As an agency owner, my partner Lou and I have seen our fair share of freelance pitches over the years.
I’ll be honest: most of them end up in the trash pretty quickly.
But every once in a while, a pitch comes along that pierces our jaded and overly tense hearts and inspires us to take a closer look at the freelancer’s portfolio.
And in rare cases, we even invite them to join our team.
So if you’re a freelancer looking to land more agency work, I’m here to share some ideas and tips I’ve learned from receiving countless pitches.
Each pitch must essentially include 3 key elements:
- Why us? Why are you specifically contacting our agency?
- Why you? Of all the freelancers we could hire, why should we work with you?
- And after? If we love you, how can we move forward?
Let’s explore each of these elements in depth:
Why us?
Before you even think about sending that introductory email, take the time to research the agency you’re targeting.
Visit their website, view their social media profiles, and read their case studies.
Try to get a feel for their unique style, their values, and the types of clients they work with.
This will help you craft a personalized pitch that demonstrates your genuine interest in their work and how you align with their approach.
Ask yourself:
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- What do I like about working at this agency?
- How does their philosophy resonate with my own values and style?
- Are there any specific projects or clients they have worked with that I find particularly compelling?
Use this information to tailor your pitch and show that you have done your due diligence.
Why you?
Once you’ve established why you want to work with the agency, it’s time to highlight what makes you the right fit for them.
Focus on the value you bring, not just your credentials or years of experience.
Consider highlighting:
- Your experience meeting deadlines and delivering reliable work
- The measurable results your work has achieved for previous clients
- Your ability to be responsive and available when urgent requests arise
- The exceptional quality and creativity of your work (let your portfolio speak)
- Your deep understanding of the importance of customer relationships and your commitment to creating designs that nurture those relationships
- Your autonomy and ability to produce top-notch work with minimal supervision
- Your receptiveness to feedback and desire to collaborate and iterate based on the agency’s creative direction
- Your enthusiasm for the agency’s distinct approach and your desire to contribute to their vision
- Glowing references from past clients or colleagues who can attest to your work ethic and team spirit
Remember that at this stage you are still a stranger to the agency.
Your mission is to show them how you can make their lives easier and contribute to their success.
And after?
Let’s say you managed to grab the agency’s attention with your awesome pitch.
Now make it ridiculously easy for them to take the next step.
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Provide clear instructions on where they can view your portfolio or relevant work samples. Better yet, create a custom landing page or PDF tailored specifically for the agency to really impress them.
Then suggest a concrete next step, like making a phone call or grabbing coffee to discuss it further.
Be available and adaptable, showing your enthusiasm for working with them.
For example:
I would love to explore how I can contribute to [Agency Name]the mission and work of . If you are ready to discuss a potential collaboration, I would love to set up a call as soon as possible. I am available most days of the week between [Time Range]. Let me know what works best for you and I will do it.
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Some additional tips
If your pitch covers all three elements above, you’ll be off to a good start. But here are some additional tips we think all freelancers should consider when sending pitches to agencies.
Don’t sweat the length
When it comes to pitching, many freelancers worry about the length of their email.
They think, “Oh no, it’s too long!” They will never read it!
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But here’s the thing: as long as your email is engaging and easy to read, length isn’t as important as you might think.
Focus on breaking your pitch into understandable chunks, using short paragraphs, bullet points, and plenty of white space.
Make it visually appealing and scannable, so the agency owner can quickly understand the key points without feeling overwhelmed.
Remember, if your pitch is compelling enough, they will continue reading, regardless of the length.
Testing Email Length with Two Approaches
When it comes to pitching, there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
What works for one agency may not work for another.
This is why I recommend experimenting with two different strategies:
- The two steps:
Send a brief initial inquiry to gauge their interest. If they respond positively, follow up with a more detailed pitch that explains in more detail how you can help them achieve their goals. - All-in-one:
Develop a comprehensive pitch from the start, including all the key elements we’ve discussed: personalization, value proposition, and a clear call to action.
Test both approaches and see which works best for you.
You may find that some agencies respond better to a more gradual approach, while others appreciate a thorough pitch up front.
The key is to be flexible and adaptable in your pitch strategy.
Let your personality shine
When pitching to agencies, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using language that’s too formal or generic.
But here’s the secret: agency owners are people too, and they value authenticity.
So don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your pitch.
Write in a warm, friendly tone that reflects you.
Use humor (where appropriate), share personal anecdotes, and genuinely let your enthusiasm for their work shine through.
Avoid cliché phrases or language that sounds like it was copied and pasted from a template.
The more you can showcase your unique voice and perspective, the more memorable and engaging your pitch will be.
Keep it simple
When crafting your pitch, it’s tempting to want to highlight your extensive vocabulary and industry expertise.
But resist the urge to pepper your email with jargon or overly complicated language.
Remember, the goal is to communicate clearly and effectively – not to impress them with your thesaurus skills.
Keep your language simple, concise and easy to understand.
Avoid using fancy words just for the sake of it and focus on getting your point across in the most direct way possible.
The agency owner should be able to read your pitch and immediately understand who you are, what you offer and why they should work with you – without needing a dictionary.
Pour your heart into it
Writing an introductory email may seem like a daunting task, but don’t approach it as just another item on your to-do list.
Pour your heart into it.
Take the time to really think about why you want to work with this particular agency and the unique value you can bring.
Let your passion for your work and your enthusiasm for a potential collaboration shine through your words.
Infuse your pitch with personality, creativity, and a genuine desire to contribute to their success.
The more thought and authenticity you put into your pitch, the more likely it is to resonate with the agency owner and stand out from the sea of generic pitches they receive.
At some point, just press Send
It’s easy to fall into the trap of endless revisions and adjustments when writing your pitch email.
You might find yourself agonizing over each word choice, questioning your tone, or wondering if you should add another example of your work.
But at some point you have to take a deep breath and hit that send button.
Remember, your pitch doesn’t need to be perfect: it just needs to be authentic, compelling, and clear in its value proposition.
Once you’ve worked to craft a strong pitch, trust yourself and let it fly.
Don’t let fear of rejection or the search for perfection stop you from showing up.
The more pitches you send, the more opportunities you create – and the more likely you are to refine and improve your approach based on the feedback you receive.
So click Send with confidence and know that every pitch is a step toward landing that dream agency deal.
The essential
The work of an employment agency as a freelancer requires a targeted and personalized approach.
By doing your research, showcasing your value, and making it effortless for them to take the next step, you can significantly improve your chances of success.
Remember, your pitch is an opportunity to showcase not only your skills, but also your unique personality and passion.
So take the time to craft a compelling message, then hit send with confidence.
With persistence and an authentic approach, you’ll be well on your way to building thriving agency relationships and propelling your freelance career to new heights.
I hope this information from an agency owner’s perspective helps you improve your pitching game and land more of those coveted agency assignments.
Keep hustling, keep refining your approach, and most importantly, keep being your awesome, authentic self.
You got this!
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