7 Ways to Find New Clients as a Freelancer
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 who you think would benefit from your services. They’re cold emails because they’re sent to potential clients you have no prior relationship with, so they serve as an introduction as well as a sales pitch.
When sending a cold email, you increase your chance of a response if you personalize it as much as possible, use a conversational yet business-like tone, and keep it concise and to the point. You should also address the recipient by name (use LinkedIn or the company website to find the best point of contact).
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.
While some freelance marketplaces can be competitive (which can result in lower rates), 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, so it’s important to develop your technical skills and build an online presence. You can start by creating social media pages for your freelance business (separate from your personal ones) and creating a professional website and online portfolio. Don’t worry if you’re not a tech wizard – website-building platforms can help you design a personalized, professional, and user-friendly site.
To broaden your reach and increase the chances of showing up in Google searches, keep your website content updated and publish a regular blog on issues related to your industry.
4. Freelance Societies
Freelance groups or societies are communities that bring together freelancers within the same industry, such as freelance editors or writers. 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.
5. Your Existing Network
When you’re just starting out as a freelancer, try leveraging your existing network for warm leads. 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.
6. Professional Development
Continuing professional development as a freelancer has a lot of benefits, such as the opportunity to network, upskill, and earn additional certification. 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.
7. Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering your freelance services can be a great way to build your portfolio and help your community – and it can help you find new clients. For instance, if you volunteer to write or edit website content for a local nonprofit organization (and do well at it), it could lead to paid work with the same organization down the line.
Volunteering also provides invaluable networking opportunities, connecting you with other organizations looking to hire freelancers through positive recommendations.
Knowadays Courses
Whether you want to change careers entirely or brush up on your skills to attract new clients, check out one of our courses. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about launching your freelance business. Sign up for some free lessons and get started today!
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