Hi Reader,

Happy Friday!

Is it me, or do things feel like they're picking back up again?

They usually do after the start-of-year slump, but it feels like it took much longer this year for things to get back to normal.

P.S. Recently on Instagram, I shared why potential clients might be ignoring your pitches. See why here. And don't forget to give me a follow for regular tips and tricks!

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Here's what I've been up to this week work-wise:

👉 I wrote 2 pieces for clients (a CPQ and digital commerce tool and Salsify)

👉 I refreshed 2 pieces for Shopify

👉 I had an SME call with one of my clients

👉 I started a new contract with a big new client

⏱ Approx hours spent on client work this week: ~17

⏱ Approx hours spent on non-client work: ~2

💰 Total revenue this week: £3,150

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Check out my three practical courses that have helped 500+ people get more clients, earn more money, and create better content.

Friday Freelance Tip​​ ✨ ​

Last month, a client I hadn’t spoken to in three years popped back into my inbox.

Back then, we had a great chat. They loved my work, and I sent a proposal, but they didn't have the budget at the time.

No biggie. It happens all the time, so I let it go.

And then, out of nowhere, they popped back up, saying they have a much bigger budget now and would love to work with me again if I have the availability.

This project would be huge... a large chunk of money each month with a great company in an industry I absolutely love.

But that's not the point of this newsletter.

That message last month was a reminder of something I’ve learned over and over again in freelancing:

Nothing is ever really wasted.

All those proposals that went nowhere? The perfect pitch that got a “we’ve gone another direction"? The discovery calls that felt electric and then fizzled out?

They might still be working for you, just invisibly.

People don’t always ghost because they didn’t like you. Sometimes it’s budget. Sometimes priorities shift. Sometimes they’re just overwhelmed or not quite ready.

But if you made a good impression, they remember. And when the timing finally lines up, they do come back.

So, what does this mean for you? Or for us, as freelancers?

It means you can stop clinging to immediate results.

You don’t need to pitch perfectly to land the job tomorrow. And this is something I always tell my fellow freelancers: the first bit of outreach is just the start. It's a knock on the door, not a signed, sealed contract.

Most clients won't immediately start working with someone they've only just met. But they might keep an eye on you, and when they do need help, get back in touch.

It's a long game.

Here’s how to play it:

Plant the seed properly.

Be thoughtful in your outreach, even if you never hear back. Don’t burn out trying to be everywhere, just show up where it matters, with intention. If you make a connection with a prospect on LinkedIn but it doesn't materialise into anything immediately, don't panic.

You've still planted the seed. That person will see your posts and is now considered a much warmer connection.

Stay visible without being annoying.

Keep your name fresh by sharing your work, ideas, and wins consistently (even if it feels like shouting into the void). People are always watching silently before they act.

The gold is in the follow up.

It’s not weird to follow up with someone 6 months later and say, “Hey, I’ve been working on similar projects lately and thought of you. Let me know if it’s worth reconnecting.”

Sometimes people don't need your help right away, but a quick jog of the memory a few months later might come at a pivotal time. I regularly check in with old clients and warm prospects to see if there's anything I can help with - usually at the start of a new quarter to align with budgets/projects.

Detach from the outcome.

I know it's easier said than done, but try to make peace with people going quiet. It feels like rejection, but there are so many factors at play. Budgets, timing, in-house politics, in-house shuffles - you never know what's going on behind the scenes.

The more I detached from the outcome of my pitches, the easier it was for me to pitch in a less desperate way. Which, ultimately, gives you more power and professionalism.

The thing with freelancing is that things rarely happen overnight (even if some influential TikTokker told you it can). Building a successful, sustainable business takes time. Planting those seeds early creates a snowball effect later down the line.

So, when a prospect's budget doesn't fit right now, that doesn't mean it won't ever in the future. Case in point: the message I received last month.

We need more Freelance Money Diaries submissions!

As you know, I'm on a mission to bring more transparency around rates in the freelancing world. And, to do that, it really helps to see what other freelancers are earning. I'd absolutely love it (and be eternally grateful) if you share your finances with us (you can do it totally anonymously!).

As always, happy freelancing :)

Lizzie ✨

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