Freelance Smackdown: Expanding Services, Part Deux
For those just joining us, I called out Christine O’Kelly to put her Freelancing eBook to the test for 30 days and build a $1000-$2000 part time revenue stream. These are the continuing adventures …
Dave
Today’s post is going to cover:
- The last 24 hours of Freelance Smackdown Activity
- How I’m (Really) Expanding My Services
- How I’m Really, Really Expanding My Services
- A Big Thank You To Everbody
The Last 24 Hours of Freelance Smackdown Activity
First off: On Tuesday, this blog exploded as far as traffic goes. Thanks to you Stumblers and all who backlinked. And thank you for all comments here and on Christine’s blog. Tuesday was a day of work, where I finished up the billable goodness that had come my way in the evening after my day job. I was actually in the good position of having to turn down a piece of work this week. Would have been nice to have the cash, but I decided it was better to work on doing things to raise my rates and expand my services. (Remember, I have a day job, so I have to cram in all my efforts early in the morning and late at night).
Which brings me to the main point - I had a call with Christine last night, and it was amazingly helpful in terms of helping me expand my services. She basically whacked me on the head and reminded me that expanding services was about more than just offering more services … it was about adding related services all around the primary service you’re offering. This way you’re selling a package and not just a one-off service. Bonus points if you make it something that’s ongoing. Here’s how I’m doing it.
How I’m (Really) Expanding My Services
Old and busted: “Dave writes articles. Please hire him.” New hotness: Packages of killer value. Behold:
The Cornerstone Content Package
- 5 in-depth, 800-word “cornerstone content” articles about your topic of choice
- 1 tie-in 800-word article linking out to the 5 articles
The Instant Authority Package
- 7 in-depth, 800-word “cornerstone content” articles about your topic of choice
- All articles crosslink each other where relevant (boosting pageviews)
- All articles contain relevant graphics
- 1 tie-in 1000-word article linking out to the 7 articles
- Related PDF download to use as incentive to subscribe to RSS feed
- RSS feed plugin to restrict PDF to subscribers
Each service will also offer this optional ongoing service:
- X Additional on-topic articles added to the blog each month
Note to Readers: Any suggestions for additional ongoing services? I’ve got to add more of Christine’s going to throw something at me. 
I’ll likely tweak the hell out of these packages based on comments & Christine’s advice. But I now have more than I did before and it’s time to start putting the word out.
How I’m Really, Really Expanding My Services
As I build up a client list, they’ll undoubtedly have additional needs I simply can’t handle (or won’t want to). So, the operative word here will be outsourcing. That means you, if you’re interested. If you’re a web worker of any stripe, and you’re looking to provide services than will be useful to bloggers / SEO clients, then give me a shout out via the comments and send an email to me at dave (I hate spam) davenavarro (I really hate spam) com. Sheesh, is there an easier way to put my email address here without worrying about spambots harvesting it?
So, to recap again, if you’ve got web skills, whether it be programming, design or whatever, shoot me an email with your skill sets, references/portfolio/etc., and most importantly, your rates.
A Big Thank You To Everybody
I just wanted to take a second and thank everyone again for showing up. My RSS count and traffic is really humming in the midst of this 30 Day Challenge, and I’m meeting a lot of great people. So my thanks to all, and I hope you take the time to subscribe to this blog if you’ve liked what you’ve read so far and want to see how the Freelance Smackdown progresses.
You know what to do,
Dave
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Well, since part of effective time management is delegating properly, there is no need for people to mess with blog design, setup, and maintenance issues when you can hire blog consultant. Seems to me that my services are very complementary to yours, Dave.
I love the “new hotness”. Good product naming with the packages.
Some service add-ons might be:
- customized buttons/banners that visitors can use to link to the article (like Nick @ PTO has done on a few articles.)
- article link submission to appropriate content directories.
- option for slickly designed print brochures/mailers with articles. print-on-demand is fairly cheap with sites like overnightprint.com and vistaprint.com.
I LOVE the Freelance Smackdown badge. Kick Ass!
Dave,
I thought your packages were well-written. Since you asked, I’d suggest that you might want to:
(a) Differentiate them just a bit more–I know that when I took the time to read them thoroughly, there was quite a bit more being offered in The Instant Authority than in The Cornerstone Content, but on a quick read (which is what most people will do) 5 vs. 7 just seems like too small an increment to be two different options.
5 vs. 9, maybe with 3-4 of the 9 being shorter follow-up posts at 1 mo., 2 mo., etc. might be a large enough number to catch the eye;
(b) Be Transparent: as you asked in your own request, “most importantly, your rates.” If you don’t list ‘em right there on the Packages page, someone else will be willing to, and a lot of looky-lous convert to customers when the fear of your sky-high costs is taken away. (Unless, of course, you plan to charge sky-high rates to keep folks from beating down your door.) If you want customers to beat down the door, remove the ? from over their heads so they can sell themselves on you before you speak a word.
I’ve peeked in here a couple of times before and liked what I read. I decided to subscribe today so I can keep an eye on your progress. Your determination will make it happen. Good luck!
Regards,
Kelly
VisionPoints
I see I now have new competition to keep me on my toes!
(not that I didn’t have enough to begin with… *sigh*)
@Sterling -
Thanks for the the tips. I’ll chew on ‘em and see how I can integrate ‘em. And thanks for the shout out for the badge - I try to make things fun!
@Kelly -
EXCELLENT point on the differentiation. Will definitely apply that tonight.
Per rates … I’m chewing on that one, because I need to decide what the range will be.
need to leave some wiggle room in there to accommodate outsourcing if I choose to do it later. I need a little overhead built in, but I haven’t decided how much. Likely to do so in the next 24 hours, though.
Thanks for the subscribe, too! I strive to be one of people’s favorite feeds …
@James -
Who do you think I’m going to outsource TO? LOL.
BTW, everyone, James is a hella great guy and a class act. If you ain’t subscribed to his blog, you oughta. As in now.
Dave,
As an example, here’s how we do it at VisionPoints. (Read “How Fast,” “How Much,” and “How About a Hurry?”) We leave “wiggle room” by explaining that we don’t know the client yet, but give “typical” timeframes. We also offer some fixed, small-scope services (this could be your Cornerstone package), and our full Solution, which gives the “& up” pricing. Knowing a ballpark eases fears. People come to you ready-to-go when they can get over the sticker shock in their bathrobe, if you know what I mean. Michael Martine does a really great job with transparency on his site.
I second the nomination: Men With Pens is a can’t-miss-it-daily!
Regards,
Kelly
Just shot an email at you , I would love to extend my creative services check out my portfolio as my website…. you wont regret it!
@Kelly -
Thanks for the good example on your site. Wiggle room is definitely a good idea.
@Asmaa -
Thanks - will check you out soon,
Hi Dave,
Lovin’ the play by play smackdown account.
I stumbled onto Christine’s blog about a week ago and am taking the plunge. Well, maybe more like a little dip - my chicken genes are still screaming bloody murder. Nonetheless, I will perservere.
When/if I get up my nerve, I’ll send you an email.
Meanwhile, I’ll be keeping my eye on your progress because you can never get too much inspiration.
Annie
@Annie -
The best way to get up the nerve is to say “what’s the worst that could happen?” Drop me a line.
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Dave, congrats on your blog’s recent explosion. I hope the dust never settles.
I offer free and professional blog improvement help - please tack me on to your growing list.
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