How to Find Freelance Clients

We know just how hard it can be in the current economy to find new clients but we don’t want you to lose hope! Our team at Freelancing Females have been in the freelance game for years and we aren’t gatekeepers, so this week we’ve collected a few tips to help you and your business thrive no matter what’s happening in the world!

Master Networking:

You might hear this a lot, however, networking both online and offline is essential. How do I network effectively you may ask? This is a great question. We’ve found connecting with people in your industry through social media, forums, local events, businesses, industry community groups, LinkedIn and our very own FF Slack channel is a great way to expand your network and nurture leads. While you’re nurturing new connections, it is crucial not to forget your personal network! This can be a valuable resource, you never know, referrals from friends and family could lead to new opportunities.

Cast Your Net Wide to Start: 

Initially, you may need to be open to a wider range of opportunities, even those that seem less than ideal. This can increase your chances of landing your first few clients, which is crucial for building your portfolio and reputation. When we started we would take on a broad number of projects not only to build our portfolio but to see what we really enjoyed working on. Once you’ve completed a few projects, you can really begin to niche down.

Create a Standout Profile on Freelance Platforms:

Your portfolio is effectively your storefront, it’s just like a brick-and-mortar business you would walk into. Make sure your profile showcases your skills and previous work effectively. We love to include case studies, what results we created and the service we provided so clients can get a clear vision of what it’s like to work with you. When you’re pitching, remember to tailor your proposals to each project to demonstrate your understanding of the client’s needs.

Understand and Navigate Competition:

Your ‘competitors’ can give you the best industry insights! Have a look at their socials, portfolio, service offerings and rates (you can also check out our rate sheet). This can help guide you on what you should be charging and how to best optimise your website and socials. Use this market research to differentiate yourself and highlight your unique selling points.

Optimize Your Online Presence:

Remember to optimise your website with SEO so clients can find you easily. If you don’t have SEO experience, you can post a job for free on our jobs board and hire a fellow FF to help you. A professional website or portfolio that showcases your work can attract clients organically, so make sure your online profiles are up-to-date and reflect your expertise - this is a reminder to us as well! Don’t neglect your social media presence either! While it may seem like a pain to keep up, lots of clients will also check for social presence. We like to use our social media channels to show off our previous work and show off our expertise by making content related to our industry.

Offer High-Quality Services and Excellent Customer Service:

Client referrals are a great way to keep a steady stream of work coming into your business. Delivering quality work and providing great service, will leave clients raving about you to other businesses which can lead to repeat business and referrals. When working remotely, we always recommend over-communicating with clients about the work you’re getting done. This will help your client feel as though their work is a priority to you and keep them in the loop with the project's progress.

Use Freelance Marketplaces and Job Boards:

Freelance communities, marketplaces and jobs boards are great places to look for businesses that hire freelancers. We love to keep an eye on these boards even when our client roster is full and take note of businesses hiring our services and connect with them via LinkedIn. That way when you have an opening in your calendar you can start prospecting companies you know work with freelancers.

Attend Industry Events and Conferences:

This one is spoken about a lot, however attending events helps people get to know you, and at the end of the day, people buy into people. They also serve as great opportunities to network, learn about the latest trends, and obviously meet potential clients. One way to keep in the know about industry events is by joining industry groups online.

Provide Value and Be Proactive:

Always go beyond what’s expected by offering valuable insights and solutions to your clients and prospects. Being proactive in your approach can set you apart from the competition. First impressions count, so being prompt and following through on your word is crucial for winning clients.

Remember, patience and persistence are key. It might take time to build up your client base, but by consistently applying these strategies, you’ll land your dream clients and continue growing your freelance business. Good luck FF’s!