The Freelance Podclass

How do you land your first client when you’re just starting out as a freelancer? And if you have an established business, how do you continue to approach and attract clients? Today I’m joined by Hugo Finkelstein, co-founder and CEO of Rise. He’ll teach us some unique and effective ways to reach out to clients, add value, and attract them to our businesses and services!

Guest Biography:

Hugo Finkelstein is the co-founder and CEO of Rise, an independent talent network and service marketplace for designers and writers. He was previously at LGO Launch, a marketing and consulting agency for blockchain-based projects.

Podcast Outline:

[0:48] Introduction to Hugo Finkelstein

[1:30] How Hugo got started as a freelancer and why he’s passionate about serving the freelance community

[3:42] In light of the global pandemic, why this is an ideal time to become a freelancer - Hugo and Craig share examples of how businesses need help from freelancers and how the interest in remote work is growing.

[6:35] How the freelancer’s entrepreneurial mindset differs from that of an employee - Craig and Hugo explain how the freelance mindset provides freedom and benefits companies.

[8:43] Why freelancers struggle with attracting and approaching clients - Hugo and Craig describes the skills freelancers need to attract clients and approach them in the right way.

The Dos and Don’ts of Approaching Potential Clients

[12:30] #1 Warm intro or referral - how this is the best option for attracting clients.

[13:22] #2 Cold emailing and cold messaging - the dos and don’ts of using this method. Hugo explains how to craft messages differently to gain a better response from potential clients.

[14:22] #3 Building your own profile and brand - how this phase precedes the other approaches. Hugo describes the elements you need so you can give a concrete impression to potential clients.

[14:54] How new freelancers can approach clients if they lack experience

[17:22] How to effectively approach potential clients on LinkedIn - Hugo explains the two ways that have worked for him.

[19:59] How new freelancers should read about PR strategies and approaching journalists - Hugo explains how these strategies can help pique people’s interests.

[20:45] How one of the keys to attracting clients is to be visible - Craig explains how this can build a network for you.

[21:19] How to provide value by presenting yourself as an expert in your field - Hugo and Craig talk about the importance of creating content and give advice on how to choose your content medium.

[23:25] Final thoughts for freelancers who are struggling with the process of approaching and attracting clients - Hugo and Craig share some important tips that can help.

[25:25] What Hugo does at Rise and how freelancers can get connected with him

Resources and tools discussed in this episode:

Rise https://www.riseworks.io/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/ 

Square https://squareup.com/ 

Shopify https://www.shopify.ca/ 

The Winning Discovery Call Workshop https://my.freelanceu.com/courses/the-winning-discovery-call 

LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/ 

Medium https://medium.com/ 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/ 

Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/solutions/facebook-live 

Instagram Live https://www.instagram.com/