When I first embarked on my freelancing journey, my first-ever global client was the CEO of a nine-figure company who didn’t even check my portfolio! He only reviewed my LinkedIn profile and perhaps my Upwork profile as well to confirm my legitimacy.
We had a one-on-one, in-person meeting at his company, and that’s how I secured the client. Since then, he’s referred me to his other ventures, leading to a fruitful collaboration for over three years.
In this blog post, I’ll provide an updated guide on how to secure your first high-paying global freelance client, the way I wish I knew three years ago. Let’s get into these steps!
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5 Proven Steps to Secure High-Ticket Clients
1. Identify Your Niche and Unique Selling Point
You must identify your niche and unique selling point (USP). While it may sound cliché, understanding your niche is crucial. Your niche should be clear and aligned with your expertise and passions.
For me, my focus is global marketing, social media, and Facebook ads. Being Korean also helps me leverage my cultural insights for clients seeking services in Korean marketing. This niche has attracted clients looking for Korean, Japanese, and global marketing strategies.
2. Start Your Own Show
Begin building your brand by showcasing your expertise on various platforms. Start by creating profiles on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and more. Make sure your bio is complete across these platforms to improve your searchability.
When posting content, focus on long-form videos and texts. Platforms like YouTube, blogs, and LinkedIn are great for in-depth content. Pair these with short-form videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook to keep your audience engaged.
The combination of long-form and short-form content will help you connect with your audience on multiple levels, showcasing your expertise in various ways.
For instance, I started a passion project on YouTube called the Global Movement Project, where I invite and interview non-native English-speaking female business owners thriving in their chosen fields of expertise. This project helps me connect with like-minded people and broaden my understanding of running a business.
3. Create Your Dream List
Identify the industries and companies that align with your services and create a “Dream 100” list of potential clients. Make it a habit to reach out to at least three of these companies every week. Offer free consultations, strategy sessions, and request calls to establish a connection.
When reaching out, consider the company’s size to determine whom to approach:
- For small businesses: contact C-level executives.
- For mid-sized companies: reach out to VPs, department heads, or C-level executives.
- For large corporations: target regional managers or global department heads as C-level executives may be too busy.
4. Share Your Strategies Freely
In the beginning, be open to sharing your strategies with prospects. Offering free marketing strategies can build trust and rapport. It also helps you expand your network and create opportunities for future collaborations.
Don’t worry about giving away too much. Instead, focus on nurturing relationships and showcasing your value, even if the prospects may not have the budget initially.
5. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Lastly, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. I speak English as a second language and have never lived in another country for more than two months. However, I’ve managed to be a part of several mastermind groups in the U.S. and built a supportive network.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for personal and professional growth. Each time you challenge yourself, you push your boundaries further. This practice has significantly contributed to my success and boosted my confidence and self-love. Embrace the discomfort, learn from the experiences, and use them to improve.
Just like how I grew my business from scratch, you too can secure your first high-paying global freelance client and elevate your business to the next level. Adapt these strategies into your business plan as you see fit, and you’ll find yourself reaching new heights in both your personal and professional life.
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Thanks for reading, and here’s to your success.
Hyein
I’m an award-winning global marketing expert running HY Marketing in South Korea. We help businesses succeed in South Korea, Japan, and English-speaking markets through social media and Facebook ads.
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