How to Make $10K in 10 Days (Without Feeling Salesy)

Side Bars for Solopreneurs: strategies that save bandwidth and keep your business at full bars.

That Moment Every Solopreneur Knows Too Well

If you work for yourself, you know the feeling. Maybe it happens once a year, once a quarter, or even once a week. There's that moment of panic when you realize you need to bring in real revenue, and you need to do it fast.

Sometimes it’s because a surprise bill hits. Sometimes you’re booking travel for a conference and the costs are adding up. Sometimes you’re eyeing a new laptop your business needs.

Whatever the reason, there comes a time when you need a big chunk of income in a short window. That’s when I turn to one of my favorite exercises: the $10K in 10 Days sprint.

What the Sprint Is (and Why It Works)

This is exactly what it sounds like — a short-term push to bring in $10,000 in revenue over 10 days. Ten days gives you a full week plus a weekend. If you’re aiming for $10K, that’s about $1,000 a day.

I’ve done this many times, including a $30K in 30 Days sprint, and it works because it forces you to focus on what brings in revenue right now. No busywork. No stalling. Just action.

Here’s the method I use every time.

The $10K in 10 Days Method

1. Start with the low-hanging fruit: who owes you money?
If you run your own business, it’s not uncommon to fall behind on invoicing — or have clients fall behind on payments. Check:

• Are there outstanding invoices you haven’t followed up on?

• Are there completed projects you never invoiced for?

Send those invoices today. Follow up on the late ones. It’s one of the fastest ways to bring in cash.

2. Make a list of warm leads
Think of all the people who’ve said, “We should work together sometime.” Past clients. Friendly referrals. Networking contacts. That one person from the event who asked what you charge.

Make a list. Then reach out. Call them, text them, email them, DM them — whatever channel you normally use with them. Keep it casual and clear. Your goal is to get a meeting on the books.

3. Book as many intro calls as you can
There’s a sales mantra that goes something like, “Book a meeting to get a meeting.” The idea is simple: get on the phone or Zoom with as many people as possible.

Ask good questions. Find out what problem they’re trying to solve. Talk about how you can help. Then book a follow-up conversation where you’ll walk them through your proposal.

4. Never send a proposal over email
This one’s non-negotiable.

Sending a proposal by email is the fastest way to stall momentum and miss your revenue goal. Instead, book a second meeting while you’re still on the first call, and walk them through it live. That could be on Zoom, in person, or over the phone.

If they have questions, you can answer them right away. If they have objections, you can address them immediately. Make it easy for them to say yes.

5. Revisit your pricing
Most solopreneurs undercharge. You probably are too.

Look at what you’re offering and what you’re charging. Factor in all the value you bring, not just the deliverables. You have skills people will pay for — often more than you think. Charging fairly isn’t just good for you, it’s good for your household and your business’s future.

6. Offer a reason to say yes now
If you need revenue quickly, give your client a reason to act quickly.

One way: offer an incentive for paying in full. For example, if your $2,000 package is normally two $1,000 payments, you could say, “If you sign by Friday and pay in full, you’ll save $200.” They get a discount, you get the cash now.

7. Close the deal
Be clear and confident when you ask for the sale. Make it easy for someone to say yes. Have the contract ready. Have the payment link ready.

You’re not being pushy — you’re a professional offering them your real solution to their real problem.

Why This Works

Whether you’re aiming for $10K, $30K, or another number that makes sense for your business, this sprint works because it forces you to:

• Stop procrastinating

• Tighten your sales process

• Reconnect with people who already know you

• Build confidence in your pricing and pitch

Once you see it work, you’ll know you can tap into it anytime.

What Hitting Your $10K Goal Looks Like

You hit your revenue goal. You book the conference. You buy the laptop. You cover the bills without stress. And you do it by making confident, intentional moves in a short, focused window.

Scroll Less. Solve More.

Keep reading Side Bars for Solopreneurs for ideas you can actually use. And while you’re here, see why RedPocket is the only carrier that gives you all three: coverage on any 5G network, Lock-In Low™ pricing, and real humans in 2 minutes or less.