Tips for Finding Great Clients as a Freelancer

I Recently Got Paid $13k From One Client This Month. But how do I get such clients? Here’s the truth: Premium clients don’t come from cold pitches or chasing leads on every platform. They come from referrals—and it’s the most underrated growth strategy in freelancing. Here’s how I make it work: 1/ I document every step of my process. - Most freelancers focus on delivering the final output, but I keep clients in the loop—showing them how their project evolves in real time. - This transparency doesn’t just build trust—it makes them confident to recommend me. - Clients remember freelancers who make the process feel effortless. 2/ I identify my client’s hidden pain points. - Premium clients often don’t know what they actually need. - I ask better questions—not “What do you want me to do?” but “What’s currently holding you back?” - The more I solved what they didn’t even know was a problem, the more likely they were to refer me. 3/ I send follow-up emails that don’t ask for work. This one is huge: - Every 3-6 months, I reach out to past clients with personalized updates or industry insights that might help them. - No sales pitch—just genuine value. - Half my referrals come because I stayed top of mind, without feeling transactional. 4/ I offer something extra—strategically. - I don’t over-deliver for the sake of it. Instead, I pick one specific thing that adds unexpected value, like creating a roadmap for their next steps post-project. - This sticks with clients, and they mention it in their referrals. Hope this helps! How do you make referrals work in your freelancing? Let me know below. 👇

If we were sitting down for coffee and you’d just told me you’re starting your freelance business, I wouldn’t ask about your logo, or your pricing page, or whether you've really "nailed down your niche". I’d ask: who are you talking to? Because if I was starting from scratch right now, that’s exactly where I’d begin. I’d build my network from day one (before I “felt ready”) I’d focus on two groups immediately: 1. Potential clients 2. Fellow freelancers I’d treat both groups as equally important and focus on meeting as many people in BOTH categories as possible. I’d show up on LinkedIn right from the start If posting feels intimidating, start with commenting -- and I'm talking thoughtful, specific comments here, not "great post" slop. I would recommend a healthy mix: Comment consistently. Post once a week about what you’re learning, building, offering, or noticing. - Share behind-the-scenes thoughts about your freelance journey. - Talk about the problems you help solve. I’d prioritise in-person spaces If I were starting today, I’d look for: - Coworking spaces - Industry meetups - Small conferences - Founder events - Creative community gatherings You don’t need to “sell” yourself in these rooms. Just be curious. Ask people what they’re working on. Treat them like a human. Instead of trying to work with everyone, I’d define 3–4 types of clients I actually want. For example: 1. Early-stage SaaS founders 2. Ecommerce brands doing £1–5m/year 3. Funded startups hiring their first marketing lead 4. Agencies that need white-label support Then I’d create a simple one-pager for each bucket that clearly outlines: - Who they are - The problems they’re likely dealing with - The outcomes they care about - How my services solve those problems Then I’d use LinkedIn strategically Method 1: Search by job role - Type in the role that typically hires you (e.g., “Head of Marketing”). - Filter by industry, company size, location. - Click into profiles. - Use “People also viewed” to find similar profiles. Method 2: Start with one ideal brand - Find a company that fits one of your buckets perfectly. - Go to their LinkedIn page. - Use “People also viewed” to find similar companies. Repeat. When they accept, I’d follow up with something simple and human. For example: “Thanks for connecting. I work with ecommerce brands on X. If you ever need support with Y, feel free to reach out.” “I’ve got two client spots left this quarter if you ever need help with Z.” “Do you work with freelancers?” I’d repeat this until I had three clients Three solid clients gives you a bit of stability and hopefully a nice bit of cash flow. And once I hit that, I’d deliberately scale back outreach. Instead of mass-connecting, I’d focus on nurturing 5–10 ideal client profiles each month: - Engaging with their content - Congratulating them on launches - Checking in when they post about hiring Will pop a link to my free workshop that goes into more detail below 👇

10 Ways to Get Clients as a Producer, Engineer, Mixer, or Studio Owner 1. Referrals & Word-of-Mouth Your reputation is everything. Be authentic, support your artists, and help promote their music. Make sure your work is easy to find—if artists love what you’ve done, they’ll spread the word. Don’t make outlandish claims that can’t be verified—it will hurt your credibility more than help. 2. Networking & Events Go to local shows, meet musicians, and be part of the scene. Offer to mix a song for free—if they love it, they’ll come back. Producer Dave Jerden built his career this way, proving value upfront. Attend events like SXSW, MUSEXPO, or Eurosonic to meet industry professionals and potential clients. 3. Cold Outreach Find artists on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, Vampr, and ReverbNation. When reaching out, be personal and offer value.Reference their work and how you can enhance their sound. Authenticity builds trust. 4. Social Media & Content Marketing Always make it about the music. Too many focus on gear—musicians care about songs. Showcase music you love, post behind-the-scenes content, and talk about arrangements and vibe. Show your passion, and artists will want to work with you. 5. Website & SEO A professional site is easier than you think. Platforms like Squarespace and Wix let you build one fast. Include your work, testimonials, and a way to book you. 6. Collaborations & Co-Writing Collaboration grows your reach. If you’re a guitarist, play on others’ projects. If you’re a great singer, offer vocal comping. Co-writing builds deep connections—collaborate, collaborate, collaborate! 7. Freelance Platforms Sites like SoundBetter, Upwork, and AirGigs can help, but don’t rely on them. Build your own website and social media presence to create direct connections. 8. Educating & Empowering Artists Teach, don’t sell. Host workshops, share free resources, and help artists improve. When you give genuine value, they’ll trust you and return when they need a pro. 9. Email Marketing Music first! Offer valuable content—songwriting insights, production tips, and mix prep guides. Build trust, and when artists need professional help, you’ll be their go-to. 10. Paid Advertising This should be your last step. If you’ve built trust, you may not need ads at all. Always make it about the music. If you do run ads, offer real value—discounted services or free resources. Ads work best when supporting an already strong presence.

Your next client isn’t posting job listings… they’re lurking! Freelancers, here’s the biggest mistake I see on LinkedIn: You’re searching for job posts instead of getting in front of the people who already need you. Here’s the truth:
Most high-ticket clients aren’t posting “freelancer wanted” ads.
 They’re THINKING about their problem, not actively searching for a solution yet.
 They’re LURKING—reading posts, engaging in comment sections, and gathering ideas. 💡 The freelancers who win? They show up before the client even realizes they need them. Here’s how you do it in 3 easy steps: ✅ Find the conversations before they turn into job posts. - Use Sales Navigator to track CEOs, CMOs, and founders in your niche. - Set alerts for when they comment on industry discussions. - Engage with their content before you ever send a pitch. ✅ Look for pain points hidden in plain sight. - Posts like “We’re scaling fast” = They need help. - “We’re testing a new marketing strategy” = They need experts. - “Who knows a great [skill]?” = They’re hiring, but informally. ✅ Be the expert in their feed—before they need you. - Comment insightfully on posts from decision-makers in your industry. - Post your own content showing how you solve problems. - When they’re ready to hire? You’re the first name that comes to mind. Freelancers who wait for job listings compete with thousands of others for the small % of gigs that weren’t filled at the networking stage. 
Freelancers who show up early build relationships—and get hired before the listing even exists. Are you waiting for opportunities, or positioning yourself for them? 👇

The first 6 months of my freelancing journey: I earned €500 a month. I struggled to find clients. I questioned my skills. And honestly, I felt like giving up more times than I’d like to admit. What changed everything: I stopped chasing clients and started building a trusted freelancing brand. The kind that draws clients to you. Here’s how you can do it too: 1. Your content is your portfolio. ✔️ Share lessons you’ve learned. ✔️ processes you follow, and small wins. ✔️ Teach something valuable instead of just selling. 2. Build and refine your skills ✔️ Clients pay for expertise ✔️ Every project is a chance to level up. ✔️ Focus on improving both technical and soft skills. 3. Master negotiation ✔️ Understand what the client truly needs. ✔️ Don’t undersell yourself to "close the deal." ✔️ Be clear on what is that you bring to the table. ✔️ Confidence grows when you’re ready to say no. 4. Network with intention ✔️ Engage with potential clients daily. ✔️ Build relationships with fellow freelancers. ✔️ Nurture connections—they lead to referrals. The goal isn’t to be just another freelancer. Be the freelancer clients trust and refer. PS: Need more tips? Grab my freelancing cheatsheet (500+ freelancers already have it) here: https://bit.ly/3LWwyZ7

Okay so here’s everything I know about getting clients (learned from freelancing with 30+ tech companies like Siemens, Semrush, and Riverside). In this free guide, I'll share... The three basic conditions clients need to feel comfortable hiring you: • Trust: The client trusts you as a person. • Pain: The client has a problem you can solve. • Taste: The client likes your work. The five methods I use to find new clients: 1. Friends & Family: Great starting point, but limited. Build a basic portfolio and move on.
 2. Intros & Referrals: Offer value when asking for an intro. They’re risking their reputation for you. 3. Cold Outreach: Don’t ask for work. Do the work. 
 Show how you’d solve their problems. 4. Content Creation: Share the work you want to create and high-intent clients will come. 5. Public Speaking: Speaking at a 20-person meetup will get you more clients than sitting in the audience at a huge conference. And
I will also: • Show you real screenshots and templates from my own process. • Explain how to start freelancing as a creative copywriter or designer, even if you have no experience or portfolio, and then work your way up to bigger clients. Let’s dive in :)

My Little Secret to Attracting High-Value Clients as a Virtual Assistant I have a confession to make… long post-alert 🚨 When I started freelancing, I thought landing high-paying clients was about having the perfect profile, the right skills, and sending tons of proposals. But the real secret? 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐, 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇. Let me explain. Imagine walking into a store to buy a handbag. There’s one for $10 and another for $500. The expensive one is displayed beautifully, comes with a warranty, and has glowing reviews. The $10 bag? Placed in a corner with no branding, no story, just… there. Which one would you trust more? I know right 😄 This is exactly how clients think when hiring a Virtual Assistant. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒂 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒔 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆. So, how do you attract premium clients instead of low-budget offers? 1️⃣ Be a Brand, Not Just a Freelancer You’re not just a “VA.” You’re a business solutions provider. Present yourself as an expert who helps clients save time, increase efficiency, and scale. Stop saying, “I can handle your admin tasks.” Instead, say, “I help CEOs reclaim 10+ hours weekly by streamlining operations and managing key projects.” See the difference? 2️⃣ Charge for Value, Not Time High-value clients are looking for results. Stop charging based on “hours worked” and start charging for impact delivered. When you position yourself as an investment, not an expense, you’ll attract those willing to pay for quality. 3️⃣ Make Your Profile & Proposals Irresistible Your Upwork profile (or LinkedIn) should scream “high-level professional.” Ditch the generic introductions. Instead of “I’m a Virtual Assistant with 3 years of experience,” try: “I help 6-figure entrepreneurs systemize their operations so they can scale effortlessly.” 4️⃣ Think Like a CEO If you want to work with high-value clients, study how they think. They love VAs who take initiative, solve problems proactively, and communicate effectively. Want better clients? Start thinking and showing up like a partner, not just a task-doer. 💡 To struggling freelancers: You don’t have to fight for scraps. The clients you dream of exist, you just need to position yourself to attract them. 💰 To CEOs: The best VAs don’t just check off tasks they help you grow. Pay them well, and they’ll bring you time, freedom, and efficiency. Did you get value? Don't keep to yourself, repost to help others. No gatekeeping 🤗

Are you struggling to find your ideal clients? Here are 12 ways to fix that. Your ideal clients are out there. But to connect with them, you need to know where they are, what they value, and how you can solve their problems. Here's how you find and attract your ideal clients: 1. Create content that speaks directly to them. Address their pain points, desires, and challenges with posts, blogs, or videos that resonate deeply. 2. Get specific about who they are. Define their demographics, behaviors, and values. The clearer you are, the easier it is to spot them! 3. Find out where they hang out. Are they on LinkedIn, Instagram, or attending industry-specific events? Be present where they already spend time. 4. Partner with complementary professionals. Think about other services they’re using (accountants, designers, coaches...) and build partnerships to cross-refer clients. 5. Leverage testimonials. Share success stories from past clients who are similar to your ideal audience. This builds trust and social proof. 6. Engage in their communities. Join Facebook groups, LinkedIn communities, or forums where they ask questions and share challenges. 7. Speak their language. Use their terminology and phrases in your content. This shows you understand them and their world. 8. Host webinars or events. Create a space where they can learn from you and experience your expertise firsthand. 9. Refine your offer. Tailor your services to meet their specific goals and needs. A clear, irresistible offer will always stand out. 10. Use targeted ads. If you’re advertising, make sure your audience is laser-focused based on their location, interests, and behaviors. 11. Collaborate with influencers. Partner with individuals your ideal clients already follow and trust to amplify your reach. 12. Ask for referrals. Happy clients attract more happy clients. Don’t hesitate to ask your current clients for introductions to others who might benefit from your work. ► Ideal clients don’t magically appear. They’re drawn to clarity, value, and connection. When you know who you’re looking for and where to find them, everything changes! Your next ideal client might be just one strategy away. Which of these tips will you try first? Share your thoughts below!

Becoming a freelance writer is an exciting opportunity to showcase your talent and earn a living doing what you love. Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your client base, here are 15 actionable strategies to find freelance writing jobs: 1. Leverage Freelance Platforms Join websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. Create a compelling profile showcasing your skills, niche expertise, and portfolio. 2. Pitch to Online Publications Research magazines, blogs, or websites in your niche. Reach out to editors with personalized pitches and writing samples. 3. Network on LinkedIn Optimize your LinkedIn profile for freelance writing by listing your services, work samples, and key achievements. Connect with businesses that need content. 4. Cold Email Potential Clients Identify companies that align with your interests and send tailored cold emails offering your writing services. Highlight how you can solve their content needs. 5. Join Content Agencies Apply to content writing agencies like Scripted, ClearVoice, and WriterAccess to gain consistent work opportunities. 6. Leverage Job Boards Browse specialized writing job boards like ProBlogger, Freelance Writing Jobs, and Contena for daily listings. 7. Tap Into Social Media Use Twitter and Facebook groups to connect with potential clients or find job postings. Follow hashtags like #freelancewritingjobs. 8. Start a Blog Showcase your expertise and attract clients by creating a blog where you write about your niche or industry topics. 9. Ask for Referrals Reach out to past clients or colleagues and let them know you’re available for writing projects. 10. Offer Free Samples Write a few samples to show potential clients the quality of your work. If you’re targeting specific industries, tailor your samples accordingly. 11. Build an Online Portfolio Create a personal website featuring your best work, testimonials, and a clear call to action for hiring you. 12. Attend Networking Events Join industry events, conferences, or meetups to connect with potential clients and establish relationships. 13. Collaborate with Other Freelancers Partner with graphic designers, web developers, or marketers. They can refer clients who need writing services. 14. Utilize Local Resources Contact local businesses, nonprofits, or organizations that might need help with brochures, blogs, or newsletters. 15. Stay Consistent Success comes from persistence. Dedicate time every week to pitching, networking, and enhancing your skills. Finding freelance writing jobs takes effort and strategy, but with persistence and creativity, you’ll build a thriving career. With love, J.💋 #FreelanceWritingTips #FindWritingJobs #FreelanceSuccess #WritingCareer “15 Ways to Find Freelance Writing Jobs” by Jae Duran

Copywriters, Freelancers, and Agency Owners: Want to know the #1 secret to landing high-ticket clients? It's not about sending 100 cold emails or DMs a day or having the perfect outreach method. The real key to winning over big clients is... PERSONALIZATION! I receive tons of cold emails and DMs every day, and most of them miss the mark. They aren’t targeted enough, and often, I don’t need the service at all. After nearly a decade in the trenches and landing over 1,000 clients, I’ve learned that personalization is the make-or-break factor in your outreach messages. When you take the time to: Do Deep Research: Understand your prospect’s business, industry, and specific pain points. This shows you’ve invested effort into understanding their unique needs. Create Custom Value Propositions: Highlight how your services can address their specific challenges and help achieve their goals. Use relevant examples and case studies. Build Genuine Relationships: Engage in authentic, personalized communication that fosters trust and rapport. Mention specific details about their work or recent achievements. That’s when the magic happens. Your prospects start seeing you as a valuable consultant, not just another generic freelancer. And that’s when the big deals start rolling in.