Is Being Reserved a No-Go for Web Writers? How Humility Can Sometimes Crush Your Opportunities

Hello!
I'm Web Writer Rii Kudo (^^)

This time, I'm going to talk about how humility can sometimes crush your opportunities! You might be wondering what that's all about right off the bat.
As a Web writer,
being reserved or overly humble can sometimes push work away.
I'll also share a case where I actually failed and regretted it!

• People struggling to get accepted for new projects

• People who have started Web writing and are currently going through trial and error

• People who think, "I get it!" and have had the same experience

Please be sure to read until the end ☺

What does it mean that being reserved and humble is a no-go?

It is said that Japanese people are a race that is very prone to being reserved and humble. Don't you ever find yourself being humble when you're praised?

"No, no, that's not true..." I used to say that all the time.

Even when praised, it's hard to say,
"Yes, that's right! I worked really hard!"
isn't it?

There are times and places where being reserved and respectful is considered a virtue, but in freelancing, it can sometimes be a no-go.
I'll share a case where I actually failed.

Web writers should not call themselves "beginners"

"I am a writing beginner."
Yes, I was doing that for over a year after starting as a Web writer. I always included it in the proposal letters I sent to clients when applying for new projects.
Of course, I was using it out of humility.

At this time, I was struggling to acquire new projects.
Without even realizing that continuing to call myself a "beginner" was a mistake...

As usual, I wrote "I am a beginner, but..." in my proposal letter when applying for a project.
I received a reply immediately, and it said this:

"If you have over a year of experience, I don't think you should call yourself a beginner. Please don't lower your own value."

I was taken aback.
An eye-opener.
Huh? Is it bad to call myself a beginner?
I haven't done anything significant in a year, have I?
Isn't it a high hurdle to say "I'm experienced!" when I don't have confidence?
When do other people stop being beginners?

Triggered by this experience, I rethought my proposal letters and the concept of humility.
*Naturally, I was not hired for this project.

I want to work with flexible people who have confidence and a sense of responsibility

Having been given the opportunity to rethink, I decided to
gather information on what kind of writers clients want to work with.
While searching, a post by a certain director caught my eye.

If it were me, I would want to work with flexible people who have confidence and a sense of responsibility..

My heart was captured.
Until then, I had only thought that being humble was a good trend.

I was wrong.
You should never hold back when communicating what you can do.
If you don't clearly convey 100% of what you are capable of, you won't be seen as someone people want to work with.
There is no need for humility in a Web writer's proposal!

It was the moment my way of thinking changed 180 degrees.
Even now, my goal is
to become a "flexible person with confidence and a sense of responsibility."

The importance of conveying your 100% self without exaggeration

Web writers also needtechniques to encounter projects with good conditions.One of them is

"not being modest."
You should absolutely never hold back when sharing your experience and selling points.However,
exaggerating lacks sincerity,so be careful.It is best to put your true self into your proposal and convey that to the client.

Humility can sometimes crush new opportunities,so watch out!

If you are using phrases like "I am a beginner, but..."

• I have X months of experience and can do this and that!

• I am inexperienced, but I will research thoroughly and create high-quality work!

How abouta proposal that conveys a positive attitudelike that?
The recipient will also feel good about it, and they might think, "I want to work with this person!"

Iwas able to realize my mistake because a client pointed it out to me.
Each of those encounters becomes an opportunity to grow.
That is why being a Web writer is so interesting... (*^_^*)

Thank you for reading until the end ☺