If you’ve ever thought, “The only way to make consistent income is to work more hours,” let’s reframe that right now.
You don’t need a 40+ hour workweek to build a thriving freelance business.
You need strategic value delivery and a system that doesn’t fall apart when life throws you a curveball.
Why Time-for-Money Is a Trap
When all of your income is directly tied to how many hours you work, your business becomes fragile.
If you get sick, income stops.
If a client ghosts you, panic starts.
If you want time off, you have to sacrifice revenue.
There’s a better way.
Build Smart Offers That Reduce Time Demands
Let’s talk solutions that protect your energy and your bottom line:
1. Offer VIP Days
These are high-value, focused sessions where you help a client achieve a major outcome in one day. You earn more in less time and deliver incredible value without scope creep.
2. Systematize or Automate Admin
Use tools for task management, or even a simple Google Doc checklist to reduce mental load. Once you can set up automation you will be surprised how much more you accomplish.
3. Add a Scalable Layer
Create one product, workshop, or resource that can be sold multiple times. Even if it brings in just $300/month, that’s $300 you didn’t have to clock hours for. The key to the offer is to create something with value that answers a question your clients really have. Make their life easier. Make a process better. And People don’t mind paying for it. The hardest part is getting the right offer to the right people.
Real-Life Application
Let’s say you offer coaching at $75/hour. Instead, try:
Booking a $600 VIP Day for deeper results in one sitting.
Offering a monthly support retainer at $250 for check-ins and feedback.
Selling a $47 workbook that solves a common client struggle.
Just one of these shifts can free up hours while boosting income.
Now, I will share an example from my own career. About 15 years ago I found a bunch of clear pencil cases at Walmart for $1 each. I found at my conferences people often had questions after I taught because I only had 30 minutes to speak. So, I recorded a series of 30-45 minute lessons and my secretary burned the on to CDs. I also created a book called “Wisdom from Writing Career Coach” which was a book of the most common writing issues I saw and how I taught people to fix them. I offered the CDs for $7 each or allowed people to pick any 5 CDs for $20. They could add by book for $10 more.
I offered about 20 different CDs. I would sell hundreds of dollars of CDs and usually about 10 copies of my books at each event. These were events that typically had between 100-200 people at the most!!
I also saw about 20%-30% of customers hire me to do book editing and coaching.
Everyone was happy because they got excellent, in-depth coaching. I earned a high profit on those products. And I never had to advertise myself because people wanted to work with me after listening to what I taught on the CDs.
Where to Start
Look at your current service menu. Which offer takes the most time for the least return? Redesign that first. Find a way to do it once really well and offer it at a price that gives them high value but requires minimal time from you. Do a great job. Create real value. Offer it at a reasonable price. Focus the attention of the customer on getting value for their own business.
When their business improves as a result of what you have, you will see people contacting YOU for work.
And grab 5 Signs Your Freelance Business Is Stuck—the free guide that helps you build income stability without burnout.
Share in the comments your thoughts on what makes a great VIP day.