The first thing you should do during the day…
How do you feel about marketing and sales ? Do you dread it, or does it excite you? A mind shift that helped me prioritise activities that have the biggest impact on my business.
How do you feel about marketing and sales ? Do you dread it, or does it excite you? I’m genuinely curious.
I see sales as the art of nurturing relationships, while marketing is about making it easy to find me. Both are essential because, without clients, there's no business, right?
But let's get real for a moment. How do our days typically pan out? We start by checking emails and then dive headfirst into project work. If we manage to catch our breath, we might post something on social media. And only if we have any energy left do we think, 'Okay, let's reach out to someone new.'
Sure, if we have a discovery call booked, we're on it. But we often don't set aside dedicated time to proactively create and nurture new opportunities.
Let's try a different order: start with creating new opportunities, then focus on marketing, and finally dive into delivery. It's a game plan that keeps our business pipeline healthy and flowing.
So, here's a friendly challenge for you: carve out at least 15 minutes each day for outreach to create and nurture those vital opportunities.
The shortcut
You don’t know where to start with proactive outreach? Here are some simple ideas:
For those you already know, like past clients:
Engage with their posts on social media.
Share an interesting article or podcast with a note - 'Thought you might enjoy this!'
Connect them with someone who might be relevant to them.
For potential dream clients you're yet to meet:
Reach out on LinkedIn with a personalised note sharing your interest in their work.
Leave thoughtful comments on their blog, podcast, or social media posts.
This isn't about selling. It's about sparking conversations and building relationships. Keep it genuine, patient, and regular.
And if you want to practice building relationships, join our monthly meaningful networking event.
Interesting opportunities for you
I've been digging through job boards and Slack channels to save you some time. Click here to access a selection of freelance opportunities in the climate and social impact space just for you:
Senior Manager Tech and Digital Transformation - Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Workshop Facilitator - Glitch
Senior Campaign Coordinator - ARTICLE 19
Communications Consultant - Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
Communications Coordinator - Climate Action Network (CAN)
Senior Campaign Strategist - Greenpeace
Social Media Video Producer - UN Women
Social Media Support - Unf♥️ck the Planet
Social Media Content Creator & Digital Marketing Consultant - The Cheetah Conservation Fund
Writer / Research Analyst - Climate Now
Several roles: designers, writers, web developer - Re_Generation
Product Designer - Reunion
UX Designer - Virga Labs
Design Researchers in Residence - Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Strategic Partnerships Consultant - WorkMoney
Gender Analysis and Gender Action Plan - Rainforest Alliance
Business Development Associate - Ripple Research
Finance Consultant - Big Change
Impact Investing Consultant - Trafigura Foundation
Climate Action Consultant - The Alliance of Bioversity
External Evaluator - Feedback EU
Frontend and Backend Developers - C3 - AI
👉Access the details here
🫶 If you found an interesting opportunity and want to share it with the community, click here.
P.S. Thank you, Sarah, Afreen and Laura, for sharing opportunities ♥️
We never published that many roles, but our audience grows and covers more and more geographies. Remember to also check out older opportunities by adjusting the filter on the page. 🌎
What's happening at IMMA?
🎬 A sneak peek at what's happening behind the scenes:
Welcome Megan, who started as a Marketing & Research Intern. It's great to receive more support. 🎉
Stephanie and I had a great chat about the 'Design your Offering' programme. We are mixing inner work with practical guidance, giving you a shortcut to craft a great offer and overcoming internal roadblocks.
Don't forget - next Friday, we've got our Free Office Hour. If you've got questions about freelancing in the climate & social impact space. Come join us
I will be in your inbox again Friday, 11th of August 👋
Stay cool, and hey, if you liked this newsletter, why not share it with someone?
They might appreciate it and you take action on what you've learned from this issue. A win-win.
Catch you soon,
Lilli