How to Attract Your First Clients When You Start Freelancing
Quick steps to get up and running financially and creatively
Photo by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash
I’m two months into my freelancing adventure and I must say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The freedom, variety in work, the entrepreneurial element, and the creativity of it are simply awesome.
Thankfully, I’ve already managed to create a situation in which I’m financially stable, but it didn’t fall right out of the sky. I had help and I’ll tell you more about this shortly and what you can learn from this.
This month, I’m likely to cross the $5,000 bar. That’s almost double what I made at my regular job earlier this year!
And that’s not even the best part, I’m doing this while I’m creating more time for my writing. I work on my novel every day. I produce double the amount of blog posts that I used to. I work on the growth of my site, marketing, and audience. In addition, I just released a new book and I’m producing an online course.
The majority of my income is made through marketing and communication work for clients. In September, this will account for about 30 hours a week. But how did I attract those clients? More importantly, how can you?
Use your network
I know this might sound obvious, but 90% of my freelance work comes through my network. I can’t stress enough how important it is to start here.
I guess your network really is your “net worth” as the cliché goes.
Sit down and take account of the following:
Where have you worked?
Who are you still in contact with from previous jobs?
What companies are connected to previous jobs? (Check if there is no conflict of interest here).
What companies do you like where you know an employee?
List the names of these people and reach out to them. Send them a message via Whatsapp or Facebook. Catch up over coffee or at an event and tell them about your freelancing plans and skills.
I found that people love to help, both your best friends and acquaintances. Take advantage of who you know. In the future, you might return the favor.
Tell everyone you know about what you’re doing. People will remember. I get gigs because of this. I made sure people knew what I could do for companies and every now and then I get a text for a small or large gig!
Networking events
Now we get into other territories. I already said that 90% of my clients come through my network. Most of the following tips I haven’t even tried yet because I only have so many hours to spare. However, I know they work because fellow freelancers have used them with success.
Go online and look up networking events and congresses in your area of expertise. Are you a marketer? Go to a marketing event. Are you great with SEO and Google Ads? Participate in a seminar for beginners. Present yourself to other people. Make a connection. See how you can help others achieve their professional goals.
A friend of mine has found numerous clients through networking events. He’s a copywriter and earning $12,000 a month. He proves that this strategy works.
Recruitment agencies for freelancers
That same friend got the other half of his clients through recruitment agencies. Google recruitment agencies for freelancers in your area of expertise and contact them.
These recruitment agencies usually get a cut on top of your hourly wage. For instance, if you charge $50 an hour, they charge the client $60 an hour.
Register with one or two of these agencies. I’ve done it as well. Usually, you go on a job interview for this so they can create a profile on you. Then, you’ll receive offers.
Again, I haven’t used this even though I’m registered. So far, I have received interesting job offers, but they usually were full-time or for 24 hours a week and I can’t fit them in.
Setting up your LinkedIn profile properly is a must as a freelancer. If you don’t have an account yet, create one. You can instantly connect with people if you grant LinkedIn access to your Gmail contacts.
Follow all the steps, write a good bio, clearly explain what you’re offering to companies. Ideally, this is connected to your website. Talk about all of your skills. Incorporate references if you have any. Go all out.
Create a status update stating what you do and how you can help companies achieve their goals.
Make sure your profile is open for recruiters and select the areas of your expertise. You’ll receive jobs in your inbox soon enough. Recruiters might contact you. Perhaps there is a great client out there for you via LinkedIn.
Social media
In line with using your network, let EVERYONE know what you can do and what you are looking for in terms of freelance work. That guy you hung out with on a beach in Bali might have just started a new business and needs a website developer. You never know.
Put up a status update on your Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter profile.
Another trick I’ve seen people using is to post in Facebook groups for professionals. Find groups that match your offering. Join freelancing groups. Tell everyone what you can do.
Find agencies that seek your talent
This is another one I’ve used. I have a friend who works at a big creative marketing agency. She told me that they just acquired a big client, but that their team was too small to cover all the work. And then I thought: why not offer my skills.
I did that and worked for them over the summer to help finish the project. We now agreed that if this would occur in the future, I’ll be on top of their list. Companies like this always need freelancers for big projects.
Job application searches
Last, perhaps an obvious one, simply go online and search for gigs. Find different job application sites (aimed at freelancers, of course) and search till you drop.
Conclusion
I hope that with these tips you’ll be able to find multiple gigs to create a healthy financial situation for yourself and those around you. I hope that through these strategies you find the work you’re excited about and that challenges you creatively. I know I have.
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Besides writing short stories and blogs, I offer my marketing and communication skills to companies as a freelancer.
With 9+ years of experience in marketing, communication, and copywriting, I offer my services to businesses.
