Nail your freelancer elevator pitch into one sentence: attract dream clients across all platforms

Creating an elevator pitch may sound daunting and time-consuming for a freelancer. But it is well worth the effort. Here’s how to boil down your brilliance into one cracking sentence

Here we share some tips on how you can encapsulate what you do to attract dream clients, but also all the different platforms and places you can use this elevator pitch to grab the right kind of attention.

How to get started creating your marvellous one-liner

Consider your one-sentence pitch, company catchphrase or whatever you feel comfortable calling it, as your personalised bodyguard: It is mighty. Its presence is enough to keep time-wasters at bay. It says so much, yet is economic with words.

We are talking about creating one sentence that can do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to your personal brand. It aims to attract quality clients who respect your experience before you even connect. And on top of that, because you quantify your results in this sentence, prospective clients will be less likely to question your rates and fees.  

Think of your value proposition. What are the unique experiences and results you can bring to a client that no one else can? Quantify it with numbers.

How can a freelancer quantify their results into numbers?

To really make people sit up and take notice when they clock your profile or your social media posts you need to nail down the actual, tangible outcomes you’ve delivered for clients in the past. Forget just listing what you can do; focus on the real-world impact of your skills.

If your brain’s gone a bit foggy and you’re struggling to turn all your brilliant work into cold, hard numbers, don’t fret. Have a proper rummage through your portfolio and all those bits of work you’ve done over the years. The type of work, the industries your clients work in. The solutions you created.

For every client or project where you reckon you really made a difference, dedicate a half-page to it. What did you actually achieve for them? And this is the crucial bit: how can you put a number or a clear result on it that makes prospective clients say: “I want that.”

Still feeling like this exercise is like herding hiding cats? Try a different tack. Pretend you’re a top-notch careers guru, having a good look at your years of work with fresh eyes. Think numbers. Think results. Think turn around.

While it isn’t a conventional approach to creating an elevator pitch or LinkedIn profile description, if you had to create a T-shirt saying about yourself and what makes you unique, try that on for size as a way to grab attention and be economical with your description. You can flesh it out, but it’s a different approach to a brainstorming. By all means, be inspired by others, especially those with a large follower base.

Here are a few examples:

Instead of: “I write engaging blog posts.”

Try: I create blog content that can boost website traffic by an average of 25% within as little as three months.

See the difference? The first is a bit wishy-washy. The second gives a result.

Now, try to plug in something you can achieve in numbers for clients in a similar way. Even boil it down to a shorter sentence, as in the example above.

Here are a few more to get you thinking:

Instead of: “I design logos clients love.”

Try: “I design brand identities that can increase client lead generation by 15% year-on-year.”

Instead of: “I’m a dab hand at social media.”

Consider: “I have achieved an average social media engagement rate increase of 30% for my clients.”

Instead of: “I can sort out your accounts.”

How about: “I save my clients an average of 10 hours per month in accounting tasks, reducing errors by 5%.”

Where to share your stand-out sentence

Once you’ve got your killer one-liner sorted, you’ll be surprised at how many places it comes in handy:

• Website: Place it on your homepage, above the fold if you can. It’s the first thing potential clients should catch their eyes on.
• LinkedIn profile: Your headline is prime real estate. Ditch the generic “Freelance [Your Profession]” and pop in your value-packed sentence.
• Email signature: Every email you send is a chance to subtly remind people what you bring to the table.
• Networking events: When someone asks what you do, you’ll have a concise and compelling answer that sticks in their mind.
• Proposals: Start your proposals with this sentence or very near to it to immediately grab the client’s attention and show them you understand their needs and can deliver results.

Proof is in your portfolio

Your snappy sentence gets their attention, but you need a portfolio that seals the deal. It’s the visual proof that you can deliver on your promises. Here’s how to make them work together.

• Directly link claims to evidence: For each project in your portfolio, explicitly show how it contributed to the results you mentioned in your value proposition. If you said you boosted website traffic by 25%, showcase the analytics before and after your involvement.
• Use case studies: Go a step further and create short case studies. These can tell a story about the client’s initial problem, your solution, and the quantifiable results you achieved.
• Visual appeal: Make sure your portfolio is well-designed, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. First impressions matter, even online. Think clear layouts, high-quality images, and a consistent brand feel.
• Testimonials: Sprinkle in client testimonials that specifically mention the positive impact of your work and any quantifiable improvements they experienced.

Crafting that perfect one-sentence takes a bit of time and thought, but once you’ve nailed it, it can work for you time and time again. It’ll help you communicate your worth clearly, attract serious clients, and ultimately, earn the respect you want while doing what you love.

What’s your elevator pitch? Share it in the comments.

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