As an SEO writer, winning big clients can seem like a daunting task. You’re competing against other talented writers, and need to convince potential clients that you’re the best person for the job. While there’s no magic formula for getting hired by a major company, there are strategies you can use to stand out from the competition and impress prospective clients.
In this comprehensive 5000 word guide, we’ll explore how to win over big clients as an SEO writer. We’ll cover how to:
- Build an impressive portfolio
- Network and make connections
- Craft customized proposals
- Highlight your relevant experience
- Convey your expertise during interviews
- Deliver outstanding results
Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to landing those coveted big client projects. Let’s dive in!
Build an Impressive Portfolio
Your portfolio is one of the first things prospective clients will look at when considering you for a project. An impressive, robust portfolio can help convince big clients that you have the skills and experience to handle their work. Here are some tips for building a standout writing portfolio:
Showcase Diverse Writing Skills
Don’t just include one type of writing in your portfolio. Show off your versatility by including samples of blog posts, whitepapers, case studies, FAQs, and more. This demonstrates to clients that you can handle different projects and content types.
Tailor Samples to Your Target Clients
Make sure the writing samples in your portfolio are relevant to the type of client you want to attract. For example, if you’re pursuing tech clients, include samples of technical writing or blog posts about technology. This shows you can provide content tailored to their industry.
Only Display Your Best Work
Resist the urge to overload your portfolio with every writing sample you’ve ever produced. Select only your very best work to showcase. A few fantastic samples are more impressive than dozens of mediocre ones.
Showcase Results and Impact
Don’t just include writing samples – provide context to showcase their results and impact. For example, note key metrics like traffic, conversions, or sales generated from the pieces in your portfolio. This quantifies the value you provide as a writer.
Optimize for Online Viewing
Make sure your portfolio is formatted cleanly so it’s easy to view online. Use a simple, organized layout and include links to published samples so clients can view them live.
Update Frequently
Your portfolio should evolve as you take on new projects. Continuously add new writing samples and remove outdated ones. This keeps your portfolio fresh and demonstrates you’re actively working.
By taking the time to curate an impressive portfolio, you’ll reassure prospective big clients that hiring you will provide immense value for their business.
Network and Make Connections
Beyond your writing skills, connecting with the right people can be instrumental in landing big clients. Here are some networking strategies to put you on big companies’ radars:
Attend Industry Events
Industry conferences and events are great places to network with key decision makers at big companies. Identify relevant events, purchase tickets, and leverage these in-person activities to make connections.
Get Referrals from Existing Clients
Once you begin working with smaller companies, request referrals to larger players in the industry. A warm referral goes a long way in getting your foot in the door with new clients. Offer to return the favor by referring clients from your network.
Connect on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a goldmine for making professional connections. Search for decision makers at your target companies, and send customized connection requests highlighting why you’d value connecting. Also engage with their content by liking and commenting.
Guest Post for Relevant Blogs
Reaching out to blog owners in your target vertical for guest posting opportunities can expand your network. Make sure to promote these guest posts in your outreach emails to demonstrate your expertise.
Join Relevant Communities
Look for LinkedIn Groups, Facebook Groups, and online forums frequented by your target clients. Become an active member by engaging in discussions and providing helpful advice. This raises your visibility as an industry thought leader.
Find a Mentor or Mastermind Group
Learning from someone who’s already succeeded in your field can be invaluable. Seek out an expert mentor who can provide advice and connections. Joining or creating a mastermind group offers similar benefits through peer-to-peer collaboration.
Building relationships takes time but can pay major dividends when seeking your next big client. Make networking a consistent part of your client acquisition strategy.
Craft Customized Proposals
When you have the opportunity to bid on a project with a major company, your proposal needs to seal the deal. Avoid any generic, one-size-fits-all proposals – these must be customized to the prospect’s needs if you want to win their business.
Understand Their Goals and Pain Points
Do your research beforehand to get a deep understanding of what the client hopes to achieve from the project, and any pain points they’re facing. Directly address these needs in your proposal to show you get where they’re coming from.
Highlight Your Relevant Experience
Don’t make prospects search through your portfolio to see relevant examples – call them out directly in the proposal. Show how your experience maps to their specific requirements so they can immediately see the fit.
Outline Deliverables and Timelines
Lay out exactly what you will deliver, by when. Big clients want to know what they can expect to receive if they work with you. Remove any uncertainty by detailing deliverables and project schedules.
Include Metrics and KPIs
Back up your promises with hard numbers. If possible, provide estimates around how your work will impact their KPIs like revenue, traffic, and conversions. These metrics build a persuasive case.
Suggest a Strategic Approach
Don’t just agree to complete the project as defined – recommend ways to improve it using your expertise. Present a strategic approach tailored to their business goals. This shows proactive thinking.
Keep it Concise
Executives are busy – don’t bombard them with dozens of pages. Keep your proposal focused and scannable. Use visuals like charts and graphs to present information clearly. White space is your friend.
Set your proposal apart by making it 100% about them, not you. This laser focus on meeting their needs is what big clients find compelling.
Highlight Your Relevant Experience
Big clients partners with writers who have experience aligning with their specific needs. When applying and interviewing for a job, emphasize how your background translates into value for them.
Connect Your Past Clients to Theirs
Ideally your past clients include companies similar to the one you’re applying to. Mention these notable names and how they relate to show you’ve successfully worked with relevant businesses.
Quantify Past Success
Don’t just mention who you’ve worked with – quantify what you achieved for those clients. Share metrics and growth rates tied to your work. Big numbers like “increased traffic by 50%” make hiring you less risky.
Spotlight Specialized Knowledge
If the role requires specific technical knowledge or industry expertise, underline your competence in these areas. Provide examples of past projects where these skills were put to use.
Align with Their Values
Look up the company’s mission and values, and explain how your approach aligns with these. Today’s big clients prioritize shared values in hiring. Demonstrate you’ll fit their culture.
Address Potential Gaps
If you lack direct experience in an area the role requires, address it before they can object. Explain how your transferable skills and quick learning ability will fill any gaps.
Watch Your Tone
Avoid coming off as arrogant or overselling yourself. Confidently communicate your experience without exaggerating or sounding entitled to the job. No one wants to hire a braggart.
The proof is in your past work. Tie examples from your previous roles directly to the client’s needs for a tailored, relevant experience presentation.
Convey Expertise During Interviews
The interview is your chance to directly demonstrate knowledge to reinforce why you should be hired. Come prepared to showcase expertise:
Research the Company Exhaustively
Before the interview, learn everything you can about their products, services, customers, challenges, competitors, and barriers to growth. This enables insightful answers tailored to them.
Prepare Relevant Examples
Expect behavioral interview questions like “Tell me about a time you…” Prepare detailed stories highlighting times you successfully applied skills needed for this job.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
The questions you ask indicateyour knowledge and interest. Prepare smart, strategic questions that show you understand their goals and business model.
Highlight Your Process
Walk through how you would approach their typical writing projects from start to finish. Demonstrate you have an efficient yet flexible process.
Use the Right Vocabulary
Show you speak their language by accurately using industry and companyspecific vocabulary and acronyms during the interview. This establishes credibility.
Watch Your Nonverbal Cues
Your body language also communicates expertise. Maintain confident, open posture. Avoid nervous gestures like fidgeting. Make steady, friendly eye contact.
Follow Up After the Interview
Reinforce your expertise by sending a thoughtful thank you note reaffirming your interest and qualifications. Include any additional expertise and enthusiasm that comes to mind after reflecting on the conversation.
The interview is a critical opportunity to directly demonstrate your value. Come prepared with relevant examples, thoughtful questions, and clear communication to prove you have what the client needs.
Deliver Outstanding Results
Of course, the most important step to winning big clients is doing work that delivers tremendous value after you’re hired. Consistently generate stellar results, and clients will have no reason to go anywhere else.
Commit to Understanding Their Business
Make an effort from day one to fully understand the client’s products, services, goals, challenges, and customers at a deep level. Use this knowledge to optimize the impact of your work.
Be Easy to Work With
Beyond your writing skills, being responsive, communicative, and proactive makes you a dream freelancer or employee for clients to work with. Make them glad they hired you.
Meet Deadlines
Reliability matters. Demonstrate you can consistently deliver quality work on tight deadlines to build trust and confidence.
Aim to Overdeliver
Look for ways to provide extra value beyond what’s outlined in your contract. Offer additional articles, ideas, or time if it will help the client. This builds long-term loyalty.
Proactively Suggest Improvements
Bring fresh ideas to the table that could benefit the client’s business. Quickly flag potential issues. Position yourself as an expert advisor, not just a hired pen.
Track Metrics
Analyze how your work is impacting key metrics, and suggest adjustments to improve these numbers. Quantifiable results are powerful ammunition for justifying a continued partnership.
Request Feedback
Check in regularly to ask if the client is fully satisfied with your work and the results. If there are ways you can improve, ask for transparent feedback to help you meet expectations.
Overdelivering on your promises and commitments builds nearly unbreakable trust with clients. Make them thrilled they hired you with work that offers immense value.
Conclusion
Winning big clients requires strategy and effort beyond just being a talented writer. You must build a compelling personal brand, forge connections, make a compelling case for why you’re the best fit for the job, and consistently exceed expectations.
It takes time, perseverance, and patience to build relationships and a reputation with major companies. But by consistently implementing the steps we’ve outlined here, you will prove your value and convince the clients you want that you’re the writer they need on their team.
Keep leveling up your skills, expanding your network, targeting relevant big name companies, and blowing them away with your work ethic. Be persistent, and you’ll find the types of lucrative, career-elevating writing jobs that once seemed out of reach. The biggest clients will come to seek you out for the unique value you provide.
You have what it takes to become the go-to writer for big companies in your industry. Now get out there, execute on the strategies discussed here, and start landing your first big clients. We’re rooting for you!