How I keep client work moving when it’s just me.

I run NOVA Brandworks without employees, so the research, drafts, billable hours, and final checks all land on my desk. This free guide walks through the routines I use to handle those jobs and produce work I’m proud to put my name on.

By Dani Furmenek · Founder of Pretty Smart Prompts and NOVA Brandworks

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The work around the client work.

A client will only see the final deliverable. They won’t see the research behind it, the drafts that didn’t make the cut, or the hours that have to be accounted for. All of that plays a part in producing work I’m proud of, so I’ve built routines around it.

Find the research you saved

New marketing research lands in my inbox every day from sources I trust. My inbox sweep files the useful pieces as searchable notes in Obsidian and sends me a summary, so I can find them later or use them to rethink a strategy I’m working on now. See the public code.

Give the outline a real brief

Before I start a first draft, I gather what the client requested, the source material, the constraints, and examples of my writing. I work through the outline with AI to test my thinking, then write the draft myself.

Look over the hours before billing

Tracking billable hours across several clients gets cumbersome. My timer sweep gives me another look at tracked time before it reaches an invoice. I check the record against the work and the client agreement, then decide what belongs on the final invoice.

Review the final deliverable

A polished draft can still miss a fact or promise something the client never approved. Before I send the final version, I check it against the original brief and source material, along with the links, voice, and next steps.

Hi, I’m Dani.

Before I started NOVA Brandworks in 2024, I spent a decade in sales and brand strategy, including nearly four years managing multimillion-dollar pipelines at Tripadvisor.

Now I run my marketing agency without employees. That means I handle the client strategy and research, keep track of the hours, and review what goes out under my name. Pretty Smart Prompts is where I show the routines and tools that have earned a place in my workday.