While 25% of freelancers can find work immediately, many still feel overwhelmed by the prospect of finding clients and maintaining a profitable business.
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways for freelancers to get clients, ranging from cold outreach to getting out of your comfort zone and making connections.
Here are 5 effective ways to get clients.
Market Your Portfolio
Your portfolio showcases your skill and style while allowing potential clients to connect with the best of your work.
Marketing your portfolio is a great way to find new clients for your freelance business, especially for creative freelance jobs.
To create your portfolio, curate 2-3 pieces of your best work or create a few samples that showcase your skill.
Once you have your portfolio, submit it to a relevant portfolio site and promote it as much as you can to attract potential clients.
Read More: Tips to Find Home-Based Freelancers for Your Projects
Respond to Request for Proposals (RFP)
An RFP is used by some agencies, including the government, to announce a project and request bids from freelancers interested in completing the project.
Freelancers will then submit a proposal for consideration.
A great way to get more clients is to search for RFPs in your industry and submit a proposal to bid on the contract.
There are several ways to find new RFPs, both free and paid. Choose the best option for you and start searching!
Tip: Need help responding to an RFP? Check out this blog for tips on crafting a contract-winning response.
Blog for Your Business
Did you know freelancers who blog get 55% more traffic than those who don’t?
When you blog to promote your freelance business, you increase brand awareness and create trust between you and your potential clients by providing useful content.
In a nutshell, one of the best ways to get clients now is to start blogging for your freelance business.
Get Social
Networking is a great way to create real connections, find potential clients and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.
There are many ways to network online and off, including:
- Meetups
- Conferences
- Virtual coffee chats
- Facebook groups
The most effective way to network is to join groups that are relevant to your business. Are you a content writer for small businesses? Join a meetup or a Facebook group for small business owners.
Note: it’s important to follow the rules of the group instead of jumping right in and promoting your business.
By showing up consistently and providing value, you will have clients coming to you without needing to constantly promote.
Read More: Ways to Make More Money as a Freelancer
Use Cold Outreach…The Right Way
Many think of cold emailing as an intrusive, spammy practice, but when done right, cold emailing can help you grow your business by leaps and bounds.
However, there is an art to cold emailing. Rather than email the same, bland template to 1000’s of people, consider following these tips:
- Craft a compelling subject line.
- Make sure your email is interesting, personal and relevant to the recipient.
- Include proof to back up your claims.
- Make it easy to respond.
Tip: Always stay GDPR compliant when cold emailing.
How to Get Clients as a Freelancer: The Bottom Line
By implementing and perfecting a few of these strategies, you will find it much easier to get clients for your freelance business. Don’t forget to bookmark our site and never miss a post.
