I’ll never forget the email. After a week of back-and-forth messages, my first potential foreign client wrote, “This all looks great! Do you have 15 minutes to hop on a quick call tomorrow to discuss?”
My heart sank into my stomach. A call? A video call? I immediately felt the panic set in. My mind started racing with all the things that could go wrong. What if my internet connection fails? What if I don’t understand his accent? What if he asks me a question and I just freeze? What if I get a total “nosebleed” and can’t say anything?
If you’re a Filipino freelancer, I bet you know this feeling. We can write perfect emails and chat messages all day, but the moment a video call is mentioned, the “kaba” is real. We’re so afraid of being judged for our English or for not sounding smart enough.
I survived that first call, and I’ve survived hundreds since then. I want to share with you what I’ve learned, because handling these calls is a skill, and just like any skill, you can learn it. Here’s how I went from terrified to confident.
Preparation is Your Best Friend (and Your Secret Weapon)
You can eliminate 80% of your anxiety just by being prepared. Never, ever go into a client call blind. Confidence doesn’t come from being a perfect English speaker; it comes from knowing what you’re going to talk about.
First, do your homework. Spend 15 minutes reviewing your past emails with the client. Look at their website again. What is their business about? What are their goals? This helps you understand what’s important to them.
Second, create a simple agenda. You don’t need a formal document. Just open a notepad and write down 3 or 4 bullet points. It could be as simple as: “1. Introduce myself. 2. Ask about the main goal of the project. 3. Discuss my process. 4. Talk about next steps.” This is your map for the conversation. If you get lost, you can just look at your map.
Third, prepare a few key phrases. I’m not talking about a full script, but having a few sentences ready can save you. For example, have a simple, 15-second introduction ready: “Hi, I’m [Your Name], it’s great to connect with you. I’ve really enjoyed learning about your business so far.” That’s it! It breaks the ice and gets you talking.
Finally, test your technology. Fifteen minutes before the call, check your internet. Open Zoom or Google Meet. Check your microphone and camera. There is nothing more stressful than trying to fix a technical problem when the client is already waiting.
Simple Tricks to Use During the Call
Okay, so you’re prepared, but you’re still nervous. The call starts. What now?
Just smile before you speak. It sounds silly, but it physically relaxes your face and makes your voice sound warmer and friendlier. It’s a tiny trick that makes a huge difference.
It’s okay to pause. If the client asks you a tough question, you don’t have to answer instantly. It is perfectly fine to say, “That’s a great question. Let me think about that for a moment.” This makes you look thoughtful, not stupid. You can take a sip of water to give yourself a few extra seconds to think.
Take notes. This is my favorite trick. It gives you something to do with your hands so you don’t fidget. It also helps you focus on what the client is saying instead of focusing on your own anxiety. Plus, you’ll have a record of what you talked about to review later.
Your first few calls will probably be a little awkward, and that’s completely normal. The goal isn’t to be a perfect, flawless speaker. The goal is to connect with another person, show them you are competent, and understand how you can help them.
Every call you do makes the next one easier. I promise. So take a deep breath, look at your notes, smile, and click that “Join Call” button. You’re more ready than you think.