👆Watch the full replay to find out why Karol’s throwing hearts👆
In case you missed it, we had a casual, laid-back Q&A on Friday.
But the topics we covered were the real stuff. If you're a soloprenuer, these are the things you're thinking about today.
Things like...
Differences between LinkedIn and other client-getting sites like Upwork.
Being seen as a high-priced solution. @ 9:49
Common hesitations about putting yourself out there on LinkedIn @ 25:28
Being ultra-real and saying no (especially to clients who need to hear it the most).
Shifting from reactive to proactive for getting new clients (doesn’t mean cold pitching, either) @ 33:50
No matter where you're getting clients today, this Q&A has got ideas, examples, and actionable advice you can use right now.
👆Watch the full replay👆
Or keep reading for more on what went down (and where you can go to catch it in replay).
Q&A, Unpacked.
At the heart of this Q&A was the discussion on LinkedIn and about why attracting clients beats chasing them (31:00).
I offered this thought…
“When you chase clients, you’re not in control of the process. They are. But when you attract them, they see you as the expert.”
Someone asked: “Does being a freelancer on Upwork have to mean cheap labor?” So we discussed who the Upwork client is vs. the client they're trying to attract.
We talked about how specific messaging can reposition you entirely. It's all in how you present yourself as an expert, not the bargain option (9:49).
Here, I suggested a few disruptive strategies.
If you don't know what to talk about on LinkedIn, create a LinkedIn newsletter. Weird thought, I know. (31:00). But it's easier than you think.
If you want to transcend being seen as a "freelancer", have a process. Don't just take orders from clients. Create a product ladder, like a workshop or VIP sprint, to guide clients through a clear process. (37:44). YOUR process.
What if you made your LinkedIn content solve one single problem for your particular client? Your profile and posts should quickly show what you're about (39:22).
Look. If you want to handpick clients off LinkedIn...
Why are you hesitating on posting?
Post anything to get started. No one's going to see it. Not at first anyway.
“It’s just not my thing,” one person admitted (58:00).
I understand this totally. Especially with awkwardly hilarious subreddits like r/LinkedInLunatics.
Still. I pushed back here.
I suggested you don't need to be a daily poster or a LinkedIn lunatic to get a few clients from LinkedIn. A bit of upfront effort and intention will serve you well.
“Even having a few evergreen posts that speak directly to your ideal client’s needs can make a huge difference.” (55:19)
Is what you have something clients want?
One person was targeting small, foreign tech firms. The ones who want to expand into the U.S. market.
That's an in-demand service for sure.
I urged him to improve his LinkedIn profile. The updates should show he can bridge the gap and get non-U.S. companies sales from the sweet peach of U.S. commerce. (55:25).
The Upwork trickle
Of course, we touched on strategies for getting clients on Upwork (42:20). “Upwork’s changed and it’s harder to attract high-quality clients there.”
I shared how my invitations went from 'flowing like a faucet' a year ago to an occasional trickle. Thankfully I don't rely on it. In fact, I'm probably only taking around a client per quarter from the platform.
I don't mind it running in the background for a client here and there.
The difference is, I used to get 2, 4, up to 10 invitations in one day. Now what's more typical is an invitation per week. I'm talking about one real invitation to real projects, not the fake or irrelevant ones which feel more like the norm these days. Those are still plentiful.
There's still plenty of opportunity for people on Upwork. It just depends where you are in your solo journey and what you're trying to do.
My advice is to use Upwork if you want. Setup and maintain a profile, but don't let it be where you put all your effort and focus.
Get proactive elsewhere instead of putting all your eggs in that basket.
LinkedIn is one option. It doesn't have to be LinkedIn but if you're going to attract new customers online, where are you going to do it?
🎥 Watch the replay if you can relate to this. 🎥
As the hour wrapped up, we unintentionally set the stage for next week’s session by introducing a new accountability aspect to this Q&A routine.
“What’s one thing you want to have done by the next Q&A session?”
(Friday, Jan 24 @ 1pm ET)
This is not groundbreaking accountability, I know.
But this game is all about taking action and that’s what I’m here to help you do.
Jose committed to refining his LinkedIn profile to better target edtech/SaaS clients.
Karol agreed to update his LinkedIn profile and get clear on his messaging.
- had to hop off before the accountability started but she’s not off the hook.
For my part, I will be preparing a quick 10-15 min workshop on your LinkedIn and Upwork profile. I’ll share it with you next week before we open up the Q&A portion.
If you’ve ever felt stuck…
…trying to get clients or frustrated by bad-fit or low-ball opportunities, this Q&A replay will help you.
How to use LinkedIn to attract the right clients without feeling salesy (33:41).
Why creating a specific offering, like a workshop or roadmap, can help you control the client relationship (31:00).
How to stop chasing and start attracting clients. The ones who see your value (46:26).
👆Catch the replay👆
Don’t miss next week’s session, where I’ll do a live tear-down of one participant’s Upwork profile.
I'll compare your Upwork and LinkedIn profiles and let you know what new clients are looking for on each.
You’ll get to see firsthand how I would turn your generic profile into a client-getting machine.
See you there,
Patrick O.
P.S. Got a burning question? Send it to me or join us live next Friday, and we’ll tackle it together.
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