Why solopreneurs don’t have to chase retainers

The author initially aimed for retainer-based freelance work for income stability. However, they found themselves primarily taking on project-based assignments instead. Conventional wisdom favors retainers, but the author argues against solely relying on them. Retainers create risk; losing a major client can significantly impact income. The stability of retainers can be an illusion due to factors beyond the freelancer's control. Project-based work makes it easier for clients to say yes initially, lowering the barrier to entry. This approach fosters essential habits for sustainability like consistent marketing and pipeline management. Project-based work promotes client diversification, mitigating the impact of losing a single client. The author maintains these habits even when busy, ensuring a steady flow of projects. Building repeatable systems makes finding new projects less of a crisis. The author doesn't dismiss retainers entirely, acknowledging their suitability for some services. The core message is to maintain marketing and pipeline efforts even with retainers in place. Building sustainable businesses involves developing habits to ensure a consistent flow of work.