How do you determine the most profitable services to offer as a contractor?

Been freelancing for a while now, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m focusing on the right services. Some gigs pay well, others not so much. How do you guys figure out which services actually bring in the most money? Is it just trial and error, or do you have a system?

For me, it’s been a mix of gut feeling and data crunching. Here’s what I’ve learned:

  1. Track everything. Hours, rates, client feedback.
  2. Look for repeat business. Steady gigs often beat high-paying one-offs.
  3. Consider the stress factor. Some high-paying jobs aren’t worth the headache.

I’ve found my sweet spot by experimenting with different services. Started with basic stuff, then gradually added more specialized offerings.

Pro tip: Talk to other freelancers in your field. They often have insights you wouldn’t think of.

Remember, what’s profitable can change. Keep an eye on industry trends and be ready to pivot when needed.

Ultimately, the most profitable service is the one you enjoy doing. You’ll naturally get better at it, which leads to higher rates and more referrals.

I just do what folks need done around here.

Not much thinking about profits and stuff.

Whatever pays the bills works for me.

I’ve been through this exact process. Started out doing everything under the sun, but that was exhausting.

What worked for me was keeping a simple spreadsheet. Each job, I’d note down the hours, the pay, and any extra costs. After a few months, it was clear which jobs were actually making money.

Surprisingly, some of the ‘high-paying’ jobs weren’t so great when I factored in all the time spent on revisions and client calls. The real winners were often the steady, straightforward projects.

Also, I started asking my best clients what other services they needed. Turns out, there was a whole market I was missing. Now I offer those services to everyone, and they’re my biggest earners.

Don’t forget to factor in your own sanity. I dropped a few high-paying gigs because the clients were nightmares. Not worth the stress.

Bottom line: track everything, listen to your clients, and don’t be afraid to cut loose what’s not working.

Keep track of what jobs pay the most. Look at your past work and see which ones made good money. Stick with those and drop the rest. Simple as that.

I keep it simple. Track what each job pays and how long it takes.

After a while, you’ll see which ones make the most money for your time. Those are your winners.

Don’t forget to factor in how much hassle each job is. Sometimes the highest-paying gigs aren’t worth the headache.

Stick with what works and pays well. Drop the rest. Adjust as you go.

Look at your books. Which jobs made you the most money for the time you put in? That’s your bread and butter right there. Don’t overthink it.

Track your hours and what you’re billing for each type of job. After a few months, you’ll see clear patterns. Stick with what pays well and drop the rest.

Remember, it’s not just about the hourly rate. Some jobs might pay less per hour but are steady work. Others pay more but come with headaches. Balance that out.