Before you murder me, let me just share this story with you:
Three days ago, I had no idea what to do. I had no money to start anything, no job to turn to for income.
Two days ago, It crossed my mind to go Freelance.
Yesterday, my account on Freelancer.com was ready for use.
Now, I've made a long-term deal on a 4hr/day article writing/copywriting job, $20 a day.
$20 a day = $600 a month
That does indeed sound, feel, look and is no more than petty change. But, here's the deal. I'm not American. That means it's not petty change any more. It's relevant.So relevant, in fact, that it'll fund a website I'm going to make, letting me into the Fastlane.
And no, I'm by no means a crazy good writer with years of experience, a college degree... Actually I haven't got any degree at all. I also have no experience in writing articles, using the site, and basically no education on either writing content or writing copy.
There's no trace of a professionall profile picture(it's a 1959 Cadillac Cyclone).
My bio isn't a perfectly tailored, impeccable piece of copywriting art(it's along the lines of: I'll do the best I can, ps, isn't the Cadillac lovely? I've had no time to take a proper picture).
I've got no reviews AT ALL. Not a single one.
In fact, the only proper thing about my profile is a well-done English level 1 test, at 95% correct.
So, how does a guy like this(in almost every way the wrong guy for the job), actually get the job, the day after he starts freelancing?
It's about perspective. You see, It may make all of the sense in the world to think I'm the most horrible choice for a project. But it doesn't matter. Why? Because it's wrong.
Yes, it's majestic to have a fancy diploma, enough months of study and practice to pump the ego big enough to get the courage to start working, and the shiny freelancer profile with all the credentials.
A little secret - THEY ARE USELESS!
You see, the employer is there because he wants his shit done. They are busy people, with endless work waiting to be done. You don't just go into a busy person's face and shout:
"Look! Look how nice my cheek dimples look in this profile picture! Look at this expensive-a$$ diploma! I dare you to count all the credentials I got on this profile!"
This is the secret: They don't want a college graduate. They don't want a model. They don't want the biggest freelance badge-collector!
They want their work done for them, and they want it done properly. For all they care, it could be done by a genie, or a monkey. They want the result without the work, and they can afford it.
This is the kind of pitch I send:
"Hello. I'll write the articles you need, no problem. With great English, you don't have to worry about editing. Ready to go, I can drop anything and work whenever you need me to. I've already done some preliminary work, let me know if I should continue. You'll get one article for free, as a sample and introduction."
The pitch isn't custom-made for you, but you can still understand, can't you?
How long has it been since you've read a proposal with that much value in it? THAT IS THE POINT! No employer wants an employee. They're a pain in the a$$. They want a dream, a fantasy, a work machine like no other. Embody that machine, and your opportunities are endless.
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