Solopreneur Operations Playbook

A complete operations manual for running a one-person business — covering daily workflows, client management systems, financial routines, project delivery processes, and growth frameworks. The playbook you wish someone had given you on day one.

What's Included

File	Description
playbook-core.md	Complete operations manual (all 8 chapters)
daily-weekly-routines.md	Time-blocked daily and weekly workflow templates
client-lifecycle-sop.md	Standard operating procedures for the full client journey
financial-routines.md	Weekly, monthly, quarterly financial checklists
project-delivery-framework.md	Repeatable delivery process for any project type
growth-planning-framework.md	Quarterly growth review and planning template
tool-stack-guide.md	Recommended tools by category with free alternatives
docs/overview.md	Playbook orientation and reading guide
docs/checklists/pre-deployment.md	Pre-launch quality checklist
docs/patterns/pattern-01-standard.md	Standard engagement pattern
templates/config.yaml	Customizable settings for your business
config.example.yaml	Example configuration

Quick Start

1. Extract the ZIP archive
2. Read docs/overview.md for orientation
3. Start with daily-weekly-routines.md — implement your daily workflow
4. Add client-lifecycle-sop.md processes as you land clients
5. Set up financial-routines.md checklists in your calendar
6. Review growth-planning-framework.md at the end of each quarter

Template Examples

Daily Workflow Template

## The Solopreneur Daily Framework

### Morning Block (8:00 - 12:00) — DEEP WORK
| Time  | Activity                           | Duration |
|-------|------------------------------------|----------|
| 8:00  | Review today's priorities (max 3)  | 15 min   |
| 8:15  | Deep work: Client deliverables     | 105 min  |
| 10:00 | Break                              | 15 min   |
| 10:15 | Deep work: continued               | 105 min  |

### Midday Block (12:00 - 1:30) — ADMIN
| Time  | Activity                           | Duration |
|-------|------------------------------------|----------|
| 12:00 | Lunch                              | 30 min   |
| 12:30 | Email and messages (batch process) | 30 min   |
| 1:00  | Invoicing, follow-ups, scheduling  | 30 min   |

### Afternoon Block (1:30 - 5:00) — MIXED
| Time  | Activity                           | Duration |
|-------|------------------------------------|----------|
| 1:30  | Client calls / meetings            | 90 min   |
| 3:00  | Marketing / business development   | 60 min   |
| 4:00  | Learning / skill development       | 45 min   |
| 4:45  | End-of-day review, plan tomorrow   | 15 min   |

Weekly Rhythm

## Weekly Operating Rhythm

| Day       | Theme           | Key Activities                          |
|-----------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Monday    | Planning        | Weekly review, set priorities, pipeline  |
| Tuesday   | Delivery        | Deep client work, no meetings           |
| Wednesday | Delivery        | Deep client work, 1-2 client calls max  |
| Thursday  | Delivery + Biz  | Client work AM, marketing PM            |
| Friday    | Admin + Growth  | Invoicing, follow-ups, learning, review |

### Weekly Checklist
- [ ] Review and update project boards (Monday AM)
- [ ] Check cash flow and outstanding invoices (Monday AM)
- [ ] Send follow-up emails to leads (Monday PM)
- [ ] Publish one piece of marketing content (Thursday PM)
- [ ] Send invoices for completed work (Friday AM)
- [ ] Review the week — what worked, what didn't (Friday PM)
- [ ] Plan next week's top 3 priorities (Friday PM)

Client Lifecycle SOP

## Standard Client Engagement Process

### Stage 1: Lead → Discovery (1-3 days)
- [ ] Respond to inquiry within 4 hours
- [ ] Send pre-qualification questionnaire
- [ ] Review responses, decide go/no-go
- [ ] Schedule 30-min discovery call

### Stage 2: Discovery → Proposal (3-5 days)
- [ ] Conduct discovery call (record with permission)
- [ ] Summarize requirements in writing
- [ ] Prepare proposal with 3 pricing tiers
- [ ] Send proposal + follow-up in 48 hours

### Stage 3: Proposal → Kick-Off (1-7 days)
- [ ] Negotiate terms if needed
- [ ] Send contract for signature
- [ ] Collect deposit (25-50%)
- [ ] Send welcome packet and onboarding form
- [ ] Schedule kick-off call

### Stage 4: Delivery (project-dependent)
- [ ] Weekly progress updates to client
- [ ] Milestone check-ins at each phase
- [ ] Internal quality review before each delivery
- [ ] Manage scope changes via change order process

### Stage 5: Wrap-Up → Retention (1-2 weeks)
- [ ] Final delivery and client review
- [ ] Collect remaining payment
- [ ] Request testimonial (day 7 post-delivery)
- [ ] Send referral request (day 30 post-delivery)
- [ ] Add to quarterly check-in list

Quarterly Growth Review

## Quarterly Growth Review — Q[X] [YEAR]

### Revenue Review
- Revenue this quarter:     $_______ (target: $______)
- Revenue last quarter:     $_______
- Quarter-over-quarter:     +/- ____%
- Top client by revenue:    _____________

### Operations Health
| Metric                  | Actual | Target | Status |
|-------------------------|--------|--------|--------|
| Utilization rate         | ____%  | 60%    | ✅/⚠️/❌ |
| Average project margin   | ____%  | 65%    | ✅/⚠️/❌ |
| Client satisfaction (NPS) | ___   | 8+     | ✅/⚠️/❌ |
| Invoice collection <30d  | ____%  | 90%    | ✅/⚠️/❌ |

### Next Quarter Priorities
1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
3. ________________________________

Usage Tips

• Start with one chapter. Don't try to implement the entire playbook at once
• The daily framework is the highest-ROI chapter. Start there
• Customize aggressively. Cross out what doesn't fit your business
• Print the weekly checklist. Physical checklists have higher completion rates
• Revisit the playbook quarterly. Your systems should evolve with your business

Best Practices

1. Batch similar tasks. Email, invoicing, and admin in one block — not scattered
2. Protect your mornings. Deep work before meetings and email
3. Standardize your delivery process. Every project follows the same stages
4. Automate repetitive tasks. If you do it 3+ times, create a template or automation
5. Track your time for 2 weeks. Know where hours actually go before optimizing
6. Schedule quarterly reviews. Block 3 hours on your calendar — non-negotiable

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