I’ve been on Upwork for the last 9 months and just now got my first real, repeating client. It’s a big European online tire shop that needs product descriptions pretty frequently.
Despite the fact that I have a repeating client I’m still on my way to the first 1k from Upwork. I know I should’ve made that 1k A LONG TIME AGO but learning copywriting and how to get clients has taken a lot of my time. I’m also guilty of procrastinating to be honest.
Since there are plenty of prospective clients outside Upwork I thought why the hell haven’t I reached out to them yet? Why have all the eggs in one basket?
So, here’s what I’m going to do:
1. Create my own website so everybody can find me.
2. Figure out what kind of services I’m going to provide. (Copywriting, consulting, etc…)
3. Start a blog on that website to educate my clients and drive traffic. (I’m figuring out ideas for content, I have to find a way to teach my clients about copywriting, I’m open to suggestions.)
4. Find lists of fresh startups and send them personalized emails about how I could help them stand-out and get clients with my copywriting.
5. Send direct mailers to local businesses. (Or should I look up their website and walk in to the store and tell them how I could make their copy better?)
6. Create Autoresponder series to have people sign up for my newsletter and to sell my services to them. (I could send an email every time I post on the blog and when I have some valuable information for my newsletter receivers. I think I should create at least 15 emails before hand. Again, open to suggestions.)
7. Figure out pricing.
8. Create my own E-book(s) for clients to educate them. (Topics are still unknown)
9. Maybe set up social media accounts? (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram)
So, this is what I’m currently working on, I’m not sure if I’m going to do everything in that order but these are the things I’m going to do. If I missed something relevant or there’s something wrong with that list, please let me know, I don’t want to do this half-assed.
This is my first time really trying to grow my business so any advice is welcomed, no need to be kind, no need to handle with care, if there’s anything wrong with these ideas, let me know!
Crossing all of these will take a little bit of time since my current financial situation doesn’t allow me to spend on these immediately. I’m going to have my next salary on Friday (yes, I’m currently working a slowlane job) so after Friday I can calculate how much money I can spend.
Currently I have money coming in from two sources; Upwork (about 250€ a month) and my part-time slowlane job which is stevedoring (about 450-1500€ a month). If you have any ideas on how I could hustle things up more, I’m all ears.
Few questions for you:
1. How much money should I spend on a website?
2. What should the website contain other than blog, basic information, picture, contact form, portfolio (I only have pieces that I created when I was applying for jobs on Upwork)?
3. What do you think is the best web host? GoDaddy?
4. Should I use Upwork, Fiverr or Craigslist to find the person who’d make me a website?
I’d like to feel accountable for this forum, so if you guys are interested I’d be happy to feed you information about my journey and how everything is evolving.
I'm glad I read TMF and grateful for the people on this forum who put time and effort to give advice for others that are just starting out and going through hurdles.
-Tuomas
Despite the fact that I have a repeating client I’m still on my way to the first 1k from Upwork. I know I should’ve made that 1k A LONG TIME AGO but learning copywriting and how to get clients has taken a lot of my time. I’m also guilty of procrastinating to be honest.
Since there are plenty of prospective clients outside Upwork I thought why the hell haven’t I reached out to them yet? Why have all the eggs in one basket?
So, here’s what I’m going to do:
1. Create my own website so everybody can find me.
2. Figure out what kind of services I’m going to provide. (Copywriting, consulting, etc…)
3. Start a blog on that website to educate my clients and drive traffic. (I’m figuring out ideas for content, I have to find a way to teach my clients about copywriting, I’m open to suggestions.)
4. Find lists of fresh startups and send them personalized emails about how I could help them stand-out and get clients with my copywriting.
5. Send direct mailers to local businesses. (Or should I look up their website and walk in to the store and tell them how I could make their copy better?)
6. Create Autoresponder series to have people sign up for my newsletter and to sell my services to them. (I could send an email every time I post on the blog and when I have some valuable information for my newsletter receivers. I think I should create at least 15 emails before hand. Again, open to suggestions.)
7. Figure out pricing.
8. Create my own E-book(s) for clients to educate them. (Topics are still unknown)
9. Maybe set up social media accounts? (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram)
So, this is what I’m currently working on, I’m not sure if I’m going to do everything in that order but these are the things I’m going to do. If I missed something relevant or there’s something wrong with that list, please let me know, I don’t want to do this half-assed.
This is my first time really trying to grow my business so any advice is welcomed, no need to be kind, no need to handle with care, if there’s anything wrong with these ideas, let me know!
Crossing all of these will take a little bit of time since my current financial situation doesn’t allow me to spend on these immediately. I’m going to have my next salary on Friday (yes, I’m currently working a slowlane job) so after Friday I can calculate how much money I can spend.
Currently I have money coming in from two sources; Upwork (about 250€ a month) and my part-time slowlane job which is stevedoring (about 450-1500€ a month). If you have any ideas on how I could hustle things up more, I’m all ears.
Few questions for you:
1. How much money should I spend on a website?
2. What should the website contain other than blog, basic information, picture, contact form, portfolio (I only have pieces that I created when I was applying for jobs on Upwork)?
3. What do you think is the best web host? GoDaddy?
4. Should I use Upwork, Fiverr or Craigslist to find the person who’d make me a website?
I’d like to feel accountable for this forum, so if you guys are interested I’d be happy to feed you information about my journey and how everything is evolving.
I'm glad I read TMF and grateful for the people on this forum who put time and effort to give advice for others that are just starting out and going through hurdles.
-Tuomas
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