The Unsexy Truth About Building a Creator Business
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Hi Reader, Screenwriter and director Brian Koppelman wrote his first screenplay, Rounders, while working a day job. He worked on his manuscript for two hours each morning before work. Years later, he told aspiring screenwriters: "Don’t quit your job because the pressure will be so great that the anxiety will be thwarting. Instead, build your routine.” I built a routine like Koppelman’s when I’d a corporate gig as a six-figure copywriting job. I worked on my business for an hour or two before work each morning. Routines were everything to me. I built up a nice cushion of cash reserves so I wouldn’t feel that anxiety Koppelman writes about. Then, I quit my job to work on my business full-time. A few years later, routines are still everything. I’ve a routine for creating social media content and writing daily emails like this one. I drop our youngest off at school, put on a pair of noise-canceling headphones, and work on content or creative projects for 90 minutes. I’ve a routine for working with a team member who keeps the lights on in my business, paying invoices, and checking in with potential clients and my socials. Usually, we catch up before lunch. I’ve also a routine for sharing and engaging with potential clients on LinkedIn. That’s in the early afternoon after a workout or a nap! And I’ve a routine for onboarding and helping clients. Usually, that’s after all of the above (I’m in Ireland, so I’m mindful of time zones for US clients). Finally, before I log out, I write down the top 3 things I want to do the following day on a whiteboard near my writing desk. That sets me up for tomorrow. One day looks a lot like the next. My business routines might sound boring, but they’re like a metronome keeping a beat. I don’t worry much about doing the things that keep my business humming. And I rarely get burnt out. I’m accepting three new clients who want to add an extra $10k to their business. If that’s you, reply “ROUTINE” to this email and I’ll send you the details. Write on, |