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7 Ways to Find New Clients as a Freelancer

7 Ways to Find New Clients as a Freelancer

By Emily Numa
Aug 14, 2023
13 min read

Whether you’re just beginning your freelance journey or looking to expand your existing client base, finding new opportunities is essential for sustaining and growing your business. In this post, we’ll discuss strategies for success and show you how to find new clients.

We’ll outline the benefits of:

Cold emails
Freelance marketplaces
An online presence
Freelance societies
Your existing network
Professional development
Volunteer opportunities

Keep reading to learn more about each of these techniques and how Knowadays can help you achieve your goals.

How to Find New Clients

Below, we’ve compiled a list of seven of the best ways to source new clients to extend your reach. A combination of several (or all) of these strategies will help you diversify your client base and have the best chance of success.

1. Cold Emails

This is a time-honored method of finding new clients as a freelancer. Cold emails are emails sent to individuals or organizations whom you think would benefit from your services. They’re cold emails because they’re sent to potential clients you have no prior relationship with. They serve as an introduction as well as a sales pitch.

Following these tips to increase your chances of getting a response:

Personalize your message: Address the recipient by name (visit the company website to find the best point of contact) and reference specific details about their work or brand. Showing genuine interest in what they do can help your email stand out.
Craft a clear subject line: Keep subject lines concise and relevant, such as Quick Question About Your Recent Blog Post or Potential Collaboration Opportunity.
Keep it concise: Aim for a few short paragraphs that clearly state your purpose and the value you offer. This directness respects the recipient’s time and helps you get to the point faster.
Use a conversational tone: Write as if you’re speaking to a colleague. Avoid overly formal language to make your email more approachable.
Include a clear call-to-action (CTA): Learn how to write endings with a specific request, such as scheduling a call or replying with thoughts. This will help guide the recipient on the next steps.
Proofread before sending: Ensure your email is free of grammatical errors and typos to maintain professionalism.
Follow up thoughtfully: If you don’t receive a response after about a week, consider sending a polite follow-up. Reiterate your interest and value proposition.

Creating a cold email template can save you a lot of time. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it gives you something to customize whenever you need to send an email out. A suitable template can be something as simple as this:

For example, if you were a content writer named Jamie, a cold email could be:

2. Freelance Marketplaces

Freelance marketplaces such as Fiverr and Upwork can be a great way to get your foot in the door as a new freelancer. An online freelance marketplace is a platform for businesses or individuals to connect with freelancers. As a freelancer, you create a profile that includes reviews of your past work and a link to your portfolio. Then, potential clients can reach out to you, or you can bid on posted projects.

To optimize your profile on freelance marketplaces:

Title: Give yourself a specific, benefit-focused title that immediately tells potential clients what you can do for them. For instance, SEO-Driven Content Writer for Tech Companies instead of just Content Writer.
Overview: Begin with a strong value proposition that addresses your potential clients’ pain points and how you can solve them.
Specialized skills: In the first paragraph of your overview, highlight what sets you apart.
Keywords: Research relevant industry terms clients often use when searching for freelancers. Incorporate these naturally throughout your profile to improve visibility.

To build a well-curated portfolio:

Showcase four to six strong samples: Choose diverse yet focused examples that spotlight your best work.
Add context: Include a concise description of each project’s goals and outcomes to help clients understand your impact.
Stay current: Update your samples regularly so they reflect your evolving skills and areas of expertise.
Customize for each platform: If you use multiple marketplaces, tailor your examples to suit each audience.

Some freelance marketplaces can be competitive, which can result in lower rates. But they can also help you build relationships with businesses and even lead to long-term work.

3. An Online Presence

Most freelance work is conducted virtually these days. That means it’s important to develop your technical skills and build a solid online presence.

One of the simplest ways to start is by setting up social media pages specifically for your freelance business – separate from any personal accounts. Below are some tips for using three popular platforms effectively:

To make the most out of LinkedIn, optimize your profile with a compelling headline, clear headshot, and detailed summary. Utilize the different profile sections to showcase your work and display your portfolio and client testimonials. Engage regularly by sharing insights, commenting on industry trends, and participating in relevant groups.
To make the most out of Instagram, make sure you maintain a cohesive visual theme so your profile is instantly recognizable. Utilize unique features like Stories and Reels to share behind-the-scenes content, tutorials, and anything else prospective clients might find interesting. Interact with your community by using relevant hashtags, collaborating with other creatives, and interacting with followers to build a loyal audience.
To make the most out of X (formerly Twitter), share industry insights, news, and tips to establish subject-matter authority. Use relevant hashtags to participate in discussions and increase your visibility. And don’t forget to promote yourself! Share links to your portfolio, thought leadership blog posts, or client testimonials.

It’s also a good idea to create a professional website and online portfolio. Keeping both updated can broaden your reach and improve your ranking in Google searches – especially if you publish a regular blog on industry-related issues. Your website serves as your permanent online presence, boosts your credibility, and gives you complete control over how you present your work and services.

For your online portfolio, focus on five to ten standout projects, and include brief case studies that highlight your process and the results you achieved. Organizing these samples by category makes it easier for visitors to find what they need. Regularly updating your portfolio shows that your work is current and relevant. Add testimonials alongside each project to build social proof. If you’re not tech-savvy, don’t worry – many website-building platforms can help you create a professional, user-friendly site with minimal effort.

4. Freelance Societies

Freelance groups or societies are communities that bring together freelancers within the same industry. They offer opportunities for networking and mentorship, and some organize professional development events, such as conferences or workshops, for their members.

In addition to these benefits, freelance societies can be a great way to find new clients. Most freelance societies maintain an updated internal job board and/or send a weekly newsletter to their members detailing freelance opportunities.

There are lots of different freelance societies out there. To give you a taste of what’s available, here are five examples from different niches:

ACES: The Society for Editing: Based in the United States, ACES sets professional standards for editors and proofreaders. It offers training courses, resources, and a community for editorial professionals to enhance their skills and credibility.
National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE): As a professional organization that supports freelance writers and editors, the NAIWE offers members a personal website, access to virtual training, career development events, and inclusion in a searchable database to enhance visibility and networking opportunities.
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA): The ASJA is a membership organization for independent nonfiction writers. It provides networking opportunities, professional development resources, and advocacy for freelance journalists and authors.
Graphic Artists Guild (GAG): The GAG supports creative professionals in graphic design, illustration, and animation by offering resources like the Pricing & Ethical Guidelines handbook, advocacy for artists’ rights, and educational events to help members build successful careers.
American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP): This is a premier trade association for photographers and filmmakers, providing education on business practices, promoting photographers’ rights, and connecting professionals with clients.

5. Your Existing Network

When you’re just starting out as a freelancer, try leveraging your existing network for warm leads. A warm lead is someone who has shown interest in your product or service – or is connected to someone who has – and could be a potential client or customer.

You may already know someone who’s looking for a freelancer with your expertise. So, get the word out to friends and family about your business. Even if you don’t currently know anyone in need of your services, your network can be a great source of word-of-mouth recommendations.

Here are a few ways you can fully utilize your existing network:

Announcements: Craft a thoughtful message announcing your services. Be specific about what you offer and the types of clients you’re seeking. This can be shared as a post on your social media accounts or via email.
Former colleagues: Contact previous coworkers and supervisors who are familiar with your skills. Send personalized messages explaining what you do and how you might help their current organizations or friends.
Alumni connections: Tap into school and university networks through alumni groups or platforms. These built-in communities often prefer working with fellow alumni and can provide warm introductions.
Business cards: Design professional business cards and consider featuring a QR code that links directly to your portfolio or website. Hand these out at networking events, coworking spaces, and even casual social gatherings.
Friends and family: Explicitly ask those closest to you to recommend your services when relevant opportunities arise in conversation. Offer to demonstrate your work to them in a casual setting and provide them with simple language they can use to describe what you do.
Referral incentive program: Offer existing clients discounts or complimentary services for referring new business to you. Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful client acquisition methods.
Network-exclusive rates: Create special introductory rates or packages exclusively for your network connections and their direct referrals to incentivize early support.
Personalized check-ins: Reach out individually to relevant contacts you haven’t spoken with recently, genuinely asking about their situation before mentioning your services.

6. Professional Development

Continuing professional development as a freelancer has a lot of benefits, such as the opportunity to network, upskill, and earn additional certifications. But did you know it can also help you find new clients? Besides enhancing your skillset, professional development can be a valuable marketing tool. Clients are more likely to trust and hire professionals who invest the time and effort to stay competitive.

You can use your participation in workshops, certifications, or advanced training programs as a way to distinguish yourself from competitors and attract potential clients. While some of these resources have been mentioned before, here are some ways to find out about such opportunities:

Online research: Follow industry blogs, newsletters, and websites that regularly announce workshops, webinars, and certification programs relevant to your field. Set up Google Alerts for keywords related to training in your specialty.
Freelance societies: Join organizations like the ones mentioned above. Some of them offer member-exclusive training and certification programs. These associations often maintain calendars of upcoming development opportunities.
LinkedIn connections and groups: Utilize your LinkedIn network by following industry leaders who share learning opportunities and join specialized groups where members post about upcoming workshops and courses. Enable notifications for training-related posts.
Personal and professional network: Reach out to colleagues, former classmates, and mentors to ask about valuable training they’ve completed. Many will share information about programs that might not be widely advertised but provide significant benefits.
Conference calendars: Review annual schedules of major industry conferences, which often include pre-conference workshops and certification opportunities alongside the main event.
Educational platforms: Create accounts on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning that will send personalized recommendations for courses matching your professional interests.
Local business development centers: Check with your city’s small business development center, chamber of commerce, or economic development office, which frequently offer free or subsidized professional training for local entrepreneurs.
Software and tool providers: Visit the websites of software and tools you regularly use professionally, as many offer certification programs and specialized training to help users maximize their products.
Social media communities: Follow relevant hashtags on X and Instagram or join Facebook and Reddit groups focused on your industry. Members frequently share upcoming learning opportunities in those communities.
Alumni associations: Contact your college or university’s alumni office, as many educational institutions offer continuing education opportunities and professional development exclusively for graduates.
Client industries: Research professional development offered within your clients’ industries to gain specialized knowledge that helps you better serve their specific needs while networking with potential new clients.

7. Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering your freelance services can be an excellent way to strengthen your portfolio, give back to your community, and even uncover new client opportunities. By showcasing your skills in a real-world context, you’ll not only gain valuable experience but also create the kind of visibility that can lead to paid work. Below are a few examples of how freelancers in different fields can volunteer and benefit from it:

As a writer, you could volunteer to create blog posts, social media content, or newsletters for a local nonprofit. If your writing resonates with their audience, the organization may hire you for paid projects later on. Or, recommend you to their partners.
As an editor or proofreader, you could offer to review and polish a community organization’s publications or website. Demonstrating your meticulous attention to detail can lead to word-of-mouth referrals and potential future contracts with local businesses.
As an interior designer, you could volunteer to redesign a common area in a community center or small business with a limited budget. Document the transformation in photos to enhance your portfolio; your work may attract interest from impressed stakeholders who have the funds for a larger project.
A photographer could offer to capture professional images pro bono at a charity event or festival. The organizers may hire you for future events once they’ve seen the quality of your work. Attendees could also commission you for personal or business photography needs.
As a craftsman, you could donate your services to build or repair items for a school auction or community fundraiser. Your craftsmanship will be on display, exposing your work to community members and decision-makers who can offer paid gigs or partnerships down the road.

Volunteering can connect you with people and organizations you might not have met otherwise. A successful volunteer project can generate lasting goodwill – and word-of-mouth recommendations – ultimately opening doors to paid freelance work you might not have found through traditional methods.

Attract New Freelance Clients

Whether you want to start a freelance business or brush up on your existing skills to attract new clients, we’ve got an online course that can help. Sign up for some free lessons and take the next step in your freelance career today!

Updated on April 30, 2025