Episode Overview
Pitching on Upwork can be tough. Despite knowing you’re THE perfect fit for a project, it can be a struggle to get the right clients. Today’s guest, Lucia, found herself in the same situation. After 6 months of failed pitches, she was left thinking, “Is this really it for me? Why can’t I be a mom AND a Successful Fashion Freelancer?”
In this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer Podcast, Lucia shares the small changes she made in her pitches that immediately started landing her clients, how she got her first project for $1800, and more!
Episode Highlights
Introduction to Lucia’s Career
- Heidi introduces the episode and guest, Lucia Sanguinetti-Jonescheit, detailing her freelance work and how she identifies with being a mom.
Lucia’s Background and Early Career
- Lucia shares her journey from Argentina to Germany, how she started in retail and fabric shops, and eventually secured an internship turned job at a design agency.
Transition to Freelancing
- Lucia discusses her transition from a full-time job to freelancing after the birth of her first child, influenced by the desire to balance work and motherhood.
Struggles and Breakthrough with FAST
- Lucia talks about her initial struggles with freelancing on Upwork, her subsequent enrollment in Heidi’s Freelance Accelerator (FAST) program, and how small changes to her pitching strategy led to immediate success.
Success and Growth
- Lucia describes how she landed her first major project for $1,800 soon after modifying her approach, leading to a consistent influx of clients from around the world.
Niche Specialization
- Heidi and Lucia highlight the importance of Lucia’s specialization in kids’ and baby textiles, which helps her stand out to potential clients.
Motherhood as an Advantage
- Lucia reflects on how her identity as a mother has become a positive aspect in her professional life, attracting clients who value her insight into children’s needs.
Managing Multiple Clients
- Lucia shares her experience of handling multiple projects at once, the balance she has found, and her preference for working with startups and small brands.
Impact of Upwork and Pricing
- Discussing the stereotype of cheap clients on Upwork, Lucia explains her strategy of maintaining a higher hourly rate and focusing on quality clients.
Leveraging Instagram for Freelance Work
- Lucia talks about her limited success with Instagram, but mentions how she uses it to engage with followers and as a supplementary tool for her freelance practice.
Building Relationships with Clients
- Heidi and Lucia emphasize the importance of building meaningful relationships with clients and offering value beyond just the immediate project work.
Final Thoughts and Contact Information
- Lucia provides her website and Instagram handles, explaining the personal significance behind her brand name “Danke.”
Ending Insights on Freelance Fashion Design
Lucia concludes by dispelling the stereotype of fashion designers and encouraging the creation of a fulfilling career that blends professional success with personal happiness.
Key Questions and Responses
1. Can you start by introducing yourself to everybody and letting us know who you are and what you do?
- Lucia introduced herself as a freelance fashion and textile designer originally from Argentina but living in Germany for the last decade. She specializes in creating artworks and prints, primarily for kids’ fashion.
2. At what point did you decide or think that maybe freelancing was a route you wanted to explore, and why did that happen?
- Lucia didn’t initially plan to freelance. Her journey began after having her first child when she couldn’t find part-time work in the fashion industry. Her employer suggested freelancing, which she initially did part-time. After her second child, she decided to work from home exclusively and put her energy into freelancing while taking online textile design courses.
3 What were you doing to try to freelance, and what changes did you make that led to more success?
- Lucia initially applied to many job postings on Upwork with little success. After six months, she changed her pitch strategies by personalizing proposals, addressing clients by name, asking relevant questions about their projects, and including clear call-to-actions. These small adjustments, learned through Heidi’s FAST course, significantly improved her success rate.
4. What did it feel like to make those changes and start seeing substantial results?
- Lucia expressed surprise at how quickly the changes had an impact. Within weeks, she secured her first substantial project for $1,800. She felt excited and relieved that the small tweaks led to such significant results, proving to her that she was indeed capable and skilled.
5. Can you talk a bit more about how things continued to develop after you started seeing success on Upwork?
- After implementing new strategies, Lucia found herself managing five to six clients at a time, working on projects she enjoyed. She specialized in working with startups and small brands, finding satisfaction in bringing their ideas to life. The work flow became more manageable, balancing busy and slow periods.
6. Despite the stereotype, what has your experience on Upwork been like in terms of pricing and client expectations?
- Lucia acknowledges that there are clients looking for cheap work, but she learned to set and maintain her hourly rate at a standard ($60). She selectively applied to jobs that fit her pricing standards and found that clients were willing to pay for quality. She emphasized that setting a higher rate attracts reasonable clients and filters out the low-ballers.
7. How are you leveraging Instagram for your freelance work, and what has been your experience with it?
- Lucia has used Instagram primarily for connecting with clients and showcasing her work. Though she got some projects through the platform, she advises that focusing efforts on pitching clients directly (like on Upwork) is more effective for obtaining consistent freelance work. Instagram serves more as a supplementary channel.
About Lucia
Lucia is a freelance fashion and textile designer who specializes in baby and children’s apparel. She has been working in the fashion industry for over 10 years now, half of them as a remote freelancer for companies. She enjoys working with startups and small brands and works with clients from around the world. Lucia is originally from Argentina but has been living in Germany for the past decade with her husband and two children.
Loved this episode? Don’t miss Episode 126: How to Find Freelance Fashion Design Clients!
Resources & People Mentioned
- Free resources for SFF Podcast listeners!
- Check out Lucia’s website
- Connect with Lucia on LinkedIn
- Follow Lucia’s Freelance Instagram and Print Instagram
- Want to work with Lucia? Email hello [at] deinki.com
- Check out Upwork!