Finding freelance clients is never an easy task, especially if you’re new to freelancing. You may have the skills, knowledge, and ambition to make a living as a freelancer, but getting clients is a challenging process that’s continually ongoing.
Furthermore, the competition is tough as the number of freelancers continues to grow (about one-third of the entire US workforce is now freelancing).
For those just starting out, you’ll need to hustle and break through the barriers – but it is doable. If you’re looking to get clients for your new freelance business, then this article is for you. Let’s dive in and see what are some ways you can begin getting freelance clients!
1. Start With Who You Know
First things first, you should take stock of who you already know. You may already have many potential clients in your circle to help you get jumpstarted.
Family, relatives, friends, neighbors, old classmates, and business acquaintances are a great place to start. They’re also likely to introduce you to other people in their own circles who may need your services as well.
Begin by informing the people you know that you’re embarking on a freelancing journey and ask them if they need (or know anyone who does) your services.
As a bonus point, give your business cards to as many as you can. Also, if you’re currently employed, never burn your bridges. A referral from your boss, former colleague, or professor could go a long way in boosting your freelancing career.
2. Use Freelance Marketplace Sites
Freelance marketplaces are a great way to find new clients and are an absolute must to join for any new freelancer (and even experienced ones as well). There are many different marketplaces out there and you should join as many as you can – as long as they are relevant to your field and skill level.
Keep in mind, not every marketplace may be the best fit for you, and some may work at certain points in time in your freelance career. For example, some marketplaces are open to beginners while others are more exclusive and only open to established freelancers.
It’s also important to understand the way different marketplaces work. Some take a very self-managed approach where you need to create a profile, browse through jobs, and apply. Others may take a more curated/managed approach and match you directly with clients and jobs.
The larger and more popular sites, like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer may welcome beginner freelancers but can also be overcrowded with the competition. Smaller, lesser known marketplaces, such as 1840 & Company and Periodix can come to your rescue.
Freelancing sites are fantastic for finding new clients and scaling your freelance career. You can start small and begin scaling. Using tools that automate freelance job applications can help you scale even faster.
As a bonus point, take time and effort to create your freelance profile on each marketplace and strive to get the best ratings. When you find clients, be sure to deliver exceptionally done work to build up your ratings and reputation on each platform. This will help you successfully transition to better and high-paying clients.
3. Use Job Boards
Job boards are similar to freelance marketplaces but work a bit differently. They’re also not exclusively for freelancers. Job boards are platforms where employers can publicly post open positions they’re looking to fulfill and employees can view these jobs and apply. Employers typically need to pay the job board to post their job.
This is great as it shows employers are serious about hiring. While many job boards are typically looking to hire full-time employees, there are some that offer freelance or remote positions as well. Indeed, Remote.co, and even Craigslist are good examples of job boards that have freelance work available. There are tons more though.
Naturally, there are different types of job boards best suited for certain industries. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, then ProBlogger would make sense to check out. In the end, job boards serve as a great opportunity to find new freelance work and are something you should be utilized to expand your freelancing.
4. Leverage Social Media
Social media is a super-powerful medium that you can use to help build your freelancing career. Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are all great choices to utilize. Other platforms like Pinterest and Instagram could be beneficial as well, depending on your freelance industry.
Begin by building connections with other freelancing gurus in your niche and then start expanding your network. Comment and engage with their posts, and support what they’re doing. This will help to get you on their radar.
Also start posting your own thoughts, research, tips, how-to’s, and other content related to the work you do. This will help you to build authority and expertise within your industry.
As your social media presence grows, you’ll begin to make connections with those who are hiring and could be your potential clients.
5. Create a Digital Portfolio
As a freelancer, you’ll need a stunning portfolio to showcase your work whenever the opportunity arises. A website for your freelance business is the perfect place to showcase your portfolio and adds a whole new level of professionalism.
Not only can you showcase your work, but you can list your services, add a blog (we’ll get to that later below), and add other relevant content to help your freelance business.
However, it’s not the only place and you can share your digital portfolio on searchable portfolio platforms such as Coroflot, Graphic Artists Guild, and Sortfolio. Ensure that potential clients can access it and update your portfolio regularly with your best work.
As a bonus, you can create multiple formats of your digital portfolio that can be tailored to meet your varying clients’ needs. Also be sure to include things like what you do, your best work, testimonials from past satisfied clients, and current contact information.
6. Start Blogging
Blogging is a great way for you to share your expertise and show off what you know. You can also add a blog directly to your existing website if you’ve chosen a portfolio WordPress theme. Well-written blog posts will start generating traffic and numerous other benefits, including gaining visibility from prospective clients. Focus on writing about topics in your industry and include your name, contact info, and author bio in each post.
As a bonus, you can also share your blog posts on your social media platforms as well. This is a great way to get more exposure.
7. Networking Events
Attending networking events is a great way to meet new people and potential clients. Look for networking events in complementary industries to yours. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you may want to attend a graphic design or marketing meetup.
Chances are people attending these meetups also need writers and there will be less competition. Meetup and Eventbrite are some places you can go to find local networking events near you.
Final Thoughts
The ways we discussed above lay the solid foundation for getting new clients. However, the client-acquisition process is ever-changing. As your freelance business grows, the ways you acquire new clients will grow as well. Begin with the basics and experiment with new ways for continued success.
All the best as you embark on your freelancing career!
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