4 Tips To Land Your First Client As A Freelancer

Starting something new often brings a mix of excitement and a little intimidation—and freelancing is no exception. After sending out multiple applications, you might find yourself wondering, “How do I land my first client when everyone seems to want someone with experience?” But remember that all freelancers, even the most successful ones, had their fair share of struggles finding those first few clients.

With the right strategies, patience, and determination, you’ll eventually land your first client as a freelancer and build momentum. Here are four practical steps to help you make a strong first impression, secure your first client, and excel in your chosen path.

Identify Your Niche

Before you start offering services to clients, you should first determine what you can bring to the table. Particularly, what can you provide that others cannot or cannot do well? To help find your niche, think about what you love doing the most or what you want to explore. Who do you intend to help, and how will you specifically help them?

For instance, if you are passionate about graphic design, how about focusing on logo designs for startups? If you enjoy creating catchy packaging designs, why not do it for e-commerce brands? Perhaps you love designing websites for food and beverage companies. By being more specific about your services, you can set yourself apart from other freelancers.

Aside from assessing your skills and interests, make sure to research the market as well. What are the current trends? What do your target clients want and need? Read reviews and forums to understand common pain points and client expectations. While waiting for freelancing opportunities, be productive by completing free online courses. Doing so will help hone your skills and boost your portfolio.

Build Your Network

Shifting from a full-time job to freelancing can be scary and overwhelming. Fortunately, you can start with your existing network. In fact, 43% of freelancers have found work through family and friends. Tell your former colleagues and managers that you have also transitioned to freelancing and would appreciate any referral for some projects. The good thing about reaching out to these people is they already know your skills and work ethic, so they can confidently recommend you to potential clients.

In addition to tapping into your existing network, join conferences, webinars, networking events, and even local ones. After participating in different industry events, follow up by connecting with those people on LinkedIn. Send them a message referencing your conversation at the gathering to strengthen your connection. You might also want to try coworking spaces to strike up conversations that might lead to your first freelancing gig.

Maximize Social Media

Beyond chatting with friends and scrolling through funny memes, social media also offers various opportunities for freelancers. Follow experts in the field and continue to engage in their content. Join freelance groups on Meta to learn from other freelancers and find job posts. You might also want to create a separate profile for your freelance services.

Whether you are a photographer, event planner, or web developer, Instagram and TikTok are great platforms to showcase your skills. Use appropriate hashtags to find potential clients. Joining contests in your niche also helps build your online presence and obtain potential referrals. You get to work with real clients and even learn from fellow freelancers. Whether you win or not, you have something to add to your portfolio.

Don’t forget to optimize your LinkedIn profile as well. Keep the summary concise and impactful, and complete all the necessary sections of your profile. Using relevant keywords helps enhance visibility. LinkedIn’s search features also let you find freelance work in your niche. To help attract new leads, create both short-form and long-form content.

Leverage Freelance Platforms

You can choose from various freelance projects on Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, Toptal, and other platforms. Keep your profile photo professional and your headline concise but catchy. Crafting your proposals according to the client’s needs and preferences also increases your chances of winning bids. Even if you land smaller projects, give them your best effort to receive positive feedback. Who knows? It might be the beginning of a long-term partnership with your client!

Also, do not think about the rate just yet. Once you build trust and credibility, you can slowly adjust your rates based on your experience and expertise. Focus on delivering quality work and communicating effectively so your client base and freelancing career will grow from there.

Being a freelancer takes a lot of courage, and the journey can be challenging. But with the right mindset and approach, you can enjoy a rewarding career. Get noticed by establishing your niche, growing your network, and taking advantage of various social media and freelancing platforms. Most importantly, let your work speak for you. Rooting for you!