My name is Raja Hashaam. Since my childhood, I’ve been a bright student who aced every exam with flying colors. My English was good so my English teacher asked me to participate in English debates back when I was an intermediate student.
This was the time when the government initiated a Youth Talent Campaign in Punjab and luckily, after an undefeatable winning streak, I won the Provincial Level Debate competition. That day I felt like I need to get a job where communication skills and English should be pivotal.
(2018) I graduated from GC University Lahore but started as a call person at an international campaign it was good but not lucrative enough so I left that job.
(2019) I applied at a university and got a job as a visiting lecturer. It felt fulfilling once again as teachers are the pioneers of every nation. That was a proud moment but at some point, I couldn’t see my skills escalating anymore… I left that job either
(2020) I started a job as a Senior Sales Executive at a company again. It was my cup of tea in terms of skills & they were paying me well. Everyone wants that but that continuous restlessness kept asking me that Hashaam do you want to be a part of this 9-5 all your life? Jumping from one job to another became an act of juggling and I was clueless at that point.
From where it All Began & Challenges:
It was June 2021, one of my friends told me that he was earning from writing blog posts for local clients. And I always like to discover and implement new things so I asked him to let me give it a shot. We worked on 1 or 2 blog posts together that stoked my intrigue even more.
I started binge-watching content from Youtube when I used to come back from my office. I consumed everything available on the internet and headed to Fiverr. The crazy competition and low-paying content writing gigs on Fiverr were heart-wrenching to see and I thought I’d been living in a fool’s paradise.
And then I came to know about Copywriting. I’ve done extensive research and found that it’s a highly lucrative skill but hard to master. At that point I decided to do it no matter what as I found Copywriting smart, scientific, psychological, communicative, rare, demanding, and above all something I started loving so much unconditionally.
I kept digging into all the rabbit holes from watching every copywriting video on Youtube to joining every existing International Copywriter’s group. I studied legends, sign up for different email lists and get into the deep waters as much as I can and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
I started my Upwork Journey:
(June 2021) After 1 month of learning copy and spending sleepless nights, I created my profile on Upwork and started sending proposals. I got my first job in my 4th proposal and then 12th and then 8th. So it makes 3 jobs in 24 proposals. For me, it was more depressing and surprising than a usual freelancer Why?
It was my thought process. I asked myself that Hashaam Why aren’t you able to land your client in 2-3 proposals? You’re the one who always thinks outside the box and does what others don’t then what happened now?. Moreover how come I even think to be a Copywriter if I can’t convert my own customers. If I would remain like this it will be a disaster for me and my clients as well. (if someone hires me off course).
The Day I Took a Leap of Faith:
(Same Month) I resigned from my job to crack the code of freelancing and I’ve decided to win it at any cost. Nobody appreciated the idea of leaving a high-paying job but I had to take a leap of faith to unlock my true potential and make my Copywriting career.
I started wireframing my framework to write a proposal. I started researching how can I merge my copy with the proposal writing so that it will create something proven and result-driven and finally I’ve created a framework I named 3A’s Acknowledgement, Agitation & Authority.
I started deploying this in my proposals and landed high-paying clients through a highly competitive & saturated marketplace like Upwork. I achieved my goal of getting a response from 2 out of 3 job posts every time. I earned $6k+ in the very first 4 months of my freelancing career. I’ve written copy for some reputed international brands that brought them good results. I’m more than satisfied and can’t describe how happy I am with the decision I made.
Conclusion:
Henry Ford says:
‘’ You’re the master of your fate, the captain of your soul’’.
It’s about where you want to see yourself and how far can you go for that. My last job was ideal but the world is evolving so should you. I feel insecure when I see that my growth is stagnant, I feel insecure when I see my skills aren’t escalating anymore, and I feel insecure when I feel I don’t have the financial freedom in my life. And then I strive to rectify my insecurities no matter what.
What makes you feel insecure? Ask yourself the right questions!
When you start doing that I believe you will start landing jobs, you never settle for average and keep striving for better and better from building your portfolio to owning an agency as a business owner. All it takes is a mindset shift to ask yourself the right questions and a leap of faith.
Thank you for bearing with me and I wish you all the very best in your freelancing journey. Remember me in your prayers
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