247: Attracting Premium Clients on Upwork: How Carolyn Landed A $2700 Project (without pitching)

Ever wonder how some freelancers land big-ticket clients while others struggle to get responses?

Imagine setting up your Upwork profile in just half a day and scoring a $27,100 project just weeks later. Sounds unreal, right? That’s exactly what happened to Carolyn. In this episode, she breaks down the key moves that helped her attract premium clients—without years of trial and error.

Carolyn shares how she went from working with high-street brands in the UK and navigating the job market in Hong Kong to building a thriving freelance career in knitwear design. We dive into her approach to pricing projects, crafting pitches that actually get responses, and the simple tweaks she made to her Upwork profile to stand out in a sea of freelancers. Plus, she spills some insider tips on using Illustrator for knitwear design and how she landed repeat work with top clients.

If you're looking to boost your freelance income, attract high-quality clients, and learn real-world strategies from someone who’s been there, hit play now!

About Carolyn:
After studying Fashion Knitwear Design at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, Carolyn moved to Hong Kong for a one-year graduate trainee placement. More than 20 years later, she is still there. Initially, she worked for a small, family-owned knitwear manufacturer that supplied the UK and EU markets. Later, she transitioned to a large corporate sourcing office, just before the pandemic. In April 2024, Carolyn was made redundant but quickly adapted. She started FAST in May and began freelancing in July, securing her first project that same month. Her expertise lies in knitwear, with extensive experience in women's and men's wear, as well as some experience in children's wear. Ultimately, Carolyn chose to focus on womenswear as her niche.

Connect with Carolyn:
Email her at carolyn.chandler@gmail.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on Upwork

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.