6 ways to find your first client as a freelancer

Finding your first clients as a freelancer isn’t as daunting as you might think. All it takes is a little bit of effort and our helpful tips, of course! From where to find clients to navigating freelancer platforms, keep reading for great ways to find clients for your new freelancing gig.

Tip #1:  Ask people you know

You might feel uncomfortable pitching your work to your family and friends, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right? Don’t be afraid to have a chat with your loved ones about what you’re doing because you never know whose details they might pass along for some work. 

When you’re talking to your network about your new freelancing gig, try to be as specific as possible about what you do. Avoid saying things like, ‘I’m a freelance marketer.’ Instead, try saying that you help companies get more clients by creating exciting email newsletters. That way, the next time they hear a friend lament about their lack of clients, they’ll pass your details along!

Do: 

• Be specific about the work that you do and how you can help.
• Give your family and friends keywords to listen out for so they can easily refer a friend.

Don’t: 

• Make vague statements about what you’re doing. 
• Be afraid to share your exciting new venture with your friends, family, and previous colleagues.
  

Tip #2: Use freelancing platforms

Joining an online freelance platform is one of the best things you can do when you’re looking for ways to find clients as a freelancer. However, with so many different platforms out there, it can be difficult to know which one is best for you.

Big platforms like Fiverr and Upwork might have a lot more jobs on offer, but they’re also extremely competitive spaces and take a sizable chunk out of your earnings. Fiverr takes a 20% cut of everything you earn, and Upwork charges a service fee of 20% for the first $500 you earn, 10% for anything after that, and 5% for any amount over $10,000. 

Other platforms might have a smaller range of jobs available, but they often have a better sense of community and you’re more likely to be able to stand out. Plus, their pricing might be a bit more digestible–for example, Unicorn Factory only charges a simple monthly fee.

Do:

• Research the different freelancing platforms out there. Look at what you get and what they charge to decide which one is right for you.
• Make an effort to ensure your portfolio is always up to date and will help you stand out from the crowd.
• Connect with your peers to see which platform they use and would recommend.

Don’t:

• Sign up to a platform without understanding how it works.
• Build a profile and expect leads to roll in. You’ll need to put in work to perfect your portfolio and stand out from the crowd.
• Put yourself on several platforms at once. Choose one to start with while you get off the ground.

Tip #3: Volunteer your services

When you first start out as a freelancer and you’re looking for clients, volunteering can be a great way to get the ball rolling, provided that you do get something out of it. Too many freelancers are taken advantage of when they first start out, so make sure that you’re not devaluing your work. 

Think about the type of client you’d love to work with, and reach out to one who fits the bill. Offer your services in exchange for a testimonial or a referral and you’re off! If there’s a really great cause you want to get behind, you could also look to sharpen your skills on work for that organisation to build your portfolio.

Do:

• Be clear about your expectations. Explain that you’ll do one particular project or task for a written testimonial–one that’s at least a few sentences long with specific details about you and your work.
• Use your time wisely. It can be easy to spend more time getting something right, but remember, this isn’t paid work.

Don’t: 

• Allow the client to get more work out of you than what was agreed at the start.
• Be afraid to ask for more detail if the client gives you a generic one-liner as a testimonial. 

Tip #4: Become an authority in your circles

Attracting new clients as a freelancer doesn’t need to be a hard-sell approach. If you’re a bit uncomfortable reaching out directly, try creating something of value that you can send to your existing contacts (these can include family, friends, past colleagues, and that friendly freelancer you met last month).

Think of a resource that relates to your work and might be valuable for a potential client. For example, if you’re a copywriter, it could be a blog on how to write an engaging social post, or a short list of great blog topics they could download and use.  

Once you’ve got your resource set up, create a simple email template (you could always call on a fellow freelancer to help), add in your resource, and send away! You never know what could come out of it, but at the very least, you’re positioning yourself as an expert in your field.  

The below emails are a fantastic example of the kinds of content you can create and send.

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Do: 

• Keep your email newsletter simple and easy to understand.
• Ensure that your resource is something a potential client would want to read and/or use.
• Enlist the help of an expert to help you build an email template or write copy if you need.

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Don’t: 

• Spend too much time creating and designing your resource and the email. 
• Give away too much in your resource. The idea is to give them something to use and have come to you if they have questions or need more in-depth help.

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Tip #5: Build your network

The idea of networking has some freelancers bubbling with excitement, while others turn pale and search for the nearest bathroom. Whatever your inclination, there are so many great ways you can find new clients through networking, and some don’t even require you to leave your house. 

If you thrive on in-person contact and social gatherings, an industry event might be right up your alley when it comes to finding new clients. Keep an eye out on sites like EventBrite for the latest events in your area, or if there aren’t any, create one yourself! You could also deliver a workshop to local businesses to get your name out there.

For those who prefer their own company, all isn’t lost–you too can find new clients by networking in a way that’s a bit less stressful. Keep an eye out for online events or webinars like the monthly online workshops hosted by Unicorn Factory. Some organisations, such as female freelance club CoolWowCollective, even offer online co-working spaces where you can work with others from the comfort of your own home. 

Do: 

• Sign up for industry news so you can be across any events happening in your area.
• Check sites like EventBrite regularly for in-person and online networking events.
• Get in touch with your local co-working space for a tour.

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Don’t: 

• Dive into promoting yourself right away. Get to know other people and what they do too.
• Overwhelm yourself with events just because you think it’s the ‘right’ thing to do as a freelancer.
• Forget to bring along something that will help others stay in touch with you. Virtual business cards like the ones made by V1ce or Mobilo are ideal!

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Tip #6: Collaborate with other freelancers

Building relationships with freelancers in your industry is a great way to share knowledge and skills. Plus, when their calendars are full or a potential client doesn’t quite fit their particular service, they can recommend you as someone they know and trust. You can also work together with other freelancers on bigger projects; just make sure you all know the ground rules about payment percentages and who’s doing what.

Collaborating with freelancers outside of your industry is also important when it comes to building a client base. That’s because you can deliver so much more for your clients when you work with people who have different strengths. For example, graphic designers often partner with website specialists and copywriters to create websites that really pack a punch. 

Do:

• Reach out to other freelancers in your industry to grow your knowledge and skills. 
• Stay in touch with a few key freelancer contacts that can help you offer extra services to your clients.
• Have a solid agreement that outlines who is doing what, how payment works, and what kind of referrals you expect.

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Don’t: 

• Assume that because other freelancers are friendly, you won’t have any issues with them. It pays to protect yourself and set clear expectations in writing from the start.
• Continue to give referrals to your freelancer connections if they aren’t referring others to you. 

We love welcoming new freelancers onto our platform and providing them with a friendly and supportive community. Going out on your own is challenging, but with support from other freelancers and New Zealand's largest freelancer job board, we’re here to help.

If you’ve got a tried-and-true method of finding clients as a freelancer, let us know! We’re all about facilitating collaborations and discussions between freelancers so that everyone can learn and grow from one another.