Thread by @steve_tenuto, Here's a look into the strategy and emails that won me my [...]

Here& #39;s a look into the strategy and emails that won me my first $10k+ website development contract. #freelance #webdev

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(1/14)

I received an email from a previous client of mine introducing me to a colleague of theirs (both in the Real Estate industry).

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(2/14)

I received an email from a previous client of mine introducing me to a colleague of theirs (both in the Real Estate industry).https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

(2/14)" title="I received an email from a previous client of mine introducing me to a colleague of theirs (both in the Real Estate industry).https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(2/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

We set up a phone call.

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(3/14)

(3/14)" title="We set up a phone call.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(3/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

On the phone call, I steered the conversation toward addressing the main 2-3 gripes they have with their current website and how they hope a new website could solve their problems.

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(4/14)

On the phone call, I steered the conversation toward addressing the main 2-3 gripes they have with their current website and how they hope a new website could solve their problems.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

(4/14)" title="On the phone call, I steered the conversation toward addressing the main 2-3 gripes they have with their current website and how they hope a new website could solve their problems.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(4/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

I put a simple quote together and sent it their way. No proposal (yet).

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(5/14)

(5/14)" title="I put a simple quote together and sent it their way. No proposal (yet).https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(5/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

Here& #39;s the full quote.

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(6/14)

(6/14)" title="Here& #39;s the full quote.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(6/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

After seeing the quote, they had a question or two about integrating the website with their CRM so they could funnel leads to their team. They were a little skeptical about how this would work since their CRM doesn& #39;t have a great API, so I prepared a proposal.

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(7/14)

After seeing the quote, they had a question or two about integrating the website with their CRM so they could funnel leads to their team. They were a little skeptical about how this would work since their CRM doesn& #39;t have a great API, so I prepared a proposal.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

(7/14)" title="After seeing the quote, they had a question or two about integrating the website with their CRM so they could funnel leads to their team. They were a little skeptical about how this would work since their CRM doesn& #39;t have a great API, so I prepared a proposal.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(7/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

Here& #39;s the proposal (all two pages of it..)

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(8/14)

(8/14)" title="Here& #39;s the proposal (all two pages of it..)https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(8/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

Okay. With the proposal submitted, now we wait... If I don& #39;t hear back, I typically hold off 3-4 days before checking in.

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(9/14)

Okay. With the proposal submitted, now we wait... If I don& #39;t hear back, I typically hold off 3-4 days before checking in.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

(9/14)" title="Okay. With the proposal submitted, now we wait... If I don& #39;t hear back, I typically hold off 3-4 days before checking in.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(9/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

It was a busy summer.. and well... that 3-4 days turned into 3-4 weeks.. But finally, I checked in.

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(10/14)

(10/14)" title="It was a busy summer.. and well... that 3-4 days turned into 3-4 weeks.. But finally, I checked in.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(10/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

I pushed for a call since things move slowly when your only communication is through email. During the call, they were still pretty hung up on the CRM integration piece. I offered to bite off a small & #39;discovery& #39; phase to work through this roadblock.

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(11/14)

I pushed for a call since things move slowly when your only communication is through email. During the call, they were still pretty hung up on the CRM integration piece. I offered to bite off a small & #39;discovery& #39; phase to work through this roadblock.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

(11/14)" title="I pushed for a call since things move slowly when your only communication is through email. During the call, they were still pretty hung up on the CRM integration piece. I offered to bite off a small & #39;discovery& #39; phase to work through this roadblock.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(11/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

I& #39;m a HUGE fan of a paid discovery phase. Not only does it steer a project in the right direction from the start, but the client is now financially invested in you. Even though this one was only a few hundred dollars, it was very unlikely they& #39;d walk away.

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(12/14)

The & #39;Discovery& #39; phase got approved! I got to work and I put my findings together in a short document, along with an invoice for my time.

*Tip* Offer to credit the discovery balance toward the full project price should they move forward with your services.

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(13/14)

The & #39;Discovery& #39; phase got approved! I got to work and I put my findings together in a short document, along with an invoice for my time.*Tip* Offer to credit the discovery balance toward the full project price should they move forward with your services.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

(13/14)" title="The & #39;Discovery& #39; phase got approved! I got to work and I put my findings together in a short document, along with an invoice for my time.*Tip* Offer to credit the discovery balance toward the full project price should they move forward with your services.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">(13/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

And there it is- 3 months and a whole bunch of emails later, the news I& #39;d been hoping for!

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Conclusion: Deals, especially bigger ones, can take a long time to close. Hang in there, and find ways to get over whatever is blocking them from moving forward. Good luck!

(14/14)

And there it is- 3 months and a whole bunch of emails later, the news I& #39;d been hoping for! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

Conclusion: Deals, especially bigger ones, can take a long time to close. Hang in there, and find ways to get over whatever is blocking them from moving forward. Good luck!(14/14)" title="And there it is- 3 months and a whole bunch of emails later, the news I& #39;d been hoping for! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎉" title="Party popper" aria-label="Emoji: Party popper">Conclusion: Deals, especially bigger ones, can take a long time to close. Hang in there, and find ways to get over whatever is blocking them from moving forward. Good luck!(14/14)" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

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