💭 The Big Idea  

Getting clients off Fiverr and Upwork is tricky and may take a while, but it is, on the whole, a shortcut method to get started. If you are anything like me, you want to do projects that interest you instead of doing whatever job you can find. The benefits outweigh the extra energy and time you need to spend using this method, in my opinion.

My answer to this problem was ‘prospecting clients’.

Prospecting clients means identifying potential clients that would be interested in the service/product you are offering.

The key is leveraging our existing network.

The simple 3-step formula I follow:

• Identify potential clients

• Send a tailored DM

• Arrange a call

Using this method, I have so far:

• Closed 1 client

• In talks to potentially close a 2nd

• Booking a call for a potential 3rd in the near future

• Closed 1 client who changed their mind a few hours later 😢 

I have messaged a total of 10-12 potential clients, and the rest have either not responded or have been rejected. So it can be disheartening at times, but it can also open doors you never knew existed.

Step 1: Identify potential clients 

I created a Notion table of everyone in my LinkedIn network who could be my dream client.

Someone who: was part of a MedTech/MedEd/healthcare company and ran blogs/resource pages or newsletters.

I noted their company position, favouring those higher up the ladder.

Most importantly, I favoured those I had previously interacted with and had developed a rapport with over shared interests or met in person.

Create the same table using your networks: ask friends and family, LinkedIn, university, school, and other social media platforms - everything is fair game.

Step 2: Send a tailored DM

Once you have a list of potential clients who you have interacted with recently and hold a reasonable ‘position’, you must DM them with a tailored message, e.g. research their website and company to assess what you can improve to help them reach their goals.

My choice of messaging service was LinkedIn. It just made sense, as that was the one where my potential clients and I were most active. I did message one client via Instagram too.

Your DM must be brief and highlight the benefits your services could bring their company. I tend to keep it no longer than 50 words.

The aim of this DM is to get them interested and keen for a call. Sometimes it may take a few DMs back and forth but be persistent and persuasive.

It’s very possible the DMs don’t work out. If that’s the case, add their name to a 3-month revisit list, labelled as a ‘future prospective client’.

Step 3: Arrange a call

Hopefully, a successful series of messages mean you have booked a 30-45 minute call with an ideal potential client.

Focus the call entirely on getting to know your client and what they want from you.

Don’t ‘sell’, but listen to what they want. Be enthusiastic and warm.

If they need time to decide or need to ask a wider team, circle back in 3-5 working days if you don’t hear back. I would not recommend more than 1 ‘prompt’ message. After that, move on to the next name in your list.

It’s very possible you come off that call, and either of you may not be a good fit for each other then, so add their name to a 3-month revisit list, labelled as a ‘future prospective client’.

📝 Your Action Items:

• Create a list of potential clients and send 5 tailored DMs.

• Book 45m calls with those interested.

The benefits of prospecting clients by leveraging your network are:

1. You build a portfolio of work in an area you enjoy

2. You are working with your ideal client from the start, which has numerous benefits in itself

I understand this may not work for everyone, but give it a go. It does require patience and energy. I think Fiverr and Upwork are good, but you can’t get as tailored opportunities most of the time.

Let me know how it goes for you! I will be super excited to hear back!
P.S. If you have more questions, just send me an email! Happy to help 🙂 

🚙 My Solopreneur Journey: 

It’s been an extremely busy week with university deadlines, and the calendar is unfortunately similar going into next week. Luckily, the year is kind of ending soon. At times like these is when I realise the need to focus on discipline and consistency and ‘lowering the bar’. I also had a chance to reflect and take in how far I have come in the last two months. I am enjoying myself, and I can’t say this enough - the best part is meeting all the new people I have. I am on track to meet 1 person every week and have been doing well with that.

I have been trying some gratitude journaling. It’s a nice way to self-reflect and take in everything.

Do any of you do it? If yes, do you use pen and paper or an app?
Please do let me know, I would love to hear back! Just hit reply.