Worked example
Goal $6,000/mo · 16 billable days · 30% tax/tools · 15% empty-week pad.
- $6,000 × 1.30 = $7,800 needed before tax/tools drag
- $7,800 ÷ 16 = $487.50 per billable day
- × 1.15 empty pad ≈ $561 / day floor
- ÷ 7 hours ≈ $80 / hour floor
If your quotes are under that floor, the math is lying to you — not the market.
2) First client script (5 lines)
Stop selling everything. One client type. One painful job. Weekly.
- Who: “I help [specific client type]…”
- Pain: “…who are stuck with [painful job / costly mess].”
- Offer: “I deliver [one clear outcome] in [timeframe].”
- Proof: “Last time this looked like [tiny proof / process].”
- Ask: “Open to a 15-min chat this week, or should I send a 3-bullet plan?”
Fill-in example
- I help local service businesses…
- …who lose leads because follow-up is messy.
- I set up a simple lead follow-up system in 7 days.
- Usually: missed texts → same-day reply template + tracker.
- Want a 15-min chat Thu, or a 3-bullet plan by email?
Never do this
- Never lead with “I can do anything.”
- Never quote under your floor “just to get the logo.”
- Never send a paragraph CV when a 5-line offer works.
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