Finding my Niche
A little Background about my freelancer career as a Pinterest Strategist and Manager for Brands and Bloggers.
It was 2014, I had just finished my degree in Fashion Design. For my final presentation, I got the higher mark, not because of the fashion design itself, but because the way in which I communicated the project was stunning.
After some months, my university offered a Fashion Marketing and Communication Diploma, and I registered for it immediately. One of the lessons we had was about Social Media, and I discovered that Pinterest had a Business side. Around that time, I started dreaming about that job, I literally added to my Twitter Bio, “My dream is to work with Pinterest,” and started investigating all the analytics, playing with images from brands that weren’t my clients.
I mostly learned from practice, looking at analytics, reading, and seeing what was working and what was not. I took several courses when things got serious. Still, I think of myself as a self-learner for the most part and this has worked wonderfully both for me and my clients; it remains the best possible way to keep learning which works best for each particular client and time.
Starting my Freelancer Career
The main source of clients for me is and always has been referrals: clients who are happy with my work and recommend me, or people who ask my clients about their Pinterest manager. But everything started on Upwork.
Getting Clients on Upwork
In October 2015, I got my first Pinterest client on Upwork. It was a fashion website that needed a ton of boards with perfectly curated content matching the website’s identity. I was applying to every single job that said “Pinterest” with little experience but with a lot of knowledge and availability. I got rejected many many times.
The key to stand out on Upwork
The key to getting more clients was to dedicate time to each proposal, investigate the website, and give detailed information about how I was planning to work and what could be done.
One of my first proposals
This is exactly what I wrote to the client in 2016:
“Hi! I’m applying because your job posting caught my attention as I’m a professional designer with experience on Pinterest.
MARIA LAURA LUNA”
I took a look to your products and I know I can do a great job. I’ve been working as Pinterest Marketing Manager for about a year, and I’ve learned a lot. Last month I worked for a goldsmith so I’ve experience setting accounts about accessories.
As your shop is on shopify platform, you can have “buy pins” that means that people can buy directly from Pinterest, that’s amazing!
The first steps take more time: setting the boards and filling them. But once you have that ready, then you are going to see results. It takes like 1/3 months.
I’ve no experience on shopify exactly, but I’ll study about it if you consider my application.
I have a plus! As I’m a professional designer I can design great pins for your account.
I’m really interested in helping you.
Please, feel free to ask me anything.
The client’s response
I was applying to tons of jobs but this one got this amazing response, a video interview, and a contract! We worked together for many years, it was an incredible experience.
My Pinterest client base didn’t stop growing from then on and I was able to make a living since then.
Best Tips to Get Hired on Upwork
I signed up when it was “oDesk” so I don’t know exactly how signing up to Upwork works but I can confirm that you can invest some time and get started on the platform right now.
A lot of things have changed on the platform lately, lots of scams or clients who want to get a Ferrari for the price of a Hot Wheels but there are still great clients. At the same time, I started with Freelancer.com, 99designs.com, and Workana, but the most successful one for me was Upwork.
These are the main tips I can give to get started on Upwork:
- Find your niche, try to narrow down your profession, and add a specialization.
- Add a portfolio to your profile, even if it’s work you made outside of the platform or if it’s something cool you made at uni.
- Start with a low rate.
- Write a proposal letter, and try to use the same words that the client used on the job post.
- Don’t write too much about yourself, your information is on your profile. Focus on the client’s problem.
- Write about yourself in your Biography.
- The most important thing is understanding the client’s problem and replying quickly.
- Always reply, not replying can affect your “job score” on the platform, and your reputation with the client, of course.
- Explore the platform, and don’t let yourself get intimidated by all those profiles that get 3 USD an hour, most of them will not pass the first round of interviews.
- Check the clients’ reputation and if the payment method is verified before starting working for someone.
- Upwork has a 10% fee for all the new contracts, so keep that in mind when deciding your rate.
I still have “old” clients on Upwork and it’s ok, having open and active contracts is helping my profile’s reputation. I’m a Top Rated Plus Freelancer and I rank #1 for “Pinterest Marketing Manager” and sometimes for “Social Media Manager” on the platform.
Do you have experience with Upwork? Share it in the comments!
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