Reviews always matter, but they matter more when the client is never going to meet you. From Argentina, a good share of the work comes from people ten thousand kilometres away who only have your profile to decide on.

Why the first three decide your year

A profile with no reviews is a risk the buyer does not have to take, especially when paying someone in another country. Three recent, concrete reviews turn that risk into a normal decision. That jump, from zero to three, is the hardest and the most profitable of your career.

How to get the first three

  • Accept two small jobs at the start, even below your target rate.
  • Deliver before the date. On time is expected, early is remembered, and from another time zone early means the client has it when they open their computer.
  • Ask for the review at the right moment, when the client writes that they liked it.

How to ask without sounding pushy

One line at delivery: "If the result is useful, a review helps me a lot. And if something needs adjusting, tell me first." That formula asks for the review and opens the door to a correction, which avoids the lukewarm review you did not see coming.

What a delay costs

More than the margin on the job. And with a foreign client it costs even more, because a day of delay usually means missing the publication window of a campaign that cannot be moved. If you are running late, say so before the date: warning is forgiven, silence is not.

What to do with a negative review

Reply once, briefly, without arguing, and carry on. A profile with one negative review and twenty positive ones is more credible than one with twenty positive and nothing else.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do they matter more here?

Because the client never meets you in person.

How many to start?

Three, recent and concrete.

When should I ask?

At delivery, when the client shows satisfaction.

What if I am running late?

Say so before the date, never after.