Launch a Passion Project to Attract Clients

“Show, don’t tell,” is a copywriting strategy that applies to all areas of our lives, especially in our careers. In the online space, show don’t tell means create things you’re passionate about.

Clients want to see what you’ve done so they can develop confidence in your abilities and hire you. Unlike a 9 to 5 job where clients can see you and watch your capabilities during an interview, customers online:

• Are exposed to scammers who force them develop trust issues
• Don’t know what they want (For example, if a client wants a website, they cannot describe the kind they need. But when you show them your portfolio, they may like one of them and ask you to create a similar site for their business)
• Are exposed to thousands of freelancers who can do the job
• Cannot prove what you say is true with a cover letter only
• Want a reliable person who can do the work without supervision

Besides that, there are benefits of starting a project on your side, for example, it:

• Puts you ahead of everyone else who wants to make it online but doesn’t take action
• Grows your experience enabling you to sharpen your skills
• Develops your ability to guide clients because as said earlier, not every client knows exactly what they need (Some are also beginners)
• Increases your ability to manage small and large projects, enabling you to increase your earning potential

Therefore, go out today and,

Develop a Project You Love

You can create the following based on your area of specialization:

Writers

Start a LinkedIn newsletter, post articles on Medium, grow a website about a topic you like, or contribute to a friend’s website in your name. I started Blumy Content Solutions because I love writing about digital marketing to help my clients.

Graphic Designers

Create flyers, logos, social media posts, posters, and other on-demand items and post create a portfolio on:

• Behance
• Social media page
• Portfolio website
• Dribble
• Canva

Web Designers

Design one or more websites on WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, or code a site from scratch. You can develop sites to sell them to the highest bidder.

Social Media Manager

Start a TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or X account about a topic you love and start growing the page.

Data Analysts

Head to Tableau or Kaggle and find thousands of data sets—create your portfolio by analyzing and presenting the data.

Build Your Project Consistently

The secret to being consistent with your work is doing something you love and are passionate about. Passion allows you to keep going when you’re not in the mood—and during tough times.

Have you already started a project? Drop your comment below and share your project link with the world.

Subscribe Now and share this newsletter with a friend by tagging them in the comments below — ask them to invite their friends to read. In the coming week, I’ll be sharing more actionable techniques to help every African freelance enthusiast build a sustainable lifestyle working online.