Hi, guys. Welcome back to my channel.
So, if you are new here, I'm Suzie. And I talk about tips and tricks about
working-from-home, mind-setting, and productivity.
So, if you like those kind of topic, don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell down below.
If you're someone who can hardly find jobs online, then this video might interest you
because I'm going to share with you the tips and tricks that I use, myself, to land projects online.
If you're interested to that, please, keep on watching.
In this video, I'm going to share with you what are the things that you need to consider
when you are applying for hourly and fixed-rate projects.
So, if you still don't know what are the meaning of hourly and fixed-rate, check out
this video here. It will help you understand what I'm talking about.
First tip is to apply to recently posted jobs. Because most likely, they haven't hired someone yet
or they haven't find a freelancer yet to work on that project
since they just posted recently. So, if you're going to apply
to job openings posted six days ago, five days ago,
most likely, they've already hired someone.
They just forgot to close the job post.
They respond immediately if they just posted recently. And you can see, though, how long it has been posted.
And the second tip is that you need to create a customized cover letter.
It should be tailored to the job you're applying for. Don't give a generic cover letter
that is just copy-pasted. Because most likely, you'll just get ignored by clients.
To create a customized cover letter, these are what should be included in your cover letter.
First thing is that you need to address the client to his or her name
If you can research their name before applying, do that.
One tip, if you are looking or applying for a job on Upwork,
there are reviews. If you can see stars on a job post, or in their profile, it means
they've hired people before. And most probably, there are already feedbacks.
And on those feedbacks, freelancers sometimes indicate the name of the client.
So, if you can see a name that is being mentioned constantly, most likely, that's the client's name.
So, you might want to use that name in applying for the job.
Use that first name to address the client. For them to feel that it's actually tailored to them.
Third tip is that you should give relevant information.
Irrelevant matters that they don't need to know, you don't have to include those
because business owners like them or the hiring managers, they do a lot of things.
And they don't need unnecessary information. You have to have a clear message so that your client
can get your point in the letter. Of course, in the job posting, more likely,
their pain points or struggles, or the things they need help with are indicated.
So, state their pain point in your cover letter. Give at least three solutions
or approach that you'll do to solve their problem. That would really be
a big help for them to see how you're going to solve the problem.
They will have an idea that you really know what you're doing.
It's better if you can attach a link to your portfolio that is also related to their problem, or
the results from your previous clients so they can see, "Oh, okay. This is her work results."
They would have an overview of what could happen in their business if they hire you.
If you haven't had any client before and you still don't have a portfolio to show to your prospect client,
I will make another video for that tutorial because that would also take some time. Just stay tuned
and make sure to subscribe because weeks from now, that would also be my next topic.
And make sure before you are going to end the cover letter, you should ask him or her
about the company or brand so that you could help them better
like if you're familiar with their system or with the tools they use, and such. Ask him
about the company and its target market. Be interested in their company.
Because the more interested you are in their company, the more they can see that you really
want to help him or her in the business. If the job description lacks information,
content or details about the job description and job roles that are needed, you ask him or her.
It's better if you ask questions if there's something you don't understand or if something is not so clear with you
before you are going to give solution. Ask about the problem they want to get solved.
Because sometimes, the clients, themselves, don't know what it is they need unless you mentioned it.
Ask about the website and their social media so that you can have a grasp of their company's niche.
After that, ask the client's availability.
When is the best time and where can you contact them conveniently?
It's either Skype, Slack, or Whatsapp,
or just through email. Ask for the contact details
for your initial meeting or what we call discovery call.
You'll know whether you're fitted to work on the project,
whether you'll be able to help them, or whether their budget suits your rate.
Those kinds of questions. As for my experience, sometimes, they don't do calls anymore.
They just directly send the contract as long as they can see that
"Oh, she knows what she's talking about. She showed a portfolio of her previous works."
They just sent the contract, we didn't go through calls.
We automatically start with the project. But just be prepared on that.
And I will make another video for the
things that you need to do before, during, and after a discovery call.
And also, if you are going to apply for jobs,
don't forget to read the whole job description.
Sometimes, in the middle of the post, they indicate a note like
"If you are going to apply, insert this "word" or "phrase" in your cover letter."
You have to insert those words for them to see that you are really keen
on all the details they've provided on the job post. If you weren't able to follow their instruction,
for them, you'll no longer be included in their shortlist. Just follow the instruction
and be creative in inserting words or phrases that they want you to insert in the letter.
If you are also going to propose a rate, please don't bid too low or too high.
Bidding too low, your clients might think your services are probably cheap too.
Bidding too high, your clients might hesitate and think that the task isn't for that rate.
So, know the project's sweet spot as to its bid and how much should be the rate
for that kind of project. If they've responded to your application or proposal, reply as soon as you can.
Because sometimes, they also reply to a number of applicants
and you might respond late and they already hired someone else.
You could've been shortlisted but you didn't respond immediately so they get someone else.
You have to reply as soon as you can. That's very important. Communication.
Communication is really important in all aspects. As what I have said earlier,
you should read all the details in the job post. So, if ever there's something you don't know
or mostly, you knew but let's say, there are three tasks that you're not familiar with, or you still
don't have any experience for that task, just indicate in your cover letter that you haven't tried it yet
but you are willing to learn if they can give materials or videos, or if they can provide a training for you,
that would be great. You just have to be honest that you haven't tried it yet.
Because for most of the clients, it's not really necessary that you know everything
that they indicated in the job description. It's okay for them
if you know only at least 70% or 80% of the task that they posted. For the other tasks,
you can just learn how to do those tasks while you're working with them. If you are applying
through outside platforms, like Facebook groups,
those platforms that don't specify whether the client is verified or not, don't forget to always
background check those who posted the job post. Search on Google,
search on Linkedin, search them everywhere if you can find them. I have applied before
on Onlinejobs.ph His whole name is specified there. So,
I tried to search it on Linkedin and I messaged him,
"Can you please check my proposal via Onlinejobs.ph?" and then, he said
he didn't post that one and he's not hiring. It's like someone is just using their name.
Always message him or her on LinkedIn or Skype, wherever platform you can search him.
Just to validate if that was really them and if they are really hiring. Because there are
a lot of scammers nowadays. And we wouldn't want to be scammed. Like we're going to work but
we wouldn't get paid. So, just be careful when you're going to apply for jobs.
And another thing I've noticed on newbie freelancers. When they're applying to job posts,
especially on Facebook groups, when there are job posts, don't just comment "Meeeeee"
with hands up emoji. Some says "Interested", "How". Those kinds of comments.
And that wouldn't really help
as there are lots of you who say "Me, me, me" and "Interested, Interested" in the comment section
Don't be like that. If you want to apply, just read the job post,
and if there's an indicated email address where you can apply, just send an email or CV to that address.
Or if there is a form you need to fill up, then just fill up that one.
And if they want you to just comment below, if possible, just state, "I'm interested and this is my website."
Just something to show as a portfolio or if you don't have one yet, just say something like
"I'm interested and I'm also a Social Media Manager and these are what you can use as a reference
for my previous works." Something like that. Or just ask something like
"I'm interested. Where can I send my CV? What is your hiring process?
Please let me know. I would be willing to apply." Sometimes, they don't like to be PM-ed.
They don't want you to direct message them. So, always follow instructions
when it comes to applying jobs. You really have to follow simple details. That's the most
important thing if you're applying for jobs. Even if you're no longer applying. Even if you got hired,
you should follow instructions. So, yeah, guys. That's all for this video.
I hope you learn something from me again.
If you have another topic that you would like me to discuss,
please, don't forget to leave a comment down below.
And I would love to read all your comments and feedbacks. See you on my next one. Bye!