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$200k Freelance Newsletter

When you need money NOW [Issue 38]

Have you ever found (or are you currently finding) yourself in a place where you are desperate for money... like, yesterday?!

Here are the 3 steps I recommend.

1. What worked in the past?

This isn't the time to reinvent the wheel. Think back to ways that you were able to land clients quickly. Can you replicate those actions?

As creatives, we're wired to look for new ways to do things. Novelty is exciting. However, when it comes to getting clients, it's way better to stick to what works and make systems.

2. Ask your network

If you've been following me for a while, hopefully you've taken steps to build your network.

Tips for doing this right...

  • Avoid coming across as desperate ("I am having a really hard time right now... I need work"). There are better ways to let people know you are available and want work. When you look desperate, it can give make people wonder why you're not getting work 🤔 And they won't usually jump to charitable conclusions.

  • Share your availability ("I have availability in July I'm looking to fill", "Looking for sustainability clients in the next few weeks", "A project fell through and I've got immediate availability").

  • Share this on social media.

  • But you can also reach out to individuals.

  • Being vulnerable like this might be difficult to do, but the people who care about you will want to help if they can.

3. Outreach like it's your full time job

When you don't have a project and you're desperate for work, consider it your full time job to find work.

Here's a breakdown of how I would spend a week focused on looking for work:

MONDAY

  • Create a spreadsheet of all past clients (you should already have one, but create it now if you don't).

  • Write a template email that includes:

    • Blank spot for an intro that you'll customize

    • Your availability

    • Links to recent projects you worked on

    • Link to your reel

  • Email all past clients

  • Post on social media that you have availability and what kind of work you're best suited for (see above)

  • On the spreadsheet, indicate who you've emailed and the date you emailed them

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

  • Research 10-20 potential studios or clients that you would be a good fit for... and add them to the list

  • Write an introduction email template. Similar to the one for past clients, but introduce yourself a little more (and keep it short... one of the biggest mistakes people make in outreach is writing way to much... these folks are busy and don't wanna read an essay on your backstory).

  • Email at least one person from each company (producer, creative director, marketing director, owner if the company is really small)... but you don't have to stop at one person at the company. You can send your intro email to multiple people.

  • Share an animation you made that you're proud of and at the bottom of the post, mention that your availability. Post this on LinkedIn, Twitter, and/or Instagram.

  • Spend 30-60 min engaging on LinkedIn. Please, please do not post b.s. comments. Give some thought to what you say.

THURSDAY

  • Go through your CRM (Customer Relationship Management... aka the spreadsheet you created on Monday)

  • Anyone that still has "Emailed" as their status, reply to your original email and just say something like "Just bumping this in your inbox." Keep it really short. I personally appreciate when people do this because it's easy for me to forget to reply right away and it can get buried.

  • Note: I would do CRM maintenance at the end of each day.

  • Add another 10-20 studios/clients and introduce yourself to them.

  • Post another animation or BTS.

  • Spend 30-60 min engaging on LinkedIn.

FRIDAY

  • Add another 10-20 studios/clients and introduce yourself to them.

  • Post another animation or BTS.

  • Spend 30-60 min engaging on LinkedIn.

What I like about this week long plan:

  • You touch base with a bunch of past clients (maybe 10-40).

  • You introduce yourself to 40-80 potential clients.

  • You've shared your work 4x (possibly on multiple platforms)... so when potential clients check out your socials, they see you are active and showing work.

  • You are not spending the week researching strategies... you are implementing a strategy.

Related: Shea Lord's newsletter from June 17, 2023: ​Comparing Studios vs Agencies vs Direct-to-Client (Art vs Impact vs Revenue)​

 

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Austin Saylor