Last Monday, we discussed how to make clients 'chase' you in FLIP Chat n Chill.

While we were giving tips, this question got asked in the comments:

"Should newbies fake confidence (fake it til they make it?).

Or should they keep learning until they're ready before trying to get clients?"

This question stayed in my head and thought I'd elaborate more in this blog post.

To start, it's impossible to answer this without talking about...

The Paradigm Shift

I just wanna crush the 'employee mindset' before anything else.

Remember that, as freelancers, we're in the business of providing client solutions.

As Brian Zenarosa pointed out:

"Sa umpisa pa lang, dapat malinaw na sayo na YOU are the business.

If you hard sell yourself to the clients, imagine na lang din if pilit kang binebentahan ng iba.. di ba ang pangit?

We know ourselves. We know our skills. We know our value.

You know the quality of your skills (better than anyone else).

Panindigan mo."

So the real question is:

Being in the "clients solutions" business, how much preparation should you do before offering your services?

Faking It Til You Make It

To be blunt, I've always been a fan of faking confidence.

I mean, it was how I got started.

It was what helped me succeed.

It worked for me.

But before you judge me, hear me out first…

When I started, I didn't have the luxury of time.

I was a struggling, full-time mom with a family to raise. At that time, my husband wasn't earning well and if I didn't play all my cards, we'd starve.

So I had to get freelance clients the QUICKEST way I know.

I enrolled in the VA Bootcamp and even without 'perfecting' the lessons, then faked my confidence in front of clients.

It also helped that I saw myself as a service provider (not as an employee).

22-year old Social Media Marketer, Gel Galag also believes the same thing:

As a service provider, give and take lang kami ni client. So, magka-level lang kami.

When you think of yourself that way, you're not just an employee at someone's else's disposal.

Dealing With Getting Found Out 😬

This fear is legit.

But I think this is just our defense mechanisms trying to protect ourselves.

In my experience, getting 'found out' isn't so bad as long as you don't mind:

Admitting when you don't know something and,
Learning new things quickly as you go

I think these two come hand-in-hand with everyone who has the guts to fake confidence.

And it's great for us who don't consider themselves "talented."

Jasmine Dooma shares:

"There's a difference between skill and talent.

Talents is innate. But with skills, it's your decision kung matututunan mo ba siya.

Anything you put your mind into, you will learn. If you want to."

Waiting until you're ready is a different story, though.

As a freelancer coach, I've seen this work for a few people who had time to spare.

A BIG drawback for this, however, is...

Analysis Paralysis

Most people who say that they're "not ready" already have the skills needed to get clients.

However, they overanalyze or overthink 'readiness' so much that they no longer take action.

In this case, "getting ready" becomes an excuse.

Phoenix Jackson's take on this:

The main reason why we fail to move forward is because we want everything to be perfect (before we get out there).

We don't want to make mistakes (which is unrealistic).

But so be it if that's your approach in life.

Just know that you have to sacrifice something. Like if you want to be "masterful" before you enter freelancing, then it will cost you time.

And time is expensive.

Finding Clarity

I LOVE learning.

And as a coach, I'm all for learning skills, tools, and investing in mentorship for personal development.

But I really dislike for people to use it as an excuse for inaction.

So if you've been stuck in the learning phase for some time now, ask yourself:

"Are you really preparing yourself or is it a delaying tactic?"

Be clear with yourself. Be honest coz really, there's no use lying to yourself.

If you're still confused EVEN THOUGH you've been studying or already have skills, then I'd say just take a leap.

Fake your confidence if you have to.

Action precedes clarity.

~Matt Church

The best way to get clarity is to take action.

Just take aim and fire before you’re ready.

That's what I did.

And trust me… even if you miss the target and make mistakes, you'll get pointed at another direction.

You'll end up with much clarity and purpose than when you were just 'waiting' to get ready.