As I opened the kitchen door this morning… Nellie was all over me.
Anyone would have thought I’d neglected her for a week!
Truth is… I was 3 hours late feeding her. Oops!
I let myself get caught up chatting with people on LinkedIn and Facebook. And because my family is away for a few days… I started working in the house today.
Which kinda messed up my usual routine of breezing through the kitchen at 6am. And feeding the cat on the way through to my office.
While Nellie busily rubbed herself all over my feet… and licked my toes… anxious for her food… she reminded me of Gary Halbert.
(Yeah… what’s with this brain of mine, right?)
I remembered the story of legend copywriter, Gary Halbert, when he was teaching copywriting students.
The question he posed to them was:
“If you and I both owned a hamburger stand and we were in a contest to see who could sell the most hamburgers, what advantages would you most like to have on your side to help you win?”
The answers were what you might expect:
- Having the best quality meat
- Being in a prime location
- Offering the lowest prices
He’d tell them they could have every single one of those advantages… and “I’d still whip the pants off all of you!”
Then he ends by saying:
“The only advantage I want is a starving crowd!”
The mission you have as a freelancer is to take what you offer… and meet the needs of your prospective clients.
You have a service that can help clients make more income or reduce their expenses — those two key finanancial aspects of any business.
They’re starving for your solution.
Whether it’s to their leadgen needs. Their retention needs. Their branding needs. Whatever it is.
But the “build it and they’ll come” mindset — that is exceptionally prevalent among freelancers — is a slow (or nigh on impossible) way to go.
It’s like tackling the sheer rock-face of Mt Success… when there’s a perfectly good, well-trodden path weaving its way steadily up the other side.
In fact, you’re actually doing the world a disservice by making it hard for people to find the helpful solutions you offer.
Don’t wait for them to find your great location. Or superior patties. Or bargain basement prices.
Perhaps this gem of Gary Halbert wisdom will help you find — and stay close to — your starving crowd.
One great place to look is LinkedIn.
You can reach out and find your people there. Industry groups for your niche. Business owners who need the particular skills you offer.
You can find clients… who are delighted to have someone who cares about them and their business… and who can give them the help they need.
You’ll also find colleagues who can be friendly guides.
It’s one of my main hangouts these days. So do stop by and connect: https://milham.me/linkedin
I’m happy to give pointers. Or offer feedback on your profile.
Live long and prosper,
Ready to build your email list? Go here…
EmailForTheWin.com
Chris Milham