Dearest readers,
It’s not too late to wish you a happy new year since this will be our first meeting in 2023. The past few months have been filled with trying to improve our process backend. To enable us to serve you better. With joy in my heart, I excitedly wish you a happy new year and tell you we are back, bigger and better!
Similarly, our first entry for the year will discuss how best to acquire freelance clients. After all, we are after getting the bag this year.
One of the most challenging experiences as a freelancer is looking for clients. The lack of sleep because of the constant thoughts of where and how to find clients. And the anxiety that comes with the reality that if you don’t have a client, you don’t have food on your table, especially as a full-time freelancer.
Does this sound familiar? Come with me; let’s dive right in!
The 6-step Approach to Landing New Freelance Clients
Ensure that you are a legitimate candidate.
Remember that talk about charity beginning at home? It applies here too. Seeking a job starts with you working on yourself.
If you were to apply for a regular job, you would most likely show up with a folder stacked with your resume and all other necessary documents that prove that you are capable of the job description or at least have what it takes to get the work done. This is not entirely different in the freelance job market. As a freelancer, you need to show up with evidence that you are capable of the services you claim to offer.
This mini checklist can help you ensure you have the tools you need to be an attractive freelancer to any client.
- Clarify your skill
You need to be able to highlight your skillset and package it efficiently to sell yourself and acquire new clients.
- Research how you fit in
Once you’ve determined your skillset and prepared how to present your skill to a prospective client, you should determine how that skill benefits your prospective freelance clients.
Research the opportunities available to you and jobs that are in demand. Look at jobs available in the market and know how you fit in.
- Update your portfolio
As a freelancer, you should never be without a portfolio. Not just any portfolio but one consistently updated with what you’ve done and can achieve in a client’s business.
If you’ve been able to check everything on this checklist, you’re ready to delve into the freelance market.
After Ensuring You’re a Legitimate Candidate, the Next Steps in Your Search for Freelance Clients:
Use the people around you
Due to the expanding digital market, there has been a corresponding increase in the search for digital recruits. This simply translates to high demand for freelancers. To get a job as a freelancer, you need to make yourself visible to the brands and companies already looking for you, your prospective freelance clients.
Your superpower is the people around you. This is especially useful if you are new to the freelance world and need to practice all you’ve learned. Whether this is your mother, aunty, or best friend’s uncle, pitch yourself and what you can do to improve their business. And you may be well on your way to receiving that first paycheck and work experience.
Do not underestimate the power of word of mouth.
Network, network, network
Imagine yourself as your town crier. Pick up your megaphone and announce to everyone and anyone that you’re searching for a job. Don’t forget to mention precisely what skills you have.
People talk, and who knows when your ex-coursemate is talking to her boss, who’s looking for a writer. That ex-coursemate may suddenly remember your post on Facebook and pitch you to your boss.
Attend networking events, even if they are online. Talk to the right people in situations like this, and don’t forget to mention how you’re their best bet.
Also, don’t neglect communities. If you are a freelance writer, there are several freelance writing communities. The same goes for social media managers, designers, and other freelancers.
These are the best places to receive material and essential information in the freelance world to help your career as a freelancer. If you spot someone you admire or think can help you, don’t be afraid to shoot your shot in their DMS.
Social media is your friend.
Social media is not just an avenue to catch up with your friends but also an excellent platform for acquiring jobs.
Linkedin is a platform specifically designed for professional connections. You would be doing yourself a great disservice by not using it to your advantage. Optimise your profile, create strategic posts telling future employers you can teach what you preach, and watch recruiters flock to your DMS.
Twitter is another platform with great communities that, if used wisely, can help you land your desired job.
Social media is a great platform that affords freelancers opportunities, but it can also be detrimental to your career if it is not used wisely. Make sure you brand yourself professionally and do not put anything out there that you do not want a future employer to find.
Cold calling
Another point to consider is to pick one or two social media platforms to focus your energy on, as being active on too many social media platforms can get overwhelming
An option that has proven fruitful is cold calling. This is not a preferred method for most due to the bold nature of the process, but it can prove effective if done strategically.
Cold calling involves contacting companies for job openings that have not yet been put out. This can typically be done by sending cold emails or direct messages.
To do this right, research must be done on the particular brand or company you desire to work with. Then you must be able to identify a gap or something they could be doing better for their business and, the best part, position yourself as the best option for the solution.
Freelance websites.
Freelance websites can jumpstart your journey into the freelance market. This method has its advantage as it is a catalogue of different job opportunities available to freelancers in one place.
As a freelancer, you can review each available opportunity to source for the ones you’d like to invest your time and energy in. Getting your first client on these sites can prove difficult and requires a lot of patience.
While any of these options are good for getting started, it is advisable to pick one or two strategies to invest your time and energy into.
Like starting with anything new, going into the freelance market can be scary, typically because of fear of the unknown. The best way to overcome this is by adequately preparing for whatever may come, a process that The Creatives Advisory helps you with. Preparing you with hard and soft skills to survive as a freelancer.
Why don’t you contact us today to discuss kickstarting your career as a freelancer?
Bye for now,
Alexis.
