Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#21

Post by SeerWS » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 4:59 PM UTC

Back when I used to freelance, here is what I learned: you have to fake it til you make it. :)

I got my first clients by cold-calling. He was probably my two hundredth cold-call. Later that week I ended up with a $1,600 check in my pocket, a 50% deposit on a $3,200 contract.

Also, you need to learn basic SEO. Google "Colorado web design" and you'll find me at rank 3: http://www.broadsighted.com

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#22

Post by dclowd9901 » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:01 PM UTC

patio11 wrote: post #15

I've decided that I want to start freelancing doing web design for local businesses/organizations. Much like how in product development we talk to customers prior to building stuff, I'd suggest verifying that you have an addressable market for a service offering prior to defining what that service offering is. "Freelance", "web", "design", "local", and "business" are five things that you said in that sentence which m…

To this, I'd like to add that once you get those first few clients, get very serious about customer service. Expect to take a call any day at any time, and if you can't, always call back the moment you can. Believe it or not, this alone will put you miles ahead of the competition.

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#23

Post by SeerWS » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:01 PM UTC

SeerWS wrote: post #21

Back when I used to freelance, here is what I learned: you have to fake it til you make it. :) I got my first clients by cold-calling. He was probably my two hundredth cold-call. Later that week I ended up with a $1,600 check in my pocket, a 50% deposit on a $3,200 contract. Also, you need to learn basic SEO. Google "Colorado web design" and you'll find me at rank 3: http://www.broadsighted.com

FYI I'm not freelancing anymore, so no one accuse me of advertising. I just wanted to provide OP with a real life example...

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#24

Post by dylanhassinger » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:04 PM UTC

Key lesson I learned the hard way:

1 good ongoing client is better than 100 one-off projects with different clients.

There's a huge overhead to finding and onboarding a new client/project. Instead find one good ongoing contract, and put all your extra energy into creating a product that can scale.

Freelancing is a dead end road, but you can use it as a tool to bootstrap your own lifestyle business.

see also: Four Hour Workweek and Start Small, Stay Small

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#25

Post by andrewhyde » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:12 PM UTC

When I freelanced I got 100% of my work from referrals. My simple marketing strategy was to:

Finish every project on time. Finish every project on budget. Answer all email within an hour (sent during the day).

When you do that, your clients love you and talk about you.

Start with a low hourly rate. When you reach 40 hours booked every week, double your rate. You will loose about half of your clients, but still be making the same amount. If you are good, you will fill it up again. Double it again. Continue with your comfort level.

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#26

Post by imjoel » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:20 PM UTC

rwhitman wrote: post #20

Quick tip - if you want clients with reliable, steady work and a way to hone your skills and build out a nice portfolio focus on design / interactive / marketing agencies and skip the local businesses. Mom and pop shops who would hire a web dev based on a business card are some of the WORST clients. Make a nice portfolio site of whatever you have available, and compose a nice cold email being very honest about who yo…

I think this a sound strategy in the beginning to keep the lights on. In the end, though, there's more glory when you land and maintain the clients you want with no middle man.

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#27

Post by gnaritas » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:23 PM UTC

patio11 wrote: post #15

I've decided that I want to start freelancing doing web design for local businesses/organizations. Much like how in product development we talk to customers prior to building stuff, I'd suggest verifying that you have an addressable market for a service offering prior to defining what that service offering is. "Freelance", "web", "design", "local", and "business" are five things that you said in that sentence which m…

> I am the world's leading expert on WordPress sites for

I'd tune out the second I saw such a marketing boast; the odds of being pure b.s. are through the roof.

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#28

Post by chc » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:50 PM UTC

gnaritas wrote: post #27

patio11 wrote: post #15

I've decided that I want to start freelancing doing web design for local businesses/organizations. Much like how in product development we talk to customers prior to building stuff, I'd suggest verifying that you have an addressable market for a service offering prior to defining what that service offering is. "Freelance", "web", "design", "local", and "business" are five things that you said in that sentence which m…

> I am the world's leading expert on WordPress sites for I'd tune out the second I saw such a marketing boast; the odds of being pure b.s. are through the roof.

If you were the director at a heritage language Asian school (whatever that is) who just wants a website that represents the school well, you might find it more compelling. Not everybody is as cynical as you or I. Because of this, pointing out "This wouldn't work on me" isn't particularly illuminating unless you are the target audience (and maybe not even then).

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#29

Post by knieveltech » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:51 PM UTC

When I was getting started out I had a lot of success going to local tech meetups for the technologies I worked with. After showing up to enough meetings that I was a familiar face I did a few presentations. Afterward I was approached by group members and a couple small local dev shops looking to sub out overflow work.

Re: Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?

#30

Post by alinajaf » Mon, Jun 25, 2012, 5:51 PM UTC

gnaritas wrote: post #27

patio11 wrote: post #15

I've decided that I want to start freelancing doing web design for local businesses/organizations. Much like how in product development we talk to customers prior to building stuff, I'd suggest verifying that you have an addressable market for a service offering prior to defining what that service offering is. "Freelance", "web", "design", "local", and "business" are five things that you said in that sentence which m…

> I am the world's leading expert on WordPress sites for I'd tune out the second I saw such a marketing boast; the odds of being pure b.s. are through the roof.

The idea is that you google 'wordpress sites for heritage language asian schools' and this guys blog is the only thing on the SERP for the informative, expertise-demonstrating content he's got there. At no point does he have to be explicit about being the foremost expert in this or any other niche.