The Surprising Strategy That Builds Irresistible Social Proof Even When You Have No Clients or Readers
Word Wise: Practical Writing Tips for Freelancers and Solopreneurs
19 smart ways to earn trust before you have testimonials
Just now
Every successful freelancer, solopreneur, consultant, and small business owner started in the same place:
- Zero clients.
- Zero testimonials.
- Zero reviews.
- Zero case studies.
That was me. And you may be in that same place. If you’re just getting started, you might wonder, “How can I convince someone to hire me if no one has hired me yet?”
It’s a fair question — but here’s the good news.
You don’t need paying clients to show readers and prospects that you’re worth a shot.
You simply need evidence. Evidence that you’re knowledgeable, reliable, and capable of delivering results.
Gather evidence — and you build social proof
What we’re talking about here is social proof — it’s feedback from real people about you, your product, or your service. Social proof is evidence that helps people feel confident choosing you.
Social proof isn’t just about glowing customer testimonials. It’s about demonstrating credibility in many different ways. It tells potential prospects and readers that …
- Other people trust you.
- You know what you’re doing.
- You can solve their problem.
- You’re worth the investment.
While testimonials are one form of social proof, they’re far from the only one. That’s great news if you’re just starting out!
Why people hesitate before hiring a new writer
Put yourself in your prospective client’s shoes. Hiring someone new generates uncertainty.
- Can this person really do the work?
- Will they meet deadlines?
- Will they communicate well?
- Are they experienced enough?
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