2 builders who never spoke to each other

Sell it by hand before you automate any of it

A sequence drafted before you know how a sale really unfolds will automate the wrong steps, so the process is proved manually and only then written down. Treated that way automation becomes the first hire rather than an afterthought, and the newsletter itself can carry the long-term follow-up, so the material gets produced once.

The method

1. 01

   Sell the offer by hand first and automate afterwards, because a sequence built before you know how the sale actually happens automates the wrong steps.

2. 02

   Treat automation as your first hire once a process exists, rather than as something to add after people.

3. 03

   Treat automation as writing down something you have already done manually many times, curating a proven process into something evergreen rather than inventing a new one.

4. 04

   Build two things first: an application form with real screening, and the automation that books the call, reminds people about it and follows up afterwards.

5. 05

   Let the regular newsletter serve as the long-term follow-up instead of writing separate re-engagement campaigns, so the same material is only produced once.

What it returned

• Greg runs System.ly with three staff and says the automation carries the load that headcount otherwise would.

• Greg sends around three newsletters a week covering his wins and useful content, and uses that in place of targeted re-engagement mail.

Sources

• What Should You Ask Of Your Clients Prior To Roadmapping? - Double Your FreelancingBrennan Dunn · doubleyourfreelancing.com · 1. Business · 2016-11-03
• S02 Episode 3: How to Value Your Funnel with Greg Hickman - Double Your FreelancingGreg Hickman · doubleyourfreelancing.com · S02 Episode 3: How to Value Your Funnel with Greg Hickman · 2018-05-01