A detailed estimate outlines everything you’re proposing for a project. This ensures the client understands what it takes to create the deliverable. In many cases, it also means a higher estimate.

You’ve likely been giving away a lot of work simply because you didn’t include it. Thorough estimates increase billings.

In this post you’ll learn:

• How to make “business friends”

• Why they’re critical in growing your freelance business or agency

• How they can get you into new clients without competition

One of the secrets to profitability is to keep your business startup costs low. After all, your actual income is what you keep after expenses.

This applies whether you’re a solo freelancer, a virtual agency, or a bigger creative agency with employees, contractors, etc.

Here is where you should look for savings…

Ideally, you want clients with dedicated budgets for the work you do, and many projects for you. That makes it easier and more profitable for you to work together.

How do you find these clients? You need to have a criteria when you first meet prospects.

How you start depends on where you are now. You may be an absolute beginner or someone with freelance copywriting as a side hustle, or a copywriter employed at an agency or company.

Here’s how to get started with the building blocks you need to get clients—your portfolio, social media presence, and website.

Every project should start with a scope definition phase and you should charge for it.

This ensures that you and your client agree on all details, and the client is comfortable that you understand the requirements of the job.

Make sure you break out scope definition as the first phase of any project.

Many freelancers are creating virtual agencies to take on bigger projects and clients.

What is a virtual agency? It’s a tight group of freelancers with complementary skills who work together to deliver client projects.

This little trick makes the transition to freelance easier while keeping your income flowing.

Here you’ll have to work your connections to find just the right opportunity.

Do it right, and you get the best of both worlds. It worked wonders for me.

Many creators look for a partner when they start their agency.

If you’re thinking about it, here are some things to consider.

What role should your partner play?

What do you expect the partner to bring to the agency?

What are you bringing? Some thoughts…

Here are the six most common pricing models for creative services:

1.     Hourly rate pricing

2.     Project-based pricing

3.     Billing by retainer

4.     Value pricing

5.     Performance-based pricing

6.     Equity-based payment

All have their place, depending on your level of experience, the project, and the client.

If you’ve wondered how to get work from big companies or various levels of government, the secret lies in vendor lists.

If you’re not on the vendor list, there’s little chance of you working with them.

Here’s what you need to know to apply and why it’s worth the effort to be there. For us, being an approved vendor doubled and then tripled our billing.

Scope creep occurs when a project goes beyond the agreed-upon scope without additional budget.

Here are 5 reasons it happens and what you can do to prevent them.

Whether you’re a freelancer or marketing agency, don’t let scope creep steal your profit.

A survey asked clients what they valued most in their relationships with freelancers.

You might think it was the price. Perhaps it would be talent.

No. Here’s a list that may surprise you. This is what marketing clients value most in freelancers. The biggest surprise? Price came in last.

Are you thinking of quitting your job to launch your creative agency? Here are 7 key indicators that tell you you’re ready to launch.

Make sure everything is in place before you make the leap to running your agency.