Wondering how you can land your first freelance gig using job boards?
Many freelancers start here but if you don’t have any experience, the whole process can seem overwhelming.
How do you find the right job and write an email pitch?
[O]nce you figure out how to write a pitch, you can stand out from the competition[.]
The good news is, once you figure out how to write a pitch, you can stand out from the competition and start landing freelance work.
The pitching process isn’t difficult, but it does require patience and an email template to help you write a pitch.
With more and more freelancers working from home, crafting that perfect pitch is more important than ever before. It will help you land gig after gig.
Keep reading to learn how to write a pitch for a job that will help you win clients and land gigs on freelance job boards, even as a newbie.
Before You Write a Pitch: Set Yourself Up to Win Clients
The things you do before your write a pitch and how you present yourself to clients can have an impact on whether or not you get the gig.
Want to start your freelance journey off on the right foot? Here’s what to do before you write a pitch to set yourself up for success as a new freelancer.
Choose an Email Address
If you’re reading this post right now, it’s likely that you also have an email address. You should know that if you’re going to start working as a freelancer, your email address can play a key role in your success.
On some job board sites, you can just fill out a form to send your pitch.
Often though, you will need to send an email directly to the potential clients. This is why it’s so important to choose an email address that looks professional. Skip the silly nicknames.
This should be an account that you check frequently.
When someone replies to your pitch, you have to be able to respond to them as quickly as possible. If you already have an email address that fits these criteria, move on to the next step. If you don’t take a few moments to create a new email address for pitching and freelance work.
Have Samples
Potential clients are going to want to see samples of your work. Have anywhere from 1-3 samples that you can link to or attach to your pitch.
While you don’t have to choose a niche at this point, it’s helpful to determine what industries interest you the most. That will allow you to craft samples for the types of clients you want to work with.
Bookmark Job Boards
One way to get the attention of potential clients is to be one of the first to write a pitch.
If you want to have that advantage, take note of the job boards that seem like they will be most promising. You may find that some job boards post more frequently than others or tend to have more opportunities that interest you.
Make these websites easily accessible to you and check them often. Some job boards even offer an option where you can sign up and get new gigs sent directly to your inbox.
5 Steps to Write a Pitch for a Business
Once you have an email address, samples, and a selection of job boards ready, you can get out there and start pitching gigs. Here are five steps you can take to craft the perfect freelance job board pitch.
1. Read All The Job Details
Before you even begin writing a pitch, read over the job details very carefully.
This can inform your pitch and help you figure out what to include. Sometimes, clients will even add keywords or phrases you must include in the subject line or message you send. If you miss these, they won’t even consider you for the gig.
Yes, a lot of freelancers are pitching job boards but many people just skim the details of the job posting and pitch as fast as they can. Speed is important, but understanding what the client is looking for is key. That will help you position yourself as the perfect fit and write a pitch that gets noticed.
2. Personalize the Pitch
Taking the time to personalize your pitch can help you stand out in a sea of other applicants. If you can find out the potential client’s name, address them directly, instead of using a general greeting like “hello there.”
Don’t stop there, though. Even if you decide to follow the same formula every time you write a pitch, look for ways that you can show that you’re paying attention.
For example, if they say that they’re looking for someone who can meet tight deadlines, and you know that you can do that, mention that when you write a pitch.
This shows that you are paying attention to the client and what they need.
3. Tell the Client How You Can Help
Clients don’t want to hear your life story when you write a pitch.
That might sound harsh, but it’s true. If all your pitch does is talk about you, you won’t win the freelance job.
Instead, you have to focus on how you can help them and why you’re the right person to deliver what they need. Make it about them.
If you can show them that you know how to deliver what they need and solve their problem, you’ll get the gig.
4. Link Or Attach Samples
Clients want to know that you’re capable of getting the job done.
One of the best ways to demonstrate your skills is to link to or attach samples of your work.
However, you should be very selective here. Clients don’t want to see everything you’ve ever created. Giving them a look at a few examples of your work is fine. If you can point them to one sample that’s closely related to the type of work they need, that’s even better.
5. Professional and Friendly Sign-Off
When you’re writing a pitch, every single word matters. Don’t end your pitch with something that sounds desperate like “I hope you’ll consider me for this gig.”
Sign of confidently with a simple response or end your pitch with a question. This will increase your chances of getting a reply.
How to Write a Pitch for a Project
If you follow these steps and make yourself stand out from the competition, you’ll be well on your way to landing gigs and growing your freelance business.
Have more questions about using freelance job boards? Leave a comment below.
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