✨ Shiny object syndrome vs. adding permanent new writing services

Tell me if this has ever happened to you: business is slow, so instead of (or in addition to) marketing to your typical client, you start brainstorming additional ways to bring in freelance writing revenue.

Maybe you think, I need to launch a website landing page package…or incorporate keyword research into my usual blog offerings…or start promoting some LinkedIn ghostwriting services…

All of those ideas are great, but it’s SO important not to totally derail your business in order to focus solely on those ideas. Here’s what to do instead.

⚠️ Don’t abandon ship entirely!

First of all, refrain from abandoning your current focus area entirely. There may be some exceptions to this, but jumping from one idea to the next is usually counter-productive.

It takes time to build awareness around your writing services and grow a lead pipeline that largely fills itself.

And it takes daily effort to market your services and connect with your ideal client over time.

You can absolutely explore other content projects to offer clients without abandoning your existing bread and butter. You’ll thank yourself later.

📋 Thoughtfully add to your current services

As you branch out into other services, choose one or two new offers at a time. Be strategic in how you choose these.

Maybe it’s an extra service some of your existing clients could take advantage of. Or maybe it’s a similar skill set you’re already using but for a new audience.

The idea is that there should be some connection so you can better connect with prospects based on some type of experience. That way you don’t have to roll out an entirely new marketing strategy (because for must of us, we simply need to market more frequently, not find something different to market unless we really want to).

Then you can market both offerings to the same audience and grow your income that way.

👌Say yes to new opportunities

I’ve had two opportunities pop up recently that are slightly different than my typical content writing services - and I said yes to both without blinking. It’s a small-scale experiment to see how I enjoy these projects and whether I would offer them to more prospective clients.

The first is managing social media content for a local real estate agent who reached out to me. I have experience writing for realtors. And I have experience with social media content. But I’ve never entirely managed someone else’s social media before.

But who knows, maybe I will like it? I felt very creatively inspired to take on the project and my proposed budget worked for the client.

My second new project is helping a client update their resume. I’ve done this in the past, but again, it’s not something I advertise. Since I’ve worked with this person for years, I felt could help.

So I said yes.

Do I expect to become a professional resume writer? Probably not. Do I plan on stopping content writing and solely marketing myself as a social media manager. 100% no.

But I like the clients and am ready for the creative challenge each one brings. So I’m moving forward alongside my current content writing business.

📈 Reassess your offerings after building experience

You know I love tracking my business data. And I’m tracking a few things with these new projects to decide whether or not I’ll market them more broadly in the future.

For starters, I’m timing everything I do to see if I priced my services correctly. Sometimes there’s just no way to know, so I’m going in with the mindset that I’ll do the best job possible and learn whether or not I need to adjust pricing in the future.

Next, I'm paying attention to my personal satisfaction. Is it ultimately rewarding to step outside of my comfort zone with these projects? Or is it stressful?

I encourage you to be realistic with any new offer you incorporate into your business.

Do you enjoy it? Is there a market need? Does it complement your existing services?

Those are great starting points. Once you build a bit of a track record, you can decide whether or not you want to adjust your project load to include those new services instead of completely ditching the freelance business you’ve already built.

And if you really love and find success with your new offerings, you can shift your focus over time (without blowing up your existing business and income).

Thoughts? Any new services you want to explore? Hit reply and let me know!

Happy freelancing,

Lauren

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:

1. 1-hour pick my brain coaching sessions are back for the month of March! Book a session, let me know what you’re struggling with, and we’ll spend an hour creating a plan of action to move forward in your freelance writing business.

2. Read The Fully Booked Freelancer to get 10 key strategies I always recommend to other freelancers.

3. Track your business data with the Project + Income Tracker.