Matt Starky

There is a concept we implement at BrightDock internally called 'The Circle', and it's incredibly powerful..

So here's how it works..

Let's say you acquire a client via a certain method, like cold emails, because it's the quickest and easiest..

We would then work with this client to complete a part of the project and ensure their satisfaction. After that, we offer them an incentive to leave us multiple reviews while we continue working on the project..

For instance, we would ask them to pay the rest of the project on a freelancing site like Freelancer (+1 review on Freelancer), leave a review on 1-2 B2B directories (e.g., Clutch/True Firms), leave one on GMB (Google My Business), and perhaps shoot a video testimonial for our website. In return, we would offer them a 5% cashback for this project or 10% off the next one.

This way, we use a single client to build authority on multiple networks, which, in return, helps us establish a brand there and attract clients from any channel we're present on..

Let's keep this one short and simple..

I've sent out over 3 million emails and made over 1M USD in revenue for my agency BrightDock.. Here are the three simple rules..

It comes down to this..
1. Opening line should be 'Meeting Proposal' or 'Meeting Proposal, {Name}'? or 'Meeting Proposal in {City} even if you'll never visit that city

2. Many people open their email's on mobile, so you need to really work on your opening lines

3. Never introduce yourself personally, rather introduce yourself as if you were your own assistant, as it raises your value - E.g. Our CEO Matt will be in town on those dates..

Happy hunting!

Guys,
After 2 f@*king years, it's finally out..

I have put all of my learnings that got me to #1 on Freelancer.com.. All of the learnings that make me 100s of thousands of dollars yearly in drop servicing into 6 modules, 25 lessons and 3 insane bonuses for..

5.60 USD!!|

I'm honestly laughing while I'm reading this.. To my knowledge, there's no one who actually got to #1 that made a learning path for others, so it's quite cool to be the first..

+ ALSO.. If you don't like it within 30 days, there's a 100% money back guarantee for any reason (Don't be a prick, if you think that the content is useful, keep it ;))

If you want to support my work, go and get it here, you'll be surprised with the amount of value + you also get access to my private FB group (There are some upsells that are insane, but no need to add those):
https://www.freelancerevolution.com/home

The price is going significantly up very, very soon.. Don't say I didn't warn you.

The Freelance Revolution | #1 Program For Freelancers Freelance Revolution is a counterintuitive approach to building and scaling a freelancing career that allows you to enjoy remote work, excellent time management, and substantial income without the usual headaches of traditional freelancing methods.

Everyone, I'm about to launch an offer and if you help me and I accept your suggestions, I'll award you with 200 USD paid via PayPal. Last week's winner was Chigozie and we're looking for an old/new one!

Here's what I need help with:

There's a system made by Alen Sultanic that is called ascending offers and basically you have:

Frontend offer - Something that has really high value but goes for low price like 5 USD (An e-book or a course)

OTO/Upsell 1 - Something that also has a lot of value, but generally goes for a much higher price like 97-197 USD

OTO/Upsell 2 - An additional value on top of frontend offer and upsell 1 that goes for 47-97 USD

Backend offer - Something very expensive like 3-10.000 USD where all that is thought in FE and OTO 1 and 2 is done for our users by our team

Now, what we were thinking is following:

Frontend offer - my whole course repurposed as an e-book for 5 USD

OTO 1 - Full course + all templates

OTO 2 - My ultimate sales guide and all platforms I use to get clients + a term I invented called 'The Circle' or how I run clients around to create multiple value on multiple platforms from same clients

Backend - As mentioned, all of the integrations done for our clients so branding made, website made, cold email technical setups, freelancing platform setups, bidding etc etc.

I want a critique of our ideas and alternative suggestion on how our AO (Ascending Offers) could look like.

Thanks to all!

Matt

Before I embarked on my freelancing journey, I had a very different life. I started out working in the hospitality industry, specifically as a waiter in local bars like Karolina and Pommery. It wasn't an easy job, as I often found myself struggling to keep up with the constant flow of dishes and glasses that needed cleaning. However, my perseverance and efforts did not go unnoticed, and I was soon promoted to a waiter position, which allowed me to interact with more people and earn better tips.

My time in the hospitality industry, though challenging, proved to be a crucial stepping stone in my career. I gained valuable skills such as patience, communication, and the ability to work under pressure – skills that would later prove invaluable in my freelancing endeavors. One of the most transformative experiences was working as a head waiter at the exclusive 3Arena club in Dublin, where I had the opportunity to serve high-profile clients, including celebrities like Adele, Bono, and Colin Farrell. This experience not only broadened my horizons but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the freedom and flexibility that freelancing would eventually offer.

The First Steps: Bidding and Winning My First Projects

When I first discovered the world of freelancing, I was intrigued by the prospect of earning money on my own terms. I started by researching the best-paid online jobs and stumbled upon the term "freelancing" and the popular platform Freelancer.com. Determined to dive in, I began bidding relentlessly on projects, recognizing that this was an essential first step in building my freelancing career.

My first project was a modest £9 (around $11) task to create packaging for a client's carpet business. Despite having no prior experience in design, I was determined to deliver an exceptional result. I spent the next 48 hours immersing myself in YouTube tutorials and reaching out to experts for feedback, all while maintaining constant communication with the client to ensure I understood their exact requirements. This commitment to over-delivery paid off, as I earned my first 5-star review on Freelancer.com.

Buoyed by this success, I continued to refine my bidding strategy, incorporating engaging "hooks" to capture the attention of potential clients and offering additional benefits, such as milestone-based payments to provide a sense of security. This approach proved effective, as I landed my second project, a $20 digital marketing campaign setup, which I completed in just two hours, earning $10 per hour – a significant improvement from my initial project.

Scaling to New Heights: Leveraging Expertise and Over-Delivery

With each new project, I continued to build on my experiences and expertise. For my third project, I was tasked with setting up a marketing campaign and providing early management, for which I was paid $400. This was a watershed moment, as I realized the true potential of freelancing and the rewards it could bring.

My secret to success lay in my unwavering commitment to over-delivery. I not only completed the tasks at hand but also went the extra mile, providing clients with additional resources and instructions to help them manage the projects themselves. This level of dedication and attention to detail earned me stellar reviews, which in turn opened the doors to even more lucrative opportunities.

Over the years, I have continued to hone my skills, diversify my offerings, and expand into new niches. Today, with over 200 projects and $2 million in earnings under my belt, I can confidently say that my decision to pursue freelancing was one of the best choices I've ever made. The gig economy has provided me with the freedom, flexibility, and financial rewards that I could only have dreamed of in my previous hospitality career.

Advice for Aspiring Freelancers

If you're looking for a sign to dive into the world of freelancing, this is it. My journey is a testament to the incredible potential that the gig economy holds. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your freelancing career to the next level, I encourage you to take the plunge and start bidding on projects.

Remember, the key to success lies in your commitment to over-delivery, effective communication with clients, and the ability to showcase your unique expertise. Leverage the power of AI and optimization tools to streamline your bidding process, and don't be afraid to experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you.

As you embark on your freelancing journey, feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I'm always here to provide guidance and support, as I firmly believe that by sharing our experiences and strategies, we can all achieve greater success in the world of freelancing.

So, what are you waiting for? Start bidding, start winning, and start living the freelance life you've always dreamed of. The possibilities are endless!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKCYkNIwrKo

Real Story On Winning My First 3 Projects on Freelancer.com Welcome back to the channel, folks! In today's video, we're taking a deep dive into my freelancing journey: from my humble beginnings in the hospitality sect...

Samuel Chigozie I'm happy to announce that you're this week's giveaway winner (100 USD PayPal)

Please reach out to our inbox with your details so that we can send over your well deserved prize.

Next giveaway (Bigger!) is starting a week from now!

Thanks to all who participated.

Best,
Matt

Don't forget this - Here is a difference between how fortunes were made before and how they are made now.

Here’s what I learned after THOUSANDS of client conversations..

These things helped me close over 200 high ticket deals and build a 2x Fast 50 agency by Deloitte called BrightDock..

Sales are changing and it's now more than ever about placing human into centre of your attention, here’s what can help..

1. Without doubts, you need to stand out, whatever it takes (Be faster, be better, have a more organised portfolio, sexier price, you find it)

2. Clients want to be guided (Show your expertise, explain what would you change or do better, show how your work will bring SIGNIFICANT results for them

3. Be ready (I have conversation pipelines done per each skill I work in/bid on - Everything from intro, most common questions I might ask them, my USPs (Unique Selling Points) explained)

4. Budgets are deal breakers! Ask them openly what’s their budget and explain why you’re asking that: e.g. for resource planning, to avoid overquoting and make sure that you end up working together or to understand how far you can go with your work/creativity

5. They want to be guided - They often think that they know what they want, but in most cases they don’t. It’s your role to guide them and use every trick in the book. Even ask AI if you have to..

6. Confidence - There’s a very tiny margin between being confident and cocky, be the first thing

7. Experiment - There are 100s of different sales tactics like Columbo, yes ladder, foot in the door etc., get yourself familiar with them

8. Automation can be and sound human!

,

Hope your week is going good!

I want to share a trick I use to get big deals, with a real-life example. It's about two things:
1. What I do to up my chances
2. How I check if an employer is good to work with

To improve my chances, I do things like:
1. Offer safe milestones - Employers like this. I tell them they can get their money back if I don't do the job right.
2. Give something extra at the start - If the job post has enough details, I do a little bit of the work ahead of time. Like, instead of making a full design, I might sketch out the basic plan or suggest some design styles that would look good for their brand. For example, this client didn't have $300k to make their software, so I offered to help get things ready for $15k to help them find the money, and they agreed.
3. Providing something additional, whether I can or can't do it also works like a great trick (Like a website here - I said I'll try, and I really will, but if the budget won't create expected profits for myself, I won't do it)

To make sure an employer is worth my time, I check if:
1. They must have verified payment, profile, and contact info.
2. They should have at least one 5.0 rating review.
3. Their job post should be well-written, by them and not by a computer. It shows they really care.
4. If they seem even a little bit off, I don't work with them.

This way, I focus on good opportunities and avoid wasting time. Are there any strategies that you do that help you win larger/repeating deals?

With a proper plan, this is one of the greatest business ideas to start in 2024..

In most cases, you’d need 0 cash, as most banks would finance low risk, high growth potential ventures and the most crucial thing is to build it in a dense/highly populated area that’s within center reach, but not by any means in the center itself.. as you can see from the images, everything is packed in front and behind..

Massive bonus: As my dad would point out, there has been a rise of ‘no water’ car washes in the US, so copy that model and you can probably get a green government or venture funding.

Bonus #2: Find people who have great, low utilized spaces and offer to rent it in exchange for small % of business equity.

Not gonna lie, I’ve been thinking about doing this myself over the past few weeks.

Got many requests on this one, so here it is: a short but to-the-point guide on crafting a standout profile on Freelancer.com or other freelancing platforms! 😎

Perfecting Your Profile Photo: Forget hiring a pricey photographer. A simple DIY setup can produce the perfect profile picture. Use a smartphone, position yourself against a light background, and ensure your face is well-lit without harsh shadows. A soft smile and direct eye contact can make a big difference. Apply the Rule of Thirds for a professional-looking composition – your eyes should be along the top horizontal line of the frame. 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️

Enhancing Photo Quality with Remini AI: Quality matters. With Remini, you can enhance up to 12 of your selfies even if they aren't of great quality, choosing styles that range from professional to casual. This step can dramatically improve the appearance of your profile photo, even if the original shots weren’t perfect. 📲

Headline and Bio That Hook: The headline is your first impression. Make it count by being clear about what you do and the value you offer. Avoid jargon and buzzwords that might confuse potential clients. Use relevant keywords to improve your search visibility on the platform. Your bio should expand on your headline, highlighting your experience and skills. Remember, the first 160 characters are crucial, as they're shown in search once you profile is collapsed, so make them engaging. 🚀

Importance of Badges: Aim to acquire Verified and Preferred Freelancer badges as quickly as possible. Preferred badge can be acquired as early as with 5 reviews that are great and this was the biggest factor behind our success on Freelancer.com.. These badges significantly enhance your trustworthiness and appeal to potential clients, making them more likely to choose you for their projects. 🧧

Smart Pricing Strategy: Setting your rates is more art than science. For those without reviews, starting rates can vary by region. In lower-cost regions, consider starting between $10-15 per hour. For mid-tier regions, $20-25 per hour might be more appropriate, while in high-cost regions, don’t go below $30 per hour. As you gain more reviews and experience, you can adjust your rates accordingly. HOWEVER, when I started, I did everything to attract my client's attention so I went with 80 USD p/h, even though I was from a mid-tier region and they were reaching out to ask why I was so expensive, and it was a great conversation starter.. Check my other post on writing perfect bids to understand why attention matters. (Money follows attention!!) 💸💸

A Unique Tip - Invest in Freelancer Stock: Not only could investing in Freelancer stock be a wise financial decision, but it also grants you a unique badge, distinguishing your profile from the masses. I'm NOT a financial advisor, so you're doing it on your own risk (and could eventually lose all of your money), but I do think that it has a great potential!! ↗️↗️↗️

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR BID PRICING STRATEGY IS RIGHT? (Example below!*)

As discussed with one member a while ago, here is the way I see if I'm either too cheap or too expensive:

One of our biggest challenges is determining the right price for our services. Bid too low, and you might undervalue your skills; bid too high, and you risk losing potential projects. But how do we strike the perfect balance? The key lies in tracking and analyzing your job bids over time.

1. Create a Google Sheet for Tracking: Set up a Google Sheet with specific columns to capture essential details of each job bid. This will serve as your data hub:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fiNVQ9TcRSR-6ONIAO1bdXH5bLOeP-dUBmvvbcbFl6c/edit?usp=sharing

2. Columns to Include (Edit, add or remove per your needs):

- Job Link: A direct link to the job posting.

- Type of Job: Categorize the job (e.g., Graphic Design, Content Writing).

- Posted Date: When the job was posted. (To track price over time)

- Your Bid Amount: How much you bid for the job.

- Average Bid Amount: The average bid amount by other freelancers (if available).

- Awarded to You: Mark 'Yes' if the job was awarded to you, otherwise 'No'.

- Client's Budget: The budget range provided by the client.

- Notes: Any additional notes or observations.

3. Regularly Update the Sheet: After bidding on a job, enter the details into the sheet. Update the status when there’s a change.

4. ANALYSE YOUR DATA: Over time, this sheet will give you valuable insights. If you’re winning a high percentage of bids but the pay is low, you might be underpricing your services. Conversely, if you’re rarely winning bids, it might be time to recheck your strategy, portfolio and price.

Keep an eye on what others in your field are charging. Adjust your rates based on market trends, your experience, and skill level.

Happy Freelancing!

Bidding Price Strategy Sheet1 PLEASE COPY AND PASTE, DO NOT WRITE OR COMMENT IN THIS DOCUMENT Job Link,Type of Job,Posted Date,Your Bid Amount,Avg. Bid Amount,Awarded to You,Client's Budget,Notes https://www.fr...