Scaling From Zero—A guide on how to jumpstart your creative business.
1. Don't quit your job
2. Do a good job, but don't give it everything you have
3. Save something for yourself
4. Live as frugally as possible
5. Cancel every recurring, non-essential subscription
(cont) 1/11
6. Consolidate credit card debt to low interest card
7. Pay this down
8. Do PVP exercise (Personal fulfillment, Value to market, Profitability) ← Google it
9. Select top 3 ideas
10. Test your idea & convince someone to buy it
11. Reduce price until you get a Yes
(cont) 2/11
12. Prepare to answer objections
13. Exchange your time/effort for: experience, case study, measurable KPI, testimonial
14. Ask for a referral
15. Document your journey
16. Share process work as sequential posts
17. Invite clients to comment for more info
(cont) 3/11
18. DM those that give you permission
19. Establish a client need in DM
20. Schedule call
21. Discuss price/scope early
22. Land client
23. Raise your rates as your confidence/skills grow
24. Target is $1500–$3000 per project
25. Get 2 projects per month
(cont) 4/11
26. Repeat as necessary
27. Build 3 months of runway
28. Buy a domain name
29. Set up sales page (@danmall Love Letter)
30. Include case studies w/ measurable KPIs
31. Add testimonials
32. Add client list
33. Enter work to award shows
34. Submit to blogs
(cont) 5/11
35. Resign from job on good terms
36. Thank your employer
37. Ask for referral/overflow work
38. Announce the launching of your business
39. Be specific about what you do, why this matters
40. Reach out to friends/family network
(cont) 6/11
36. Target 3 content creators you admire
37. Follow, sub, engage w/ all of their content
38. Build rapport for 30 days
39. Offer a specific way to help them (for free)
40. Build a genuine relationship
41. Trade your time for their help
42. Ask business questions
(cont) 7/11
43. Read 5 books on one topic
44. Start journaling in public (pick 1 platform)
45. Share key insights/learning
46. Tie stories back to what you've experienced
47. Experiment w/ diff content types
48. Ignore metrics for 30 days
49. Spot patterns of engagement
(cont) 8/11
50. Which post performed the best?
51. Can you devise a formula?
52. Can you repeat it?
53. Keep posting (day 31-60)
54. Day 61, determine your top 3 post types
55. Create a template & scale content
56. "Check in" w/ old clients
57. Attend industry conference
(cont) 9/11
58. Prepare a simplified elevator pitch
59. Target 5 people you want to connect with
60. Make it your mission to meet them
61. Follow up afterwards
62. When work is slow…
63. Who else could benefit from your services?
64. Make a list
65. Do your homework
(cont) 10/11
66. Be specific when reaching out
67. Have a "no-brainer" offer
68. Bring up top 3 objections
69. Land clients
70. Work on your craft
Do quarterly financial audits. Are you on track? Goal is to hit $3k/mo in revenue with 35% profit margins.
–fin 11/11
— Chris Do
