💲 X unmarks the spot

Making the Rounds

Mark Zuckerberg: Threads users down by more than a half

• TLDR: After exploding onto the scene with 100 million users in 5 days, Threads has now lost over 50% of its daily active users.
  

• Why it matters: The stick rate for X (formerly known as Twitter) is nowhere near 50%. So this isn’t as bad as it sounds. Not to mention Threads launched without key features like direct messaging, a follows tab, and desktop functionality. Don’t write it off yet.

X Tests New Ad Display, Which Would Replace Promoted Tags

• TLDR: X has changed the way ads display by removing the “Promoted” label, making it harder to tell the difference between actual tweets and sponsored posts.
  

• Why it matters: With ad revenues down as much as 50%, the company is doing everything it can to juice performance for advertisers still on the platform.

Meta AI Music Generator Lets Users Create Content With Generative Text Prompts

• TLDR: Meta’s new AudioCraft AI tool lets you create music and sound effects from text prompts.
  

• Why it matters: Buckle up, buttercup, because generative AI is quickly moving past text outputs into increasingly complex video and audio outputs. Soon you’ll be able to produce a cinematic-level video complete with characters, dialogue, environments, and sound effects all from a text prompt. The potential to create compelling new marketing assets will be virtually limitless.

Working With Clients

New to Freelancing and Need Clients? Watch This

Going from zero to one is the hardest part of freelancing.

It’s a classic Catch-22.

You need clients to get experience. But you need experience to get clients.

So if you’re new to the game and looking to land your first few clients…

Check out Alex Hormozi’s latest YouTube video on how to get your first 5 customers:

Watch this to get your first 5 customers

Sponsored by BiziNumbers

Why most freelancers struggle to hit 6-figures

Treat freelancing like a hobby and it’ll pay like you one.

But if you want it to pay you a six-figure salary, then it’s time to start treating it like a real business.

And that starts with getting clear on your money goals, like:

• Increase owner’s draw

• Improving profitability

• Building cash reserves

• Or growing a more sustainable business

Not sure where to start?

That’s where the accounting experts at BiziNumbers come in.

They help freelancers get to know their numbers so they can master their money.

And for a limited time, they’re offering subscribers of The Freelance Gig (that’s you!) a FREE personalized blueprint to optimize your freelance finances based on your money goals.

All you have to do is fill out a 30-second survey and the team at BiziNumbers will send over your customized BiziFormula within 48 hours.

Click here to claim your FREE BiziFormula now

Working For Yourself

Unlock Peak Productivity With a Focus Playlist

One of the most effective ways to increase your focus is to listen to music.

Ideally with headphones or earbuds.

This helps drown out distractions and direct your attention to the task at hand.

So if you’re looking to unlock peak productivity…

Create your own focus playlist with these 3 tips:

1) Choose music you’re familiar with
2) Avoid lyrics if possible
3) Match the tempo to your mood

Now, choosing music you’re familiar with might include music with lyrics.

That’s totally okay.

On the flipside, you may want to experiment with non-lyrical music even though it’s new to you.

That’s okay too.

Experiment with both to find out what works for you.

Our favorite types of music for getting work done include atmospheric/movie soundtracks, chillwave, and lo-fi.

In fact, we recently created an official Gig playlist for peak productivity.

If you wanna check it out on YouTube, click here:

Click here to check out our Focus playlist on YouTube

Tool of the Week

Beehiiv: The Newsletter Platform Built For Growth

We’ve entered the golden age of email newsletters.

And if you’re looking to start your own, we strongly recommend Beehiiv.

At this point, it’s basically an entire newsletter business-in-a-box.

With Beehiiv, you can replace:

• WordPress (or any other content management system)

• Website hosting (like Siteground or HostGator)

• Email service provider (like Active Campaign or ConvertKit)

• Recommendation widget (like SparkLoop)

That’s why they’re trusted by many of the fastest-growing newsletters in the world, including Exec Sum, Miss Excel, Milk Road, and lots more.

As a freelancer, having an email newsletter is a great way to establish authority and set yourself apart from the competition.

So if you’re ready to start building an audience you actually own…

Click here to launch your Beehiiv newsletter today

Bonus Points

✍️ Journaling: Ask yourself these 5 questions each month (Twitter)

🗣️ PR: How to get featured as an expert in mainstream media (Instagram)

🤝 Clients: 7 simple steps to find a new gig, job, or client (LinkedIn)

🚀 Growth: Barbie Marketing - On A Budget (YouTube) 

💰 Business: Feeling lost? 5 steps to find your niche (TikTok)