Took my First Shot at Freelancing - Failed - But Learned

[Mikkel]

You know when you just accomplished something you have been nervous to do, because you know it's something that is completely new to you.

Well I just did, and I failed.

Is it really failing if you learned some valuable lessons though?

For the past year on FLF I have heard people just tell you to just do it. Just go out and get your first client, make your first sale or make your first call.

Well, for myself I talked with my first potential client. He wanted to help with Social Media marketing and I offered him my best. In the end, we had a mutual understanding that I was not the best person for him. His target market did not reside in my area of expertise.

However, I took some major points away. The first is, HOLY SHIT!

Why am I shaking?

I felt like I just saw a ghost. It is so new for me to talk with a client, to try and sell my knowledge to a person. I found that it will take practice to not repeat myself and be more direct in my communication. I heard myself stumbling over my words and repeating myself, over and over again.

Communication is such an important skill to have, no matter what your business is. A person who can get right to the point and has a certain confidence about them that I aspire to have.

The second major take away is just be honest with your clients. I was transparent with my client and I think he truly appreciated it. I told him that I was new to freelancing and in return I would essentially work with him for nothing - Idea came from both @Fox and @SinisterLex (Thanks for the great threads)
Although I valued myself low, it defiantly helped get a client into the door. He understood my reason for the low price and so it was a true "You scratch my back I scratch your back."

In the end, his target market resided in Facebook. Me, i'm an Instagram guy. I would like to expand my horizons with Social Media but I know that will take time to learn.

Initially I was a bit bummed that I didn't get the job, I really want to get my first freelancing job completed but I realize that not every deal will pan out. Only experience will make me better so I will go onto the next job and see if I can hook some.

Also, if you haven't taken action yet, take it from someone who has struggled to take action. It is not so bad once you just put yourself out there. Even if that is to start your own business(which I am currently working on, freelancing is going to fund part of the business.)

 

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[Fox]

Good work.

What do you do with Instagram? PM me if you want or post here. Maybe someone on here might have use of your services.

This is a good start and its where everyone starts at some point. Try get more time on the phone with as much people as you can so you can lose the nervousness. Just lowball to get that first job and then take it from there. The first few contacts are about exposure and experience, don't worry too much about what you are making.

 

[Mikkel]

I appreciate the response @Fox

I work with people on how to grow there Instagram accounts by targeting their target audience and I also work on branding through each of their posts and a lot of smaller branding like their account name, account description, hashtags etc.

The market for this is quite smaller than managing accounts, so I have been looking into doing this as well.

Try get more time on the phone with as much people as you can so you can lose the nervousness. Just lowball to get that first job and then take it from there. The first few contacts are about exposure and experience, don't worry too much about what you are making.

I'm working on finding my next client, sending out resumes on Upwork. I hate their pricing of 20% but as you said, it doesn't matter about the money at this moment, but rather the exposure. I can look into techniques to get clients outside of Upwork at a later time.

 

[Crossroads]

I appreciate the response @Fox

I work with people on how to grow there Instagram accounts by targeting their target audience and I also work on branding through each of their posts and a lot of smaller branding like their account name, account description, hashtags etc.

The market for this is quite smaller than managing accounts, so I have been looking into doing this as well.




I'm working on finding my next client, sending out resumes on Upwork. I hate their pricing of 20% but as you said, it doesn't matter about the money at this moment, but rather the exposure. I can look into techniques to get clients outside of Upwork at a later time.

Excited for you. Keep going!

 

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[Andy Black]

You know when you just accomplished something you have been nervous to do, because you know it's something that is completely new to you.

Well I just did, and I failed.

Is it really failing if you learned some valuable lessons though?

For the past year on FLF I have heard people just tell you to just do it. Just go out and get your first client, make your first sale or make your first call.

Well, for myself I talked with my first potential client. He wanted to help with Social Media marketing and I offered him my best. In the end, we had a mutual understanding that I was not the best person for him. His target market did not reside in my area of expertise.

However, I took some major points away. The first is, HOLY SHIT!

Why am I shaking?

I felt like I just saw a ghost. It is so new for me to talk with a client, to try and sell my knowledge to a person. I found that it will take practice to not repeat myself and be more direct in my communication. I heard myself stumbling over my words and repeating myself, over and over again.

Communication is such an important skill to have, no matter what your business is. A person who can get right to the point and has a certain confidence about them that I aspire to have.

The second major take away is just be honest with your clients. I was transparent with my client and I think he truly appreciated it. I told him that I was new to freelancing and in return I would essentially work with him for nothing - Idea came from both @Fox and @SinisterLex (Thanks for the great threads)
Although I valued myself low, it defiantly helped get a client into the door. He understood my reason for the low price and so it was a true "You scratch my back I scratch your back."

In the end, his target market resided in Facebook. Me, i'm an Instagram guy. I would like to expand my horizons with Social Media but I know that will take time to learn.

Initially I was a bit bummed that I didn't get the job, I really want to get my first freelancing job completed but I realize that not every deal will pan out. Only experience will make me better so I will go onto the next job and see if I can hook some.

Also, if you haven't taken action yet, take it from someone who has struggled to take action. It is not so bad once you just put yourself out there. Even if that is to start your own business(which I am currently working on, freelancing is going to fund part of the business.)

Well done on having a go, and nice write up.

Consider sticking with one thing. Be "The Instagram Guy" rather than "The Social Media Guy". It makes you much more specialised and much more referable.

Instead of saying you're new to freelancing to justify your low/free rate, consider saying you're looking for a case study. People understand that, they will then help you create your case study, and it doesn't imply you're "new" or inexperienced. It also implies scarcity as you won't be doing case studies forever.

Keep talking to people. You'll get better and better. One of the best things I did years ago was agree to meet anyone for a coffee to chat AdWords for their business. When I joined the forum I did the same - I Skyped with anyone who might need help - for free.

Tell stories. They resonate, they stick, and people can retell them.

Well done getting out there. Getting a No isnt failure. The only people who never had a No were the people on the sidelines.

Being totally honest is a great policy. They might come back to you when they want Instagram help, and it definitely helps make you referrable.



You might like my thread about "Your marketing center of gravity".



Further listening:

• www.tropicalmba.com/consulting
• www.tropicalmba.com/services
• The two radio interviews bolded in my signature.

EDIT: You didn't take your first shot at freelancing by having one pitch. Your first shot means putting in a good, consistent, effort over a few months or years. I'm sure you'll succeed.

 

[The Racing Driver]

You know when you just accomplished something you have been nervous to do, because you know it's something that is completely new to you.

Well I just did, and I failed.

Is it really failing if you learned some valuable lessons though?

For the past year on FLF I have heard people just tell you to just do it. Just go out and get your first client, make your first sale or make your first call.

Well, for myself I talked with my first potential client. He wanted to help with Social Media marketing and I offered him my best. In the end, we had a mutual understanding that I was not the best person for him. His target market did not reside in my area of expertise.

However, I took some major points away. The first is, HOLY SHIT!

Why am I shaking?

I felt like I just saw a ghost. It is so new for me to talk with a client, to try and sell my knowledge to a person. I found that it will take practice to not repeat myself and be more direct in my communication. I heard myself stumbling over my words and repeating myself, over and over again.

Communication is such an important skill to have, no matter what your business is. A person who can get right to the point and has a certain confidence about them that I aspire to have.

The second major take away is just be honest with your clients. I was transparent with my client and I think he truly appreciated it. I told him that I was new to freelancing and in return I would essentially work with him for nothing - Idea came from both @Fox and @SinisterLex (Thanks for the great threads)
Although I valued myself low, it defiantly helped get a client into the door. He understood my reason for the low price and so it was a true "You scratch my back I scratch your back."

In the end, his target market resided in Facebook. Me, i'm an Instagram guy. I would like to expand my horizons with Social Media but I know that will take time to learn.

Initially I was a bit bummed that I didn't get the job, I really want to get my first freelancing job completed but I realize that not every deal will pan out. Only experience will make me better so I will go onto the next job and see if I can hook some.

Also, if you haven't taken action yet, take it from someone who has struggled to take action. It is not so bad once you just put yourself out there. Even if that is to start your own business(which I am currently working on, freelancing is going to fund part of the business.)

Awesome take aways. I too at the beginning of this year, got really inspired by @SinisterLex 's thread on copywriting. Spent months on Upwork, exhausted my proposals, bought courses and made round about $100 grand total. I failed as well. Achieved nowhere near how much I wished to make. Add to that, I believe I left with a 50% success rate and no repeat business.

However, I did come out with a great education in copywriting, SEO, managing clients and so many other valuable business skills. This has gone on to help me land much much bigger jobs offering the same services, and will undoubtedly help me execute a new fastlane idea.


Some tips I could give you is that:

On sites like Upwork, it's not that you can't make great money. It's just that you lack the element of Control. Personally speaking, I find it so much easier land jobs offline, when it's only you pitching a solution (completely tailored to their business of course).

It's very common to have 20 other highly skilled guys bidding for the job too on freelancing sites. The only good thing is that the client knows they have a problem to be solved, whereas in the real world it's too easy to waste a ton of time educating a terrible prospect.

Find those who already know they have a problem to be solved.

This has been pretty much the only type of clients I've worked successfully with. If I knew this earlier, I'd be a lot further ahead. You can achieve success fast, it's only a matter of how quickly you take action. (Took that from @AndrewNC)

 

[Lex DeVille]

Also, if you haven't taken action yet, take it from someone who has struggled to take action. It is not so bad once you just put yourself out there. Even if that is to start your own business(which I am currently working on, freelancing is going to fund part of the business.)

No, it's not so bad. But it is the only way.
Every little step moves you closer to the person you might become.

I learned communication skills from reading books like How to Win Friends & Influence People, and then going into town and talking to people. Random strangers at random stores with no plan at all.

Doesn't take long to get good at it and figure out what makes people smile when you just get started. What you learn carries over into the online realm too. They smile, they like you, they choose you.

I think you made a good choice on this one. If it didn't feel like a match, it probably wasn't. At least now you know what it's like so you know what to expect for next time.

 

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[Mikkel]

Well done on having a go, and nice write up.

Consider sticking with one thing. Be "The Instagram Guy" rather than "The Social Media Guy". It makes you much more specialised and much more referable.

Instead of saying you're new to freelancing to justify your low/free rate, consider saying you're looking for a case study. People understand that, they will then help you create your case study, and it doesn't imply you're "new" or inexperienced. It also implies scarcity as you won't be doing case studies forever.

Keep talking to people. You'll get better and better. One of the best things I did years ago was agree to meet anyone for a coffee to chat AdWords for their business. When I joined the forum I did the same - I Skyped with anyone who might need help - for free.

Tell stories. They resonate, they stick, and people can retell them.

I still need to find my story. I have listened to your Radio shows talking about the electrician that almost lost his van. Its a fantastic story that can resonate with a lot of people. I think with time I will be able to develop stories that will connect with people.

Interesting take with being the "The Instagram Guy." I was thinking about how I should niche down. I had only thought in terms of the people I should target, but being only focused on Instagram would defiantly help me stand out as well as feeling confident in the work I am doing.
Thanks for the tip @Andy Black

Well done on having a go, and nice write up.
EDIT: You didn't take your first shot at freelancing by having one pitch. Your first shot means putting in a good, consistent, effort over a few months or years. I'm sure you'll succeed.

Very true. I should say, I took my first step towards becoming freelancing. No one ever gets good or succeeds at anything worth while with just one attempt!

Some tips I could give you is that:

On sites like Upwork, it's not that you can't make great money. It's just that you lack the element of Control. Personally speaking, I find it so much easier land jobs offline, when it's only you pitching a solution (completely tailored to their business of course).

It's very common to have 20 other highly skilled guys bidding for the job too on freelancing sites. The only good thing is that the client knows they have a problem to be solved, whereas in the real world it's too easy to waste a ton of time educating a terrible prospect.

Find those who already know they have a problem to be solved.

This has been pretty much the only type of clients I've worked successfully with. If I knew this earlier, I'd be a lot further ahead. You can achieve success fast, it's only a matter of how quickly you take action. (Took that from @AndrewNC)

I appreciate the tips! My plan in the future is to move off of Upwork, but I know I have a lot to learn before then. At the moment, I don't care as much about money as I do learning the skill set it takes to become successful. One problem for me to solve is to find out how to identify those people that do have a problem. There are so many people that have below average Instagram accounts and with just a little bit of change they can stand out well beyond the majority of users. It's just about finding those that actually care enough to create this change.

I learned communication skills from reading books like How to Win Friends & Influence People, and then going into town and talking to people. Random strangers at random stores with no plan at all.

Doesn't take long to get good at it and figure out what makes people smile when you just get started. What you learn carries over into the online realm too. They smile, they like you, they choose you.

I think you made a good choice on this one. If it didn't feel like a match, it probably wasn't. At least now you know what it's like so you know what to expect for next time.

How to Win Friends & Influence People is a fantastic book! Lots of great social skills can be learned from Dale Carnegie. I think it would be very beneficial for me(really anyone) to go out and try and talk with people as well. I'm sure it would not hurt to socialize outside my comfort zone as well.

I actually was watching your Vidz and stuff thread last night and realized that my target client field was way to big. I ended up talking to a guy who needed way more than what I was capable of doing, plus he was in a completely new niche that I had never experienced before. I decided to narrow my search for clients based on what I know is popular on Instagram and what I'm familiar with.

Hopefully that will help me land my first client!

Thanks for all the advice @SinisterLex

 

[Lex DeVille]

I decided to narrow my search for clients based on what I know is popular on Instagram and what I'm familiar with.

That's a good step toward actually helping people! A good way to get better results too.

 

[Nicoknowsbest]

Great job @Mikkel!

Why am I shaking?

It feels good, doesn't it?

Communication is such an important skill to have, no matter what your business is.

Part of communication is showing how you can help people with what you already know, today - hence, selling yourself. This is a tricky one, but you'll get it right if you keep pushing.

The second major take away is just be honest with your clients.

...and with yourself! Respect this rule and you won't be in trouble, ever. Quick thought: If you have an established relationship with a client and he asks you to do something you don't know how to do, suggest to learn it for him for a fraction of the price you'd charge, if you charge him at all. Make him happy and you just expanded your offer.

Also, if you haven't taken action yet, take it from someone who has struggled to take action. It is not so bad once you just put yourself out there. Even if that is to start your own business(which I am currently working on, freelancing is going to fund part of the business.)

Listen to the two podcasts (TMBA) Andy pointed you to, if you haven't already. Your perspective will change: freelancing is not only going to fund part of the business, but help you FIND your business.

Don't stop. Never stop. The party has just started.

P.S.: I am in a very similar situation like yours (some details on it here), only that my ball is rolling slowly already (I have to kick it up the hill, but hey, it is moving) - feel free to PM me anytime, maybe I can be of help in one way or the other.

 

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[Ultra Magnus]

I agree with Andy, as someone who has never done significant work outside of freelancing I believe you shouldn't really take not getting one client as a failure. There are tons of jobs that require specific skill sets. If you're good at what you're doing and are able to convey the potential value to a party that needs someone like you, you'll eventually make money.

The way I see it, it would be a failure if you dedicated a specific time frame for becoming a pro and ran out of money (say, a year or two and you weren't able to support yourself). It all depends on your specific goal, some people just want to try their hand at something to learn new skills. In that case, success could be construed simply as improvement.

As a side note, almost everything I've been doing in my business lately was doing something more or less complicated for the very first time. A large part of why business is hard is that you're constantly forcing yourself into situations where you have little or no experience. Freelancing eventually gets comfortable once you become confident in your skills. To achieve the same level in business requires capital investment for hiring a good team, something that's out of reach for many beginners.