It’s been a while. I’ve taken a little break from social media last month. I’m launching a new business and working hard on my existing one. But here we are, and writing those words to you feels good.

As my ghostwriting business is on track to hit $10k per month by January, I've gained some crucial insights. Here, I share five lessons instrumental in my journey and five strategic changes I plan to implement to double my earnings to $20k per month.

Lessons Learned on the Road to $10k per Month.

1. Embrace the Learning Curve with Your First Client

Your first client will likely be your worst, not due to any fault of their own, but because you're still learning the ropes. Establishing a workflow that suits you and your client takes time. As a newbie, mistakes are inevitable. They are part of the learning process. The key is not to be too hard on yourself.

2. Define Your Scope of Work

Initially, I said yes to everything, including tasks I didn't enjoy, like engagement and DM management, out of fear of losing my client. I quickly realized the importance of defining my services and sticking to them. It's crucial to set boundaries and focus on what you do best.

3. Play to Your Strengths

I've honed my skills in specific areas - the NFT industry and e-commerce/marketing. Straying into unfamiliar territories like crypto trading would be time-consuming and unenjoyable. It's essential to recognize where your strengths lie and focus on those areas.

4. Let Your Content Speak for You

Every client I have secured has come through the content I create. Your online presence is your portfolio, your proof of work. Good content attracts leads and makes selling your services much more straightforward.

5. The Power of Networking

A significant portion of my leads came from my existing network. Opportunities are often closer than they appear. Building a network of motivated individuals can yield surprising results. A small, driven group can make a massive impact.

Scaling to $20k per Month: The Next Steps

1. Building Strong Case Studies

Documenting successes is key. Case studies, consisting of screenshots, testimonials, and audience feedback, serve as proof of authority. These should be easily accessible, perhaps through a LinkTree on your profile, and repurposed into engaging content.

2. Leverage Client Referrals

A satisfied client is your best advocate. Encouraging them to refer you to others, perhaps with incentives like a referral fee or free work, can significantly expand your client base.

3. Specialize and Dominate

Becoming the go-to expert in a specific industry is my next goal. Specialization leads to mastery, and being the best in one field is more valuable than being average in many.

4. Price According to Your Worth

As your skills and reputation grow, so should your rates. Experts command higher fees. This is an opportunity to scale vertically - increasing prices as your value increases.

5. Scale Your Content Machine

My biggest goal for the upcoming year is to double down on content creation across multiple platforms. From podcasts and interviews to written content and newsletters, the aim is to become a recognizable brand in the ghostwriting industry.

That’s a wrap for today, I’ll be sending newsletters on Fridays again, so you’ll see me twice in your inbox this week!

Kelano