If you’ve been freelancing online for any amount of time—especially if you’re working with clients from abroad—you’ve probably realized two things:
- Yes, the opportunities are massive.
- No, getting the job isn’t the hard part. Keeping it is.
And keeping it, frankly, isn’t about luck, charm, or being a “yes” person. It’s about ethics. Not just in the moral sense (though that’s part of it), but in how you present yourself, how you communicate, and how you operate as a professional. Because whether you’re a VA, a designer, a developer, or a generalist, how you work matters just as much—if not more—than what you can do.
I’ve been on both sides of the table. I’ve hired. I’ve been hired. I’ve worked with clients in the U.S., Australia, Germany, and beyond. And I’ve seen how easily trust can be earned—or lost. So here’s my take on how to work ethically for foreign clients in a way that’s sustainable, smart, and built to last.
1. Start With What You Actually Know—Not What You Wish You Knew
Look, there’s no shame in being a beginner. But there is a problem when someone pretends to be an expert and can’t deliver.
Clients aren’t just paying for a task to be done—they’re paying for peace of mind. They want to trust that when you say, “I can handle this,” you mean it.
💡 Pro tip:
If you’re applying for a job and you’re still learning a key skill, say so. “I’m confident with X, still learning Y, but I’m a fast learner and transparent in how I work.” That kind of honesty stands out more than you’d think.
2. Set Expectations—Then Actually Meet Them
Here’s where most breakdowns happen: communication.
Whether it’s missed deadlines, silence after a task, or timezone drama, most clients don’t leave because the work was bad. They leave because they felt left in the dark.
If you want to stand out: over-communicate.
- Give status updates without being asked.
- Flag issues early.
- Set realistic deadlines (and meet them).
- Let them know when you’re online—and more importantly, when you’re not.
You don’t need to be awake at 3AM to be professional. But you do need to manage expectations around your availability.
3. Price Like a Pro, Not Like You’re Desperate
A lot of freelancers undervalue themselves—especially here in the Philippines. And I get it. You see listings that say “$2/hour” and you think that’s the norm.
Here’s the truth: you don’t get better clients by charging less. You get better clients by charging appropriately—and backing it up with reliability, clarity, and results.
That doesn’t mean you overcharge. But it does mean you stop lowballing yourself just to land a gig that won’t feed your future.
🎯 Rule of thumb:
Charge what’s fair for the value you bring, not just the time you spend.
4. Don’t Just Do the Task—Be Part of the Solution
The best freelancers don’t just “follow instructions.” They solve problems. They think a step ahead. They point out when something could be done better or faster.
This doesn’t mean you overstep. It means you care.
When a client sees that you’re invested—not just executing—they’re more likely to keep you on long-term, refer you, and treat you as part of the team (not just another expense).
It’s also what separates a $3/hour worker from someone commanding $25/hour or more.
5. Build Trust, Brick by Brick
Trust is your most valuable currency as a freelancer. You earn it through consistency, clarity, and showing up even when things go sideways.
And yes, sometimes clients ghost. Sometimes they flake. But that doesn’t mean you lower your standards. You set your bar—and keep it high.
That means:
- No disappearing acts.
- No shortcut work with ChatGPT unless you disclose it (yes, seriously).
- No passing tasks to someone else behind the scenes.
Work in a way that you’d be proud of if the client read every Slack message, every line of code, or every spreadsheet formula.
Because sometimes, they do.
Final Word: Freelancing Isn’t a Side Hustle—It’s a Practice
Working with foreign clients is a privilege. But more than that, it’s a responsibility. You represent not just yourself—but often the entire impression that client has of working with Filipino freelancers.
And when we mess it up? We don’t just lose the gig—we lose trust for everyone else coming after us.
So let’s raise the bar. Not just for ourselves, but for the industry.
Work ethically. Communicate clearly. Price fairly. Stay curious. And always—always—deliver.
That’s how you don’t just survive in this space.
That’s how you lead in it.
Got any questions? Feel free to leave them in the comments!
Leave a Reply