As a freelancer, you know you have the right skills and can deliver quality work. Knowing this, you regularly update job boards and freelance portals and spend a lot of time searching for work, but no one notices you. If this is you, then understand that the problem is not with you, instead it is with how you position yourself in front of the clients.

A talent without visibility is like a brilliant idea kept in a drawer. The same is the case with a freelancer like you. What you need is a clear positioning, a consistent presence, and the right growth strategy that helps the right clients to discover you and work with you more often or for a longer time, rather than you chasing them.

Quick Summary

Freelancers mostly struggle with the challenge of how to find freelance clients. Moreover, the issue isn’t with the effort; it is to build a consistent demand for your freelance services. So, when struggling with how to get clients as a freelance, you need to adopt the right strategies that help you:

1. Identify the potential long-term clients.
2. Make contact with your ideal customers by utilizing techniques such as networking opportunities, social media, and recommendations to highlight your work and future collaborations.
3. Create and preserve a solid rapport with your clients.
4. Understand the tactics to treat each client as the one who can be your long-term work partner.

To find new clients, freelancers also need a professional online presence that reflects their credibility and trustworthiness. For that, they must use a professional custom email address for communication and build an attractive and engaging one-page or a full website that highlights their portfolios and services. 

Why Most Freelancers Struggle to Find the Right Clients?

Let’s understand the real problem.

But first, know that no one is doubting your skills, nor should you, just because you are not able to find clients.

The problem is that the market for freelancers is tough; freelancers are overpowering each other with their skill sets. So, in this competitive market, if you are positioning yourself as a generalist who has multiple skills and numerous certifications, while your ideal client is looking for specialists for a particular skill, then no wonder you are not getting clients! 

This simply means your profile is general and doesn’t highlight the specific match which your ideal client is looking for. 

Long Term Clientele: Why does It Matter In Freelancing?

The next important thing to know is that, even if you get clients, developing a long-term clientele highlights your ability to deliver consistent results, effective communication, and your expertise to undertstand client’s business beyond a single project. 

Moreover, having long-term clients means:

• You can get relieved from the ongoing stress of looking for new projects and gain financial security for the long term.
• You can concentrate more on producing high-quality work when you have recurring clients rather than constantly pitching and bargaining.
• Clients are more inclined to provide long-term contracts and greater fees as familiarity and trust increase.
• You get recurring clients that establish clear expectations and increase project efficiency.
• You have built trust and a reputation with your clients that can also benefit you in getting reliable referrals.

But we know that converting your frequent consumers into long-term clients as a freelancer is difficult. That’s why, through this blog, we have listed out a step-by-step approach on how to get clients as a freelancer. 

Let’s discuss them. 

Ace the Market: Steps to Get Clients as a Freelancer

When people first begin freelancing, they might not even understand what it is; they simply accept pieces of work from former coworkers, and as their business expands, they find themselves in the business.

It goes without saying that this haphazard approach to client acquisition is unreliable and is often not a long-term strategy. However, the key is to constantly take advantage of every chance that presents itself, since you never know what more it might lead to.

Here are a few initial steps on how to get clients as a freelancer:

Step 1: Assess your skill set

Understand and analyze your skills before you showcase them. Even though most people have a basic understanding of their primary service providing, many people make the error of failing to assess their skills, which makes it difficult for them to present themselves effectively.

Write down the hard and soft skills that you excel at after brainstorming them. For example, writing, SEO, coding, and programming languages are examples of hard skills, whereas communication and time management are examples of soft skills.

For example, instead of presenting yourself as “I am a website designer”, position yourself as “I design landing pages and industry-specific websites”; this looks more professional.

Step 2: Create a detailed portfolio of your services

Your clients want reassurance that you are the right candidate for the skills they are looking for. So, if you have a website that showcases your work, then make sure that it highlights the right skills that your desired client is expecting. 

Read: How to build a personal portfolio website.

Further, ensure to enhance your projects in your portfolio with complete details.

For example, instead of stating, “I built a website for ‘XYZ’ company”, enhance it by stating, “The redesigned webpage of the site ‘XYZ’, achieved an increase in the organic traffic by 10%”

Note: To get your first freelance client, you actually only need to present one or two very focused samples. Perform research to find out what exactly paying clients are seeking.

Step 3: Create a compelling pitch

Whether you're presenting in person or virtually, you want your elevator pitch to be succinct and direct about the benefits you can offer the customer. Prepare a compelling pitch that:

• Describe your ideal customer.
• Determine their issues.
• Express the value they seek in words.
• Present yourself as the answer to their problems.
• Give examples to back up your assertions.
• Finish with a strong call to action.

You can quickly acquire your first client if you customize this pitch for each individual client.

Step 4: Choose a desired client acquisition channel

Rather than running through multiple channels, portals, and trying everything at once, choose one strategic channel. For example, you can choose from social platforms like LinkedIn, cold email outreach, freelance community pages, apps for freelancers, etc.

Start with one channel first to observe what response you are getting. 

Here are some tips on how to find freelance clients on different channels:

• LinkedIn 

The platform is best for getting clients for freelance professional services like writing, marketing, or consultancy. You might find several posts on highlighting the requirements for a freelancer for a specific skill. So, instead of directly pitching yourself in the message to the recruiter, you can add a thoughtful and professional comment to the freelancer requirement post. Even a simple, short, and clear message can help you position yourself.

You can post a reply, like, “I have recently worked on a project that demanded the same skills and experience. Would be happy to share my experience if useful.”

• Cold email outreach

Sending out cold emails to your desired clients is still one of the most effective ways to get clients as a freelancer. But here are some important tips that you must know before you send cold emails to your clients.

• First, and the most important thing, do not share cold emails with a generic email address like (yourname@gmail.com). It looks unprofessional and has a high chance of going unnoticed or getting landed in a spam folder. 

Instead, create a professional email address with a custom domain like yourname@domainname.com. It looks professional, trustworthy, and reliable. And more importantly, it ensures email deliverability. 

Read: How to create a professional email address with examples.

• Once you are ready with your professional identity, identify specific opportunities and send a cold email with a quick insight.

For example, if you notice a website with old design elements, and being a website designer, you know how you can enhance the website with advanced animations, backgrounds, and add branded elements. You send a cold email, like:

“Your website ranks well, but a slight improvement in the website elements, like adding more branded elements and modern background effects, can give an immediate boost to your traffic as well as ranking positions. Thought, it might help.”

That means, send your outreach mails with a strategized framework that highlights your observation, a relevant solution, and your interest in helping without sounding desperate.

Step 5: Explore and find your ideal clients

Now that you have decided which channel you want to pursue, without getting too ambitious, find the clients or prospects that you feel will consider your profile, given the skillset and experience you have, and what skills they need. Also, keep in mind that even if you tailor your email pitch, most prospects might not reply because they receive dozens of similar emails every week. So, 

• Choose your ideal client instead.
• It must be a legitimate business. For instance, it may be a tech company that might have requirements similar to the skills you have. 
• Next, determine precisely who within that organization would be in charge of overseeing the service you provide. For example, connect with the HR, the designing team, services, etc.
• Once you are familiar with the business and the individual, develop a customized pitch and a comprehensive plan outlining your exact experience and skillset.

Step 6: Use your current network

Classmates who have graduated? Workers in the company where you interned? Other independent contractors with whom you've developed a professional relationship? Send brief, personalized emails to people you know that might help, explaining what you do while briefly outlining the kind of clientele you are seeking. 

If you get a gig, remember to send a note of thanks and regards via email or message. You can even give them a ‘finder's fee’, if already agreed upon.

Step 7: Create content about your services, if possible

Establishing your authority in your services will be easier the more you discuss and promote it. Launch a YouTube channel, podcast, blog, and more. Create content that serves your potential clients, and not your competitors.

Step 8: Make it easier to approach you

Make the purchasing or communication process as easy as possible for them. Your customers are more likely to stick around as long-term clients if they can do business with you more easily. 

Reduce the amount of time that customers must wait to do business with you. Those who call to place orders, ask inquiries, or file complaints should receive prompt service. 

Sustaining Growth and Expanding Clientele As A Freelancer

It's only the beginning, but closing your first client or your first few is surely a milestone. Remember, this growth must be maintained. Over time, be sure that your pricing and quality justify your efforts. 

Here are some strategies for finding freelance clients and maintaining your progress.

1. Make a website for your portfolio of freelance work

Earlier, presenting your abilities to prospective clients or companies was mainly performed through physical portfolios. But that is not the only option today. 

As an online freelancer, you can provide digital samples of your work to clients by creating a beautiful portfolio website, where you can showcase all your finest work most efficiently. To create a portfolio website, you can use tools like Neo Sites portfolio website builder.   

You can also go through the top free online portfolio website templates, which you can customize it according to your requirements. 

By creating a portfolio website, you help prospective clients to discover and remember your services for upcoming projects and strengthen your professional brand. 

2. Regularly update your website with new projects

One of the best ways to attract more clients and grow your digital presence is by regularly adding work to your website and portfolio. As your portfolio grows, so does your strong presence, while the work gains traction from customers. 

3. Ask for more work

Find out if past customers have any upcoming projects for you by sending out professional business emails and newsletters. Get in touch with clients for whom you have delivered successful work or projects. They might give you a chance again if they liked your services. But, if the client declines your request for more work, do not push more or sound too desperate; thanks and leave them with a good note. You can always ask them again later.

4. Provide top-notch work

While building long-term client relationships via freelancing, the quality of your work plays a critical role. Focus on providing consistent, high-quality work to your clients. This shows your reliability and demonstrates that you take your business seriously. Being able to call a client a repeat business partner shows that your work makes them look good to their superiors.

5. Communicate clearly and frequently

Whenever you get a project, always remember to keep clear communication with your client regarding any queries, doubts, payments, or services. Always respond to clients’ requests, keep them informed of your progress regularly, and make sure to ask for feedback after you complete and submit the project. You can use the feedback for making improvements in your services, or attach in your portfolios in client success stories sections.

6. Deal with difficulties with grace

There will always be challenges in a partnership. Disputes, scope changes, new deadlines, and budgetary constraints are some of the issues that you might face during your freelancing journey. But how you respond to them will determine your ability to achieve success. Stay professional, listen to your client’s concerns and be a part of the solution. 

7. Collaborate with organizations to white label your offerings

Another efficient way to get clients as a freelancer is through white labelling. While labelling means that while you do the actual work, the agency does the signing. An agency splitting the profit is a downside, but a positive is that the work involved in finding clients, sales calls, or client-facing work is eliminated.

How and Where To Locate Long-Term Independent Clients?

As a freelancer, finding clients requires a combination of proactive research and positioning oneself for discovery. Here are a few tips that can help:

1. Inbound marketing and social media

Build long-lasting clients through social platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. These platforms allow you to showcase your work and connect and remain relevant by engaging in conversations with influencers in your area of interest. It is important to understand that time and effort are required to show your expertise and build your visibility through social channels. Your platform can become profitable in the long run.

2. Suggestions and references 

Working for one client can get you more work. Ask for testimonials from clients, and encourage them to refer you to others if they appreciate and like your project or services. A positive comment or a solid reference from one client acts as a strong base for attracting new clients.

3. Events for networking

For finding loyal clients, attend industry conventions, meetings, and other networking events. They offer the opportunity to create a lasting impact and build personal relationships.

4. Platforms for freelance jobs

Sites like Fiverr, Freelancer, and Upwork can be a wonderful place to start. Long-term projects are among the many gig postings they provide. Building a solid reputation and profile, however, can take time, and competition can be fierce. But as you grow, gig by gig, each task typically adds up to your portfolio and experience, thus creating a foundation to help you find more clients.

A Better Positioning Helps Find the Right Freelance Clients

Finding clients as a freelancer can be challenging, and especially keeping them for the long term can be difficult, with so much competition. But, by learning the right skills, creating an authentic digital presence with a stunning portfolio website and a professional email address, and using the right channels can help you discover clients who would like to work with you for the long term. 

FAQs

1. How much time does it actually take to acquire your first customer?

It depends on your skills, experience, and using the right channels for finding your customers. It also depends on how you pitch yourself, network, and present tangible evidence of your work to the clients. Some clients may like to work with you immediately, while others may test you for your skills and then ask you to work with them.

2. Does getting freelance clients really require a website?

Although you can begin without one, a well-designed website quickly establishes credibility. A well-maintained portfolio website allows potential customers to view your prior work, comprehend your offerings, and gain confidence before speaking with you.

3. How can I differentiate myself in a crowded market full of freelancers?

Instead of displaying general talents, use your website and portfolios to demonstrate how you address specific challenges, clearly convey your accomplishments, and define your specialization.

4. How can freelancers expand more quickly with the use of website builders?

Modern website builders help design websites and portfolios by using the power of AI. These websites do not require any coding and are easy to design and quick to launch. Freelancers can build stunning, customised websites that showcase their work, services, and attract and engage customers beyond their target customers.  

5. Which is the better approach for novices: direct outreach or platforms?

Both are important. Platforms assist you in getting started, but as you advance, direct outreach offers you greater communication, control and better-paying chances.

‍