u/Tough-Rude

Hey everyone,

I'm starting to cold email businesses to offer Google Ads management (mainly service-based businesses and ecom), plus some white labeling for agencies. Problem is, I don't have a website or any case studies to point to yet, just experience from past roles.

I'm thinking about offering free work upfront (like a free audit, or even managing a small campaign for free for a set period) just to get my foot in the door and build some real case studies/testimonials I can use going forward. Fyi I do not have an issue doing free work for now.

Has anyone here done this successfully? A few questions:

• Does free work actually convert into paid retainers, or does it just attract people who never intend to pay?
• Should I cap it at something specific (e.g., "free for 30 days" or "free audit only") instead of open-ended free management?
• Any tips on how to position this in a cold email so it doesn't come off as desperate or lower my perceived value?
• Would white labeling for other agencies be a better way to get case studies than direct client work, since I'd have their oversight?

Appreciate any advice from people who've been through the "no portfolio yet" phase.

Hey everyone,

I'm starting to cold email businesses to offer Google Ads management (mainly service-based businesses and ecom), plus some white labeling for agencies. Problem is, I don't have a website or any case studies to point to yet just experience from past roles. I do not have an issue doing free work for now fyi.

I'm thinking about offering free work upfront (like a free audit, or even managing a small campaign for free for a set period) just to get my foot in the door and build some real case studies/testimonials I can use going forward.

Has anyone here done this successfully? A few questions:

• Does free work actually convert into paid retainers, or does it just attract people who never intend to pay?
• Should I cap it at something specific (e.g., "free for 30 days" or "free audit only") instead of open-ended free management?
• Any tips on how to position this in a cold email so it doesn't come off as desperate or lower my perceived value?
• Would white labeling for other agencies be a better way to get case studies than direct client work, since I'd have their oversight?

Appreciate any advice from people who've been through the "no portfolio yet" phase

Hey everyone,

I'm starting to cold email businesses to offer Google Ads management (mainly service-based businesses and ecom), plus some white labeling for agencies. Problem is, I don't have a website or any case studies to point to yet just experience from past roles.

I'm thinking about offering free work upfront (like a free audit, or even managing a small campaign for free for a set period) just to get my foot in the door and build some real case studies/testimonials I can use going forward. I do not have a problem of doing free work for now FYI

Has anyone here done this successfully? A few questions:

• Does free work actually convert into paid retainers, or does it just attract people who never intend to pay?
• Should I cap it at something specific (e.g., "free for 30 days" or "free audit only") instead of open-ended free management?
• Any tips on how to position this in a cold email so it doesn't come off as desperate or lower my perceived value?
• Would white labeling for other agencies be a better way to get case studies than direct client work, since I'd have their oversight?

Appreciate any advice from people who've been through the "no portfolio yet" phase.

Hey everyone,

I'm starting to cold email businesses to offer Google Ads management (mainly service-based businesses and ecom), plus some white labeling for agencies. Problem is, I don't have a website or any case studies to point to yet just experience from past roles.

I'm thinking about offering free work upfront (like a free audit, or even managing a small campaign for free for a set period) just to get my foot in the door and build some real case studies/testimonials I can use going forward.

Has anyone here done this successfully? A few questions:

• Does free work actually convert into paid retainers, or does it just attract people who never intend to pay?
• Should I cap it at something specific (e.g., "free for 30 days" or "free audit only") instead of open-ended free management?
• Any tips on how to position this in a cold email so it doesn't come off as desperate or lower my perceived value?
• Would white labeling for other agencies be a better way to get case studies than direct client work, since I'd have their oversight?

Appreciate any advice from people who've been through the "no portfolio yet" phase.