Who knew that writing emails could be both science and pure art? If you are a freelancer, you know how complicated it can sometimes be. But, if you are about to become a freelancer and you are thinking about where to find your clients - well, it is about to get a bit complicated.
Writing a cold email pitch does sound simple, but when you sit down and try, some questions come to mind. Where do I begin? How many emails do I need to send before I land my first contract?
We are glad to say that sending cold emails is not a numbers game. It’s finding the best way to pitch your services to the right audience. Trying what works the best, and then repeating.
If you are unsure where to begin, check out our tips for writing the perfect email and you will get the idea how that process should look like.
Tips for writing the perfect email if you are a beginner
No one said being a freelancer is easy.. But, if you just created your profile on freelancing platforms, you started your blog or created an amazing portfolio, and are waiting for the companies to reach you… well, that’s not how things work.
If you wait for others to contact you, you won't land any projects anytime soon. So it is up to you to make things happen as a freelancer.
The sooner you start writing cold emails, the better things will be. If you want to set the rules from the start, your hourly rate, and your reputation - it is time to make that first step.
You don't want to end up working on projects that won’t do any magic to your portfolio and being underpaid for your work.
Is it scary at first? Probably it is, but remember which benefits are waiting on the other side. It is all about research and approaching.
No, they will not contact you first if you stare at their LinkedIn long enough. Can you find ten potential clients from your niche per day? Of course! Can you send them ten emails? Of course, you can. It gets easier with each email.
It is your first contact, but what's the worst thing that can happen? You don't get the response? Sure, move to the next one. Do you get rejected? It happens. But the more you try, the more chances you get.
The reality is that you won't always land every project and manage to convince every company that you are the person they are looking for. Keep on trying. That is how you end up writing the perfect email.
Remember to look for the right people
It is always great to think about your own niche first and then try to find the right people. Try not to be too broad. Maybe you did some fantastic web design mockups for tech websites? Use that to your advantage, and don't contact some girly or lifestyle websites. Find a target audience that will resonate with your potential clients.
Research is everything. Before you start searching, you need to answer the following questions:
- What is your motivation behind it - are you feeling particularly enthusiastic about the project and creative challenge, or is it just simple financial gain?
- Have you done similar projects in the past which can work well for this one as well?
- What makes you different compared to other freelancers?
Remember that you are responsible for your brand as a freelancer, and you need to know your strengths and talents. Think for a second about what makes your work original. Are you a content writer that is writing about bitcoin, investing, and finances? In that case, it would help if you strived for finance websites and companies. But, of course, it’s okay if you are flexible.
Find someone who speaks your language
If you are working as a freelance digital marketing manager, you need to find someone who speaks your language. There is no point in pitching your ideas to a web designer or HR person. You talk directly to the marketing department. The same goes if you are a web designer - you want to speak to the creative director.
So, where do you start? LinkedIn is your best friend for this mission. First, try searching for people by the title. Then, create a list of prospects and companies that can be potentially interested in your services.
If you can’t find their email address, you can use tools like Hunter.io. This extension shows all the email addresses on the website and helps you find the right person much easier.
Once you finish this last step - it’s time to get serious.
Subject line matters
Companies will judge every part of your email. And it is pretty standard. In some industries such as SEO - contacting people via email and looking for a guest post is common practice. But people get fed up with automatic emails. When sending a huge amount of emails with such speed, it’s easy to get the name wrong. You don't want to be that person.
You want to sound genuine yet professional - "Collaboration inquiry" works well. If you're going to show your quirky side, you can start with "From one creative professional for another".
Here we are talking about cold emails mostly, but it is okay to start a bit warmer. Personalization is always crucial because you show that you took your time to research what they do. Make sure to include the first name of the person you are contacting. Avoid Mr/Mrs….or even worse -" Hi dear".
Remember to look for recent posts and leave your comments about them. They will appreciate the effort.
Templates that always do the trick
People love to hear praise about something they've done. So use that to your advantage and compliment them. Besides, people love getting something of value.
If you have a blog or website, ask the company to help you deliver content that would appeal to both your and their audience. Promote your work on social media and link to them - it will drive the traffic. Remember that you need to amaze and give them something of value. They will see you as a valuable asset, and they will probably want to extend the collaboration.
Will it be that easy every time? Of course not, but it is up to you to find what works and what not.
Craft more different templates based on the overall vibe of companies and people you are reaching. Some companies prefer a formal approach. Some companies find that boring.
Follow up
There is nothing improper with sending a follow-up. People often get lost in the neverending threads of emails, and maybe they've simply missed your email.
If they don't answer your follow-up - proceed to the next company. The internet is full of opportunities. It is essential not to give up at the beginning and simply learn to listen.
In conclusion
These are some simple tips for writing the perfect email and landing an ideal freelance job. Of course, this is a simplified version. Remember that nothing happens overnight and that you need to be persistent. Cold pitch with a dash of warmth and personalization can go a long way. You need to send that initial email, then another one, and then another, until it becomes a habit.
