When you decide to pursue freelance work, you might not have a clue how to actually find clients.
This post originally appeared onOkDork.
They build a website that talks about their expertise.
They set up their social media profiles and start promoting themselves.
They wait for clients to come to them.
When it’s laid out like that, you’ve got the option to see the obvious flaws.
And yet, this is how a lot of freelancers try tostart working for themselves.
They think that simply being good at what they do is enough to have clients knocking on their door.
But you should probably be more than good to get attention.
Send them a quick email to see if you might ask them for their advice.
Can’t figure out who to ask?
Look at successful freelancer’s websites and go to their client list.
That’s a whole variety of folks that have hired someone to do what you do.
You aren’t trying to steal anyone’s clients, you just want to ask them a couple questions.
How’d they find out about the freelancer they hired?
What problems where they having that led them to hiring a freelancer?
What are the results they expected from hiring a freelancer?
Ask at least five to ten people to establish a good baseline.
Frank wants to work for legal firms that value a progressive online presence.
This is Frank’s website (obviously just an example).
His tag-line is very non-specific and doesn’t state what he’s trying to accomplish.
Lets say Frank notices one firm has recently redesigned their site.
What lead you to hiring someone to redesign your website?
What results did you expect?
How did you find the web designer you hired and why did you hire them?
Our website was outdated and we weren’t able to update it ourselves.
Most of our clients also visit our site from mobile devices and it wasn’t responsive.
We found Paul (the designer) because he answered a question we had on twitter.
After seeing his portfolio and feeling like his style was a match for our brand, we hired him.
This works for everything from writing to design to development.
Be brief (just a few sentences).
Be specific (no more than three questions).
I’ve used a freelancer who does a good job at following directions.
Notice how none mentioned price.
None mentioned specific programming abilities, responsiveness or trends (like flat design or parallax whatever).
These business people want a web designer that positively impacts their bottom line and drives more business for them.
These are obviously specific examples for web designers, but it applies toanytype of freelancing.
Do the research, understand what your potential clients want and use that when pitching and marketing your work.
No existing clients or experience in your industry required!
One may be luck or a family friend (thanks mom!).
A few clients means you’ve established a base of people who’ll give you money for your expertise.
Here are a few ideas on how to get those first few clients:
1.
Offer Your Take on an Existing Product
This is particularly useful for designers.
it’s possible for you to see some exampleshere,here,here, andhere.
Which site should you redesign?
Focus on a site the throw in of client you want to be hired by uses the most.
Second, you’re showing that you have specific ideas to make someone else’s business better.
Utilize Job Boards
TryWe Work Remotely,Authentic Jobs,Smashing Jobs,Elance,Krop, and evenFiverr.
In the beginning, become a fire-hose of pitches.
Lead with solvingtheirproblem and not boasting about your skills.
Everyone’s gotta start somewhere.
Side note: When I started my rates were quite low.
When you start out you don’t a huge connection.
This is useful if they have future work or even others they can refer you to.
Use Your Existing Contacts
Fellow graduated classmates?
Employees from the place you interned?
Other freelancers you’ve established some rapport with?
you might even offer them a “finders fee” if their lead lands you a gig.
Check out my portfolio here (list free sites or personal projects).
Be brief, make it easy for them to say yes with a finders fee.
Talk to Other Freelancers in Your Field
These people aren’t necessarily your competitionthey’re your community.
There are countless networking events online and in real life.
A good way to make connections with industry peers is to show how helpful you are.
Where do you find them?
Social media, networking events, professional organizations (likeAIGAfor designers) and associations (like theFreelancers Union).
If you went to school for what you’re freelancing in, then keep in touch with classmates.
And keep in touch with past coworkers.
Find out Where the People You Want to Work for Spend Their Time
Networking events?
Find them, go to those places and start conversations.
Be helpful, not pushy or sales-y.
Create Diverse Content and Make Yourself Known
You aren’t a writer if you aren’t writing.
You’re not a photographer if you’re just buying fancy camera gear.
Too many freelancers focus their content on their own industrycreate content that benefits your potential clients.
If clients ask for the same things (i.e.
What are some quick fixes clients could make to their business, based on your expertise?
What are some success stories or case studies from work you’ve done?
What resources can you share with clients?
What books can be recommend?
How would I pitch someone on doing a free site, for example?
I’ve noticed a few charities I believe in had mediocre websites, so I offered my services.
I’ve donated to you for the past couple years because I know you do awesome work.
Can we setup a call next Tuesday (or whenever works for you), if you’re interested?
Working for free is tricky, but has it’s place.
You have to cautious and strategic when working for nothing.
Just because the project is free doesn’t mean that your experience and expertise shouldn’t be considered.
Also ensure you ask for a testimonial from them once the job is finished.
These can be a great showcase of your skills and vision.
I got my first job from a personal project.
I created (at the time) the world’s largest online slang dictionary.
This got the attention of an agency who then begged me to work for them.
If you’re a designer, write a how-to that explains how designers can make the project run smoother.
If you’re a developer, build a quick app that helps people accomplish a task faster.
These products can be sold, but if you’re starting out, give them away for free.
Make an email course, a printable PDF, even a web app.
If you could build something of value, people will start using it and talking about it.
Consider these examples: My friend Nate Kontny createdDraft, a simple writing tool.
Partner up with a developer to offer a bigger solution.
Partner up with a designer so you’ve got the option to write the content.
Although I know my way around WordPress, I can’t write an app from scratch.
I also have a list of writers I trust to get my clients to hire.
I know writing makes or breaks websites and I know the difference a professional makes.
So I always suggest experienced writers to all my design clients and they often hire them.
Spend time each day researching companies that fit the profile.
Introduce yourself to them.
Even if they don’t hire you, they now know your name.
How do you pick a niche to focus on?
Think about these questions:
What industry do you actually use products from or enjoy?
What industry hires freelancers with skills like yours?
What industry would you enjoy networking in and actually being a part of?
I asked him: “Do you hang out with real estate agents?”
He answered: “Well, no.”
I continued: “Do you like going to real estate conferences, trade shows, and workshops?”
Again he replied: “No.
I’ve never gone to anything like that.
I’m a software developer.”
People are impressed with anyone that’s done their homework.
I’ve used a similar technique for decades.
I also show them that I’ve done my research about their company and know how I can help.
A recent client of mine was a writer, editor and writing coach who needed a new website.
I told them to her on the phone, but I also documented them.
I’ve done this on my own site and increased signups by 50%.
Your homepage is 24 paragraphs without headings or breaks.
There was plenty more, but you get the idea.
Even if you don’t have that data, you’re free to always find industry data online.
you might also use those people you interviewed as leads for referrals.
Once you’ve put up a website, get in touch with them again.
Perhaps they’ve got a friend or colleague who could use your services?
Is it a lot of work?Yes.
Image adapted fromOpenClips(Pixabay) andBloomDesign(Shutterstock).
Photos byPaul Inkles(Flickr) andDierk Schaefer(Flickr).
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