<aside> <img src="/icons/stopwatch_purple.svg" alt="/icons/stopwatch_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Estimated Read Time: 1-2 Minutes
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For Pakistani freelancers, landing international clients is a huge deal. I mean, with all this economic uncertainty in the air, who could say no to getting paid in dollars?
However, there’s a tendency to confuse “international” clients with “high-paying clients,” while that’s simply not true. Just because the client’s “international” doesn’t mean you need to take every job you get. All international opportunities aren’t necessarily good ones, and that’s something to remember. For a gig that gets you the money you deserve, you need to channel a lot of time and energy into finding the right clients. And we’re talking about high-ticket clients specifically.
There’s a lot of theory out on the internet, but at SadaSchool, we believe the best learning comes from real-world perspectives and real examples. As usual, we’ll sprinkle them into this article wherever we can. For the full rundown, head to part 2!
<aside> <img src="/icons/book_purple.svg" alt="/icons/book_purple.svg" width="40px" /> To put it simply, high-ticket clients are the ones who’d pay more than usual for a standard job in your area of expertise. Let’s say you find a client paying $16 per hour (after freelancer platform fee deductions and taxes, that’s not really a lot of money!). A high-ticket client would pay $30 an hour for the same job. They’re the ultimate gig for any freelancer because they’re more lucrative than your average client.
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Debunking another popular belief: freelancers might find some noteworthy gigs on freelancing sites, but most freelancers (in Pakistan and around the world) find work through referrals. You know what that means: turning to your friends who work at specific companies or asking previous clients or employers to refer you to others who are hiring. To keep the chain going, you’re going to have to keep networking. Aggressively. Here’s how you do it:
<aside> <img src="/icons/star_purple.svg" alt="/icons/star_purple.svg" width="40px" /> This step (and the other steps following it) will paint a beautiful picture of the power of research, and how valuable it really is when it comes to securing jobs.
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Remember when we said you have to mindfully follow the brands you want to work with on socials? That’s one of the most important forms of research. Over time, you need to look at these brands with a critical eye. Sure, they’re aspirational and you want to work with them, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Maybe their copywriting isn’t the best, or you’ve noticed something lacking in their targeted ads.
Let’s assume you find a local chocolate brand you really like. We’ll call this brand Chocolate X. You’re a photographer, so when you’re on Chocolate X’s Instagram, you notice some of their product photography could do A LOT better. Especially with your involvement. Landing the right clients isn’t about telling them what you can do, but showing them. High-ticket clients especially value this more, because their time is limited: they need individuals who are reliable and can produce quality results. Here’s what you do. Instead of sending them a generic message on DM, you head to LinkedIn. You look into your network and find the relevant person in said company, and you initiate contact with them. In the most unique way possible. Since you’re a photographer who really notices things about your favourite brand, let’s say you bought a bar from Chocolate X, and then took better product photography, edited the pictures, and sent them to multiple people who work at the company. It’s a lot more impactful than “Hey! I’m a product photographer and noticed you could use my help!”
People love freebies, so giving them a little something that solves their problems (without them even having to ask!) immediately warms them up to you. Apart from finding relevant employees on LinkedIn, use other social platforms too! Post the pictures on your Instagram, and DM the company on Twitter if you have to!
→ Identify Client Problem (this could even be a problem they didn’t know they had!)
→ Attempt solving the problem yourself first
→ Show them your results over DM/Email
The best part is, this can be applied to every niche. If you’re a marketer, this could mean improving a company’s email funnel by getting signups on behalf of the company yourself. Hand over the free signups, and tell them you can do a lot more if you’re hired! If you’re a developer, or something a little bit more niche, you can take similar approaches OR offer a free consultation!
Head to part 2 of this module for more insights on profiles and proposals.
<aside> <img src="/icons/verified_purple.svg" alt="/icons/verified_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Network by using social media and leveraging the connections you have
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<aside> <img src="/icons/verified_purple.svg" alt="/icons/verified_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Research and be mindful of the way you market yourself
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<aside> <img src="/icons/verified_purple.svg" alt="/icons/verified_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Use the formula as a hack!
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How to find the best freelancing job
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Finding high-ticket clients (Part 2)
Writing the perfect cold email
How to find the best freelancing job
Finding high-ticket clients (Part 1)
Finding high-ticket clients (Part 2)
Using Upwork to land your dream gig
Ranking on Fiverr, UpWork and Freelancer.com
<aside> <img src="/icons/book-closed_purple.svg" alt="/icons/book-closed_purple.svg" width="40px" /> CHAPTER 3
Let's face it - clients can be tricky. But fear not, we’ve got you covered in “Client Relations”! This section is chock-full of articles that will help you improve your client communication skills, build strong relationships, and set the tone for success from the very beginning.
Whether you're dealing with your first client or have been freelancing for years, these articles will give you the tools you need to keep your clients coming back. So, let’s get started and learn how to make your clients love you - and your work - today.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/book-closed_purple.svg" alt="/icons/book-closed_purple.svg" width="40px" /> CHAPTER 4
We know, we know - documentation isn't exactly the coolest part of freelancing. But trust us, it's super important. That's why we've made the “Documentation” part of this Masterclass both fun and informative. In this section, we'll show you how to write killer proposals, create contracts that protect both you and your clients, and invoice like a pro. We've taken all the boring stuff and turned it into something you'll actually want to read - and use.
So, if you're ready to take your documentation game to the next level, you’re at the right place!
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