It’s hard to get your foot in the door when you’re first starting out in any field. It’s even harder when you’re a freelancer in the creative world, where many employers are hesitant to pay for services they can do themselves.
Not only do you have to put yourself out there, but you also have to convince companies that they need your specific skill set and make them feel comfortable with hiring someone who isn’t an employee. The good news is that it is possible to get clients as a freelancer without resorting to online job boards or scouring Craigslist listings until your eyes bleed. Here’s how!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Building a Strong Portfolio: Showcase your best work to impress potential clients and demonstrate your expertise. |
| 2. Effective Networking: Engage with professionals in your industry, attend events, and utilize social media to expand your network. |
| 3. Nurturing Client Relationships: Cultivate long-term relationships by delivering quality work and excellent customer service. |
| 4. Utilizing Online Platforms: Leverage freelancing websites like Upwork and Fiverr to find and connect with clients. |
| 5. Marketing and Branding: Create a personal brand, market your services consistently, and communicate your value proposition. |
Ask Your Friends, Family, And Colleagues
In the creative field, asking for referrals is an art form. You want to ask people you know and trust, but you also want to avoid being too self-promotional or overbearing. You’ll need to strike a balance between those two extremes to be successful at getting clients from referrals.
Here are some ways you can get your name out there without coming across as pushy:
Ask friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations (they’ll do it if they like your work). This is the best way! Just make sure that when you ask them for a referral, remember that they’re doing this out of their own free will – don’t pressure them into giving up any information about who else would be interested in hiring you.
They may say no just because they don’t want anyone else knowing where their referrals come from!
Ask people who already know someone else who needs help with their creative projects (if they do). It helps if these potential clients aren’t too far removed from each other – maybe they went to school together or something similar?
If so, then asking one person might lead all three parties closer together! It’s worth giving this option a try before looking elsewhere; sometimes luck plays an important role in finding new opportunities.”
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Make A Great Portfolio
Your portfolio is your best marketing tool. This doesn’t mean you should leave it up to chance; in fact, I’d say that a portfolio is one of the most important things to get right if you want to get clients. You need to make sure that your work is clear and easy for potential clients to navigate through, so they can see exactly what kind of work you do.
When building your portfolio, keep these tips in mind:
Make sure it’s mobile-friendly! Today’s user expects the web experience they have on their phone or tablet device to be just as good as what they’re used to seeing on their computer screen. If people are having trouble navigating through your portfolio because of its poor design, then they won’t be able to tell how great your work is!
Build Your Online Presence
Building your online presence is a vital part of creating a brand as a creative. The more you can do to build yourself up and show potential clients who you are, the better. Here are some ways to get started.
Build your portfolio website. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, but it should have all of the work that you want potential clients to see in one place so they don’t have to hunt for it on your blog or social media profiles.
If you’re working with another designer or developer on this project, be sure they understand how important this is your portfolio is often the first thing people see when looking at your work!
Start blogging about topics related to what you do (like branding or web design). This will give people insight into how knowledgeable and passionate about your field you are; which will come across during conversations later down the line if/when someone reaches out about hiring services from them specifically because they saw something interesting posted last week!
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Show Off With Social Media
Social media is a great way to get your work in front of new eyes. By consistently posting about what you do, you can help clients see that your style matches theirs and build a relationship with them.
Make sure to post regularly and often, making sure to use hashtags with relevant keywords so people searching for those things will find your posts.
You should also include images of the work you’re doing as well as photos of your workspace, team members (if applicable), and clients. If they like what they see on social media then they may be more likely to hire someone like that!
Get Out Of The House To Meet People In Real Life
This is a great way to meet people in your field of work. You’re going to find other designers, illustrators, and photographers who are just starting and have the same problems as you do. You can exchange advice and learn from each other while making new friends.
Meetups are also a good way to get help with your business and creative projects. If you want to start freelancing but don’t know where to begin, people at meetups will be happy to share their experiences (good or bad) with you so that they can help make it easier for you!
Collaborate With Other Creatives
There’s more than one way to collaborate. You can pair up with an existing client, or create an open call for submissions. Both have their pros and cons, but either way, you’ll be working with other creatives and building a network of people who share your interests.
Collaborations can help you get better at what you do because they force you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone by expanding on someone else’s idea of taking an unfamiliar approach to the project.
They also allow you the opportunity to learn new skills from the other person(s) involved in the collaboration (e.g., if they’re great at writing copy but not so much at design).
Collaborations often result in some sort of mutual benefit: maybe this person will introduce their friends/family members/colleagues who need help with their projects; maybe these people will recommend that other people hire us both for services down the road; maybe we’ll form a lasting relationship based on our mutual appreciation for one another’s work!
Go Freelance For Big Brands
Freelancing for big brands can be a great way to build your portfolio and increase your value as a freelancer.
How Do You Find Work For Big Brands?
Check out the websites of companies like Nike, Adidas, and Ralph Lauren. These companies often hire freelancers for creative projects like advertising campaigns, website design, photography, and video production. It’s also worth looking at websites like Upwork or Toptal which list open jobs from big brands on their sites.
Learn how to attract more clients on Upwork ethically and without resorting to dishonest practices. Our comprehensive guide on Getting More Clients on Upwork shares valuable insights to help you build a reputable and thriving freelance business.
What Happens After I Apply?
You’ll likely have to go through several rounds of interviews before being accepted into their freelance network or being offered any work directly with a client (if they don’t already know who you are).
In these interviews make sure that everything about how you present yourself is polished: emails should be professional; social media profiles should be free of personal information; portfolios should be up-to-date with relevant examples of past work in all key areas (copywriting, web design, etc.)
Use Paid Advertising To Reach New Clients
Social media ads are one of the best ways to reach new clients. You can target people based on their interests and demographic, which will help you connect with your ideal client in a meaningful way.
LinkedIn Ads is another paid advertising platform that’s great for reaching out to prospects and converting them into leads or closing sales. LinkedIn has over 500 million users worldwide, so it’s an excellent place to start when researching potential clients and expanding your network of connections.
Facebook Ads is another popular option for freelancers looking for new business opportunities online especially since Facebook now allows those who don’t want their personal information shared with third-party sites (like advertisers) to opt out of ads entirely: just click “Opt-Out” at the bottom of any ad that appears on your News Feed!
Create Your Website And Blog
The first step to getting clients is creating a website and blog. The purpose of your website should be to showcase your work, both past, and present. It’s also helpful to include some information about who you are as a designer and some bios from previous clients who have worked with you.
A blog is an excellent way for potential clients to learn more about the skills and expertise that you possess as a freelancer. If possible, create separate portfolios for different types of design work such as websites, logos, or print materials like flyers or business cards.
Another important thing to note is the domain name (URL) for your site; make sure it’s easy to remember so people will remember it when they want more services from you! You’ll also want all other contact information on there too: email address(es), phone number(s), etc., in case someone wants further details before hiring/hiring again 🙂
Don’t Be Scared To Self Promote Yourself In Creative Ways
Self-promotion is not a dirty word. It’s necessary to get your work out there and in front of the people who want to see it. As a freelancer, you are your CEO and need to be able to market yourself for your business (your career) to grow!
Here are some tips on how you can self promote:
Find your audience by reaching out through social media, networking events, or even just sending emails out with links to your site so they can follow along with what’s going on in your world. This is also known as building an email list! Just remember the more personal it feels, the better chance they’ll take action (i.e., sign up).
Create interesting content that goes beyond just showing off what you do best but also includes stories about who you are personally (like what inspired this project or why this job means so much). People love getting inside looks at creators’ lives because they’re interested in them as human beings too!
After all, creativity isn’t just about doing something great it’s also about getting better at learning from failure too.
Create things that aren’t necessarily selling anything but still create value for others–like teaching online courses through Skillshare or Udemy where students pay upfront but receive access later on down the line when the published course becomes available (or even before).
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Attend Industry Events And Conferences
A great way to get new clients is by attending industry events and conferences.
Meet people and network. Networking is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to building your business. The point of networking is not to get a job or a contract, but rather just to meet people that whom you may be able to work on future projects.
Learn about new trends and technologies. Conferences are also a great way for freelancers to learn about the latest developments in their field of expertise, which can help them stay current on their industry and make sure they’re not missing out on any opportunities (or being left behind).
Plus, if there’s something at the conference that interests you personally (like an app developer who has built something similar), then even better you can talk directly with them about how they did it!
Ask For Introductions From Mutual Connections To Potential Clients
There are a few ways to go about this. If you have any friends or family members who are already in the creative field, ask them for introductions. You might be surprised by how many people you know who will be happy to make an introduction on your behalf!
Another option is asking your friends and family to introduce you to their friends and family, and so on. This way can be especially helpful if there’s a particular niche or industry where it may seem challenging for someone without experience to get started working directly with clients (e.g., fashion design).
Search Job Boards For Freelance Work Or Internships
Job boards are one of the most common ways for freelancers and interns to find work. As a creative, you should be familiar with the different kinds of job boards and know how to use them effectively.
If you’re looking for freelance work, you’ll want to search for jobs that are in your field of study or something related to it (i.e., if you’re an art student, look for graphic design internships).
If you have experience under your belt but aren’t quite ready to go out on your own yet, there are plenty of opportunities available through these websites.
You might even be able to find full-time positions that will allow you greater responsibility while still offering some stability as well as flexibility in terms of scheduling and location–but only if they exist at all!
Understanding the essentials of freelancing is key to navigating this dynamic career path. Dive into our article on The Most Important Thing You Need to Know About Freelancing and equip yourself with the knowledge to succeed in the freelancing world.
Conclusion
Finding your first few clients is always a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. You can use a combination of these tips and tricks to build up your portfolio and give yourself some money to live on while you wait for that big client.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that they’ll come along any time soon. So if you want to get into freelancing as quickly as possible, then try applying for a job at an agency or start networking right away!
Further Reading
A Guide to Finding Clients as a Freelancer: Discover effective strategies to attract clients and grow your freelance business in this comprehensive guide.
How to Get Clients: Essential Tips for Freelancers: Learn essential tips and techniques to acquire clients and build a successful freelance career.
How to Get Freelance Clients: A Step-by-Step Guide: Follow this step-by-step guide to find freelance clients and increase your opportunities in the creative industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Mean By “Freelance”?
In the creative field, freelancers are people who work for themselves. They set their hours, choose their clients/projects, and determine their rates. They’re also responsible for taxes and expenses you know, all that fun stuff that comes with working for yourself.
What’s The Difference Between A Freelancer And An Employee?
Employees have a steady paycheck and benefits like health insurance. Freelancers are paid per project or job. Freelancers often don’t get benefits from their clients (like health insurance), but they do get to decide what kind of work they want to do and how much they’ll charge for it.
What Kind Of Education Is Required For This Type Of Career?
You don’t need any special degree or certification to become a freelancer in the creative field but many freelancers do have degrees in art or design anyway! You just have to have some experience under your belt.
How Long Should My Portfolio Be?
It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish, but generally speaking, you should have at least one piece of work from each of the following categories:
- Your most recent work (or current work if it’s not finished yet)
- Work that shows off your skills in a different medium than your current work
- Work that shows off your skills in a different style than your current work
- A few pieces are just fun and don’t show off any particular skill set. These are good for when clients want to get a sense of how you approach projects, but don’t need something specific done right away.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.