The Client Hunt: how to land a freelance job (or how to try)

Friends, freelancers in the making, and new subscribers. Welcome back to Freelance At Last.

Firstly: no new clients yet.

I won’t pretend it doesn’t feel almost shameful to admit, but I continue to remind myself that this is completely expected.

It’s only been a week of putting feelers out properly, and if I’ve learned anything in my adventure of a career, it’s that great things take time and persistence. 

For the past seven days, instead of sitting around my tiny studio-now-home office waiting for clients to reach out to me in desperation asking for my expertise (one can only dream), I’ve been proactively seeking out opportunities under every nook and cranny. 

And wouldn’t you know, this effort has brought in some bloody leads!

I’ve found a few people potentially looking for social help. No solid yays yet, but casual conversations are happening and this is all part of the process. Getting on people’s radar is the first step and I can just FEEL my first new client is around the corner. 

Ways I’m looking for clients:

1. Seek, LinkedIn jobs, social media pages.

I’ve been active on job search sites for a while now and have been keeping an eye on businesses looking for part-time or casual social media experts. Through this, as well as staying on other social media job search pages, I’ve been able to find a few people to send proposals to. 

2. Speaking of, I’ve created a freelancer pitch deck template. 

A website is great, but I also knew I needed a more direct and structured way to introduce myself to potential clients.

Cue, a freelancer pitch deck. I’ve now finished the template and, similar to a CV, I can tailor it depending on who I’m reaching out to.

3. Rejig of the website (again).

“But you said you launched your website already!”

I launched my website while it was good, but not perfect. This week I was ready to refine it to make it as easy as possible for potential clients to see what I offer and why they should work with me. 

For example, my old portfolio page showing previous work was shit, to say the least, so I figured out a better way to showcase my work. These updates will happen all the time as I learn and improve and continuous improvement is an important part of going out on your own.

Since you’re all on this journey with me, PLEASE check out my website and let me know what you love, despise, adore, etc! Like me, it’s still a work in progress.

4. The network is really networking.

People want to help. Friends, family, and past colleagues have been incredible in spreading the word that I’m available for work. 

If you’re just starting out too, don’t be afraid to let people know what you’re doing via word of mouth, social media, emails, or whatever you need to do. You never know where opportunities might come from (in fact, I found a potential lead through a lovely friend who was telling a family member about me)!

How the rent is being paid

I told you I’d be honest about everything from the start, so it’s only right I am transparent about my current (slightly dire) money sitch.

We all know freelancing is unpredictable, and we also all know that starting from scratch is a slow process. So, I made sure to diversify my income options and find some steady income to keep me afloat during this phase.

• Bartending: I re-did the (utterly boring) day course to get my RSA back and the plan is to pick up casual bartending shifts a few times a week in my area. It’s flexible, social, and keeps some money coming in. 

• Freelance payroll work: admittedly this is random as hell, but I have a contact who needed a payroll officer for around 15 hours per week and, having done it before many moons ago, I offered my help. Like bartending, the work is flexible which is what I need right now. I also can do it from home and it doesn’t use up my creative juices— leaving me plenty of raw ideas and energy for my future clients.

Touch wood, but it feels like I may have found a way to have the freedom to find the right clients while making ends meet instead of ending up without any income and desperate enough to give up this dream too soon. 

That being said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I’m not making anywhere near as much as I need to live at this stage (and I haven’t started bar work yet) so have been using the small amount of savings I had to help me get through.

Let’s all manifest me some new clients!!

What still needs to be done

1. Cold outreach. 

Cold outreach is my next focus, as well as industry networking events. It doesn’t scare me too much— I was a recruiter (you’ll slowly learn I’ve done a lot in my career) for five years before I moved into media so have had plenty of experience cold-calling people. 

If you plan on doing the same, my advice is to be prepared for rejection and don’t take it personally. Rejection is a very normal part of cold outreach and if you go into every cold conversation with a fear you’ll be rejected, the lack of confidence will show.  

2. Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelance platforms.

I’ve heard mixed reviews about these freelance platforms but I figure, why the hell not? If you’ve tried them before let me know what you think about them. Otherwise, I’ll update you once I’ve given it a red hot go.

Networks are your best asset. PERIOD.

People can’t help you if they don’t know what you’re doing, so talk about it damn it!

Having a small financial buffer makes everything less stressful.

Finding clients takes time, and having other income streams keeps me from making decisions out of panic. 

Alright, folks, that’s all from me! Next week, I’ll update you on what’s working (and what’s not) in my client outreach efforts so make sure you’ve subscribed!

See you next Tuesday. 

Laura

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