenging me to get the full 4 quarters on a dollar
@djthompson13, @tstolber @jonathanbwilson for hooking me up with work on day 1
@TTTSEOCommunity for being a great community that I can regularly bounce ideas off of and get validation on ideas I have.
All the #SEOForLunch subscribers who were super supportive, hired me, sponsored the newsletter, or passed on leads.
Looking forward to the next 6 months!
All the #SEOForLunch subscribers who were super supportive, hired me, sponsored the newsletter, or passed on leads.
Looking forward to the next 6 months!
