SHS041: Webpage Workshop: How To Setup The Perfect Webpage As A Freelancer
Intro
When it comes to building a successful side hustle or freelance business…
👉 Most people don’t struggle with their skill
They struggle with getting clients
In this solo episode, Elijah Bilel breaks down the fundamentals of lead generation in a way that actually applies to real-world self-employment—not just textbook theory.
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah covers:
The 4 types of lead generation
Why most freelancers struggle to get clients
The difference between inbound and outbound marketing
How to turn referrals into a consistent pipeline
Why a simple web page can outperform a full website
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
If you’re serious about turning your side hustle into full-time income, you can book a 1-on-1 strategy session with Elijah Here
The Real Problem: It’s Not Your Skill
A major insight from this episode:
👉 Most people already have a skill
But they don’t know how to get clients consistently
As referenced in the episode, many freelancers:
Avoid outreach
Over-rely on inbound marketing
Don’t understand how leads are actually generated
The 4 Types of Lead Generation
Elijah breaks lead generation into a simple framework:
1. Inbound vs Outbound
Inbound → Leads come to you
Outbound → You go get the leads
2. Online vs Offline
Online → Social media, YouTube, email
Offline → Networking, events, real-life interactions
The 4 Quadrants
When combined, you get:
Inbound Online
Outbound Online
Inbound Offline
Outbound Offline
👉 Most people ONLY focus on one
And that’s where they lose
The Most Underrated Strategy: Inbound Offline
This episode focuses heavily on:
👉 Inbound Offline Marketing
Which is essentially:
👉 Referrals
Why Referrals Are So Powerful
Referrals are:
Easier to close
Higher trust
Lower effort
And in many cases…
👉 They become your main source of business
How to Actually Generate Referrals
Here’s where most people mess up:
👉 They don’t make it easy to refer them
The Solution: A Simple Web Page
Instead of relying on people to “explain what you do”…
👉 You give them a link
That link should:
Explain your service
Show proof
Tell people what to do next
What Your Web Page Needs
According to the episode:
1. Your Service
What you do and who it’s for
2. Social Proof
Experience
Results
Past work
3. Call to Action
Contact you
Or book directly
4. Portfolio or Testimonials
5. Pricing (Optional)
Can filter out unqualified leads
6. FAQ Section
Removes objections before they happen
Why This Works
Because now:
👉 Referring you becomes EASY
Instead of someone saying:
“Let me explain what Elijah does…”
They can just say:
👉 “Go check this out”
Your Web Page Becomes Your Salesperson
One of the most important takeaways:
👉 Your page does the selling for you
Which means:
More referrals
Less explaining
More conversions
When to Use “Contact Me” vs “Buy Now”
This part is key depending on your offer:
Higher Ticket Services
👉 Have them contact you
Allows you to sell
Increases deal size
Lower Ticket Services
👉 Let them buy directly
Faster
Less friction
Why Simplicity Wins
A major misconception:
👉 Your page needs to look fancy
Reality:
👉 It just needs to convert
Even a simple text-based page can work if it:
Answers questions
Builds trust
Gives clear next steps
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel makes one thing clear:
👉 Lead generation is a system
And once you understand it…
👉 Getting clients becomes predictable
If you’re trying to figure out how to turn your skills into consistent income, getting direct guidance can speed that process up significantly. You can book a Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session Here
SHS061: How To Have Big Turnouts For Events | Event Marketing Strategies 2026
SHS060: Should Debt Be Used To Expand A Business Or Not With Oz Konar
Bonus: Should You Invest In Bitcoin In 2026 With Myles Dhillon! (SHS059)
SHS040: What The Self Employed & Freelancer Home Buying Process Is In 2026 With Jahcorrian Burkes
Intro
For most people, buying a home is already a complicated process…
But when you’re self-employed?
👉 It gets even more complicated
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Jahcorrian Burkes to break down:
Why freelancers struggle to get approved
What lenders are really looking for
And how to position yourself to actually qualify
Subscribe Now And Get Chapter 5 Of The Best Selling Book, The Anatomy Of Financial Success!
Find out about the different types of income there are and which one(s) are best for you based on your personality! Click here to join out newsletter and get started!
Intro to Jahcorrian Burkes
Jahcorrian Burkes is a mortgage broker and real estate professional with years of experience helping clients buy and finance homes.
Throughout his career, he has:
Built a strong reputation in real estate
Helped clients navigate complex mortgage processes
Coached individuals and teams toward financial success
Before entering real estate, he developed his financial foundation in the insurance industry, giving him a unique perspective on long-term wealth building.
👉 Connect with Jahcorrian Burkes on LinkedIn Here
👉 Check out his book Here
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The biggest mistakes self-employed buyers make
How mortgage lenders evaluate freelancers
Why documentation is everything
The role of networking in generating business
How to build referral-based income
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The Anatomy Of Financial Success Paperback
The Biggest Challenge for Self-Employed Buyers
One of the biggest issues?
👉 Not being fully transparent upfront
As Jahcorrian explains:
Many self-employed individuals don’t disclose everything
Income structures can be more complex
This creates delays—or even deal failures
For example:
Someone might submit W-2 income…
But later it turns out:
👉 They actually own the business
Which changes EVERYTHING in underwriting
Why This Matters
When lenders discover new information late:
More paperwork is required
Timelines get pushed back
Deals can fall apart
Why Self-Employment Makes Things Harder
Unlike traditional employees:
👉 Your income isn’t “simple”
Lenders often require:
Business tax returns
Personal tax returns
Profit & loss statements
Consistent income history
Translation
👉 You have to prove stability
Even if you’re making good money
The Power of Preparation
One key takeaway from this episode:
👉 The process is MUCH easier if you prepare early
That means:
Keeping accurate records
Understanding how lenders think
Structuring your income properly
Networking = Leads (And Opportunities)
One of the most valuable parts of this episode is how Jahcorrian generates business:
👉 Through networking groups
He highlights organizations like BNI (Business Network International) where:
Business owners meet weekly
Share referrals
Build relationships
How It Works
Each industry has one “seat”
Members refer clients to each other
Everyone benefits from shared networks
Why This Matters for Side Hustlers
If you’re self-employed:
👉 Networking can replace paid ads
Instead of chasing leads:
You build relationships
People bring leads to you
His Lead Generation Strategy (This Is Key)
Jahcorrian’s business is built on:
👉 Word of mouth
Specifically:
Referrals from past clients
Referrals from real estate agents
Relationships built through networking
Why This Works
These leads are:
Warmer
More qualified
Easier to close
He even mentions:
👉 70–80% close rates on referral leads
The “Do More Than You’re Paid For” Rule
This is one of the most important principles from the episode:
👉 Always overdeliver
Because when you do:
Clients trust you
They refer you
Your business grows organically
Quantity vs Quality in Sales
There are two main approaches:
1. Volume-Based Sales
Talk to a lot of people
Close a small percentage
2. Relationship-Based Sales
Fewer clients
Higher trust
More referrals
Jahcorrian leans toward:
👉 Relationship-based selling
Which leads to:
Repeat business
Referral pipelines
Less need for constant prospecting
How This Applies to You
If you’re self-employed or freelancing:
👉 You don’t need MORE leads
You need:
Better positioning
Better relationships
Better systems
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel and Jahcorrian Burkes make one thing clear:
👉 Being self-employed doesn’t disqualify you from buying a home
But…
👉 You DO have to be more intentional
If you:
Keep clean records
Understand the process
Build strong relationships
You’ll not only qualify…
👉 You’ll put yourself in a position to win long-term
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS039: How To Generate Online Leads As A Freelancer WITHOUT Fiverr or Upwork With Prerak From NetMafia
Intro
When most people think about generating leads online…
They immediately think of:
Fiverr
Upwork
Freelancer.com
And while those platforms can work…
👉 They also come with limitations
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Prerak to break down:
👉 How to generate leads WITHOUT relying on platforms
👉 Why SEO is still one of the most powerful strategies
👉 And how beginners can compete online
Intro to Prerak
Prerak is the founder of Net Mafia, a web design and SEO agency focused on helping businesses grow their online presence.
He is also an educator on platforms like Udemy, where he teaches:
Web development
SEO
WordPress
Digital marketing
Prerak specializes in using AI-driven strategies to help small businesses generate leads and scale online.
👉 Check out his SEO SOP resource Here
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The 4 types of search intent (and why they matter)
Why SEO still works—even with AI
How to generate leads outside of freelance platforms
The best beginner-friendly lead generation strategies
How to build long-term inbound traffic
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The 4 Types of Search Intent (This Changes Everything)
One of the most valuable frameworks Prerak breaks down is:
👉 Search intent
There are 4 types:
1. Informational Intent
People are just looking for answers
Example: “How to start a side hustle”
2. Navigational Intent
People are trying to find something specific
Example: “Walmart near me”
3. Commercial Intent
People are comparing before buying
Example: “Best website builder vs WordPress”
4. Transactional Intent
People are ready to buy
Example: “Hire a web designer”
Why This Matters
Most people focus only on:
👉 Traffic
But the real goal is:
👉 Intent
Because:
Informational = awareness
Commercial = consideration
Transactional = MONEY
Why SEO Still Works (Even With AI)
There’s a big misconception right now:
👉 “AI is killing SEO”
But Prerak makes it clear:
👉 That’s only true for informational content
Why?
Because:
AI answers questions directly
People don’t need to click as much
BUT…
👉 When people want to BUY…
They still need to:
Visit your site
Book your service
Complete checkout
Translation
👉 SEO is still extremely powerful
You just need to target:
Commercial keywords
Transactional keywords
The Problem With Fiverr & Upwork
Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork:
✔ Give you access to clients
❌ But limit your control
Common issues:
High competition
Fees
Race to the bottom pricing
The Better Approach
👉 Build your own lead generation system
Instead of relying on:
Platforms
You focus on:
Your content
Your SEO
Your brand
How Prerak Got Started (Key Lesson)
Prerak’s journey started during the pandemic:
Learned skills online
Created courses
Used SEO to sell them
That led to:
👉 Freelance clients
👉 Agency work
👉 Business growth
Key takeaway
👉 Skills + visibility = opportunities
A Simple Online Lead Generation Strategy
If you’re starting from scratch:
Step 1: Pick a Skill
Web design
Video editing
Copywriting
SEO
Step 2: Create Content Around It
YouTube
Blog posts
Social media
Step 3: Target Search Intent
Focus on:
“How to…” (informational)
“Best…” (commercial)
“Hire…” (transactional)
Step 4: Convert Traffic Into Leads
Website
Booking link
Email list
Why SEO Beats Short-Term Strategies
Paid ads and platforms can work…
But SEO:
👉 Builds long-term assets
Instead of:
Constant hustle
You get:
Consistent traffic
Passive leads
Scalable growth
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel and Prerak highlight a key truth:
👉 You don’t need platforms to succeed
You need:
The right strategy
The right positioning
The right understanding of how people search
If you can master that:
👉 You control your leads
👉 You control your income
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS038: How You Can Use AI To Scale Your Business With Benjamin Bressington From Automate Boring
Intro
AI is everywhere right now.
From:
ChatGPT
Automation tools
Content creation systems
It feels like everyone is talking about it…
But most people?
👉 Aren’t actually using it effectively
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Benjamin Bringham to break down:
👉 How AI and automation can actually scale your business
👉 Where most people go wrong
👉 And how to avoid turning your side hustle into just another job
Intro to Benjamin Bringham
Benjamin Bringham is a dynamic speaker, author, and CEO of Automate Boring, a company focused on helping entrepreneurs streamline their businesses using AI and automation.
With a background in law and criminology, Benjamin has spent over a decade helping companies:
Improve communication systems
Increase efficiency
Automate repetitive tasks
He has worked with major companies and now focuses on helping entrepreneurs build systems that allow them to scale without burnout.
👉 Check out his website Here
He’s also the author of multiple books, including People Ignorant, which focuses on influence, confidence, and success.
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why most entrepreneurs misuse AI
The difference between automating acquisition vs fulfillment
How to build systems that actually scale
Why communication is a hidden business superpower
Tools you can use today to automate your business
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
Why Most People Avoid AI (Even When They Know They Should Use It)
Elijah opens with a powerful question:
👉 What’s something you KNOW you should be using in your business… but keep avoiding?
For most people right now:
👉 It’s AI
Even though:
It can increase efficiency
It can boost revenue
It can save time
Many people hesitate because:
It feels complicated
It’s unfamiliar
They don’t know where to start
The Truth About Scaling a Side Hustle
One of the biggest insights from this episode:
👉 Most people scale the WRONG thing first
Benjamin explains:
There are two main parts of your business:
Customer acquisition (getting clients)
Fulfillment (delivering the service)
The Mistake Most People Make
👉 They automate acquisition first
This leads to:
More clients
More demand
More overwhelm
And suddenly…
👉 You’re stuck on a hamster wheel
Get a client
Fulfill
Repeat
The Better Approach
👉 Automate fulfillment FIRST
Why?
Because once fulfillment is handled:
👉 You can scale acquisition without breaking your system
Why Communication Skills Still Matter (Even With AI)
One of the most valuable parts of this episode had nothing to do with tech…
👉 It was about communication
Benjamin shares a powerful lesson:
👉 Problems in business are opportunities to build trust
Instead of avoiding issues:
Address them directly
Be transparent
Ask how to move forward
Elijah reinforces this with a real Airbnb example:
A maintenance issue came up
It was handled quickly
A partial refund was given
Result:
👉 A 5-star review and stronger trust
Simple Automation Tools You Can Start Using Today
Benjamin keeps it simple:
👉 You don’t need complex systems to start
Here are 3 tools he recommends:
Zapier
Make.com
n8n
These tools allow you to:
Connect apps
Automate workflows
Reduce manual tasks
Key Rule for Automation
👉 If it takes longer than a few days to implement…
You’ve overcomplicated it
What a CRM Actually Is (And Why You Need One)
A CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) is simply:
👉 Where you store your leads and customer data
This can be:
A spreadsheet
Airtable
A full CRM platform
The goal is simple:
👉 Keep track of people and interactions
Because:
👉 Organization = more opportunities
Content Creation Is the Best Place to Use AI
One of the biggest opportunities discussed:
👉 Content repurposing
Example:
Record a podcast
Turn it into clips
Turn clips into posts
Turn posts into blogs
Instead of creating more content…
👉 You maximize what you already have
The Hidden Danger of “Doing Everything Yourself”
Benjamin makes this clear:
👉 If you’re doing everything manually…
You don’t have a business
👉 You have a high-paying job
The goal of automation is:
Free your time
Build systems
Scale efficiently
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel and Benjamin Bringham highlight something important:
👉 AI is not the goal
👉 Freedom is the goal
AI is just the tool that helps you get there faster.
If used correctly, automation allows you to:
Scale your income
Save time
Focus on growth
If used incorrectly:
👉 You’ll just create more work for yourself
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS037: Does The Use Of Technology Actually Hurt Your Lead Generation As A Freelancer?
Intro
Technology has completely changed the way we generate leads.
From:
Food delivery
Grocery delivery
Online platforms
Automation
It’s easier than ever to:
👉 Save time
👉 Increase efficiency
👉 Scale faster
But here’s the problem…
👉 Most people only look at the benefits
In this solo episode, Elijah Bilel breaks down both sides:
👉 The pros AND the hidden costs of using technology
Because sometimes…
👉 What saves you time can cost you opportunities
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How technology helps with lead generation
The hidden opportunity cost of convenience
Why human interaction still matters
When to use technology vs when to avoid it
How to balance efficiency with networking
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
Understanding Your Relationship With Technology
Before diving into examples, Elijah explains something important:
👉 Not everyone uses technology the same way
Some people:
Naturally leverage it
Build systems around it
Others:
Avoid it
Prefer in-person interaction
This is actually broken down inside the Financial Personality Report.
If you want to understand where you fall and how that affects your income strategy, you can check it out Here
Example 1: Food Delivery (Time vs Opportunity)
Let’s start with something simple:
👉 Food delivery apps
These allow you to:
Order food instantly
Keep working while waiting
Save 1–2 hours of time
Elijah shares how he used this while setting up Airbnb units:
Building furniture
Staging units
Taking photos
Instead of stopping to get food…
👉 He ordered delivery and kept working
Result:
👉 Only ~30 minutes lost instead of 1–2 hours
The Hidden Cost
Here’s what most people miss:
👉 You lose interaction opportunities
If you go to a restaurant:
You’re around people
You can start conversations
You can build relationships
That one trip could lead to:
A client
A connection
A future opportunity
But with delivery?
👉 That opportunity disappears
The Real Lesson
👉 Convenience trades time for opportunity
Sometimes that’s worth it…
Sometimes it’s not
Example 2: Grocery Delivery (Scaling vs Networking)
Next up:
👉 Grocery delivery (Instacart, Shipt, etc.)
The benefits are similar:
Saves time
Convenient
Helps you stay focused
Especially if:
You’re busy
You’re meal prepping
You’re deep in work
But Here’s Where It Gets Interesting
A grocery store is actually:
👉 A networking environment
Why?
People share similar interests
You can easily start conversations
You naturally have things in common
Elijah gives a real example:
Talking to someone in the vegan aisle
Asking simple questions
Turning it into a conversation
From there:
👉 Relationship building begins
A Simple Strategy Most People Miss
Instead of:
👉 Shopping once a week
You could:
👉 Go more frequently
Why?
👉 More exposure to people
👉 More conversations
👉 More opportunities
This is especially valuable if:
👉 Networking is a priority in your current stage
Example 3: Online Leads (Passive vs Personal)
Now let’s talk about:
👉 Online lead generation
This includes:
Fiverr
Upwork
Ads
Social media
The Benefits
Leads come in passively
Systems do the work for you
You can scale faster
A lead is a lead…
👉 And leads can turn into income
The Downside
If you rely ONLY on online leads:
👉 You limit your relationship-building ability
Because:
Everything is transactional
There’s less personal connection
Trust takes longer to build
Why Balance Matters
Elijah makes this clear:
👉 You need BOTH
Online leads → scale
Offline interaction → connection
When you combine them:
👉 That’s where growth really happens
The Bigger Picture
This episode isn’t about avoiding technology.
It’s about:
👉 Using it strategically
Because every time you choose convenience…
👉 You might be giving up connection
And connection leads to:
Clients
Partnerships
Opportunities
If you want to better understand how your natural tendencies impact how you make money, the Financial Personality Report breaks this down in detail.
You can access it Here
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel makes one thing clear:
👉 Technology is a tool
Not a replacement for:
👉 Human interaction
If you use it correctly:
It saves time
It increases efficiency
If you overuse it:
👉 It limits opportunity
The goal is simple:
👉 Find the balance
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS036: How Freelancers Can Network At Events & Build Meaningful Connections With Gregory Rutledge
Intro
As we continue Season 2 of The Side Hustler’s Society Podcast, one thing has become clear:
👉 Lead generation isn’t just about tactics
👉 It’s about relationships
Because in real life…
👉 Most sales don’t happen instantly
👉 They happen over time through connection
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with someone he describes as a “super connector”—someone who knows how to build relationships quickly and turn those relationships into real opportunities.
Intro to Gregory Rutledge (G Wiz)
Gregory Rutledge, also known as G Wiz, is a high-performance coach and empowerment strategist
Founder of the Question Everything brand
Helps coaches, creators, and professionals unlock hidden potential through deep questioning and strategy
Has a background in UX design, entrepreneurship, and systems thinking
Known for his ability to build relationships quickly and connect people at a high level
👉 Check out his book Here
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The difference between hard sales and soft sales
Why networking is one of the most powerful lead generation tools
How to build relationships that turn into opportunities
Why “always be closing” is outdated thinking
A better approach to sales that actually works
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The Anatomy Of Financial Success Paperback
Networking Is Lead Generation (Whether You Realize It or Not)
One of the biggest insights from this episode:
👉 You’re always networking
Every day you meet:
Friends
Associates
Contacts
The only difference?
👉 Some people do it intentionally
And when you do…
👉 It becomes a lead generation tool
Hard Sales vs Soft Sales
Most people think sales looks like this:
Pitch → Yes or No
That’s hard sales
But in reality?
👉 Most of life is soft sales
This looks like:
Meeting someone
Building a relationship
Creating trust
Opportunities happening later
Sometimes:
Immediately
Months later
Through referrals
Why Most People Get Sales Wrong
A major point Gregory makes:
👉 Sales is not about you
If it is…
👉 You’re trying to convince people
But real sales?
👉 Is about helping people make decisions
You’re guiding them toward:
A solution
A result
A better outcome
Whether that’s with you…
👉 Or someone else
The Better Way to Sell: Serve First
Instead of:
👉 “Always be closing”
The better approach is:
👉 “Always be caring”
This shift changes everything.
Because now:
You listen more
You understand problems
You offer real solutions
And sometimes:
👉 That solution isn’t even you
Why This Approach Actually Works
When you focus on helping:
People trust you faster
You stand out immediately
Opportunities come naturally
As discussed in the episode:
👉 The “universe keeps track”
Meaning:
You help enough people
You create enough value
👉 Opportunities come back to you
Sometimes from unexpected places
If you want to get better at building real connections like this, you can go deeper into these skills on Elijah’s Social Dynamics YouTube channel Here
This is where Elijah breaks down:
Social skills
Communication
Confidence
Real-world interaction strategies
Soft Offers vs Hard Offers
Gregory breaks this down clearly:
Hard Offer
Direct pitch
Immediate decision
Soft Offer
Build relationship first
Understand the problem
Position a solution naturally
👉 This is where most real business happens
The Power of Asking Questions
One of Gregory’s biggest strengths:
👉 Asking the right questions
Because when you ask enough questions:
Confusion disappears
The real problem becomes clear
The solution becomes obvious
Most people don’t do this because:
They’re afraid of asking too much
They don’t want to “bother” people
They fear looking inexperienced
But in reality:
👉 Questions build trust
Why Social Skills Are the Real Advantage
This episode connects directly to something we’ve been building on:
👉 Social skills = income
Because networking isn’t just:
Meeting people
It’s:
Building rapport
Understanding people
Creating real connections
If you want to improve:
Your conversations
Your confidence
Your ability to connect
👉 You can learn more on Elijah’s Social Dynamics YouTube channel Here
The Long-Term Effect of Serving People
A powerful analogy shared:
👉 Think of it like working for tips
Some people:
Don’t tip
Tip low
Others:
Tip high
Make up for everything
But overall?
👉 It balances out
And over time:
👉 You win
The same applies to:
Networking
Helping people
Building relationships
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel and Gregory Rutledge make one thing clear:
👉 Sales isn’t about pushing
It’s about:
Connecting
Understanding
Serving
And when you do that consistently…
👉 Opportunities follow