How to Get Clients - Part 2

Move Towards the Green Flags

Mar 24, 2024

Good evening, fellow HSP copywriters. How’s your day going? Me? I’m currently in bed at 10:30 pm on a Saturday night eating chocolate chip cookies out of a bakery box. 🍪Good times.

person in white shoes standing on gray concrete road — Want to Be a Happy Camper HSP? Photo by Jacqueline Munguía

So, my last post focused on some initial methods to find clients. Now, this may not be rocket science but there is an art to it. So, I’ve added a part two.

In that first post, I mention the importance of marketing oneself and one’s skills in order to stand out and win clients. And, I’ll repeat: There’s no getting away from it. No matter how introverted, anxious, or reluctant you may feel, 99% of self-employed creatives need to market themselves in order to gain clients.

Actually, I’d argue that, for creative freelance professionals, being adept at marketing oneself is an important way to illustrate your skill in this area - if you’re selling copywriting services, you’d better be able to communicate effectively.

Tips for Getting Quality Clients:

Watch out for red flags:

As HSPs, we’re prone to feeling negative interactions right down to our core and often sit with those interactions for a long time. To avoid spiraling, stay away from disrespectful clients if at all possible.
If you spot one or more red flags from a potential client such as rude, aggressive, or pushy behaviour, stay clear (unless you really need the money which is is totally legitimate).
As much as possible, adhere to your own professional boundaries. Start off new relationships on the right foot by politely sharing your business hours, mode of work, niche, and payment schedule.
- If a client balks at normal, professional boundaries - run!

Move towards the green flags:

If you are vibing with a new client, go out of your way to bolster that relationship and add value:
- Submit your work prior to deadline.
- Forward a relevant business idea spotted on LinkedIn.
- Send meaningful gifts (but don’t over do it).
- If a need is expressed, connect them with other quality freelancers in your sphere such as graphic designers or editors. (Note: I’ll soon be sharing more about the karmic power of helping fellow freelancers.)

Do your research!

I can’t stress this enough: when moving to the next level of discussion with a potential client, research their organization, sector, product/service, industry, and client contact as thoroughly as possible.
- Use good ol’ Google, LinkedIn, news sites, and the organization’s own web site to identify brand guidelines, latest company news, your contact’s career path and current title, any recent “wins”, etc.
Just like in a traditional job interview, clients want to know that you’ve invested at least some time into thinking about why you and your skill set are a good match for them at this time.
- Have you worked on a similar project/similar niche?
- Do you have a degree, certificate, or expertise in the topic?
- Are you familiar with the science behind their product or service?
- Did you hear about any recent news about the company that helps connect the dots?
Engaging in research and then sharing that knowledge in the conversation will help you feel more confident and impress the client. This tactic has worked very well for me.