Freelancing is the Same Game as Online Dating
Connection in our digital age is a precious thing. Our attention spans are microscopic and being strategic about how to attract people we vibe with is an art in and of itself.
Freelancing and Online Dating. Sigh. I’ve been doing one longer than the other, but I can’t help but find similarities between the two. Please enjoy my mental musings on this topic lol.
Appealing to Everyone Means Appealing to No One
The niche factor is real! If everyone swipes right on you, that means no one is self selecting away, which makes your job harder to sift through piles of prospects. By presenting yourself as a non-generic person with a personality you will be more likely to click with the people who are looking for more than someone basic. Be yourself!
In the freelancing world, narrowing your focus somehow is a very helpful way to get your footing. Pick a specialization that suits your skills and style in order to gain traction.
Put Yourself Out There
You reap what you sow. It’s cliched but true. Wishing someone great would come and find you doesn’t mean it will magically happen. Put in the time to set yourself up for success and you will reap the rewards.
Make a list of dream clients and be bold! If you take the time to present yourself in a compelling way, you will see success. If you misrepresent yourself then golly gee, that won’t end well.
Talking about yourself can feel awkward at first, but there is true power in succinctly conveying your essence. Experimenting can be part of the fun too. Try A/B testing of different approaches and see if one is more successful.
Grab Them with Curated Images
Pictures will always be worth a thousand words, so use them intentionally. Of course, it’s hard to synthesize your multi-faceted self into a 2D picture but do your best. Show your lovable weirdness!
When sending images to potential clients, pick ones that will resonate with them. Make sure the file size is pretty small so the email can actually be delivered. 1-3 images are what I shoot for. Bonus points if the image links to a webpage with more information.
Keep Messages Brief and Interesting
Have you ever received an initial message in a dating app that was waaaaay too long? Even if the person was very genuine it still feels off base and is off-putting. Similarly icky is a message completely devoid of thought that feels copied and pasted. 🙄
People can tell when you have put thought into your message/email. Even if the structure is formulaic, be sure to include specifics about the recipient. It could be a compliment about their smile or how you admire that the company works with non-profit organizations. Show that you are attentive and thoughtful. It makes a huge difference.
I’ve also found it helps to bold words so that someone scanning an email from a stranger might bite on certain words or phrases that jump out.
It’s a Numbers Game
Plain and simple…this is a marathon, not a sprint. With that being said, being intentional about your attitude and approach will make the process feel less painful. Make sure you’re in the right mindset. If you’re bummed out and distracted you might miss someone great.
Cold emailing is a necessary evil to helping people learn that you exist. Until they develop targeted telepathy, old-fashioned emails are one of the tried and true methods for connecting with people. Find a rhythm and get into a groove. I like to research emails in batches and then send emails in batches so that I can build momentum.
If They are Interested, They Will Reply
No matter how strange my first message might be, if someone is interested it doesn’t much matter. This is a huge relief! I don’t have to overthink what I say in a paralyzing way. If I’ve done a good job of conveying my true self and what I can offer, then the actual message is a supporting element.
Similarly, when cold emailing, narrowing my focus to truly ideal potential clients means a much higher likelihood of a reply.
Create an Onboarding System That Works for You
Do you prefer to have a phone call before meeting in person? Maybe face to face is more direct. Or perhaps you want to message for a short while to see if they can carry on a conversation…
Everyone has different preferences so communicate your process to keep things streamlined. When it comes to freelancing, outlining the steps involved upfront cuts out any confusion. As always, clear communication is key!
Don’t Take Rejection or Ghosting Personally
Who knows what is going on in someone’s life at any given time. If the stars don’t align, it has very little bearing on you personally. Shake it off and keep going. You’ll find a better fit somewhere down the line. . Every setback is a learning opportunity and a chance to regroup.
Keep being you! Be fearlessly confident and don’t let the haters get you down. You rock.
