How To Work for UK Companies (For Malaysian Freelancers)
4 months ago
After 10 years Wroking in London, here’s the play for Malaysians who want to work with UK SMEs in data, software dev, and marketing — without moving there.
What UK SMEs actually outsource
UK small businesses (especially <10 people) constantly need help with:
- Data: dashboards, reporting, automation, cleaning
- Software dev: internal tools, client portals, lightweight SaaS
- Marketing: landing pages, email, ads, content
They don’t care where you live.
They care: “Can you solve my problem and show proof?”
They care: “Can you solve my problem and show proof?”
That’s where your portfolio and outreach come in.
How to find them
Here’s a simple outbound system you can run from Malaysia:
- Go on LinkedIn and search for:
- “Founder” / “Owner” / “Managing Director”
- Filter by UK, company size: 1–10 employees, and industries you understand.
- Click into the companies:
- Check if they look like they use digital tools but clearly have gaps (messy website, no analytics, manual processes, weak marketing).
- Build a simple list:
- Company name
- Website
- Founder/Director/CEO name
- LinkedIn profile URL
- Email (if visible on website)
This becomes your UK SME target list.
How to reach out (and what to offer)
Don’t overcomplicate it.
Your angle: “I help small teams do more with data/software/marketing — low friction, high value.”
Your angle: “I help small teams do more with data/software/marketing — low friction, high value.”
Example DM/email structure:
- Line 1: Personal relevance
“Hey [Name], saw [Company] on LinkedIn and loved what you’re doing in [industry].” - Line 2: Observed problem
“Noticed you’re likely juggling a lot with a small team — especially around [data/software/marketing].” - Line 3: Clear offer
“I help small UK companies like yours with [dashboards / internal tools / landing pages etc.] so you get [result: clearer numbers, fewer manual tasks, more leads].” - Line 4: Low-risk hook
“If you’re open to it, I can do a free 1-week trial where I [build X / clean up Y / set up Z] so you can see if it’s useful — no obligation.” - Line 5: Simple CTA
“Want me to send 2–3 ideas tailored to your business?”
You’re not begging for a job.
You’re offering a test drive.
Why small teams & free trial?
- Small teams move fast, don’t have procurement drama.
- They feel the pain of messy data, broken tools, and weak marketing more intensely.
- A free 1-week trial removes risk and shows you’re confident in your skills.
Do this consistently:
- 20–30 targeted messages per day
- Tight portfolio with 3–5 strong examples
- Follow-ups that add value (small loom video, quick audit, a simple dashboard mockup)
You only need a few yeses to change your income.