<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By: M.M.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every freelancer remembers their first high-paying client. It is comparable to a musician landing their first big concert, or an athlete\u2019s first serious competition. Unlike these examples, however, in the world of freelancing; no matter how hard you work towards landing a big client, sometimes the result may come randomly, from the most unexpected source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is my story of exactly that; how a low-paying client of almost three years, with whom I have had an on-and-off (and very infrequent) collaboration, helped me earn my first big monthly paycheck as a freelancer \u2013 $2,700 (just from one client).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A little bit of background: I have been living abroad since a very young age. I have used this to my advantage in my writing career; reporting on events and experiences from my corner of the planet, and sharing them with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shortly after graduating from university, when I found myself attempting to dive deep into the world of freelancing (as job opportunities were hard to come by in my physical location), I spent months putting myself out there, in search of paid writing gigs. I exhausted every resource possible, and became increasingly discouraged by the influx of emails with the word \u201cunfortunately\u201d in them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I did, however, have one client that occasionally accepted my pitches, and provided me some easy low-paying tasks now and again. This client is running a travel-website, with a strong focus on SEO and marketing-focused content. These on-and-off tasks did come in handy in some particularly dry months, but did not provide me with an even remotely substantial financial sustenance just on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the client being very responsive and encouraging, they simply did not require much further assistance from me, as there was already a large in-office team of writers handling most tasks. And so, I was averaging at only 1-2 tasks a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But with the perfect combination of my naturally stubborn personality, and circumstantial desperation, I kept on nudging the client for more tasks, and sending in my ideas. I always made sure to end emails by letting the client know, that if and when they do have more tasks, I will be readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After months of this, I realized that I am just not needed. As I later found out, however, the borderline invasive amount of e-mails I sent to this client \u2013 regardless of the limited acceptance rate \u2013 eventually came to my advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just as 2020 rolled around, and with the country I was living in being one of the first to crumble under the havoc of the Coronavirus (then) epidemic, I found myself again growing worried of the financial hardships that were to come. That is, until one bright morning, when I received an email from that same client that I had almost given up on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With offices back then not being able to resume work, the client \u2013 who coincidentally just planned to expand their services and launch a separate platform \u2013 required someone to help cover the workload, due to the now crippled in-office team. The client specifically mentioned in the email, that they have a large pool of freelance contributors on hold to choose from, but I was the first name to pop into their head, for one simple reason. That reason, as you may have guessed, was simply my constant and persistent prodding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With my interest peaked, I immediately responded, and shortly after came to find that the client was ready to assign between 30-50 (!) writing tasks to me, for the new platform. With one task being between $60 -$80, I\u2019ll let you calculate the potential earnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I imagine anyone reading this would do, I immediately replied with \u201cI can do all of them, and I\u2019ll start now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And so began my surreal month-long self-quarantine of staying at home, and tirelessly completing task after task, and filling my Excel task-chart with more checked boxes. In fact, it probably came at the most convenient timing, and I like to pride myself in saying that the peak-month of the Covid-19 outbreak (where I am living) was my highest-earning month thus far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why am I sharing this with you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there is a single lesson to take away from this experience, is that persistence matters. Constant communication works. Putting yourself out there, without shying out, and without fearing to come-off as annoying, can lead to incredible results eventually, and when you least expect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although this sudden streak of luck was a one-time event with that particular client, I realized that if I apply the same strategy to 20 different clients, I can expect more such streaks. Since learning this, I apply the same demeanor with the rest of my clients, and the results are obvious. Even 10 rejected pitches won\u2019t stop me from sending in a weekly email, because even without being assigned any tasks, at the very least I am inserting myself in their minds. If and when the time comes when it is THEM who desperately need someone, I want to be the first name they think of. The first contact in their inbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sooner or later, every publication, website, blog, or client in general, will find themselves needing that extra hand. Maybe for a new project, or due to a recently reduced staff, or even a global pandemic! There can be a thousand different scenarios where you suddenly may be needed. Put yourself out there, and let them know: you can have it covered!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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