How to Find Your First Freelance Clients

Finding your very first freelance clients after you’ve started your own business can be a very daunting task. You’re eager to take on new clients, but it seems like no one is willing to give you a chance.

It can be down right frustrating trying to find your first freelance clients – to the point where you just want to give up.

If you feel like you’ve exhausted every avenue, I’m here to give you my best tips on how to find freelance clients when you’re just starting out.

Facebook Groups

Joining business groups on Facebook is a great way to find possible new clients for your freelance business. Many of the groups will allow you to introduce yourself and talk about the services you offer and on occasion you may be allowed to post a link to your website.

Finding the right Facebook groups to join can be tricky at first. Try to look for groups that are focused on business and a specific niche that you specialize in. For example, if you offer VA services for photographers, join Facebook groups that focus on running a photography business.

If you’re struggling to find a Facebook group that fits you, imagine who your ideal client is and what Facebook group they may be active in. It may take a bit of trial and error to find the right groups.

Once you’ve joined some groups on Facebook, you may have the opportunity to introduce yourself and talk a little bit about your business.

Being active in the Facebook groups you belong to is one of the best ways to get yourself noticed and attract your next freelance client. Offer as much advice and free tips as you can so people can see the value you offer and possibly want to hire you!

Instagram

You may be thinking, “How can I get freelance clients from Instagram when I have such a small following?” It’s totally ok if you have a small following on Instagram. You can still get your first freelance clients from Instagram using the technique I’m going to share with you.

If you happen to get a new follower on Instagram, send them a welcome message. Give their business a compliment and also share a valuable tip that may help their business. You’ll need to invest a little bit of time reviewing their Instagram account and learning about their business. They’ll be blown away by the personal touch in your message and they may even wind up hiring you to help them!

Now, let’s assume you don’t have any new followers. You can look in Instagram for your ideal client and follow their page. Look for businesses that fit your niche and also aim for an Instagram account that has a fairly low follower count.

After you like their page and some of their posts, send them a friendly message introducing yourself! Keep it genuine by showing a true interest in their business and not just selling your own services.

Local Businesses

When you’re out and about, striking up conversation with local business owners can be a great way to land your first freelance client. People tend to feel more comfortable hiring someone who they already know. Working with a local business also increases the chances that they will recommend you to other local businesses!

Pro Tip → Always carry business cards in your purse. If the owner of a local business isn’t available to speak with you, leave your business card behind so they can contact you. You’ll look like a total pro!

Lastly, see if the area you live in has a local Chamber of Commerce which is a group for local businesses to exchange resources, ideas and information.

Conclusion

Starting out in business can be scary at first, especially when you haven’t booked any new clients. You might feel like a failure, but trust me – every business owner has been in your shoes before.

Imagine that there are hundreds of people waiting to hire you – but if they don’t hear from you and they don’t know about your business, they’re going to hire someone else.

Don’t miss out on booking your first freelance client. Get yourself out there and make your business visible to as many people as you can!