I have been hyperactive on LinkedIn and Twitter for the past few days.
I did comment a lot.
Indulged into conversation with amazing people in DMs.
But this is nothing compared to my previous week.
Last week, I had gone crazy on commenting.
Commented on as many as 50 posts a day.
Replying to tweets on X.
That is when I met Nico.
A very nice and humble American, living in Thailand these days.
He reached out to me to set up a call.
He was just curious about my business.
We talked about Upwork and other lead-generation strategies.
It was a good 20-minute talk.
We have become good friends since.
Anyhow, I wanted him to be the first person to interview for my Upwork Leaders Series.
He is doing good work on Upwork.
Key Insights $100k Agency Owner Nico Hessel
I loved talking with Nico.
Nico shares his journey, challenges, and strategies that have propelled him to success on Upwork.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:
1. Overcoming Initial Challenges
The hardest part is starting without reviews.
To overcome this, Nico suggests submitting hundreds of proposals.
And don’t go for big jobs.
Apply for small jobs to build a profile with strong reviews.
Focus on getting initial positive reviews, even for small jobs, to build credibility.
2. Strategy for Proposals
Treat Upwork as a funnel.
The first 300 characters of a proposal are crucial for catching the client’s eye.
Personalize your proposal introductions and build trust through social proof and clear calls to action.
3. Building and Maintaining Client Relationships
Understand your clients on a personal level.
For instance, Nico sent a client a bottle of wine, which helped in maintaining a long-term relationship.
Small gestures that show you care about your clients’ interests can lead to sustained business relationships.
4. Scaling the Business
After earning around $5,000 per month, Nico hired a virtual assistant to handle proposal submissions,
This helped him to focus on high-value tasks.
Delegate routine tasks like proposal submissions to free up time for strategic activities and client interactions.
5. Volume and Data
A high volume of proposals allows for better data collection and optimization of strategies.
Aim for a high volume of proposals to gather enough data to refine your approach and increase success rates.
6. Key Advice for Beginners
Personalized proposals and adequate volume are crucial for success.
Beginners often don’t do enough volume or fail to personalize their proposals.
Ensure your proposals are tailored to each client and submit them consistently in high numbers to improve your chances of success.
7. Retainers and Long-term Clients
Retainer clients are built on strong relationships.
Personal gestures and delivering high-quality service keep clients engaged long-term.
Focus on delivering exceptional service and building personal connections to secure long-term retainer clients.
I have 2 more such Upworker interviews in line for the next week.
Let me know what questions you want to ask them.
I will ask them on your behalf.
Waiting to hear from you.
Adios,
Talha X
Dreamer & Founder @ The Notion Millionaire.
