Freelancers! Pile up the seeds of growth
Heyaa,
Ever felt time is the limit when you want to grow as a freelancer? Yep, it is. You can accept only so many projects as you’ve free time slot for them. Wait! I will rephrase. You can accept only so many high-paying projects as you’ve free time slot for them.
So, if you still have time to take more projects, here’s a suggestion: Attract (don’t chase) those birds who bring the seeds of growth with them. Show them the SIGNAL!
It’s something Sairam shared 2 days ago. 3 probably.
Sairam Krishnan is a marketer. He recently presented some marketing stories during an online conference – UNMUTE – by Paperflite (where I couldn't be until the end). I read his newsletter in which he summarised his presentation. And this email is a summary of that newsletter.
So, what is signalling?
I'll say it’s similar to branding. You give off the vibes which attract the right people. Of course, some won’t be the ideal ones, but most will be.
Sairam quoted Rory Sutherland to define ‘signal’: reliable indications of commitment and intent, which can inspire confidence and trust. Indications, meaning you have to show, not tell.
When you’re sending a signal, you’re attracting attention. You’re helping your client choose you.
And here are the different types of signals:
Signal what you are: A café became a roaring success after the owners made up a small area outside the cafe into a sitting space. They also made sure there was a sign showing that coffee was available. Customers poured in.
Signal what you are like: Zendesk, a customer support software company, called Freshdesk a rip off. Freshdesk made a Freshdesk vs Zendesk page on their website. Brought in a lot of PR. Freshdesk became ‘like’ Zendesk even though it was nowhere comparable.
Signal your uniqueness: [Salesforce’s marketing campaign]
Signal what they want to see: [Theranos’s “success” story]
I intentionally left the last two points incomplete. I want you to check the newsletter: How to stand out with signalling and read the other stories too, to understand the concept.
OK… By giving off the appropriate signals you'll see yourself succeed for sure.
So, what signals to give?
Hmmm, who are you? A writer? a marketer?
Whoever you're, the client needs to see who you claim to be.
Pitch a prospect as, say, an email marketer and your email pitch itself should work. It shouldn't fall flat, at least. Show you're an email marketer. Else, the prospect won't trust you. Content writer? Write your post, email, article and every thing in a way that's charming the reader. Show you're a writer and you won't need to mention EVER that you're a writer with 127 years of experience. Designer? Talk about, say, the benefits of an infographic, with an infographic. Show you're a designer.
And that would be all. Thank you.
See you on the moon.
Bye!
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