Here is how to find clients as a freelancer:
- Build an outstanding portfolio
- Look for projects on freelancing platforms
- Be active on social media
- Network at local events
Before anything else, prepare a portfolio to showcase your credibility and expertise. Now, the best type of portfolio is a dedicated website that includes your service details, past projects, available hours, pricing, and contact information. When clients search for a freelancer online, they’ll appreciate a website with all the info they need.
A freelancing platform is where clients post jobs and freelancers apply to them. These platforms have advanced search filters to find projects that match your skills. You then browse through the listings and pick the ones that interest you. A report by Genius found that 70% of freelancers find work here.
Mia Juan says, as a freelancer, you must adopt a business owner mindset instead of an employee one. This is why she recommends building your brand on social media. You should be the expert. Share your knowledge and insights until it attracts potential clients. Mia says this strategy brought her lots more inquiries for her virtual assistant services.
When networking, attend industry conferences, workshops, or seminars to meet collaborators, potential clients, and other freelancers. After that, follow up with them to build relationships and explore potential opportunities. EventMB reports that 75% of freelancers gain at least one new client at local industry events.
In this article, we show you how to find consistent clients as a freelancer with these 4 strategies. We go over steps, tips, and expert advice. We also discuss why choosing a specific freelancing niche gets you more clients.
1. Build an Outstanding Freelance Portfolio
A freelance portfolio should include:
- Your name and a short bio – say who you are and what you do.
- A professional photo – Add a clear picture of yourself so viewers feel more connected to you.
- Services you offer – Clearly list all the details of what you provide.
- Samples of past work – Include examples, even from personal or practice projects.
- Client testimonials – Add testimonials, reviews, or case studies to build trust.
- Available hours – Let potential clients know when you’re usually available.
- Pricing or packages – Give potential clients a clear idea of your costs.
- Contact information – Make it easy for interested people to reach out.
- Links to social media or profiles – Share your LinkedIn, Upwork, or Instagram for people to learn more about you.
For best results, create a website and use it as your portfolio. This lets you add service pages, write blogs to showcase your expertise, and rank high on Google. You can also include tools like project booking, live chat, and forms to collect leads. These features make it easier for businesses to hire you.
If you’re not sure how to start, try a website builder like Snapps.ai. It has pre-made portfolio templates, so you can create your website quickly and easily. You won’t need to do any coding or hire a web developer. Plus, it also has built-in SEO tools and lead capture forms to help you get found and follow up with visitors.
Emily Gertenbach says testimonials are a crucial part of marketing your freelance services. You should have around 3 to 10 in your portfolio. To get them, you must first provide great services. After that, send your client a Google Form to collect their feedback. Ask for their name, business, satisfaction level, and a short quote about working with you. Emily suggests making all the fields required so they don’t skip anything. Also, she says ask open-ended questions that need real answers – not just yes or no. For example, ask “What was your favorite part of the process?” instead of “Did you enjoy working with me?”
2. Look for Projects on Freelancing Platforms
The most popular freelancing platforms are:
- Upwork. This is one of the biggest platforms. Here, you apply for projects, or clients may invite you if they like your profile. Payment is hourly or fixed price.
- Fiverr. This is great for beginners who offer simple or quick services called “gigs.” Instead of you applying for jobs, clients browse and choose freelancers. You decide how much to charge for each gig.
- Freelancer.com. This has many international clients – ideal if you want to work with people from other countries. You bid on jobs by sending proposals. Some clients also run contests where you submit work to win the project.
- FlexJobs. This offers part-time and full-time freelance jobs. It’s a paid platform, but you’re sure that job postings are hand-screened and scam-free.
- TaskRabbit. This is best for in-person freelance work like cleaning, moving, and handyman services. Clients nearby hire you based on your profile and reviews. You also apply for tasks that match your skills.
When creating your freelancing profile, fill out as many sections as possible. Then, showcase your skills, experience, reviews, and portfolio. Use a professional photo, write a compelling bio, set competitive pricing, add work samples, and use relevant keywords. Remember, you’re competing with many other freelancers in your field. So, make your profile stand out to attract potential clients.
Once your profile is complete, start looking for freelance jobs. Search for your industry in the search bar, and set it by date posted, budget, or location to find the best matches. You can even set up job alerts based on your skill set. This notifies you when new freelance projects are posted so that you’ll be one of the first to apply. If you’re using Fiverr, create gigs for clients to find you and contact you if they’re interested.
Deya says start with quick projects to get your first few testimonials on your profile. This helps you land bigger freelance jobs later. She also says to check the client’s rating or past projects to make sure they’re trustworthy. If they are, they’ll be happy to leave a review after the project. Plus, she suggests applying for job postings within 2-3 hours to secure jobs quickly.
3. Be Active On Social Media to Build a Strong Freelance Brand
The best social media platforms for freelancers are:
- LinkedIn – for business-to-business clients, professional services, and high-paying freelance gigs.
- Facebook – for local clients, community networking, and niche groups.
- Instagram – for creative fields like design, beauty, fitness, or photography.
- Reddit – for building trust in industry communities and answering specific questions.
- X – for writers, tech freelancers, and those who want to share quick industry thoughts and updates.
- TikTok – for targeting younger clients or those with creative/visual services.
On social media, share valuable content like industry tips, client success stories, or examples of your work. Then, engage with your audience by answering questions or joining conversations. Don’t be shy about reaching out to potential clients. Join their groups, reply to their stories, comment on their posts, and share their content. Most importantly, make sure people know how they can work with or hire you.
Finding freelance clients this way takes time. You must post content often to build an audience. Even then, they might not want to hire you right away. You’ll need to build trust and rapport before offering your freelance services. Still, a solid social media presence and real relationships do pay off. According to Freelance Business, 34.8% of freelancers find most of their clients this way.
Dakota Robertson shares his plan for getting high-paying freelance clients on social media. First, do some research to understand what your audience needs. Next, create content that shows you know their problems and how to solve them. Dakota then adds case studies to build trust. Finally, end your posts with a clear call-to-action, like asking people to message you if they need help with a project.
4. Network with Potential Freelance Clients at Local Events
The best local events for freelancers to network at include:
- BNI (Business Networking International) meetings. Many local businesses and professionals gather here to exchange referrals and opportunities.
- Local meetups (Meetup.com). This is a website where you can find groups that meet in person to connect with others in the same industry.
- Industry-specific conferences. Here, you’ll meet potential clients, other freelancers, and industry professionals. Plus, you’ll learn more about your niche to improve your freelance services.
- Chamber of Commerce events. These are specifically for networking with local business owners and professionals. Freelancers attend to make valuable connections and find potential clients.
- Coworking space events. Freelancers, remote workers, and small teams often attend to network, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.
- Creative or tech networking events. If you’re in these industries, you can show your work and meet people who might hire you.
If you attend a business event, be ready to pitch your freelance service to potential clients. Prepare a quick explanation of what you do and how you help clients. Focus on how your service solves their problems or adds value. Bring business cards and samples of your work if possible. Make sure to collect their contact info and follow up within a few hours or the next day.
At networking events, you need to be a bit more subtle. You won’t only meet potential clients but also those who could be great referral partners. So instead of jumping into your freelance services, ask about them and their business. Build genuine relationships. Then follow up and explore how you might work together – whether they hire you or refer clients your way.
A Quora user says networking grows your freelance circle. This leads to more opportunities for business and collaboration. They also say that you don’t have to look far – start with family and friends who need your skills or services. Expand to co-workers, alumni associations, and organizations. Once you have a few testimonials, attend local events to meet even more people.
How Does Specializing in a Niche Help You Get More Freelance Clients?
- You attract more targeted clients. Specializing lets you clearly speak to a specific group’s needs. This makes your messaging more effective and helps ideal clients find and choose you.
- You stand out in a crowded market. With thousands of generalist freelancers out there, clients are more likely to notice and choose someone who focuses on their exact niche.
- You get more referrals. Clients in a specific industry often know others who need similar freelance services. If you impress one, they’re more likely to refer you to their peers.
- You build trust faster. People feel more confident hiring someone who understands their industry. Specializing shows you “get” their world and their challenges.
- You become easier to find online. With industry-focused content, your chances of showing up in relevant searches go up. This brings in people actively searching for your specific freelance service.
- You build stronger client loyalty. When clients see you as their go-to expert, they’ll keep coming back. Your deep niche knowledge builds long-term relationships.
- You gain more authority. By focusing on one niche, you can stay ahead of trends, create valuable content, and build trust as an expert. This draws in even more clients.
What Are the Best Website Builders for a Freelance Portfolio?
The best website builders for a portfolio are:
- Snapps.ai. This builder is for service-based businesses. You get ready-made portfolio templates that are super easy to edit. It also has built-in tools for people to find you online and contact you.
- Squarespace. This builder has visually stunning templates. Create sleek, customizable portfolios that attract potential clients. It also works as a full website to show you’re a legit freelancer.
- Weebly. This builder is a great choice for beginners. It lets you build a clean, simple portfolio that showcases your freelance services.
- Duda. This builder is great for freelancers who want more design control. Choose from modern portfolio templates and customize them to fit your brand. It also includes client management tools to make things easier.
- Authory. This platform is great for writers and content creators. Here, you showcase your published work. Plus, it automatically updates your portfolio whenever you publish new content.
