How did you land your first client? We all have our stories on how we found clients (or how clients found us). Most seasoned freelancers have anecdotes to share – from meeting them through a common friend, a connection on LinkedIn, from a freelancing meet-up event, or that serendipitous event that led to the first contract.

My personal story came as a fruit of hard work on building own brand for three years. After I built Freelance Blend and forged my way as a podcaster, my dream client found me. The road to being a valuable freelancer working for an equally high-quality client was not easy, but it is all worth it. The efforts I put into making my own brand worked because it is the biggest proof of the kind of work and value that I could bring to any potential client.

This week’s FB 136 episode will be a little different than the usual. I am happy to share with you the FB live session with Jason Dulay of Work From Home Roadmap. In FBP 125, I interviewed Jason about how freelancing can enable you to live a life of travel as a digital nomad. Ten episodes later, the tables have turned. This time, I’m on the left side of the screen, answering questions instead of asking them. I am honored to be a guest in Jason’s session where we talked about my own freelancing journey.

Join Jason and I as we both share insights on getting clients who pay for value, what motivates most freelancers, and tips on finding a client acquisition process that works for you.

Key Highlights

Listen in as we dish out our tips and principles on acquiring clients, beating burnout, and client communications.

* My journey in the financial services industry and how I found myself as a freelancer

* Most influential things that paved the way for freelancing

* Top reason why I (and most freelancers) do not immediately leave their jobs

* What you need to have before finally calling it quits with your job

* My dreams before I went to freelancing

* How I landed my first client

* The difference between skill and value

* How your personal websites and podcasts can help increase your value

* Tips on finding a client acquisition process that works for you

* Confidence as a key factor to success

Quotes

On confidence:

“You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to be a couple of steps ahead.”

On charging more for quality work:

“Understand the problem and make them realize that you are the solution to that problem.”

Finding your own process:

“Most successful freelancers have a process.”

“Experiment. There is no one way to do it. There are many ways to do it. Find a process that works for you.”

The best proof of your work:

“My best client is myself.”

Links and Resources:

* For more tips and tricks for freelancers, subscribe to Freelance Blend TV

* Get Jason’s FREE Course: How You can Work from Home

* Join Jason’s course for VAs: Virtual Assistant Bootcamp

“Get gigs in the newest marketplace for freelancers — goLance — and earn more when you refer your friends >>> www.freelanceblend.com/golance.”