Do you remember the first time you tried to get a job? Maybe you were in high school, looking to make some extra cash over the summer, or you needed a job to pay for your college education, or you were out there, diploma in hand, trying to start your career.

You sent out resumes. Sometimes, you got a response. Other times, you didn’t.

Sometimes you were invited in for an interview. You got all dressed up, went in, had conversations, and left.

Some of those interviews turned into job offers. Others simply faded into the background. The point here is that it took you some effort to find and land that first job.

A couple of days ago, I was on a call with a student who told me that she still hasn’t found her first client.

I asked her what she’s done so far to find clients, and she told me that she’d contacted one person, and that person hadn’t replied, so she’d more or less stopped trying.

Mama, I say this with all the love in the world: You cannot expect to find clients and build a successful freelancing career if you’re going to give up before you start.

Many of the students in my coaching program tell me that it took multiple followup emails and calls just to have a first conversation with a potential client. Because your potential clients — the people who need your help the most — are stressed, overworked, and frazzled.

Sometimes, first emails go unanswered. Heck, sometimes fourth emails go unanswered — but the fifth time’s the charm.

Your first client could be someone you’ve reached out to, who is simply too busy to reply right now.

If you don’t follow up, you’ll never know.

Every day, people ask me, “Can you really make money from freelancing?”

Well, yeah, you can, because millions of people are doing it every day. Yep, millions. The Freelancer’s Union reported that in the US, there are currently 57.3 million freelancers.

So, yeah, this freelancing thing works — and it’s not going away anytime soon.

When you’re struggling to get that first client, you need to take a good look at what you’re doing. Are you really showing up, getting out there, and offering your services?

Are you wrapping up a beautiful package with a bow on it? Or are you halfheartedly throwing something together and hoping someone finds it?

My student said she was afraid to reach out to anyone, because what if they also ignored her?

So what if they do? Why does that have to matter? Some people will ignore you — but if you let those people define your life, where will you be a year from now?

I’m not a huge fan of the expression “What you put in is what you get out” (I mean, come ON, it’s a total network marketing line, and you know how I feel about that!) — but there is a nugget of truth in there.

If you don’t go after clients, if you don’t show up, if you don’t put a bow on the package — you shouldn’t be surprised when you don’t get results.

There’s no magic pill here. Simply signing up for The Free Mama Movement doesn’t give you access to the Kingdom of Clients. You are the only person who can take action to move your life forward.

On the flip side, Mama, when you do show up and do the work, you have the power to dramatically change your life. It’s happening every day for the women in our group, and for people all over the world.

You have the power to do this, mama. I believe in you.

The big question is, Do YOU believe in you?

P.S. If you need extra support, motivation, and tough love, Lauren-style, take a look at the Free Mama Coaching program to see if it’s right for you.

P.S. While you’re out there snagging all those gifts on your holiday shopping list, remember that the BEST stocking stuffer is available on December 13 — that’s when The Free Mama book hits the digital shelves! Join us in the pop-up Facebook group for giveaways, prizes, and tons of fun.