Top 3 Ways I Find Clients
Posted August 25, 2010 in Marketing
Finding clients is one of the biggest challenges for any freelancer. Even when you’re fully booked, you need to have your sights set on the future–after you finish your current projects.
In the ideal world, clients and projects will come in a steady stream. However, for most freelancers, the more common experience is that described as “feast or famine.”
You’re either so booked that you barely have time to sleep, even if you work all day, all night and on weekends.
Or else you feel like the whole world has forgotten you. That maybe you did such a crappy job your clients have forsaken you.
A happy medium would be to have enough projects to keep you busy–while still having a personal life–and have projects lined up for months to come.
Below are the top three ways I know for freelancers to find clients. You can carry out these client-getting strategies on a regular basis, to keep prospects at your door.
During times of famine, you can up the ante and get your schedule filled up fast.
1. Forum Networking
I found my very first clients by joining an online forum of home-based entrepreneurs. Getting clients happened by accident; I hadn’t intended to market myself there.
In fact, I joined the forum because I was still shopping around for business models to follow that would allow me to make a side income from home.
The mentors and members of the forum were the ones who encouraged me to become a freelance writer. They taught me the basics: why I should set up a website and how; which types of services pay more than article marketing; how to get testimonials even when I had zero paying clients, and much more.
After a few months, I soon outgrew most of the members of that forum. However, a few of the more successful members continue to be my regular clients.
Even better, they refer me to other prospects (more about that later on).
If you need clients right now, get more active in the forums. Help people out by doling advice when somebody posts a question related to your field.
Give away a special report or buzz piece that’s relevant to one of your services. Or, go ahead and make a special offer on one of your services, such as a limited time discount.
2. Social Networking
Social networking is an excellent way to find prospects. In fact, a client found me on Twitter even when I wasn’t actively trying to get clients there.
How did that happen? Well, I was simply sending tweets about the things I’m most interested in: copywriting, online marketing, social media and communication.
Share information about your industry. Include your opinions. And occasionally, talk about your work. You can even make special offers on your services.
This works better if you also have a blog. Then you can write posts your prospects would be interested in, and post links to them in social networks.
It’s also very easy to monitor Twitter for people who are looking for a service provider with your skills. For example, I could set up a column to see all tweets that contain the words “copywriter,” “sales page writer,” or “email marketing.”
In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to post brief “help wanted” updates when they need a specific service. Make the most of the opportunities and offer your services.
3. Referral
My favorite way of getting clients is through referrals. Depending on who’s making the referral, these prospects are usually already “sold” on you before they even contact you.
For example, a prospect had been asking me for samples of a particular service. Unfortunately, the projects I’ve completed weren’t live yet so I couldn’t show them yet.
This prospect held off on hiring me until I was able to show a live sample. The prospect said, “You did that for X? I’m sold!”
I don’t actively ask for referrals, and I probably should. There are different ways to do get client referrals, including setting up a rewards system for your clients.
So there you have it, the three best ways I know to get clients. Each of these methods has brought me thousands of dollars in projects every year.
Of these, only forum networking costs money upfront. It’s a worthwhile investment to meet prospects who have shown the ability and willingness to invest in their business by paying for forum membership. In my experience, this cost pays for itself many times over.
How Do You Find Clients?
I’d like to know, have you found clients through these strategies as well? Or, do you use other client getting methods?
I’d love to hear about how you find clients. Please share in the comments section below.
Image by apdk.
Related posts:
- Five Simple Tactics to Find New Clients
- How to Find Freelance Jobs through Effective Forum Networking
- Five Personal Projects That Will Help You Find Clients
- Seven Ways to Find Your Writing Niche
- Five Ways To Find Revenue Sharing Opportunities
About the author: Lexi Rodrigo is the creator of The Savvy Freelancer, a blog that's all about achieving creative and financial freedom through freelancing. Check out Lexi's free guide, 31 Days to Start Your Freelancing Business (or Make Yours A Better One).
The Unlimited Freelancer is Now Only $19
Unleash the true potential of your business. Get The Unlimited Freelancer and start transforming your freelance business,
now only $19.
Try searching "Getting Clients" or "Productivity"
Free Report
Sign up for our product discount list to get a free copy of Why Some Freelancers Thrive and Others Barely Survive. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Forum Discussions
- Purchase New Apple iPhone 4S 64GB cost $ 380 Unlocked with
May 21st, 2012 - 1:41 pm - Buy New Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G.$450usd/Samsung Galaxy Note
May 21st, 2012 - 1:40 pm - Buy New Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G.$450usd/Samsung Galaxy Note
May 21st, 2012 - 1:38 pm
Popular Articles
- SEO Techniques All Top Websites Should Use
- When a Client Can't Afford You: Why It's Still Better to Bid High
- How To Stop Scrambling For Clients And Get A Steady Stream Of Paying Gigs
- A Simple Way To Stop Clients From Rejecting Your Proposals
- 3 Reasons Your Rates Are Still Low (And How To Start Raising Them)
46 Comments
Freelance FactFile
August 25th, 2010 at 8:36 amThe top three ways I find clients are: mailshots, word of mouth, networking.
Jordan Walker
August 25th, 2010 at 8:53 amI have used referrals to get my clients, once I completed the project, there is always two or three follow up projects. It is a great feeling to start developing a working relationship with such a diverse set of clients.
Jen
August 25th, 2010 at 9:34 amThe common thread I keep running across is word-of-mouth (which I think is the same as referrals) and networking. The power of relationships is amazing.
Web design portfolio
August 25th, 2010 at 10:11 amReferals! I’ve just scored a new gig that is through a contact of mine. Over the last 2 months or so, I’ve picked up three new exciting jobs through different contacts I work with.
I’ve only just started going down the whole freelance ‘bidding’ site style and so far, I’m not liking it. I prefer word of mouth but cold call/emailing is also good.
Donny Gamble
August 25th, 2010 at 10:15 amI think craigslist is a goldmine if you look in the right locations
7D Interactive Website Development
August 25th, 2010 at 10:32 amReferrals are the best way for small business, who may not have the time or money to invest in traditional marketing. Make your customers/clients happy, and they will do the work for you.
funny pranks
August 25th, 2010 at 11:46 amHow about freelance sites ?
i think this way is the best
I get like all my work on a freelance site
Forums are good to start but for long term no
For exemple at DP evrybody pays 30$ and expects 700$ of work …
Niubi
August 25th, 2010 at 12:11 pmI’ve found that working for friends has been a good way to get my foot in the door, but it’s mostly promotion, promotion, promotion. I’ve also found it helpful to use opportunities like DubLi Network when the freelance work shrivels up a bit – it’s always good to have options and not be dependent on just one thing!
Kenyan Freelancer
August 25th, 2010 at 12:35 pmMy latest post highlights my best way to find clients – cold emailing. I also utilise social networking and referrals. I ma scared of bidding sites so I stay clear of them.
Arslan
August 25th, 2010 at 1:01 pmFinding the clients is always a difficult task, Now a days Freelance sites are giving more clients.
Lexi Rodrigo
August 25th, 2010 at 3:08 pmThanks for your comments! Looks like personal networks make a big difference in helping freelancers find clients.
@Kenyan Freelancer – thanks for adding cold emailing as a client-finding strategy. I’ve heard of a number of freelancers getting good results from cold emailing, as you have.
Any other client-getting strategies you’d like to share? Please post a comment!
dojo
August 25th, 2010 at 5:17 pmI am still using elance to get the bulk of the work. I also get private gigs from my portfolio and clients from my city who either know me or someone who’s worked with me in the past.
Cynthia Bingaman
August 25th, 2010 at 6:15 pmReferrals and social networking are my 2 biggest sources of clients. Coming in a distant third is personal networking offline through my local Chamber of Commerce.
Katey Miller-Fallick
August 25th, 2010 at 6:29 pmNetwork network network. Forums and commenting on blogs is great. But don’t forget about IN PERSON networking as well.
Business type networking events (like through your chamber of commerce) but also, just get out there and talk to people at other events for things you are interested in.
You may gain a new client, or a new friend, or even better, both! Plus, they will know that you have experience in the area they are working in.
Eddie Garrison
August 25th, 2010 at 8:49 pmI have come to get quite a bit of work from job boards for graphic designers. I have in the past 2 months picked up at least 5 new clients from 1 job board in particular.
1 of these clients just wanted a logo done but was so pleased with the work he handed out my contact information to a networking function he attended a week later. Which turned into another client.
Leading me to my next way which is referral or (word of mouth).
Referrals are always nice to me as it seems they come from a past client or someone else who has seen my work. Even if they didnt use me theirselves.
Networking functions are ok but to me alot of times they become more of just a social meet & greet over the free drinks that usually accompany networking functions so I tend to only go to them every once in a while.
Twitter is becoming more of a powerful tool for me as well in the past 2-3 weeks.
Stephanie
August 25th, 2010 at 8:59 pmHi Lexi, excellent post! I agree that being part of an online forum is very rewarding and is a great way to showcase just how great a freelancer you can be. One example of the rewards of being known in an online community is when people start asking/messaging you for help. It’s great lend a helping hand to others!
Jonathan Búcaro
August 25th, 2010 at 11:36 pmTotally agree with Stephanie :D its very rewarding to be know and appreciated in a online community.
My two best are Referrals and Forums.
Vinh Nguyen
August 26th, 2010 at 4:42 amForum networking is not a good way in this time!
Forum is dead! I think writing article and get publish on tutsite, or made free thign such as template,…
Or join community such as Linked (it’s better normal forum)
And comment on article like this =)
Vince
August 26th, 2010 at 9:28 amLexi,
So what is your strategy for getting testimonials prior to having paying clients? Testimonials are very powerful and I think that is an excellent idea.
Vince
Bill Steinorth
August 26th, 2010 at 9:51 amIf I’m having a conversation that lasts for more than a minute, I’m finding out how to mention I’m a freelance designer. I’ve landed most of my clients through social networking.
Also, I’m not afraid to work on charity projects to get my name out.
Rob Pene
August 26th, 2010 at 9:55 amWhen I got started (last month: July 2010) I had no list to tap into…but I did ask a few good friends who were influential in their respective areas and they helped me to get the word out…that was super helpful…
Susan Greene
August 26th, 2010 at 10:00 amI’m surprised to see that no one has yet mentioned having a website that is well ranked on the search engines. That’s how most of my new clients find me. They Google some keyword phrase related to copywriting, and my site comes up. I don’t do any other marketing.
Chris Wharton
August 26th, 2010 at 12:32 pmIt’s funny, how far we’ve come with technology – and still the best way to get clients is referrals and word of mouth!
I’ve only just set up as a freelancer in the last few weeks after several years in the industry and I’ve already got a lot of work in from previous contacts. In turn I’ve picked up multiple projects from those clients after “a job well done”.
The hard part is getting the new clients on board, the cold contacts. I’ve found emailing and then following up with a phonecall a week later is quite a positive way to do this. So far though, none of my positive conversations have converted to a piece of work though, but it’s only a matter of time I’m sure.
Bret Juliano
August 26th, 2010 at 12:48 pmReferrals have to be my top ranking ways to get new clients. The other would be search engine inquiries.
Libby Fisher
August 27th, 2010 at 12:49 amI have found all of my clients through word of mouth, which is great! But – I just started writing on forums this last week or so because I had read that it was a good way to “market” yourself, and I am really surprised by how much new web traffic it has generated! I didnt expect that, but I’m not complaining! :)
Paul Ouano
August 27th, 2010 at 1:21 amI have always wondered how I can get clients through my social networking accounts. I always hear people saying I should do it but never really knew how. Your second point was just what I needed, especially the 3rd and 4th paragraphs. Thanks!
Puge Teopengco
August 28th, 2010 at 12:15 amWord of mouth! I have up-to 4 level deep of referrals from my 2 clients and is still going deeper. I totally agree with the author when she said that these prospects are usually already “sold” on you before they even contact you.
Bharat KV
August 28th, 2010 at 2:32 pmThough “Word-of-Mouth” and “Networking” is always good,
I have got some very interesting and prospective clients through Cold-Emailing and Crowd Sourcing websites… And they have been reliable too… Just that you gotto make sure that they are passionate about their business too…
Kavyansh
August 29th, 2010 at 9:22 amFor me,
1. Bussiness tradeshows
2. Craiglist
3. Local newspaper ads
4. Client reference
Most of them are from tradeshows.
Thank you sharing some tips.
Alex Askew
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:28 amNice article, enjoyed reading your story of how you got started. Just shows how improtant social media is for freelancers at the moment. Alex
Mary
September 8th, 2010 at 5:24 amNice post enjoyed reading your story of how you got started.
Duncan
September 20th, 2010 at 5:51 amI get my clients through word-of-mouth and LinkedIn usually…
Poker Room Casino
March 14th, 2012 at 8:17 amI do not know if it’s just me or if everyone else encountering issues together with your website. It appears as if some with the written text within your content material are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as nicely? This may well be a difficulty with my browser because I’ve had this happen before. Cheers
Trackbacks