5 Simple Ways to Gain Clients as a Newbie Freelancer
I started freelancing as a web developer two years ago and here are five ways that always help me acquiring new projects.
1. Freelancer Platforms
I think freelance platforms in general are the easiest way to get hired for new projects without putting much effort into it once it is set up. In Germany, we have some websites like freelance.de or freelancermap that get their job done very effectively. Their main purpose is to connect freelancers with recruiters or directly with companies. If you don’t live in Germany (which I presume), I bet that there must be similar websites for your country, too!
I usually sign up and start creating a very detailed profile with my certificates, resume, or other relevant documents that underline my services. I make sure to emphasize the skills I also want to use in my upcoming projects, so I don’t get spammed by irrelevant offers.
In my experience, recent projects (even if they were very small) are the most important information you have to provide. It is not sufficient only to list the topics you are capable of, because without evidence everyone could write that down. And in a lot of cases especially recruiters want to see at least one or two years of professional experience in the field where their client needs support.
When you feel ready, publish your profile. Then apply to posted offers and get in touch with clients or just wait if someone is interested in your services and contacts you. Personally, I only use the passive approach, because recruiters often actively search for matching freelancers on their own.
If no one contacts you within the next weeks, try to tweak your profile and see if it has an impact. This method helped me getting my first big long-term project. Also, make sure to update your profile every once in a while.
2. Own Website
It might sound strange, but most of the freelancers I met don’t have a website and I do not get why. Nowadays it is one of the easiest things you can create on the web.
After some weeks of freelancing, I created a small website that briefly explained my services and provided contact information. I didn’t expect much, but some weeks later a company called me because of my website and asked if I would be interested in supporting them with their upcoming project.
I was a little bit surprised that it worked so well, but in the end, it is obvious that clients are browsing the web seeking freelancers.
3. LinkedIn and other Business Profiles
I see a lot of LinkedIn profiles that contain no profile image or even worse: They provide nearly no information about the capabilities of the person. If I was a recruiter, I would skip these types of profiles right away.
So all I can say: Create a well-structured LinkedIn profile and increase the chances that your future client will contact you! I personally picked LinkedIn as the Number 1 Business Network, but if you know better alternatives, let me know :)
4. Talking about your Work
By talking about your work and recent experiences with other people in your metier, there might be a chance that someone knows someone that knows someone who could really need help at things you offer as a service. I think you get the point!
I usually connect with new freelancers I meet and occasionally speak with them about current work, clients, possibilities, ideas, and so forth. Last year, I gave someone an important contact to talk to, which has developed into a long-term project where he is still working on.
If you don’t know other freelancers or possible clients yet, I think that meetups are a great opportunity to get in contact with new people. Or you could simply use the internet to directly connect — see LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram — there are infinite possibilities.
5. Good First Impressions
If you make a good first impression by providing value to a client very early, chances are high that they will remember you for other upcoming projects.
After some time working with clients, I make sure that they can easily contact me in the future, which leads to new project offers once in a while.
Furthermore, if I had bad times finding a new project, I would have the ability to call old clients and ask them if they or someone they know could need some help.
Final Words
All in all, finding new clients as freelancers is an individual process, and everyone has their own way of acquiring projects.
My way of doing things is listed above — I bet there could be done even more, but at the moment this is totally suitable for me.
Thanks for reading and have a good day!
Do you use other ways for gaining clients? Let me know in the comments! :)
