asif
@notesbyasif.bsky.social
Writer, content-first marketer. Worked with Neil Patel Digital, Semrush, SaaS Labs & 100+ brands over 10 years.
Talk about marketing, freelancing & side hustles.
🏃 https://notesbyasif.com/
Talk about marketing, freelancing & side hustles.
🏃 https://notesbyasif.com/
Perfect sentences don't sell.
Perfect sentences don't persuade.
Perfect sentences sit in your portfolio while clients hire someone else.
#freelance
Perfect sentences don't persuade.
Perfect sentences sit in your portfolio while clients hire someone else.
#freelance
May 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Perfect sentences don't sell.
Perfect sentences don't persuade.
Perfect sentences sit in your portfolio while clients hire someone else.
#freelance
Perfect sentences don't persuade.
Perfect sentences sit in your portfolio while clients hire someone else.
#freelance
May 9, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Said yes to a scope that felt slightly off.
Knew it.
Felt it.
Still did it.
Now living with the consequences in the form of 87 tiny unclear tasks spread across Slack, email, and one random Loom. 😭
#freelance
Knew it.
Felt it.
Still did it.
Now living with the consequences in the form of 87 tiny unclear tasks spread across Slack, email, and one random Loom. 😭
#freelance
May 8, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Said yes to a scope that felt slightly off.
Knew it.
Felt it.
Still did it.
Now living with the consequences in the form of 87 tiny unclear tasks spread across Slack, email, and one random Loom. 😭
#freelance
Knew it.
Felt it.
Still did it.
Now living with the consequences in the form of 87 tiny unclear tasks spread across Slack, email, and one random Loom. 😭
#freelance
Client says “we just want your brain on this.”
3 weeks later, you’re redoing the thing their brain didn’t like.
Cool.
#freelance
3 weeks later, you’re redoing the thing their brain didn’t like.
Cool.
#freelance
May 8, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Client says “we just want your brain on this.”
3 weeks later, you’re redoing the thing their brain didn’t like.
Cool.
#freelance
3 weeks later, you’re redoing the thing their brain didn’t like.
Cool.
#freelance
The weird guilt of finishing something faster than expected and then debating whether to send it now or wait a fake amount of time so it looks like “enough” work. 😶
#freelance
#freelance
May 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The weird guilt of finishing something faster than expected and then debating whether to send it now or wait a fake amount of time so it looks like “enough” work. 😶
#freelance
#freelance
There’s a specific kind of rage that lives in the space between “I thought we agreed on the brief” and “This isn’t quite what I had in mind.”
#freelance
#freelance
May 7, 2025 at 4:30 AM
There’s a specific kind of rage that lives in the space between “I thought we agreed on the brief” and “This isn’t quite what I had in mind.”
#freelance
#freelance
The more energy you spend convincing clients to work with you, the worse the project usually goes.
If the close feels heavy, the work will too.
#freelance
If the close feels heavy, the work will too.
#freelance
May 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The more energy you spend convincing clients to work with you, the worse the project usually goes.
If the close feels heavy, the work will too.
#freelance
If the close feels heavy, the work will too.
#freelance
Nobody trains you for the emotional whiplash of:
- Selling your value all day
- Still feeling replaceable at 10pm
- Rereading feedback that was technically positive but somehow felt like a warning
#freelance
- Selling your value all day
- Still feeling replaceable at 10pm
- Rereading feedback that was technically positive but somehow felt like a warning
#freelance
May 6, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Nobody trains you for the emotional whiplash of:
- Selling your value all day
- Still feeling replaceable at 10pm
- Rereading feedback that was technically positive but somehow felt like a warning
#freelance
- Selling your value all day
- Still feeling replaceable at 10pm
- Rereading feedback that was technically positive but somehow felt like a warning
#freelance
Sometimes “work-life balance” just means turning off notifications so you can spiral in peace without the Slack bubble lighting up.
#freelance
#freelance
May 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Sometimes “work-life balance” just means turning off notifications so you can spiral in peace without the Slack bubble lighting up.
#freelance
#freelance
Underrated skill: Pretending like their email didn’t just subtly change the entire scope of the project. 🙃
#freelance
#freelance
May 5, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Underrated skill: Pretending like their email didn’t just subtly change the entire scope of the project. 🙃
#freelance
#freelance
You want better inbound leads?
Here's the test:
Would your dream client send your portfolio around internally to make a case for hiring you?
If not, it’s not a portfolio. It’s a scrapbook.
#freelance
Here's the test:
Would your dream client send your portfolio around internally to make a case for hiring you?
If not, it’s not a portfolio. It’s a scrapbook.
#freelance
April 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
You want better inbound leads?
Here's the test:
Would your dream client send your portfolio around internally to make a case for hiring you?
If not, it’s not a portfolio. It’s a scrapbook.
#freelance
Here's the test:
Would your dream client send your portfolio around internally to make a case for hiring you?
If not, it’s not a portfolio. It’s a scrapbook.
#freelance
Every service provider has that one “referral” they regret accepting.
Wrong vibe. Wrong budget. Wrong everything.
But it came from someone important, so you said yes.
And now you’re suffering in silence, wondering how to make it end politely.
#freelance
Wrong vibe. Wrong budget. Wrong everything.
But it came from someone important, so you said yes.
And now you’re suffering in silence, wondering how to make it end politely.
#freelance
April 27, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Every service provider has that one “referral” they regret accepting.
Wrong vibe. Wrong budget. Wrong everything.
But it came from someone important, so you said yes.
And now you’re suffering in silence, wondering how to make it end politely.
#freelance
Wrong vibe. Wrong budget. Wrong everything.
But it came from someone important, so you said yes.
And now you’re suffering in silence, wondering how to make it end politely.
#freelance
If you're not losing at least a few prospects at the pricing stage, your price is too low.
If you’re losing all of them, your pitch is too vague.
And if you’re losing the ones who say yes... your delivery process is broken.
Different problems. Don’t confuse them.
#freelance
If you’re losing all of them, your pitch is too vague.
And if you’re losing the ones who say yes... your delivery process is broken.
Different problems. Don’t confuse them.
#freelance
April 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
If you're not losing at least a few prospects at the pricing stage, your price is too low.
If you’re losing all of them, your pitch is too vague.
And if you’re losing the ones who say yes... your delivery process is broken.
Different problems. Don’t confuse them.
#freelance
If you’re losing all of them, your pitch is too vague.
And if you’re losing the ones who say yes... your delivery process is broken.
Different problems. Don’t confuse them.
#freelance
No one really teaches what to do when a client says: “We’ll loop back next quarter.”
Is that code for no?
Should you follow up?
Are they just being polite?
Are they lying?
Great. Now spiral for 6 weeks.
#freelance
Is that code for no?
Should you follow up?
Are they just being polite?
Are they lying?
Great. Now spiral for 6 weeks.
#freelance
April 26, 2025 at 4:30 AM
No one really teaches what to do when a client says: “We’ll loop back next quarter.”
Is that code for no?
Should you follow up?
Are they just being polite?
Are they lying?
Great. Now spiral for 6 weeks.
#freelance
Is that code for no?
Should you follow up?
Are they just being polite?
Are they lying?
Great. Now spiral for 6 weeks.
#freelance
You think you’re being ghosted.
But really—you sent a 14-slide proposal, 2 PDFs, a Calendly link, and a 900-word “next steps” email.
They’re not ghosting. They’re overwhelmed.
Simplify. Shorten. Send less.
#freelance
But really—you sent a 14-slide proposal, 2 PDFs, a Calendly link, and a 900-word “next steps” email.
They’re not ghosting. They’re overwhelmed.
Simplify. Shorten. Send less.
#freelance
April 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
You think you’re being ghosted.
But really—you sent a 14-slide proposal, 2 PDFs, a Calendly link, and a 900-word “next steps” email.
They’re not ghosting. They’re overwhelmed.
Simplify. Shorten. Send less.
#freelance
But really—you sent a 14-slide proposal, 2 PDFs, a Calendly link, and a 900-word “next steps” email.
They’re not ghosting. They’re overwhelmed.
Simplify. Shorten. Send less.
#freelance
Bad clients don’t look bad upfront.
They show up as:
- “We’re flexible”
- “You’re the expert”
- “We’ll keep this simple”
If they say all three before a contract’s signed, congrats—you're walking into chaos.
#freelance
They show up as:
- “We’re flexible”
- “You’re the expert”
- “We’ll keep this simple”
If they say all three before a contract’s signed, congrats—you're walking into chaos.
#freelance
April 25, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Bad clients don’t look bad upfront.
They show up as:
- “We’re flexible”
- “You’re the expert”
- “We’ll keep this simple”
If they say all three before a contract’s signed, congrats—you're walking into chaos.
#freelance
They show up as:
- “We’re flexible”
- “You’re the expert”
- “We’ll keep this simple”
If they say all three before a contract’s signed, congrats—you're walking into chaos.
#freelance
Someone justifies underpaying contractors by saying “We could just do this in-house.”
Brother in Christ, then do it in-house.
#freelance
Brother in Christ, then do it in-house.
#freelance
April 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Someone justifies underpaying contractors by saying “We could just do this in-house.”
Brother in Christ, then do it in-house.
#freelance
Brother in Christ, then do it in-house.
#freelance
You keep telling yourself:
“I’ll increase my prices after this next project.”
It’s been a year.
Your work got better.
Your rates didn’t.
What exactly are you waiting for—permission?
#freelance
“I’ll increase my prices after this next project.”
It’s been a year.
Your work got better.
Your rates didn’t.
What exactly are you waiting for—permission?
#freelance
April 24, 2025 at 4:30 AM
You keep telling yourself:
“I’ll increase my prices after this next project.”
It’s been a year.
Your work got better.
Your rates didn’t.
What exactly are you waiting for—permission?
#freelance
“I’ll increase my prices after this next project.”
It’s been a year.
Your work got better.
Your rates didn’t.
What exactly are you waiting for—permission?
#freelance
Nobody talks about this enough:
The middle of a project is the most dangerous part.
Not the start.
Not the delivery.
The part where momentum dips, feedback gets vague, and clarity disappears.
This is where scope creep sneaks in.
Build checkpoints. Force check-ins. Prevent the drift.
#freelance
The middle of a project is the most dangerous part.
Not the start.
Not the delivery.
The part where momentum dips, feedback gets vague, and clarity disappears.
This is where scope creep sneaks in.
Build checkpoints. Force check-ins. Prevent the drift.
#freelance
April 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Nobody talks about this enough:
The middle of a project is the most dangerous part.
Not the start.
Not the delivery.
The part where momentum dips, feedback gets vague, and clarity disappears.
This is where scope creep sneaks in.
Build checkpoints. Force check-ins. Prevent the drift.
#freelance
The middle of a project is the most dangerous part.
Not the start.
Not the delivery.
The part where momentum dips, feedback gets vague, and clarity disappears.
This is where scope creep sneaks in.
Build checkpoints. Force check-ins. Prevent the drift.
#freelance
Clients pay more when you reduce decision fatigue.
- “Here’s the package I recommend for you”
- “Here’s the exact scope that aligns with your goals”
- “Here’s why this timeline works best”
Confidence ≠ upselling.
It’s giving them less to overthink.
#freelance
- “Here’s the package I recommend for you”
- “Here’s the exact scope that aligns with your goals”
- “Here’s why this timeline works best”
Confidence ≠ upselling.
It’s giving them less to overthink.
#freelance
April 23, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Clients pay more when you reduce decision fatigue.
- “Here’s the package I recommend for you”
- “Here’s the exact scope that aligns with your goals”
- “Here’s why this timeline works best”
Confidence ≠ upselling.
It’s giving them less to overthink.
#freelance
- “Here’s the package I recommend for you”
- “Here’s the exact scope that aligns with your goals”
- “Here’s why this timeline works best”
Confidence ≠ upselling.
It’s giving them less to overthink.
#freelance
“We want to keep this collaborative.”
Cool.
Love a group edit doc with 6 authors and 14 unresolved comments about the intro sentence. smh
#writer
Cool.
Love a group edit doc with 6 authors and 14 unresolved comments about the intro sentence. smh
#writer
April 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“We want to keep this collaborative.”
Cool.
Love a group edit doc with 6 authors and 14 unresolved comments about the intro sentence. smh
#writer
Cool.
Love a group edit doc with 6 authors and 14 unresolved comments about the intro sentence. smh
#writer
Here’s a simple way to spot bad-fit clients early:
They ask for proposals before hopping on a call.
That means:
- They’re mass-shopping
- They want pricing, not partnership
- They don’t care how you work
Don’t compete for clients who aren’t evaluating quality.
#freelance
They ask for proposals before hopping on a call.
That means:
- They’re mass-shopping
- They want pricing, not partnership
- They don’t care how you work
Don’t compete for clients who aren’t evaluating quality.
#freelance
April 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Here’s a simple way to spot bad-fit clients early:
They ask for proposals before hopping on a call.
That means:
- They’re mass-shopping
- They want pricing, not partnership
- They don’t care how you work
Don’t compete for clients who aren’t evaluating quality.
#freelance
They ask for proposals before hopping on a call.
That means:
- They’re mass-shopping
- They want pricing, not partnership
- They don’t care how you work
Don’t compete for clients who aren’t evaluating quality.
#freelance
There’s a difference between “busy” and “booked.”
Busy = lots of work.
Booked = fewer clients, better pay, clearer systems.
Don’t chase full calendars.
Chase fewer inputs, higher yield.
#freelance
Busy = lots of work.
Booked = fewer clients, better pay, clearer systems.
Don’t chase full calendars.
Chase fewer inputs, higher yield.
#freelance
April 20, 2025 at 4:30 AM
There’s a difference between “busy” and “booked.”
Busy = lots of work.
Booked = fewer clients, better pay, clearer systems.
Don’t chase full calendars.
Chase fewer inputs, higher yield.
#freelance
Busy = lots of work.
Booked = fewer clients, better pay, clearer systems.
Don’t chase full calendars.
Chase fewer inputs, higher yield.
#freelance
Before you charge more:
Ask what you're really selling.
You’re not selling:
- A retainer
- A deliverable
- A service
You're selling:
- Speed
- Certainty
- Simplicity
- Risk reduction
- Not having to think about it
Price that.
#freelance
Ask what you're really selling.
You’re not selling:
- A retainer
- A deliverable
- A service
You're selling:
- Speed
- Certainty
- Simplicity
- Risk reduction
- Not having to think about it
Price that.
#freelance
April 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Before you charge more:
Ask what you're really selling.
You’re not selling:
- A retainer
- A deliverable
- A service
You're selling:
- Speed
- Certainty
- Simplicity
- Risk reduction
- Not having to think about it
Price that.
#freelance
Ask what you're really selling.
You’re not selling:
- A retainer
- A deliverable
- A service
You're selling:
- Speed
- Certainty
- Simplicity
- Risk reduction
- Not having to think about it
Price that.
#freelance
Projects fall apart for one of two reasons:
(1) The client didn’t know what they wanted
(2) You didn’t ask enough to find out
A good operator doesn’t just execute. They extract clarity.
#freelance
(1) The client didn’t know what they wanted
(2) You didn’t ask enough to find out
A good operator doesn’t just execute. They extract clarity.
#freelance
April 19, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Projects fall apart for one of two reasons:
(1) The client didn’t know what they wanted
(2) You didn’t ask enough to find out
A good operator doesn’t just execute. They extract clarity.
#freelance
(1) The client didn’t know what they wanted
(2) You didn’t ask enough to find out
A good operator doesn’t just execute. They extract clarity.
#freelance