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"How can I get my first clients? I have no social proof"
Getting your first clients with NO social proof is one of the scariest parts of going freelance. You're green, you have no systems, and you feel a bit like an imposter.
This is normal, and not a big deal.
Getting your first clients with NO social proof is one of the scariest parts of going freelance. You're green, you have no systems, and you feel a bit like an imposter.
This is normal, and not a big deal.
It's true: social proof does WONDERS for your freelance prospects. It is the biggest factor in propelling you towards bigger and higher-ticket clients.
That said, nobody starts off with it. Nobody.
So how do you cross the desert and book your first clients?
That said, nobody starts off with it. Nobody.
So how do you cross the desert and book your first clients?
1. Create samples
Social proof is awesome because it lets OTHER people do the selling for you. Before you have that, you're going to have to let your work do the heavy lifting.
Yes, you haven't had any real projects yet, but you can and should stack your portfolio with samples
Social proof is awesome because it lets OTHER people do the selling for you. Before you have that, you're going to have to let your work do the heavy lifting.
Yes, you haven't had any real projects yet, but you can and should stack your portfolio with samples
Are you a content writer in the blockchain niche? Write an article about some technological features in a blockchain project. Put it on your portfolio site.
The ideal number of samples to shoot for is 5-10 pieces.
The ideal number of samples to shoot for is 5-10 pieces.
2. Craft an offer to lessen the risk
Because you ARE green, this is the only time it makes sense to offer work for free.
Still, my preference is to not work for free, but rather on a performance basis if your niche is conducive to that, or on a guaranteed refund basis.
Because you ARE green, this is the only time it makes sense to offer work for free.
Still, my preference is to not work for free, but rather on a performance basis if your niche is conducive to that, or on a guaranteed refund basis.
3. Make up for lack of social proof by being more conversational and friendly
Soft skills are always important, but even more so at the beginning.
If you're new, but you're attentive and present a highly personalized appeal to each lead, you can turn the odds in your favor.
Soft skills are always important, but even more so at the beginning.
If you're new, but you're attentive and present a highly personalized appeal to each lead, you can turn the odds in your favor.
Display your interest in doing good work and your lead by asking a lot of questions related to the service you would provide.
TL;DR
- Yes, social proof is amazing
- No, lack of it isn't a huge barrier to getting your first clients
- Showcase your work through samples
- Lessen the perceived risk for the lead
- Use soft skills to build more rapport
- Yes, social proof is amazing
- No, lack of it isn't a huge barrier to getting your first clients
- Showcase your work through samples
- Lessen the perceived risk for the lead
- Use soft skills to build more rapport
