Navigating the freelance world can be challenging, especially when it comes to securing clients. Without clients, your business can't thrive, making it essential to develop effective strategies for finding and retaining them. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your client base, these methods will help you attract clients and grow your freelance career in design.
Freelance Marketplaces are Not the Solution
Freelance marketplaces may seem like an easy way to find work, but they have significant drawbacks:
Marketplaces are saturated with freelancers, making it hard to stand out.
High fees significantly reduce your earnings. As high as 15% from your earnings.
For new freelancers, it often becomes a race to the bottom in terms of pricing.
Creating a profile on these platforms can be a good starting point, but it’s not a sustainable strategy for finding high-quality clients. Use them as a supplementary option rather than your primary method of client acquisition.
Start with Your Existing Network
One of the easiest ways to get clients is to tap into your existing social and family circles:
Inform them about your freelance venture.
They might not need your services themselves, but they probably know someone who does.
Your network can become your initial client base, providing a solid foundation for your portfolio.
Sharing your new freelance business with friends and family serves multiple purposes:
It helps you refine your pitch as you explain your services to people who may not be familiar with your field.
These conversations extend your reach to their networks, multiplying your potential client base.
Don’t forget about your connections on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Reaching out to former employers is another effective strategy, as many freelancers find their first clients among people they have worked with in the past.
Build Relationships with Other Freelancers
Other freelancers should be seen as allies rather than competitors. As mentioned in a previous article, Twitter can be a great place to start genuinely building relationship by following other designers and interacting with them. You can then focus on:
Building relationships with freelancers who offer complementary services can be highly beneficial.
Offer to subcontract for other freelancers when they are overwhelmed with work or need to outsource specific tasks.
Create referral programs where you pay a small commission for clients referred to you by other freelancers.
Collaborating with other freelancers can lead to comprehensive project offerings that neither of you could provide alone. These professional relationships can be highly rewarding and lead to steady work.
Utilize Social Networking
Before diving into social media, focus on defining your unique brand and story. As mentioned during our last Designer Talk, focusing on your story can lead to building au audience and attracting clients:
Position yourself as an expert in your field by sharing your knowledge and insights online.
Utilize platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to promote your services and engage with potential clients.
Creating and sharing informative videos on YouTube or other platforms can help establish your authority and attract clients. Writing blog posts that provide value and demonstrate your expertise is another effective way to build your reputation.
Don’t limit yourself to one social media platform:
Instagram is great for showcasing visual work.
LinkedIn and Twitter help you reach a broader audience.
Joining Facebook groups related to your industry can also be valuable for connecting with potential clients and showcasing your work.
Email marketing is another powerful tool:
Create a mailing list of contacts and send out regular updates about your services.
This keeps you top-of-mind and can lead to direct inquiries from interested clients.
Meet People in Person
Stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting people face-to-face can significantly boost your freelance business:
Identify where your ideal clients are likely to be, such as industry events, conferences, and networking meetups.
Bring samples of your work and business cards to share your expertise with potential clients.
Networking in person allows you to build genuine connections that can lead to long-term client relationships. Joining a co-working space is another way to meet fellow freelancers and potential clients. Even if you’re naturally introverted, making the effort to attend events and meet people in person can help your business grow.
Make It Easy for People to Connect with You
In today’s globalized work environment, it’s crucial to make it easy for clients to communicate, onboard, and collaborate with you:
Tools like Sorbet facilitates converting leads from your social media and personal network into client engagements.
The link-in-bio experience allow any leads on your socials to find you and contact you.
From there you can set the project’s contract and the clients can fund each milestone upfront for full security.
Once you deliver, you receive payment instantly into your bank account, no fees, no delays.
By making the connection process straightforward and secure, you enhance transparency.
Ready to empower your workflow? Sign up for the beta to enjoy:
⚡️ Instant Payments: Enjoy the simplicity of instant payments from clients worldwide.
🌟 Keep Every Penny: 0% freelancer fee means more money in your pocket.
🔒 Secure Your Income: Escrow protects your earnings, releasing them after each milestones.
🌻 Exclusive Early Access: Be among the first to experience the future of freelancing.
Join the beta ➡️ Sign Up!
Step into the future of freelancing with Sorbet, and be part of a community that's shaping the industry.
Shaping the future of freelancing, one gig at a time 🌐
