Freelancing with clients from all over the world is a great way to boost your earnings, develop a reputable portfolio, and market yourself beyond the shores of Africa. However, that can’t be possible without first knowing how to secure such clients, and that’s where knowing how to build international client trust becomes handy.

With the rate of scams on the internet today, it is necessary to understand why many international clients become quite protective of their jobs. But does this mean that you will be limited to only African clients? Oh no! As an African freelancer, you can build client trust over time or even immediately and land your first international client. 

Client retention is a key skill that every freelancer who needs to manage their finances must learn. But before retention, there is acquisition. This article will help you build client trust without breaking a sweat or sabotaging your identity. 

Where To Find An International Client 

Outside of popular freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, there are other places to find international clients:

1. Freelance job boards

Just like Indeed, Jobberman, and Harlow provide exposure to clients looking to hire freelance workers from around the world.

2. Freelance newsletters

A great example is African Freelancers’ weekly newsletter, where they curate a list of freelance and full-time marketing job openings.

3. Online communities

Professional networks like Smarketers Hub, Superpath, and African Freelancers have communities where members can share job postings. Sometimes, opportunities that you find on social media first start from these channels, or sometimes even remain there.

4. Social media

You can land your freelance gigs as an African freelancer on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter through keyword search. Simply go to the search bar and type in words like “seeking for freelance xxx (your role of choice),” hit the search bar, browse through the result and apply. 

5. Google search

This is very similar to how you search on social media. You just have to Google freelance marketing jobs and use the filter options to get a more specific result.

Ways to Build International Client Trust 

Around you, you’ll hear someone say they work for a brand in the UK or the US or even for a firm in South America. You’ve wanted to do it, but struggle with earning their trust? Here’s how to earn and build client trust in the freelance space: 

Have an Online Presence 

A professional and active online presence helps African freelancers connect with international clients and get better-paid work. So if you’ve ever asked yourself about the act of building client trust, an online presence is your go to option. 

An online profile helps African freelancers break the geographical barrier and reach clients across the globe. And here’s how to make it happen; 

• Display Work: Showcase portfolios and samples that clients can view at any time, irrespective of the time difference.
• Verified Credentials: Displaying certifications and skill badges adds trust.
• Client Reviews: Good reviews from past work give confidence and serve as proof of capability.
• Networking Opportunities: Interacting with peers and clients can generate opportunities for future collaboration.
• Google: Engage well on multiple social media platforms so that when your name is typed into the search bar, your details will pop up. 

Make Use of The Major Freelance Platforms 

To build international client trust, you should choose freelancing platforms that support your niche and pricing objectives, favoring those widely recognized within your area of interest.

Create a headline and summary emphasising your top 3–5 skills, backed by applicable certifications. You can also include portfolio samples demonstrating your abilities and achieving platform-specific checks to earn credibility badges.

You can never tell; your next international client might search for talent on those platforms, and they will find you awesome. 

Declare Attainable Expectations 

When communicating and trying to convince an international client to win his/her trust, make clear definitions of the work scope, deliverables, timelines, and payment terms in your proposals. Don’t try to appear shady or tricky; many have their guards up already. Make sure that you and the client both know what the project needs so that there is no confusion.

Solve a Need 

Many African freelancers showcase their freelance skills on freelance platforms and even on social media. Meeting a need can make you marketable and help you build international client trust. It’s not enough to want to be hired; will you also provide value? You might want to identify a gap that is a need and provide a solution. 

Conclusion 

Trust is necessary in building a lasting enterprise, and as a freelancer, you need trust to scale your freelancing from local to international. Learn to build international client trust using the methods outlined in this article. 
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