Working in the business is what it’s all about. That’s what pays the bills. For me as a writer, there’s nothing I like better than when I have my teeth sunk deep into a client’s project. I’m engaged, I’m focused, I’m creating something my client needs, and I’m getting paid for it. Win all the way around.
But then, there are times when no clients come knocking. Working on the business is supposed to address those situations. Marketing while you are feasting often can feel overwhelming, but failure to sow those seeds means there may come a time when clients disappear. By then, you have no choice but to work on the business, but now you’re doing it at a loss.
That’s why it’s so important not to lose focus on finding new clients. Any freelancer or small business is at the mercy of a small circle of clients. If one goes out of business, it can be crippling. What’s worse, early on you have no idea what form of marketing works to bring in the clients you serve best. That’s trial and error, learned from getting your hands dirty in the marketplace. Persistence and consistency are key. Keep on keepin’ on, as they say.