Freelancing is a dream for many people. The ability to work from home set your own hours, and be free from the constraints of a 9 to 5 job, while still being able to pay the bills is a liberating experience. However, many people who want to be freelancers often stumble upon the first step, which is getting that first client.
As a freelancer, you will always have ups and downs in your work/life balance, but having at least one steady source of income will help you achieve it.
In this article, we will outline 7 easy steps that can help you land your first client as a freelancer. Just keep reading!
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How to Get Your First Client as a Freelancer?
Here are a few tips that will hopefully give you a little push to land your first client and show the world what you can do!
1. Don’t Rush It.
Many people want to get going as soon as possible, but rushing into things can often lead to major mistakes.
Using a freelancing website is a great way to get started, but make sure you don’t spend too much time on them. If you are spending more than 4 hours a week browsing the site, it’s probably time to move on.
Also, try not to be impatient with yourself; good things come to those who wait! It might take you months or even years before you land your first client, and that’s totally OK. The important thing is that you keep trying!
2. Know Your Value (and Price It Right).
Undercharging can often lead to problems for freelancers, especially if they are first starting out. Many people undercharge because they figure that “it’s the first job so the client will definitely pay this amount.”
Be careful not to fall for this. Before setting your price, do some research on what you should be charging for your work.
To save yourself some time, you can always check out websites where freelancers are reviewed by their clients. By reading the reviews, you can get a pretty good idea of how much people are willing to pay for certain jobs/services. This will at least give you an idea of the market value and help ease some of your worries about undercharging!
3. Go Pro (At the Very Least).
While it might seem like using generic business software or templates is fine, chances are that if your client needs something better than what you have to offer they will not hire you again.
When starting off always try to have something professional looking to show off. People who are considering hiring you to want to see some work that demonstrates your capabilities.
If the money is tight, try designing something on your own first or hire a designer on the oDesk to help you out with it. It’s better than nothing and will definitely give you an edge!
4. Jump at Every Opportunity.
Don’t just sit there waiting for work to come to you; be proactive!
Getting clients is not an easy task but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t resources available for this exact purpose. For example, hanging around somewhere like Pinterest might bring up potential clients looking for someone like you (I know this sounds silly but trust me I’ve had multiple clients find me on Twitter). If you keep putting yourself out there, at some point you will make it!
5. Be Awesome (Obviously).
The best way to get work is through word of mouth. When dealing with clients always be on time and do an awesome job; this might sound like a no-brainer but it can’t be stressed enough!
The more people that see your good work the more likely you are to acquire new clients. Being friendly and hardworking will go a long way in establishing yourself as someone who knows what they’re doing because let’s face it; everyone can design but not everyone does it well.
6. Use Your Network.
Your friends, family out there, and remaining persistent network are all good sources of potential clients. If you don’t have a lot of experience or the ability to do amazing graphics, that’s OK!
Many people will be looking for someone who can provide them with a certain service at an affordable price. All you have to do is make sure you put yourself out there and let it know what you can offer!
7. Work at It.
Finding clients can be a difficult process, and it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and persistence. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding clients, and what works for one freelancer may not work for another. That’s why it’s essential to be patient and willing to try different strategies until you find what works for you.
One key aspect of working at it is to stay focused on your goals. When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to become discouraged and give up when things don’t go as planned. However, it’s important to remember that success as a freelancer doesn’t come overnight and that it takes time and effort to build a reputation and attract clients.
Another important aspect of working at it is to be proactive. This means actively seeking out new clients and opportunities, rather than waiting for them to come to you. There are many different ways to do this, such as networking, reaching out to potential clients, and promoting your services through social media and other channels.
Finally, it’s important to always try your best, even if things don’t go as planned. Freelancing is a competitive field, and there will be times when you face rejection or setbacks. However, if you stay focused and continue to work hard, you will eventually find success and secure your first client.
Conclusion
Getting your first client as a freelancer may seem like a daunting task, but it is entirely achievable if you follow a few simple steps. By identifying your niche and target audience, creating a strong portfolio, setting up your online presence, networking, reaching out to potential clients, delivering exceptional work, and asking for referrals, you can kickstart your freelance career and start building a successful business.
Remember to be patient, persistent, and professional throughout the process, and never stop improving your skills and expanding your network. With these seven easy steps, you’ll be well on your way to attracting your first client and many more to come.
😉 Good luck!