New Mantra – Simple. Better. Robust.

When I first started freelancing online, I was running on generic advice.

I would go on Google and search for my problems there.

I would implement any advice I would find with good logic.

Somehow, most of this didn’t work.

Why?

• Out-dated information.
• Advice not specific to my scenario
• Missing factors

Now, I want to make a career in marketing.

And the only approach I knew to online marketing was failing.

So, one day, as I was shutting my laptop, an idea clicked for me.

My marketing was missing my personal flair.

And this led to a process of copy-pasting.

So, I decided that, whatever I would read online, I will not copy-paste it exactly.

Instead, I will add my own flair and experiment with things.

Keep the winning formulas and strategies and discard the others.

A common problem that I faced earlier in my online marketing career was the ability to generate leads.

Common advice: Post content on social media and generate leads through it.

Pro advice: Reverse engineer your competitor’s content strategy and post what he is posting. So that you can create content that is working and getting traction.

My advice: Figure out the most pressing problem of your audience and build solutions around them. And give it away for free in the form of content.

The audience will come automatically to this.

So, I learned a copywriting framework to help me nail this simple strategy.

It’s called the AIDA framework.

Every successful creator on social media talks about this and applies it to his content marketing efforts.

Here’s how the AIDA framework can help you craft posts that not only attract attention but also drive action.

Framework: AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action)

Attention

The first step is to capture the attention of your audience.

The goal is to make your first line compelling enough to stop the scroll.

2 simple ways to do that:

• Bold headlines (question, fact or a compelling hook)
• Eye-catching visuals

Interest

Share a brief, valuable insight or tip that addresses a common pain point your target audience faces.

Keep it relevant and informative.

Desire

Highlight the benefits of your solution.

Use testimonials or case studies to build credibility and show real-world results.

Or back your solution with data.

Action

End with a clear and compelling call to action.

Encourage followers to take the next step, whether it’s visiting your profile, signing up for a newsletter, or booking a consultation.

In the case of social media, it is engagement.

The more engagement you have, the more exposure your post will get.

Once you have your framework in place, now it is time for you to deploy that framework using a marketing funnel.

Funnel Deployment

Now, you need a digital space to manage all of this in place before this goes on social media.

Remember, your brain is designed for having ideas, not storing them.

I use Notion to plan, write and organize such chaotic work into a streamlined process.

Notion Template Implementation

Notion Template: Social Media Content Planner

You will find that lots of people are charging for Notion templates which should be free.

To help you implement this strategy, I created a Social Media Content Planner template in Notion.

Here’s how you can use it:

1. Content Calendar: Plan your posts ahead of time, ensuring you have a mix of attention-grabbing headlines, insightful tips, and compelling CTAs.
2. Content Library: Store and organize different types of posts (images, graphics, captions) to easily reuse and repurpose content.
3. Analytics Tracker: Monitor the performance of your posts to see which types of content generate the most engagement and leads.
4. Engagement Tracker: Keep track of comments, DMs, and other interactions to ensure timely follow-ups and conv

I don’t know about you, but this was fun.

We learned about the AIDA framework, and how to use it to turn your social media presence into a lead-generation tool.

Note that AIDA is a framework for writing copy or content. And it is also a funnel.

This is a rare coincidence.

Most newbies get confused with this.

I hope that you will implement this systemic approach to converting social media engagements into potential clients.

Burnout is real.

Its consequences are also real, on your business and mental health.

If you are like me, whose whole business revolves around him.

You don’t want to burn out.

Because your business would come crashing down if you were out of the equation.

One of the main reasons for burnout is taking more workload – Trying to juggle multiple client projects to make more money.

I am not against having multiple clients.

I am against poor management.

You can avoid burnout, missed deadlines and increased stress.

For that, you must manage your project efficiently.

Let me propose a structure for your project management.

Use a Kanban board in Notion to visualize project management and streamline management.

Here’s how the Kanban Method can help you manage client projects effectively.

Framework: Kanban Method

Visualize Work

The first step is to create a visual representation of your projects.

The goal is to see all tasks at a glance.

Simple ways to do that:

• Create columns for each project stage (To-Do, In Progress, Done).
• Use cards for individual tasks or milestones.

Limit Work in Progress (WIP)

Avoid taking on too many tasks at once.

Keep the number of tasks in each column manageable.

Focus on Flow

Move tasks through the stages consistently.

Ensure tasks progress smoothly from start to finish.

Continuous Improvement

Regularly review your board to identify bottlenecks.

Adjust your process to improve efficiency.

Once you have your framework in place, it’s time to deploy it using a project management funnel.

Project Management Funnel

Now, to manage all of this efficiently, you need a digital space to organize and track your projects.

Here is a Notion Template to help you with that

Notion Template Implementation

To help you implement this strategy, I created a Kanban Board template in Notion.

Here’s how you can use it:

1. Board Setup: I have already set up the board. You only need to add your own projects in there.
2. Task: Add tasks for each project, detailing necessary steps and deadlines.
3. WIP Limits: Set limits for the number of tasks in each column to avoid overload.
4. Review Cycle: Regularly review your board to identify bottlenecks and improve workflow.

I hope you find this approach helpful.

We explored the Kanban Method and how to use it for effective project management.

Implement this system to streamline your client projects and reduce stress.

Back in 2020, I was a freelancer, I experienced a drought of clients.

Things got pretty bad for me.

I gained a lot of debt.

That’s when I decided that I would become so good at what I do that I would never have to worry about money again.

And I did exactly that. I:

• Improved myself a lot
• Gained lots of new clients
• Paid off my debt

I was experiencing a good time as a freelancer.

I thought I could manage my finances with a simple spreadsheet and occasional check-ins.

I would track income and expenses sporadically, assuming it was enough to keep my business on track.

However, this approach quickly proved insufficient.

Why?

• Lack of real-time insights.
• Inaccurate financial projections.
• I missed growth opportunities.

I realized that managing finances without a clear, up-to-date system was causing unnecessary stress and uncertainty.

I knew it was time to change my approach and implement a more structured financial tracking system.

I discovered the power of using a financial dashboard in Notion, which transformed my financial management.

A common myth is that freelancers don’t need to track their finances closely.

My KPMG friend advised me to use a basic spreadsheet for income and expenses.

Another friend, an accounting agency owner recommended accounting software for more detailed tracking.

I thought long and hard about both these approaches and realized their advice didn’t apply to my scenario.

So, I created a financial dashboard in Notion to visualize and monitor key financial metrics.

This method provides a comprehensive overview of your financial health, enabling better decision-making and growth planning.

Here’s how the KPI (Key Performance Indicators) framework can help you set up an effective financial dashboard.

Framework: KPI (Key Performance Indicators)

Identify Key Metrics

The first step is to determine the most important financial metrics for your business.

Key metrics to consider:

• Revenue
• Expenses
• Profit margins
• Cash flow

Set Clear Targets

Define specific, measurable targets for each key metric.

Example: Monthly revenue goal of $5,000.

Track Performance

Regularly update your dashboard with the latest financial data to monitor progress.

Analyze Trends

Use the dashboard to identify trends and patterns in your financial data.

Make Data-Driven Decisions

Base your business decisions on the insights gained from your financial dashboard.

Once you have your framework in place, it’s time to deploy it using a financial management funnel.

Funnel Deployment

To manage this efficiently, you need a digital space to organize and track your finances.

Notion Template Implementation

Notion Template: Financial Dashboard

To help you implement this strategy, I created a Financial Dashboard template in Notion.

Here’s how you can use it:

1. Dashboard Setup: I have create sections for key financial metrics (Income, Expenses, Taxes).
2. Data Entry: Regularly update the dashboard with your latest financial data.
3. KPI Targets: Set clear targets for each metric and track progress.
4. Trend Analysis: Use visual charts and graphs to identify trends and patterns in your financial data.
5. Review Cycle: Regularly review your financial performance to make informed decisions and set new targets.

I hope you find this approach helpful.

We debunked the myth that:

• Freelancers don’t need to track their finances closely

We also explored how a Financial Dashboard in Notion can transform your business management.

Implement this system to gain clarity on your financial health and make informed decisions for growth.

New and exciting things are coming up.

Every week, I try to improve things so that you get more value with each new issue.

Let me know what you think of this new structure.

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