Hello, My Reader 👋
First and foremost, if you’re new to this newsletter, I’d say, thank you for being here. And thank you for subscribing, because that’s how I get motivation to write more editions.
And those who have been reading my previous editions, I owe you a lot 🥹
THANK YOU FOR BEING MY LOYAL READER!!! WE ARE A FAMILY OF 66 PEOPLE
Last edition went amazingly. It got me a couple of subscribers, made me realise what writing for your readers really means, when you write about a pain point, and when it resonates with others !!
I didn’t expect 151 views on this edition, and obviously not this many subscribers. I just wrote what was real because the internet version I found has been boring. We have read a lot, but since everyone wants to be an expert or influenzaa so they brag more and spill the real tea less.
But in my newsletter, I try to be real, honest, and spill the reality. And I think that’s what my readers enjoy. So thank you again!!
Now let’s jump to the topic.
When you start freelancing, you have to learn certain things to survive and make sure that you don’t feel undervalued or like you’re not doing enough.
And in this list, the first thing you have to learn the hard way is— Saying NO!!
Yes, because if you don’t say no, you will end up chasing and working with low-paying clients. And it happens when you start freelancing and look desperately for opportunities. I know that looking for opportunities is obvious, but the desperation might leave you with those who won’t value your work, time, and worth.
In short— RED FLAG CLIENTS.
So, it is important to filter projects that are right for you.
When you start freelancing, you say NO more than you YES because that’s how you move towards the projects that are for you.
If I talk about— how many times I said no, I don’t even remember yet. But this month, I said no to FOUR clients. Yesss!! Because they were not worth it.
Although the counting could be better if I had actively done outreach or pitching (but I missed it a lot). The reason— I am super busy with my recent finance project. But honestly, loving working on it.
If you’re following me on LinkedIn, you must have an idea about it.
Why did I say NO to those 4 clients?
One was offering a very low amount and expecting a lot
The second one was also offering way much lower amount and expecting to deliver 8 blogs per day. Yes, you read it right.
The third one was expecting me to do everything, but wanted to pay me for writing only
And the fourth one, he wanted me to use AI and generate 10 articles a day, along with their editing.
I got disappointed and felt like What the Hell is going on in the market?
Btw, I also got some good leads as well, and the conversation is in progress to convert them.
Was it difficult to say NO?
Yes, absolutely, but for a few initial seconds only. Because I know my worth, what I bring to the table, and what I deserve.
I won’t say learning to say no comes overnight; I worked with red flag clients as well. I have been in those days when I’m chasing clients for making my payment. And even the time when I felt like— “ye client ko mana kia to abhi koi project nahi hai mere paas”. Yes, I have been there too.
But it all comes with time and patience. You should know your value and how to position yourself to make an impact.
Well, it’s been one year, so I think it has to be that way.
Now I panic less and focus on:
Pitching
Outreach
Showing up on LinkedIn and being consistent
Being visible
In this one year, I raised my rate, realised my worth, and thankfully, I have been getting on track for the last few months.
What did I get in return for losing those 4 Clients?
I got an opportunity to work in the domain I have been dreaming only— Finance. (let me know if you’re looking for a finance writer 👀)
Trust me, I’m not only loving the work, but the project itself taught me a lot.
I got the chance to explore finance and learning the basics I have also been missing.
And you know the best part of this project— reaching out to people and taking their two cents to make my blog richer and in-depth. I always wanted to write blogs interviewing people, and I got the chance.
What should you keep in mind when it feels hard to say NO?
Learning to say NO is hard, but mandatory if you want to get good opportunities.
I have heard writers saying,
clients aa nahi rahe,
opportunities mil nahi rahi,
ache clients hai hi kahan?
Freelancing is hard, full-time mai consistent paisa to hai…and so on.
Trust me, we all have felt this, but this is how freelancing looks in the initial days. It requires patience to wait, consistency to keep pitching and outreaching, and visibility to attract the right opportunities.
You might send 20 pitches and get a reply for hardly one, or convert just 1 client.
But then, after a month, you might get 10 replies and convert 4 clients. It depends.
What do you need to remember?
Good opportunities take time
You cannot convert your client from that pitch in one go or one day
You should have good sales skills because you’re your HR, marketer, boss, and almost everything. So it is your duty to make it possible.
You will have bad days and good days, both of which mean some days project and some days crickets. The pipeline takes time to build.
Not every project is made for you.
Getting NO as a reply is important to focus on other clients.
Freelancing looks fascinating, of course, because the grass is always greener on the other side. But internally, we are all messed up and still building.
So if you’re comparing yourself to others, you will give up soon. Focus on building yourself and learn from others rather than feeling competitive.
Well, that’s all for today. I hope this edition will help you say NO. But if you’re someone figuring out how to start freelancing, you should check my last edition. I’m sure it will help you.
Also Check:
Hope you enjoyed this edition. If you have any doubt, feel free to DM me or reply to this newsletter with your query. Also if you want me to cover something specific, let me know!!
Wrapping the last day of this month with this edition. Hope you enjoy this weekend.
See you in the next edition,
Till then,
Bye Bye…
~ Divya ✍️