Unlock the secrets to effective pitching without the pressure! In this blog post, Emma outlines two standout pitches that broke through the noise and led to meaningful connections. Discover how a simple, friendly message can open doors to new opportunities and learn why authenticity is key in making your outreach memorable. Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or just starting out, these insights will inspire you to approach pitching with confidence and ease.
Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on [Youtube], or scroll down for the summary!
Prefer to read it? Here are the main points!
Let’s be real for a moment – if you’ve got “coach” in your LinkedIn or Instagram bio, your inbox is probably overflowing with those messages. You know the ones. Promises of six-figure incomes, hundreds of leads a day, and generic “Let’s hop on a call!” energy.
But every now and then, a pitch comes along that actually cuts through the noise – not because it’s flashy, but because it’s human, relevant and refreshingly not pushy.
In this week’s episode of the Freelancer’s Tea Break podcast, I wanted to share two real-life examples of pitches I received recently that actually worked – and why they stood out in a sea of spam.
1. A Simple, Friendly Discord Pitch That Led to Paid Work
If you’ve been listening to recent episodes, you’ll know I recently made the decision to move the Freelance Lifestylers community off Facebook and onto Discord. Spoiler alert: I’m so happy I did. The vibe is lovely, it’s supportive and we’re nearly at 100 members already!
Originally, Discord wasn’t at the top of my list. I’d only ever set one up for my son and his gaming friends, so it had a bit of a “boy gamer” label in my head. But then came a message from Kiri, who had voted on a poll I posted in the Facebook group:
“Hi Emma, I just saw and voted on your post in the Freelance Lifestylers. If you were looking to move to Discord, I specialise in Discord server builds, admin/moderator training, and basic one-to-one training for new users. I also offer moderation services. So if that’s a platform you’re considering, I’d be happy to help.”
Simple. Clear. No pressure. Just a helpful offer that was completely aligned with what I was talking about at the time. It felt personal without being pushy – no call scheduling, no urgency. Just “if you’re interested, here’s what I do.”
That one message led to three paid power hours – and likely more down the line as I continue to shape the community space. It was a textbook example of how timing + relevance + warmth = a pitch that lands.
2. A Video Message That Built Instant Connection
The second pitch came via LinkedIn from someone known as Katie the Caravan Mum (how fab is that?). We initially connected through a comment thread, and she followed up with a short, 55 second video filmed outside her caravan.
It wasn’t polished or formal – in fact, a bee flew into the shot mid-recording and she just rolled with it. It felt real, relaxed and like I was chatting to someone who got it.
What I especially loved was the follow-up PS in her message:
“PS: Fellow neurodivergent over here – lovely to connect with like minds.”
That one line made me feel seen. It made the video feel more tailored and opened up space for a voice message reply – which led to a brilliant conversation. She’s a LinkedIn expert and I’ve since been following her content with interest.
What stood out? She used video in a way that felt human, not salesy. It wasn’t a pitch in the traditional sense – just an introduction with personality. And it worked. It instantly created that “know, like, and trust” factor.
So, What Can We Learn From These Two Examples?
Relevance is key. Both pitches were tied to something I had just said or posted. They were timely, not random.
Soft pitches win. There was no aggressive follow-up or forced calls. They left space for me to take the next step.
A little personality goes a long way. Whether it’s a casual tone, a touch of humour, or a real-life bee moment – being human builds connection.
Follow-ups matter. That personalised PS from Katie? That sealed the deal for me.
Pitching doesn’t need to be scary. It doesn’t have to be a slick sales email or a deck. Sometimes it’s just dropping a thoughtful message in someone’s inbox.
Your Turn: Share Your Pitching Wins
I’d love to hear from you – have you ever received (or sent) a pitch that actually felt good? That didn’t make you want to throw your phone across the room? Maybe you’ve found your own way of standing out without being spammy?
Drop your stories in the Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group or come and chat in the Discord community. Both spaces are designed to be safe, friendly, and spam-free (thanks to Kiri’s help!).
Let’s share what works – and cheer each other on in the process.
Until next week, have a wonderful freelance week!
The ladies mentioned are:
Kiri: https://www.faelioness.co.uk/
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Follow me on Bluesky
Email: hello@emmacossey.com
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz
