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What am I missing? | After almost 10 years I'm considering quitting my own business.
r/Entrepreneur
7/10/2025
Content Summary
The author, a freelance photographer and creative business owner since 2016, shares struggles with declining business post-Covid. Despite having a strong portfolio, happy clients, and active online presence (website, Instagram, Pinterest, GetYourGuide), her customer acquisition channels have failed. Instagram and Google ads no longer work effectively, organic reach is poor, and outreach to potential partners/models often results in ghosting. Feeling demoralized after years of effort and no clients since April, she considers quitting. Commenters suggest shifting to email marketing, offering specialized services like headshots, using platforms like Upwork, and leveraging tools for lead generation.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream Opinions:
- Most commenters agree that traditional ad platforms (Instagram/Google Ads) are becoming less effective and suggest alternative strategies like email marketing and specialized service offerings.
- There's consensus on leveraging past client relationships through tools like Mailchimp and creating urgency with expiring payment links via Stripe.
- Several recommend exploring freelance platforms like Upwork despite saturation concerns.
Conflicting Views:
- While some advocate for persistence and patience, others suggest practical pivots like finding temporary employment.
- A debate exists on the viability of Upwork: one user claims it's saturated with low-quality providers, while another (a top-rated freelancer) offers guidance to overcome this.
Different Perspectives:
- u/oldsmoBuick67 emphasizes adapting services to local markets (e.g., real estate/headshots), while u/Individual-Bowl4742 focuses on tech-enabled lead generation via Reddit monitoring.
- u/besoin_ovh pragmatically advises finding a job if client acquisition fails, contrasting with emotional support from others like u/sugsean1.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | Email Marketing | Used for email campaigns targeting past clients | |
| Stripe | Payment Processing | Used for creating expiring payment links | |
| SendFox | Email Marketing | Lightweight tool for cold outreach drip campaigns | |
| Pulse for Reddit | Social Media Monitoring | Helps find relevant threads on Reddit for lead generation | |
| Upwork | Freelance Platform | Suggested for finding new clients globally | |
| GetYourGuide | Tourism Platform | Used to reach ideal tourist clients |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Declining effectiveness of Instagram and Google ads
- Poor organic reach on Instagram despite efforts
- Difficulty in acquiring new clients
- Ghosting by potential partners and models
- Feeling demoralized and considering quitting
Problems to Solve:
- Finding reliable customer acquisition channels
- Re-engaging past clients
- Generating new leads without relying on ineffective ads
- Building partnerships that benefit both parties
- Maintaining creativity and portfolio updates
Potential Solutions:
- Shift focus to email marketing targeting past clients
- Offer specialized packages like headshots
- Explore freelance platforms like Upwork
- Use social media monitoring tools to find leads
- Partner with local businesses or educational institutions
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Leveraging email marketing for customer retention
- Offering specialized services to target specific markets
- Using social media monitoring for lead generation
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Email campaigns with segmentation and expiring offers
- Cold outreach via lightweight email tools
- Active participation in relevant online communities
- Exploring freelance platforms for new client acquisition
Monetization & Product:
- Creating simple, targeted packages (e.g., headshots)
- Using payment links with expiration to create urgency
User Engagement:
- Engaging past clients through personalized email invites
- Participating in community discussions to build authority