Episode Overview
Discover how Gabriella Bilotta transformed a heartfelt LinkedIn message into an ongoing client!
In this episode, Gabriella shares her journey of building genuine connections, landing high-paying clients, and transitioning to full-time freelancing. She dives into her background in lingerie and sustainability, the value of mentorship with her coach Alison, and the role personal branding played in her success.
Gabriella also unpacks her strategies for pricing, networking, and fostering meaningful client relationships. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your freelancing game, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build a thriving career.
If you’re ready to learn how authentic connections and smart strategies can transform your freelancing journey, click play now and start building your dream career today!
Episode Highlights
- Gabriella’s LinkedIn Success:
- Gabriella shares how she landed a high-paying client through a genuine LinkedIn message to a CEO, focusing on sustainability and women’s leadership.
- Transition to Full-time Freelancing:
- Gabriella discusses quitting her job to pursue freelancing full-time and her experience with the Fast Track program, which she learned about through Heidi.
- Importance of Mentorship:
- Gabriella emphasizes the value of having a freelance mentor, mentioning Alison, and talks about the support system needed for proper pricing and growth.
- First Major Client and Networking:
- She recounts how she found her first major client through a recommendation in our community and underscores the significance of professional networking.
- Overcoming Networking Challenges:
- Gabriella talks about overcoming initial nerves with public speaking and networking, starting from her master’s program in sustainability.
- Proposal and Pricing Strategy:
- Gabriella covers how she adjusted her proposal strategy, including retainer rates and day rates, and her experience with rate increases based on client feedback.
- Transition to Full-time Freelancing:
- Describes her journey from freelancing on the side for four years to switching to full-time freelancing six months ago, and the financial uncertainties faced initially.
- Client Relationships:
- Discusses the importance of building long-term collaborative relationships with clients over one-time projects.
- Networking at Trade Shows:
- Sharing experiences from attending trade shows in Toronto and how she acquired a new client by networking and offering expertise during sessions.
- Email and Branding Tips:
- Gabriella shares her follow-up email strategy, the importance of a professional email signature, and thoughts on personal branding for freelancers.
- Wrap-up and Final Thoughts:
- Heidi congratulates Gabriella on her professional growth and they discuss her active presence on LinkedIn and preferred contact methods.
- Closing Remarks:
- Gabriella emphasizes the importance of genuine connections and passion for the brands she works with.
Key Questions and Responses
- How did you land a high-paying client on LinkedIn without pitching yourself directly?
- Gabriella crafted a genuine message to the CEO, complimenting their work in sustainability and women’s leadership, without mentioning her professional title or skills. Her LinkedIn bio provided sufficient information. This led to an authentic connection and a collaboration opportunity.
- Gabriella crafted a genuine message to the CEO, complimenting their work in sustainability and women’s leadership, without mentioning her professional title or skills. Her LinkedIn bio provided sufficient information. This led to an authentic connection and a collaboration opportunity.
- What strategies do you use for effective networking and following up with potential clients?
- Gabriella emphasizes authenticity and building relationships rather than aggressively pitching for work. She highlights the importance of follow-ups, personalized communication, and leveraging memorable interactions. She also uses social media platforms like LinkedIn to maintain consistent and proactive networking efforts.
- Gabriella emphasizes authenticity and building relationships rather than aggressively pitching for work. She highlights the importance of follow-ups, personalized communication, and leveraging memorable interactions. She also uses social media platforms like LinkedIn to maintain consistent and proactive networking efforts.
- How did you transition from a full-time job to full-time freelancing, and how did you manage the challenges?
- Gabriella quit her job to pursue freelancing with the support of our program called Fast Track and her mentor, Alison. She highlights the financial uncertainty initially but successfully signed a major contract, which helped replace her full-time income and provided more freedom and satisfaction.
- Gabriella quit her job to pursue freelancing with the support of our program called Fast Track and her mentor, Alison. She highlights the financial uncertainty initially but successfully signed a major contract, which helped replace her full-time income and provided more freedom and satisfaction.
- Can you share your approach to pricing strategies and handling nervousness around discussing rates?
- Gabriella discusses pricing strategies with her coach, initially charging $70 per hour and later increasing her rates. She introduced a retainer rate for consistent work and emphasizes the importance of having contracts reviewed by a lawyer. She acknowledges the nervousness around rate discussions but underscores her process of setting fair and transparent pricing.
- Gabriella discusses pricing strategies with her coach, initially charging $70 per hour and later increasing her rates. She introduced a retainer rate for consistent work and emphasizes the importance of having contracts reviewed by a lawyer. She acknowledges the nervousness around rate discussions but underscores her process of setting fair and transparent pricing.
- What role did professional growth and personal branding play in your freelancing journey?
- Personal branding is crucial for freelancers, as they essentially run their own business. Gabriella shares her professional growth, starting from discomfort in public speaking and networking to becoming more confident and selective with clients. She values long-term connections and mutual passion in business relationships.
- Personal branding is crucial for freelancers, as they essentially run their own business. Gabriella shares her professional growth, starting from discomfort in public speaking and networking to becoming more confident and selective with clients. She values long-term connections and mutual passion in business relationships.
- What tips do you have for freelancers looking to build meaningful relationships with clients?
- Gabriella suggests offering support rather than requesting work directly, being genuine in interactions, and focusing on areas of mutual interest and compatibility. She also emphasizes the importance of a professional signature in emails to subtly communicate expertise and maintaining a non-pushy, friendly follow-up approach.
- Gabriella suggests offering support rather than requesting work directly, being genuine in interactions, and focusing on areas of mutual interest and compatibility. She also emphasizes the importance of a professional signature in emails to subtly communicate expertise and maintaining a non-pushy, friendly follow-up approach.
- How do you source clients and manage ongoing vs. project-based work?
- Gabriella prefers LinkedIn over platforms like Upwork for better client quality. She attends trade shows and offers expertise during sessions to network with potential clients. Her business includes both retainer clients for ongoing work and project-based tasks, focusing on technical design representation and sustainable approaches.
About Gabriella:
Gabriella Bilotta is a freelance women’s tailoring and contour technical designer based in Toronto, Canada. Passionate about sustainable sourcing, she excels in creating innovative designs that balance style and ethics. After earning her degree in fashion design from Toronto Metropolitan University, she completed a master’s in sustainability at the London College of Fashion.
Gabriella believes freelancing enables unique collaborations with talented professionals, driving remarkable advancements in fashion. With a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, she inspires others to embrace sustainability while pushing the boundaries of design.
Connect with Gabriella:
Email her at: gabriellabilotta.designs@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn