What Are The Best Ways To Find Clients For Freelancing?

There’s no doubt about it:

A well-diversified client roster is the key to a stable freelancing career.

In fact, up to 63% of freelancers agree that diversifying your workload across multiple clients is more secure than going all-in with a single project.

But that begs the question:

What are the best ways to find clients for freelancing?

Should you be advertising yourself on freelancing platforms? Should you be leveraging word-of-mouth referrals from your previous clients?

In this edition of Freelancers’ Corner, we’ve once again brought together our superb freelance community to give you their personal take on the best ways to find clients for freelancing.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

What are the best ways to find clients for freelancing?

Vlad Savva, Music Composer in Russia (VladSavva)

Selling your time less that it costs

When you’re just starting out, it’s well-worth pricing yourself at a slightly lower rate to gain experience and advertise your services. Once you’ve established yourself, you’ll then have the leverage to price yourself at a more lucrative rate.

Raf Tad, Animator in Armenia

Be kind and honest

Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find new freelance clients.

By providing each client with a good experience, you significantly increase your chances of word-of-mouth referral in future.

Jelena Vukolic, Designer in Serbia

There are no best ways, there is only one way – go big and go everywhere.

Jelena stresses that you should never put all of your eggs in one basket when searching for clients:

Use social media platforms, portfolio platforms and set up your own website. The name of the game is advertise, advertise, advertise! No one is going to notice you, nor your hard work if you don’t make them notice you.

Kyle Misko, Composer in New York

I don’t think that there is a universal answer to that since it very much depends on the industry you’re working on. However, the internet is one of the best ways to advertise yourself as a freelancer.

Kyle stresses that while a tailored approach is required when looking for clients, there’s plenty of opportunity to find clients through using established online mediums such as job boards.

Nikki Jain, Graphic Designer in India

Word-of-mouth worked out for me. A lot of my peers and relatives knew someone who needed a designer and they always referred me.

Nikki argues that while word-of-mouth remains unbeatable when finding clients, online mediums are also crucial for winning more work:

These freelancing sites are good for one time projects and to build a good portfolio. Also, when a client likes your work, they’ll approach you for future projects too!

John Meiring, Animator in the UK

Just putting your work out there, with a constant flow of your work in one industry and pushing that towards specific people that you meet. The word will spread and once you get that job, impress them all the way!

John argues that finding clients through word-of-mouth is a cyclical process:

By providing a top-notch experience to your current clients, you’re far more likely to win new clients through word of mouth referral.

So long as you provide a good client experience, you’re much more-likely to win more work in future.

Jake Schneider, Music Producer in the UK

Freelancing websites, social media, networking events (online or face to face), and job boards!

Jake also stresses the importance of promoting yourself on multiple different mediums to win more work.

Miloš, Music Producer in Serbia

What I really like about Twine is that clients find you, instead of you having to look for them. Just sit back, relax, and wait for clients to ask for a job!

Miloš argues that freelancing platforms can be invaluable in finding new clients, especially those that take a hands-on approach to pairing clients and freelancers.

Justin McPhee, Animator in Australia

The first step is always the hardest. I’d suggest getting to know people who seek your work. If you’re an artist, know anyone who loves buying artworks? If you make videos, maybe you know someone who wants to promote themselves, or their business?

Justin notes that your friends and family can serve as a great source of clients, especially when you’re just starting out:

Start with your friends and family, ask them if they know anyone who would like or be willing to pay for your work. Be prepared to convince people why your work is valuable.

Florence Hill, Musician in the Dominican Republic

Tell your friends, family, acquaintances, about what you do!

Much like Justin, Florence also recommends starting out with your network of family and friends to start building a diverse client roster.

Matt Banky, Songwriter in the UK

Start with freelancing platforms and build your portfolio, and pitch on everything that looks like you could do a good job of!

Matt stresses the importance of freelancing platforms in finding new clients, adding that the more jobs you pitch on, the more client relationships you’ll establish.

Yevgeniya Tyumina, Videographer in Spain

Freelancing sites, job boards and word of mouth!

Yevgeniya also feels that the best way to establish a diverse client roster is by using a diverse set of promotional channels. 

And there you have it! A complete breakdown of exactly how to find more freelance clients. If you enjoyed this article, why not check out some of the other posts in our Freelancers’ Corner series?