{"id":18834,"date":"2021-09-16T11:13:28","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T15:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-715453-3009179.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=18834"},"modified":"2023-12-22T13:46:18","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T18:46:18","slug":"how-to-get-clients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-715453-3009179.cloudwaysapps.com\/blog\/how-to-get-clients\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn How to Get Clients in 2024 + Advice From Real Freelancers"},"content":{"rendered":"
There are many obstacles to starting your own service-based business<\/a>. The greatest challenge is getting your business out there and finding clients to keep you going.<\/p>\n But how can you get clients? And how do you get new clients to come back?<\/p>\n As an entrepreneur, you have to be resourceful and look for opportunities in unusual places. We\u2019ve researched for you and summed up 18 tried and true ways to get clients along with real testimonials and famous brand examples.<\/p>\n Freelancers often overlook the importance of branding<\/a>. A brand differentiates you from the competition and builds trust and authority in the eyes of your clients. A brand can help you get clients by:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Overall, having a brand increases your perceived value and allows you to charge more as you grow.<\/p>\n Many freelancers swear by Facebook Groups as the secret sauce to finding clients. Facebook\u2019s algorithm prioritizes group posts<\/a> so they appear higher in those members\u2019 feeds. Pretty awesome, right?<\/p>\n Research some groups in your industry, city, or niche<\/strong>. Join Facebook Groups like:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Or join local groups like Women Who Freelance Toronto<\/a> or Austin Freelance Gigs<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don\u2019t be afraid to share your work and projects online! One of the best ways to get clients is to show off what you can do.<\/p>\n Your social media<\/a> profiles can act as a portfolio and marketing channel. Use them to your advantage! Use hashtags, location tags, and useful content to increase awareness of your services.<\/p>\n Another strategy? Ask. On your Instagram Stories, Twitter page, or Linkedin, post something like this:<\/p>\n \u201cHey, all! I am accepting freelance clients for X project about Y and also offering Z! If you know, or someone you know, is looking for support in this area, please DM me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n It can be that easy!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Guest blogging is when you write a blog post for another relevant blog as a way to increase traffic to your blog\/business. It\u2019s a great way to attract potential new clients, especially if the blog you\u2019re writing for has a large following.<\/p>\n Some big-name publications, like Forbes, Inc., and Create & Cultivate<\/a> are great places to get noticed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With over half of US consumers<\/a> listening to podcasts, being a podcast guest is a great way to introduce yourself to a new set of listeners. Start with some small-but-mighty podcasts that might be interested in taking you on.<\/p>\n Email the host with a great pitch about why you\u2019d be their perfect next guest (more on that later!) and you could land a spot on the show, and some new clients too.<\/p>\n Blogging builds authority and helps bring in website traffic through search engine optimization (SEO). Posting content<\/a> will improve your website SEO and give you content to post on social media.<\/p>\n To start, brainstorm a list of topic ideas. Focus on finding solutions to problems that your clients may encounter, and start blogging<\/a>. If you\u2019re an interior designer, share a list of your favorite design trends of the year.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a social media pro, share how to write engaging Instagram captions. These types of blog posts show off your skillset and build trust with your readers.<\/p>\n Search engine optimization is the best way to send traffic to your website, and clients to your inbox.<\/p>\n You can use Google Keyword Planner (for free<\/a>!) and build a list of blog ideas to get you started. Choose a few keywords that describe your business, and check out this article<\/a> on how to set up Google Analytics and optimize your website.<\/p>\n Make sure you\u2019re always targeting a specific keyword when writing your blog posts!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Online ads allow you to reach people you\u2019ve never connected with before. With ads, you can specify the type of client you\u2019re targeting. For example, if you\u2019re a freelance engagement photographer, you might target thirty-somethings in your area.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re new to advertising on Instagram<\/a>, check out a quick online tutorial<\/a> and get started for an investment as low as, say, $25.<\/p>\n Sarah, a bookkeeper, explained how to get bookkeeping clients:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With 89% of Pinterest users looking for inspiration<\/a>, it\u2019s an incredible tool to help drive new traffic to your website and get clients into your inbox. Pinterest also allows you to pay to promote your pins, and even sell products!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how one freelancer has used Pinterest to get new clients:<\/p>\n As a business owner or freelancer, events are great ways to meet new people and draw in clients.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a social media manager, you could host an online (or in-person) workshop on growing your Instagram followers.\u00a0 Whatever your niche, think about your client needs and try to serve them in a workshop or event.<\/p>\n An online course is a great way to attract and convert clients. Build authority by educating people on your particular skill set.<\/p>\n You can even record your online workshop and sell it as an online course. All while attracting potential clients!<\/p>\n You can also build a YouTube channel<\/a> to gain traffic and promote your business. Online courses are easy to make, even if you\u2019re not super tech-savvy. Check out Melyssa Griffin\u2019s<\/a> online courses on building online courses or try out Teachable<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On average, businesses can earn $44 for every $1 spent<\/a> on email marketing. Your audiences won\u2019t always see your social media posts but are likely to see your emails.<\/p>\n Attract new email subscribers through your website with online events and courses, or create a free download that\u2019s sent through an email signup. Send newsletters<\/a> and offer limited-time promotions and deals. Add value and keep them reading by offering tips and advice, too.<\/p>\n When referred by friends or family, people are four times more likely to buy from you. They\u2019re also more likely to stick around! Incentivize your existing clients to refer friends and family with a referral program.<\/p>\n Some ways to encourage existing clients to refer you include:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Read our blog on\u00a0how to build a referral program<\/a> and incentivize existing clients to learn more.<\/p>\n Cold pitching is tough, but highly effective if you do it well. Simply track down a client you\u2019d like to work with and email them with an idea for a project you\u2019d like to work on.<\/p>\n Some of the most important elements of a cold pitch include:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Here\u2019s an example of a successful cold pitch:<\/p>\n Hello John,<\/p>\n I\u2019m a long-time fan of your blog (particularly your pieces on SEO). Articles on keyword research do particularly well on your blog and I wanted to pitch a few ideas if you\u2019re interested.<\/p>\n In the past, I\u2019ve written for X and Y. Here\u2019s a link to my portfolio so you can check out some of my work. Mainly, I think you\u2019d be interested in reading X and X.<\/p>\n I look forward to hearing back from you,<\/p>\n Your Name<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Online platforms like Fiverr<\/a> and Upwork<\/a> are two of the most popular for freelancer jobs. But there are more out there depending on your niche! Writers can check out freelancewritinggigs.com<\/a> and graphic designers can try Designhill. Check out this website<\/a> for some of the top freelance job sites.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reach out to some of your old clients (or almost clients) to see if they need any help!<\/p>\n Another strategy is to up-sell existing clients. If you\u2019re a web developer who takes great photos, offer to do a quick photoshoot for your client\u2019s website. Not only will it build the client\u2019s online presence, but it also means more work (and money in the bank!) for you.<\/p>\n Tom, a former real estate agent, told us how to get clients in real estate:<\/p>\n Have you thought about other places in your community to connect with new people and promote your business?<\/p>\n Freelance photographer Devon Williams<\/a> got his first clients through the online bartering platform Bunz<\/a>. \u201cIt was a great way for me to get my name out there and connect with my dream clients.\u201d<\/p>\n A little old-school networking never hurts. As a freelancer myself, I have found clients through friends, friends\u2019 parents, and my parents\u2019 friends! If those connections don\u2019t work for you, try signing up to networking events (online and in-person) on these platforms:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a contractor, editor, or massage therapist, people in your area could use your services<\/strong>. The best way for them to find you is to meet them where they are.<\/p>\n Find retail spaces related to your business, and leave flyers and posters there. Try placing your flyer or business card at high traffic areas like:<\/p>\n You\u2019d be surprised how often a person waiting for their coffee stares at a corkboard full of business cards and flyers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tinder\u2019s late CMO Whitney Wolfe used an in-person demo to gain 10,000 Tinder users<\/a>. By presenting at colleges and demonstrating the product, she gained awareness through word of mouth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Who hasn\u2019t stopped at a grocery store demonstration or food sample kiosk to try something new?<\/p>\n Neil Patel used a free trial<\/a> to get people to sign up for his business. This way, he grew clients through word of mouth and referrals. In his words, \u201cYour free users will drive you even more users.\u201d This means a great free product does the marketing for you.<\/p>\n Try offering a small service for free<\/strong>. It could be anything from a free consultation to a trial on your services to grow your portfolio. Consider it business development!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Nasty Gal founder used her network and social media<\/strong> to grow her online clothing store. She built an empire by creating a brand identity<\/a> that people recognized and trusted.<\/p>\n Focus on building a brand and a social media presence that\u2019s memorable and distinct.<\/p>\n Dropbox grew by 60% every three months<\/a> through the magic of a referral incentive program. The program gave free cloud space to the referrer and the referee, making it a win-win for everyone.<\/p>\n Incentivize referrals amongst customers to supercharge word of mouth and client growth.<\/p>\n Buffer\u2019s co-founder Leo Wildrich \u201cacquired 100,000 users within the first 9 months<\/a> of running Buffer\u201d by guest blogging alone.<\/strong> He published around 150 guest blogs and built the relationships he needed to grow Buffer\u2019s awareness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s how some of Looka\u2019s entrepreneurial customers got their first clients.<\/p>\n \u201cI gave samples to close friends and family<\/strong>, and they helped spread the word. I also spoke to small retailers who were happy to stock a product that was similar to what they already stocked but with the bonus of being less harmful to the environment.\u201d \u2013 Matt Vincent, Ecolunchware<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m interested (and self-taught) in health, wellness, and nutrition. I used Thumbtack<\/a> for finding my first few clients and then word of mouth keeps me going.<\/strong>\u201d\u2013 Crystal Connelly, Plantiful Delights<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOur first clients were from our shared office space. We\u2019re also using word of mouth, our website, and Facebook<\/strong> to get exposure.\u201d \u2013 Juliana Norris, CP MedSpa \u2013 Lotus Wellness Center<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI sent out an email invitation to friends and family<\/strong> letting them know my new credentials and what I was doing with them. I got a great response and got my first clients by getting in touch with people I know and love.\u201d\u2013 Tina Haskim, TruBody Coaching<\/a><\/p>\n As a freelancer, you can find new clients in endless places! The key is to be resourceful, be creative, and be authentic. Trust yourself and what you have to offer and your freelance business will be booming in no time!<\/p>\n Make sure your brand stands out with an attractive logo that draws clients in. You can design your logo<\/a> using Looka now!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are many obstacles to starting your own service-based business. The greatest challenge is getting your business out there and finding clients to keep you going. But how can you get clients? And how do you get new clients to come back? As an entrepreneur, you have to be resourceful and look for opportunities in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":22214,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBut first, let\u2019s talk about branding<\/h2>\n
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1. Facebook groups<\/h2>\n
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2. Social media<\/h2>\n
3. Guest blogging<\/h2>\n
4. Be a guest on a podcast<\/h2>\n
5. Start a blog<\/h2>\n
6. SEO<\/h2>\n
7. Invest in ads<\/h2>\n
8. Up your Pinterest game<\/h2>\n
9. Host an event (virtual or IRL!)<\/h2>\n
10. Develop an online course<\/h2>\n
11. Email list<\/h2>\n
12. Build a customer referral program<\/h2>\n
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13. Cold-pitch yourself<\/h2>\n
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14. Set yourself up on some freelance job sites<\/h2>\n
15. Follow up with past clients, potential clients, and existing clients<\/h2>\n
16. Think outside the box<\/h2>\n
17. Old-school networking<\/h2>\n
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18. Leave marketing materials everywhere<\/h2>\n
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\nHow these famous brands found their first clients<\/h2>\n
Tinder<\/h3>\n
Neil Patel<\/h3>\n
Nasty Gal<\/h3>\n
Dropbox<\/h3>\n
Buffer<\/h3>\n
Advice on how to get clients (from freelancers!)<\/h2>\n
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Time to find those clients!<\/h3>\n