How to win more freelance work: 5 Insider Tips from Reedsy

Since we started Reedsy a few years ago, we have seen hundreds of our freelance professionals get thousands of projects through our marketplace. Some used good tactics, some not so much, and we decided to share some insider tips on how the most successful freelancers do it.

My team has recently hosted a webinar sharing 5 insider tips to help professionals to win more work on Reedsy, featuring some common misconceptions about our marketplace and tips on how to better approach bidding on projects.

You might think that on Reedsy the cheapest offers always win and you are much better off working with publishing houses instead of indie authors. Although it is true that some authors are hunting for the lowest price, statistically, only 50% of clients accept the cheapest offer; others take quality of work, communication and general engagement of the freelancer into consideration, resulting in mid-range and highest offers being accepted. If you are prepared to show the value you can bring to the project, it is much more likely that you will make your prices work, even if they are not the cheapest.

Here are some tips that were covered in the webinar, which you might find useful when bidding on projects. These are based on the tactics of the most successful freelancers on Reedsy.

1. Engage with every author and book

Clients have spent some time researching freelancers to contact, meaning you are in their top five and they want to see you engaged with their project. Ask yourself, “is this an exciting project?” It will help you to relate to the author and elevate yourself to the client’s number one choice.

2. Keep your quotes concise

The offer not only helps form the details of your contract, but it is also the best way to confirm the client understands what they are, and are not, getting. When composing the offer, spend some time considering the details that are crucial for the author to understand.

3. Make templates your best friend

Templates (or pre-composed messages that you edit) will help you to efficiently cover the basics every time, whilst allowing you the time to engage with the important part, the project itself. It can be particularly helpful when writing your offers to avoid spending too much time doing that.

4. Don’t be a Jack, or Jill, of all trades

Make sure your profile on the marketplace is specialized. It will help to funnel more considered requests your way and, most of the time, ensure that the projects will actually be of interest to you.

5. Think twice before declining

We all know it’s easier to work on something that you are interested in, so give yourself the opportunity to find that out before you decline the request. Do not decline unless you’re actually too busy for the next few months or cannot help with any of the services the client is asking for. Other details can be worked out, whether it is the timeline that doesn’t fit you (always ask if the client is flexible) or you feel that they need help with more aspects than you can cover. Just let them know and discuss what you can do for them. At least with some projects, you will be able to reach an agreement.

You can hear these tips discussed in more detail in our webinar. We also cover some things you should bear in mind after you have secured that project. Altogether, it will help you to win more work and have smooth, stress-free collaborations.

You're not a Reedsy professional yet? We’re always looking for more talented freelancers, go ahead and join our community.