Stop Begging for Work and Start Earning a Living
When I first started freelancing, I did what a lot of people do and regularly visited job boards like Craigslist and Guru.com. I couldn’t help but feel really low reading all of the demanding job descriptions and lowly pay. So many times I responded carefully to the posts, adhering to every request, and still never received so much as an email in reply.
The fundamental problem with finding work this way is that the balance of power is all off. No matter how good you are, your bid is just one of potentially hundreds of emails from others begging for the same job. In order to really find profitable clients, they’ve got to come to you.
I didn’t realize this until when one day, completely broke and desperate for a job, I created a passionate post stating my abilities and what I could do for clients and posted it on Craigslist in the resume area. Within 1 day, I received a email from the owner of a company who was excited about the energy and confidence in the post. Within 3 days, I had landed a $5,000 job from him.
After that, I never bid on another job again. Instead, to find new clients I find sources ways to tell others what I have to offer and let them come to me. It’s worked every single time. In fact, I’ve only had to do this a few times in the 2 years that I’ve worked for myself because all of the contacts I’ve made this way have turned into fantastic, ongoing, business relationships that have kept me very busy.
Give it a try – stop begging for work and start earning a living!
That’s an online equivalent of the idea of being in the right place at the right time. My current freelance job has been keeping me busy since January, and essentially came out of a chance meeting at a drinks party which I managed to get myself invited to. I’m certainly not much of a networker – I hate it – but there is something to be said for taking steps to make sure you are in that right place at the right time, by going to relevant events etc. Posting a message like the one you mentioned is an extension of that.
It’s amazing how one casual meeting like you mentioned can have more impact than 100 well written replies to job posts - thanks for the comment!
I have been trying to drum up freelance web developer work for a couple of months. I noticed a significant difference between searching the job posts and posting a resume. Nothing has broke for me, but I have been contacted a lot.
Thanks
good idea.
do you still advertise that way?
Thanks Adventures, I don’t use Craigslist any more. Here’s another post where I talked about how I incorporated this idea with basic text email.
http://createbusinessgrowth.com/business-building/never-underestimate-the-impact-of-a-simple-text-email
Great idea
. Glad you found work when you needed it!
Always nice to hear about a lucky break like this. Recently speaking to somebody who told me of flippantly sifting through resumes and job applications was a real eye-opener.
Any chance we can see your passionate post, Christine?
Thanks MrGPT - From my experience, it seems that oftentimes the simplest, yet genuine forms of communication are the most effective ~
Thanks Andy - I was very much hoping that I would find that “passionate post” but unfortunately cannot find it!
Agreed - sifting through applications is a real learning process for how to get work yourself. I have been on the other side of the process too - trying to hire people for various positions. I’ve found that when someone makes the effort to really, truly let their personality shine through, those resumes practically LEAP out of the pile.