When potential clients come knocking

PSA: I’m conducting a free workshop about contracts for Singapore-based freelance coaches on 27 Feb. More details below if you’re interested!

I’ve been getting more inbound leads for email marketing work ever since I was certified as a Kit email expert.

I receive a few inquiries every week on average. Some people provide detailed write-ups of their issues, while others’ descriptions are as short as three words.

If I can’t help or am not keen on the project, I’ll politely turn it down. I’ll also refer the client to someone else, if possible.

But if I’m potentially interested, how should I reply to get the ball rolling?

I’m still refining my approach, but here’s my current standard operating procedure.

I ask the client for more details

Even if they don’t ask for it right away, clients will want to know my rate. With this in mind, I ask them for more details on what they need help with so I can provide a quote. (And an estimated completion date.)

Sometimes, I might need access to their email setup to assess the exact project scope. If so, I’ll ask them to add me to their account.

I include some standard info about working with me

In my email, I state:

• That I require full payment before starting work
• My payment modes, e.g. bank transfer, Wise, credit card
• My time zone, if we might be arranging a meeting
• My availability, e.g. when I’ll be able to work on their project

I put these matters out there upfront because they’ll all come up anyway.

And if the client wants to work with me, they’ll need to be good with all of the above.

I’ve partially automated my replies

​I don’t write my reply emails from scratch. When a new inquiry comes in, I have an automation that creates a draft email containing:

• The inquiry
• A template response that asks the client for more details and shares my standard terms

From there, I’ll edit the template response for the client’s situation and send the email.

Then I wait, but I don’t hold my breath

Often, after sending my email: I don’t hear back. 😂

I don’t take it personally. I have a feeling many people are shopping around for multiple quotes instead of being committed to work with the person they contact.

In the meantime, by preparing an email template with my standard work terms, I save time rewriting my replies every time an inquiry comes in. This is especially since I’m not certain the client will want to go ahead.

The client also doesn’t have to go back and forth with me to learn my standard terms and decide whether we’re a good fit.

This way, if the client does reply, they’re more likely to move forward with the project.

(But I don’t count my chickens before they hatch. Nothing is confirmed until the client pays me!)

More freelancer news

CPF contributions guide for platform workers

From this year onwards, platform companies like Grab and Foodpanda need to make CPF contributions for platform workers who are 30+ years old or who have opted in to receive CPF.

So, personal finance website DollarsAndSense has put together a guide detailing the:

• CPF contribution rates for platform workers, based on their age
• CPF contribution amounts the government will help offset from now until 2028, so that eligible platform workers won’t have these amounts deducted from their take-home pay during this transition period

​Read the CPF contributions guide for platform workers here.​

Free workshop on contracts for Singapore freelance coaches

As the title says. The workshop is organised by the NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit and is being conducted by yours truly! ✌️

Details in the flyer above. But in a nutshell, I’ll be covering things like:

• The contracting situation for freelance coaches in Singapore, e.g. how whether you’ll have a contract, and who prepares it, depends on whether you’re being engaged by the government or the private sector
• Essential terms your contracts should have
• Bargaining power: What it is and how it affects coaches’ ability to negotiate for fair terms
• Where to get a free contract template

The workshop is free. It will be held on 27 Feb 2025, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in the Launch programme room at the National Library in Bugis.

Scan the QR code in the flyer to register for the workshop. Alternatively, use this registration link.

The registration form asks for your mylibrary username, which you’ll have if you’re a library member. Go to this NLB account services page to sign up for free library membership or check your mylibrary username if you don’t remember it.

The form also asks if you’re an NTUC member. Feel free to answer “No” if you aren’t one.

I’m currently preparing the workshop’s contents, so let me know if there’s anything about contracts you want me to cover. And/or if you’ll be coming, reply to this email to let me know too 🙂