In this post, I’m going to explain how complete beginners with nothing to show can increase their odds at winning a project
When I started out freelancing online, I thought that as soon as I registered for a freelance job site, things would be smooth sailing and projects would drop right into my lap.
It was sort of wishful thinking on my part, and I found that I actually had to compete against more experienced and established freelancers.
The common advice is to start with small low paying projects and build up from there so you can get some client feedback.
Having client feedback definitely helps, though the tips i will be explaining below are designed to help you speed up your efforts at winning higher paying projects sooner, even with minimal experience or client feedback.
Create a work portfolio that you can show your target market
A very simple tip, but very often overlooked. Alot of new providers think that the best strategy is to bid as low as possible in order to win a project.
This is not always true, especially when clients are looking to hire someone who has the specific skills necessary in order to complete a project.
Bidding too low without having work samples also makes you look amateurish if brand new, making you more likely to be skipped over on more high paying projects.
Starting a free blog displaying your resume, personal profile, and sample of your skills (writing, audio editing, video editing, webdesign etc.) is a good and free way to start an online work portfolio that you can direct to clients when you make a bid.
If you’re not familiar with free blog sites, check out blogger.com and wordpress.com to set one up quickly.
Go the extra mile to show you’re perfect for the job
Most projects will usually come with a project description. Sometimes this description is enough to let you create a sample of the work you can do.
I did this in one project whereby I wrote up a sample layout based on the description and also created a quick free blog with a few posts to demonstrate my knowledge on the topic my clients project was based on.
This impressed my client enough that they gave me the job before bidding had even ended.
Instead of just making a verbal bid for the project, I went the extra mile to prove to the client that I was serious and had the knowledge and ability to achieve their project goal.
This strategy is effective, especially when you have little to no previous work samples to show but would like to prove you are capable.
Make who you are visible to the client
Don’t you feel more comfortable when you actually know who you’re working with? The same goes with clients who are overseas and who can only see you and get to know you through the information you provide.
In your job profile on the site you are registered with, fill out your job profile completely outlining your past experience, qualifications and any references.
Have a link to a personal blog or website you might have so they can check you out and get to know you.
Being visible can give the impression that you are honest and that you aren’t trying to hide anything (i will assume that you are honest and aren’t trying to hide anything).
For clients, this makes them more comfortable and opens up your chances of being selected for a project.
Summary
For anyone who is just getting started or is currently freelancing, using the above 3 tips will help boost your odds at winning project bids.
The tips described above are designed to help you win better paying higher quality projects instead of settling for low paying overly demanding projects that would choose you simply because you offered a low price.
Demonstrated ability speaks louder than a verbal promise and going the extra mile to show clients that you have the skills and the desire to work for them helps as well.
Doing this shows a level of commitment and seriousness that can help you stand out of the crowd. This helps especially if you are brand new and have never won a single project.
Showing all your qualifications and giving them a chance at getting know who you are by directing them to your personal site can help clients feel more comfortable and also decide if you are a right fit for the type of person they want to work with.
In the end, you need to be creative in coming up with ways to grab the clients attention.
Obviously some effort is involved, but seriously, you don’t make friends by standing 10 feet away from people and telling them how awesome of a friend you’d be.
In the same way, you don’t win clients by making verbal promises alone. Show them your commitment, show them who you are and I can promise you that you will see results.
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- A freelance skill most people have but never think of
- Why oDesk is a great place for employees to start freelancing online
- Donanza – A Freelance and Telecommuting Job Search Engine
- How I Overcame My Fear Of Networking For Potential Clients
- 3 Tips To Maximize Your Pay During Initial Salary Negotiation
Yasuo Long believes that all employees should have the right to design their lifestyle according to their needs in order to maintain their health, their relationships and their happiness. In pursuit of this, he quit the 9-to-5 and became a telecommuter to give himself the time and mental freedom to discover what it really means to live with direction and purpose.
