I still remember the feeling. My hands were literally shaking as I was about to click “send” on my very first proposal to a client from America. A million questions raced through my mind. Is my English good enough? What if they think my work is not great? How do I even talk to them?
It’s a feeling I think a lot of us Filipino freelancers go through. We see these opportunities to work with clients from other countries, and while the pay looks great, there’s this big, scary wall of “what ifs.”
So today, I just want to talk about it with you. What is really so scary about working for foreigners? And is it as bad as we think?
“My English is not that good.”
This is probably the number one worry for many of us. We get so conscious about our grammar and our accent. We think we need to sound like we were born in New York to even be considered.
Let me tell you something. Most of the time, they don’t care.
Seriously. Your foreign clients are not hiring you to be an English professor. They are hiring you for your skill, whether that’s designing a logo, writing code, or managing their social media. As long as you can understand their instructions and you can explain your work clearly, you are good to go. They care more about your output than your perfect grammar. Don’t let the fear of a few grammar mistakes stop you from earning dollars.
“Their culture is so different.”
Another big fear is accidentally doing something wrong because of cultural differences. We Filipinos are generally non-confrontational and polite. On the other hand, some foreigners can be very direct.
When a client from, say, Germany, gives you feedback that is very blunt and straight to the point, it’s easy for us to think, “Oh no, they’re angry!” or “Did I do something wrong?”
Most of the time, they are just being efficient. It’s not personal. They just want to get the job done. My advice is to just be professional, be open to feedback, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure about something. You’ll quickly learn their communication style, and they’ll learn yours too.
“What if I don’t get paid?”
Okay, this one is a very real and valid fear. We’ve all heard horror stories of freelancers who worked for weeks only for the client to disappear without a trace. It’s scary because they are thousands of miles away.
This is where you have to be smart and protect yourself.
First, use freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr when you are starting out. These platforms have systems in place to make sure you get paid. Second, once you are working directly with clients, always have a simple contract. It doesn’t have to be a 20-page document written by a lawyer. Just a clear agreement on the work, the deadlines, and the payment terms. And for big projects, never be afraid to ask for a down payment. I usually ask for 30% to 50% upfront. If a client refuses to pay any amount upfront, that is a huge red flag for me.
“Am I really good enough?”
This is the voice in the back of our heads that whispers, “You’re a fraud. You’re not as good as them.” We see their big companies and think our skills, developed here in the Philippines, are not up to their “world-class” standards.
That’s just imposter syndrome talking. It’s a liar.
The client saw your portfolio. They chose you from among many applicants. They already believe you are good enough, so you should too. Just focus on doing good work, meeting your deadlines, and communicating well. You were chosen for a reason.
So, is working for foreigners scary? Yes, the first time it definitely is. But most of the fear comes from the unknown. Once you get your first foreign client, you’ll realize they are just people, like you and me. They need help with their business, and you have the skills to provide that help.
The rewards, like better pay, learning new things, and the confidence you build, are so much greater than the fear. So go ahead, take a deep breath, and click that “send” button. You’ve got this.
What about you? What was your biggest fear when you started working with foreign clients? Share it in the comments below!