The Freelance Podclass

How do you sell yourself and your freelance services? In today’s episode, Ryann Dowdy shares strategies for attracting your ideal clients with a concept known as social selling. If cold calling is a challenge for you, social selling will squelch those fears. And for those of you who aren’t natural salespeople, it might be exactly what you’re looking for!

Podcast Outline:

[0:38] Introduction to Ryann Dowdy and the topic of social selling - Ryann describes her journey and how she became an entrepreneur.

[4:57] How selling and cold calling can be a challenge for freelancers - Ryann explains how social selling can squelch that fear.

How a Freelancer Attracts Clients Using Social Selling Strategies

[7:51] #1 Stop prejudging and start talking about your business on social media - how “your warm market is your fastest path to cash.”

[8:41] #2 Start talking to people - the different types of people you can connect with and ask for help.

[9:30] #3 Join Facebook Groups and other types of social media communities - some encouragement and tips for starting conversations with businesspeople.

[11:13] How people understand virtual work more than ever before, making potential clients available within your network - Ryann and Craig discuss where the fear of selling might come from and how social selling compares with in-person meetings and conferences.

[15:13] How to approach someone on LinkedIn who falls into your dream client category when you don’t know them or have a bridge to them through another relationship - Ryann outlines the steps she and her team would use to connect and start a conversation.

[18:30] How some LinkedIn requests are self-promotional, but a personal, more relational connection makes a good first impression - some tips for what you shouldn’t say and some advice for letting go of expectations and being authentic.

[22:42] Tips for introverts - how social selling can be fantastic for introverts, since being an introvert is a superpower.

[24:48] Final tips on how to be confident at social selling - Ryann explains how confidence is built through practice and putting yourself out there.

[27:21] How to set realistic expectations - two concepts that illustrate the importance of persevering even if the first contacts don’t work out.

[32:58] How to connect with Ryann and learn more about what she’s doing

[34:04] How to learn more about Freelance University

Resources and tools discussed in this episode:

Learn more about Ryann Dowdy:

Social Sellers Academy 

On Instagram: @socialsellersacademy 

On Facebook: @socialsellersacademy 

On LinkedIn: RyannDowdy

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook 

Facebook Groups

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell  

The Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile Class with Donna Serdula