Pitching your client is a pivotal aspect of freelancing and because your clients will gather their impressions within 1/10th of a second of meeting you… You'll want to be on your A game!

If your work is too highly polished, clients might not believe that you were responsible for it. Conversely, if the work is just rough enough to look like a student project or an amateurish home job, then they won't want to hire you either. Freelancers need to walk a fine line between professional polish and personal charm to ensure they win over their clients with every pitch!

Don't worry though, we are going to show you how to do it with this simple guide on how to confidently pitch your clients as a freelancer. So let's take a look!

1. Research Your Clients

A freelancer has to be able to identify their client’s needs quickly and accurately. Learning about who you're speaking with is one of the most important aspects of pitching because it gives the client security when you have knowledge about their business and practices.

Even if you can't research much into the business or client, make sure you are up-to-date with all of the latest news in the market or niche you wish to serve. Consider mentioning aspects of their business that you are familiar with, like marketing trends in their niche, and discussing ways you can apply your knowledge of these trends to their business.

When you make your clients feel heard while confidently informing them of your expertise it will give you a better chance at landing the job!

2. Sell yourself...Without Selling Yourself

Selling yourself isn't about bragging or boasting that you are the best of the best – it's about making a list of what makes you unique and finding out how those qualities can benefit the potential client. "But I'm just starting out – I have no clients!" It doesn't matter if you have zero clients, zero testimonials, and zero degree – if you're confident in what you do, then show it! You need to believe in your value as a freelancer if you expect others to believe it as well.

Tailor your pitch to the client and highlight what makes you different from their other prospective candidates, but don't just make it about you; make it about them! Studies show that 60% of hiring costs can be cut by working with freelancers. Your clients understand this stat which is why they have come to you as a freelancer, so don't be afraid to clearly discuss numbers in your pitch; your clients will appreciate your transparency.

3. Have Realistic Expectations

One of the most challenging things about freelancing is its unpredictable nature. As a result, you should set yourself up for success by formulating a plan to do everything within your power to ensure that your pitch is successful. Set small goals and reward yourself when you achieve them!

In this way, it's clear when progress is being made and you'll always have something to strive toward next. Having an end goal will help keep you motivated through the stress of pitching and give you peace of mind knowing that any rejections or obstacles can easily be moved around on your path because they are temporary blocks.

Do not put all of your eggs in one basket though. Even if the client responds very positively, don't expect anything from them yet until you have a face-to-face meeting! These things take time to develop and you must remember that not everyone is looking for a freelancer right away. It's also very possible you can get several positive responses from potential clients, so if one doesn't work out, it's best to keep your mind open for other freelancing options that you can apply to should the pitch not work out in your favor. 

4. Keep Your Pitch Concise

When sending an introduction email or making a phone call, you don't want to overwhelm your potential client with a long-winded, wordy pitch. No matter how good it is, they just won't have the time to read through everything, so keep it concise and straight to the point.

Your pitch should only include the most important information that relates to your business so don't be afraid to cut out any unnecessary ideas. Stick with the core of who you are and what you have to offer, which will leave your client wanting more!

5. Follow Through & Make It Personal

Even if you get a positive response from someone, that doesn't mean they're going to hire right away nor does it automatically give you the job either. You have to follow through by making sure all is in order before taking the leap into working together.

There is a fine line here though as you don't want to be pushy or make the client feel rushed. Luckily, if you are freelancing on the FreeUp Marketplace you can count on help from the support team to reach out to clients that you have not gotten a response from regarding your project. The support team is there to help you with your follow through and connection with the client from start to finish.

Land Your Client Today!

Now that you have learned how to confidently pitch a client as a freelancer, it’s time to put your skills to the test! Don’t be afraid to reach out for help should you need it though! Our team at FreeUp is here to help you land your clients like a pro! 

We have a pro tip for you from our experts at FreeUp! When you pitch your clients, consider including your Calendly link in the email. Giving your link will help ensure better follow through from your clients as they will be able to find the dates and times that work best for their busy schedules!