TL;DR
In this Ask Me Anything replay, we covered:
- LinkedIn is still the best platform for finding freelance clients (ditch Upwork if it’s draining you).
- Use a tracker + follow-up system to stay organized and land more work—Rachel recommends quarterly nudges.
- Price your services using a baseline, goal, reach model and offer tiered packages to protect your income.
- Always use a solid contract to set expectations and handle client delays professionally.
- Bonus: If you're in a freelance dry spell, a flexible part-time job (like being a barista) can give you stability without draining your creative energy.
Watch the replay:
Lesson Recap:
This session was packed with practical advice for new and growing freelancers. Here's what we covered:
✅ Client Outreach: What Works in 2025
- LinkedIn > Upwork for most freelancers. Rachel shared her system for finding clients via LinkedIn connection requests, letters of introduction, and strategic follow-ups.
- Cold DMs on Instagram can work if your audience is there (e.g., coaches). Use Facebook groups to build trust and visibility by answering questions helpfully.
- Use a tracker (like Rachel’s Notion one!) to follow up consistently without feeling overwhelmed.
💼 How to Price Your Services
- Use the Rates Calculator to determine your:
- Baseline rate (what you need to survive)
- Goal rate (what helps you save + grow)
- Reach rate (stretch pricing that protects your time + energy)
- Package your services in tiers: the more someone books, the better the value (e.g. 1 blog = $800, 3 blogs = $750/blog, 6 blogs = $700/blog).
📄 Contracts, Boundaries, and Red Flags
- Always use a contract that:
- Requires timely client responses (e.g. within 5 business days)
- Sets expectations for deliverables and timelines
- Includes consequences for delays or lack of communication
- If clients don’t deliver what you need (e.g. briefs), it’s their problem, not yours. Use your contract to pause or reschedule.
💬 Follow-Up Strategy
- Don’t ghost your own leads. If someone doesn’t respond:
- Follow up 2 weeks later with availability
- Then again after 2 more weeks
- Then move to a quarterly cadence
- Rachel followed up with Grammarly for 2 years before landing the gig. Don’t give up too soon.
💡 Bonus Tips
- Barista jobs (or similar flexible, low-stress part-time gigs) can pair well with freelance life.
- Content agencies may be disorganized—don’t depend on them for steady income.
- Don’t take delays or silence personally. People are busy and overwhelmed. Stay consistent.
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