A sad thing happened today.
I missed the call with LinkedIn’s Top Digital Marketing Voice. And now I regret it.
So, you won’t be getting any insights from any of LinkedIn’s Top Voice.
Instead, I will be sharing my own insights with you today.
I will soon be becoming a Top Marketing Voice on LinkedIn.
So, these consider today’s insight from future Top Marketing Voice on LinkedIn.
I will talk about channels to generate leads for your business.
One is LinkedIn and the other is Upwork.
My goal is to explain the pros and cons of everything. And help you decide which channels are better suited for your needs.
Before deciding on a channel for your business, you have to assess the intent of the people on that specific platform.
What do they intend to do on that platform?
If people are on a platform to get information, you won’t get can’t label them as buyers.
They could be your peers. Or people who are just starting out.
You can establish any authority on that platform or educate them but selling your services is a different thing.
It involves a lot of factors.
Trying to generate leads this way is a very long and time-consuming process.
First, let’s dissect LinkedIn.
If you are a service business, that needs leads in the short term.
LinkedIn might not be the most ideal channel for you.
Why?
Because there are not a lot of buyers on LinkedIn.
People on LinkedIn are there to learn about industry news, network with fellow peers and connect with potential employers.
Now, note that potential employers mean people, who will hire them full-time.
If you think that, A CEO is on LinkedIn to hire people for short-term projects.
You are wrong.
He will probably go to Upwork.
Which is better suited to his needs.
So, what is LinkedIn good for?
As a freelancer or agency owner.
- Industry trend and news
- Learning new things
- Establishing authority in your niche
And a slim chance of getting leads.
Now, you can find a lot of advice on:
- How to optimize a LinkedIn profile for lead generation?
- What are the best practices for creating an engaging LinkedIn post?
My advice is that if you are in the education business.
- Coaching
- Course seller
- Ghostwriting
- Copywriting
- Content writing
LinkedIn is a good platform. Not great.
And if you are selling technical services:
- Automation
- Development
- Project management
- Designing
Go to Upwork.
Because the LinkedIn game revolves around creating content around your services and promoting your services through that content.
Technical terminologies do not get much traction on LinkedIn.
So, you will spend a lot of time on LinkedIn writing content and promoting that content.
That is why, writers are doing well on LinkedIn.
And they are a big advocate of LinkedIn.
Because their whole business is based on people joining LinkedIn.
Another factor that most people do not consider is Sales Navigator.
LinkedIn is a good database of professionals all over the world.
And LinkedIn won’t give you access for free.
They intend to make money from it.
So, if you try to reach out to people on mass without using Sales Navigator.
You will be penalized by LinkedIn.
I wrote a piece of advice on this.
You can read it here.
As compared to LinkedIn, Upwork is full of buyers.
In almost every vertical associated with digital services.
Upwork
People are on Upwork with one purpose.
To hire a helping hand to solve their business problems.
Do you need leads for your service or consultancy agency?
Go on Upwork.
The sales cycle on Upwork is very short.
The leads are warm.
Warm leads AKA people who are aware of their problem, and the solution they need.
They just need to assess if you are the right person to do the job.
So, getting a lead and clients on Upwork is a lot easier than on LinkedIn.
You might be thinking, How can I leverage my Upwork profile to attract high-paying clients?
I will be honest with you.
I bided for like one week on Upwork. Maybe 2 weeks max.
And I sent around 17-18 proposals.
I booked 5 clients in that and the next month.
I have shared this story before.
Now, I am building a $100k/year Outsourcing Agency on Upwork.
My goal is to land 5-7 clients per month.
The average ticket size will be $1500.
And I will be doing this with 2 team members.
The main focus will be on client acquisition and client management.
Everything else will be outsourced.
From scratch.
And I will be documenting each step of the way.
And you will get access to it very soon.
In the meanwhile, if you have decided to go on Upwork, here is what helped me when I first started on Upwork:
Step one is to ensure your profile is 100% complete with a professional photo, detailed descriptions of your skills, and examples of past projects.
Upwork allows you to create 2 specialized profiles. Identify a niche and create specialized profiles to target specific client needs.
Highlight your expertise with a strong headline, summary, and portfolio. Include case studies that demonstrate your success in high-value projects.
Nothing sells like social proof.
So, request reviews from past clients to build credibility and trust.
Add your certifications or complete relevant Upwork tests and certifications to showcase your proficiency.
Communicate the unique value you offer and how it solves clients’ problems.
What are some strategies for handling initial client meetings on Upwork?
Research the client’s business and project needs. Understand their industry and challenges.
Present your skills, past successes, and how you can solve their specific problems. Use a professional tone and be confident.
Listen actively and ask clarifying questions to understand the client’s needs fully.
Send a detailed follow-up message summarizing the discussion, your understanding of the project, and the next steps.
Bonus tips for setting competitive rates on Upwork!
Research what other freelancers in your field are charging for similar services.
Clearly communicate the unique value you bring to justify your rates. Highlight your expertise and past successes.
Start with competitive rates and increase them as you build your reputation and client base.
Focus on delivering high-quality work to attract high-paying clients who value expertise over price.
That’s it for today.
Now, my favourite person is waiting for me.
I have to spend time with that person now.
See you in the weekly review tomorrow.
Until then, take care.
Adios,
Talha X
Dreamer & Founder @ The Notion Millionaire.
