🎯 The 5-Part Series: Freelance Basics That Actually Work
We created this short guide to help freelancers succeed with real-world, practical advice — especially in a market where competition is high and good clients are picky.
You are here:
• Part 1: Win More Projects and Clients as a Freelancer (Especially in a Competitive Market)
• Part 2: The Perfect Follow-Up Message (with Templates)
• Part 3: Handle Client Rejections and Turn Them Into Opportunities
👉 Part 4: Position Yourself as the Solution, Not Just Another Freelancer
• Part 5: Finding the Right Clients vs. Chasing Every Project
Back to the article...
When clients read your pitch, they’re not thinking:
“Wow, this person knows 10 tools.”
They’re wondering:
“Can this person fix my issue, hit my goal, or make my life easier?”
In a competitive freelance market, your biggest advantage isn’t what you do — it’s how well you show you can solve a specific problem.
❌ Don’t Lead with Skills — Lead with Solutions
Let’s look at a few quick examples.
Content Writer
❌ I have 6 years of experience in content writing and SEO.
✅ I help B2B startups attract qualified leads by creating SEO-driven content that answers the exact questions their users are searching for.
Developer
❌ I’m skilled in Python and JavaScript.
✅ I help fintech companies build fast, scalable backend systems that support millions of transactions reliably.
Designer
❌ I design apps and websites.
✅ I help SaaS startups turn complex ideas into intuitive, conversion-friendly interfaces.
Coach/Consultant
❌ I offer productivity coaching.
✅ I help solopreneurs reduce burnout and consistently hit business goals with sustainable productivity systems.
See the difference? One talks about what you do. The other talks about what they get.
✅ Simple Rules to Shift Your Pitch
To position yourself as the solution:
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Talk about results, not tasks
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Mention the specific problems you solve
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Use client-focused language (“you” more than “I”)
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Back it up with a result or example
💬 Instead of: I do content strategy, writing, and CMS updates…
Say: I help HR tech startups publish weekly thought-leadership content that drives traffic and builds trust with decision-makers.
🧠 Self-Checklist: Does Your Pitch Say…
✅ What problem you solve?
✅ How your work helps the client succeed?
✅ Why you’re a great fit for this project?
✅ A short example of you doing it before?
✅ More “you” and “your” than “I” and “me”?
📌 Where This Matters
Use this approach wherever you’re selling yourself:
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On your 9am.works profile
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In your application message
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On LinkedIn or your personal website
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In your portfolio case studies
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In client calls or proposals
✨ AI Tip: Use ChatGPT to Write Your Pitch
Don’t waste time starting from scratch. You can use ChatGPT to draft a pitch that positions you as the solution — not just a resume.
📋 Prompt to paste into ChatGPT:
I want to pitch myself for the freelance project below.
Attached is my CV, and here is the job ad:
[Paste the full job ad text here]
Please write a short, professional, confident, and human-sounding pitch that:
- Positions me as the solution to the client’s needs
- Highlights relevant experience from my CV that directly addresses the job requirements
- Focuses on value and outcomes, not just tasks
- Avoids listing skills for the sake of it — instead, tie them to how they help the client
- Includes a concrete example or result where appropriate
- Is no longer than 150–200 words
⚠️ Important: Only use information explicitly in my CV. Do not invent or assume any details.
Close with a soft call to action inviting the client to continue the conversation.
Once you get the draft, review the tone and make it sound like you — but you’ll already be miles ahead of the generic competition.
In Short:
🚫 Don’t just tell clients what you do.
✅ Show them what you help them achieve.
That shift alone will make you stand out from 90% of freelancers.
Want to go even further?
If you’re serious about turning freelance applications into consistent gigs, don’t stop here.
🎓 Check out our Freelancer Academy — your all-in-one course to launch and grow your freelance career.
With 40+ lessons, 100+ videos, templates, checklists, expert interviews, and a like-minded community, it’s everything you need to go from zero to clients — faster and smarter.
👉 Join the Freelancer Academy now
