It was just before the pandemic when I gave myself a challenge: email 100 companies in one week to get clients. Not for a school project, not as a marketing stunt, but because I was a freelancer trying to earn some money. I didn’t have a massive portfolio or a flashy list of clients, but I had skills, determination, and the time to try. Little did I know that this action made me survive the pandemic in terms of my business and existence.
And honestly, I was tired of waiting. Waiting for referrals, waiting for someone to “discover” me, waiting for work to come to me. So I decided to reverse it—I would go to them.
The Plan: 100 Emails, 1 Goal – Get clients
I opened Excel and created a blank sheet with 100 spaces. Each one would become a name—a company I had researched, understood, and believed I could help. This wasn’t about spamming random businesses. I made sure each company:
- Had a clear need for the kind of work I offered (testimonial videos).
- Didn’t already have a polished solution in-house.
- Was reachable via a listed email.
The research took time. It wasn’t glamorous. I went through websites, looked at social media accounts, and thought critically about whether I could offer genuine value. By the end of the week, I had 100 companies on that sheet and 100 emails sent—each one written with care, a short portfolio attached, and a specific offer.
The Reality Check: Most People Will Ignore You
I got very few replies. Most never responded. A few sent automated “we’ll get back to you” messages. Some didn’t like being contacted and said so—bluntly. One reply even told me to leave them alone in a very assertive way.
Was it discouraging? At first, yes. I had poured my energy into every email, researched every company, and wrote them all personally. But here’s the thing—I wasn’t surprised. I knew from the start that most companies wouldn’t reply. That’s just how outreach works.
What mattered was whether someone did.
The Two Replies That Changed Everything
Out of 100 emails, I got two replies that did not send me to Hell but offered me a phone call or a meeting to discuss our collaboration. Just two.
One was a potential client who asked to set up a call. In the end, the call didn’t happen and the lead went cold.
The second reply, however, turned into something unexpected. That company offered me a freelance job—and not just a one-off gig. It became a collaboration that lasted over three years. It turned into a monthly retainer, consistent income, and one of the most stable relationships in my freelance career.
The Hidden Value of Every Email
When I look back, I think about what that one client was worth. If I took the total income over those three years and divided it by the 100 emails I sent, each email made me money, even if only one converted.
It showed me that no effort is wasted when you’re trying to get clients. Even the unanswered emails had value. They built my resilience, they helped me refine my pitch, and they taught me how to communicate clearly and concisely. For more tips and proven ways that work, read my blog How to find clients as a videographer – this applies to any industry really.
And even those companies that didn’t reply? Who’s to say they didn’t save the email or remember my name for the future? Several of my clients have told me later on that they had been meaning to find someone—they just didn’t have the time to look.
Why This Strategy Worked—And Why It Can Still Work
This wasn’t about luck. It was about showing up—consistently and intentionally. It wasn’t about pitching a dozen different services. I focused on testimonial videos because I believed they were effective. I didn’t try to sell flashy edits or cinematic reels. Just simple, honest interviews—because that’s what businesses often need to build trust.
It worked not because I sent the most emails, but because I sent the right ones to the right people, with the right message.
Would It Work Today?
That’s a fair question. Today, I have a stronger portfolio and more experience, but the market is more saturated, and the economy is tougher. Still, I believe the same principle applies. If I emailed 100 companies now with the same level of research and intentionality, I believe at least one would say yes.
The key isn’t in the numbers—it’s in the approach.
Get clients or go home
If you’re freelancing and wondering how to find clients, this is my message to you: do the work. Make a list. Send the emails. Accept that 98 out of 100 might go nowhere. But also understand that one reply could change everything.
And remember, effort compounds. The client who says no today might come back next month. The person who ignores your email might still remember your name.
It’s not about luck. It’s about intention, consistency, and believing that what you offer has value. Because it does.
If you’d like to see me try this again today—100 new emails in 2025—let me know. I’m curious, too.
Until then, keep building. One email at a time.
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