The following is a guest post from Martin of Studenomics, where he’s all about helping you reach financial freedom before you hit 30 so that your life doesn’t suck.
The one thing that has allowed me to travel whenever I feel like it, save up more money, and create a flexible lifestyle has been freelancing. I’m not saying that freelancing will solve all of your problems, but imagine what you could do with the extra money or the freedom?
We could all use an extra $100 or $500 per month. This could help you plan a trip, pay off your debt, or just have more savings.
There’s just one problem. How do you get you started? I’m sure that you read the income updates from Alexa (they’re awesome!) and get excited. The only issue is that you might not know what to do next. Your motivation fades and you just wish that you could get into freelancing.
How do you find multiple freelancing clients?
You find one client.
Okay, I’m sorry! I realize how obnoxious that sounds. Allow me to explain myself please…
How do you land that first client?
This is the trickiest part of all. Getting started is always very intimidating. You don’t know if you should start a blog, go on Twitter, or read another eBook.
Here’s the thing: you need to do whatever it takes to land that first client. This varies on what field you want to get into. Some fields are all about networking, while others are about the final product and nothing else.
What are my best tips for landing that first client?
- Facebook ads/a page. Everyone is on Facebook! It’s actually annoying. My brother and a few friends use Facebook to promote their service. My brother cuts hair. So he posts pictures of haircuts to a page and word has spread over time. Facebook isn’t just for creeping your ex-girlfriend.
- Kijiji. My friend posts his guitar-teaching ads on here and he usually finds clients. All you have to do is copy the best ads on there.
- Job boards. The Internet is filled with job boards. What are you waiting for?
I know that these aren’t exactly groundbreaking tips, but sometimes you have to cover the basics and be reminded of them as well.
The point is that you need to hustle to land that first client. From there you can work on building your freelancing portfolio.
What if you can’t find a freelancing client?
This is the worst part. You feel like nobody cares about you and you want to give up. Well, I don’t want you to give up or we’re going to have problems.
So what’s one to do?
You have to do work for free and use this as your portfolio/testimonials.
I didn’t realize how powerful this was until it worked on me. A young lady contacted me about writing. I said no. She offered to work for free on the basis that I would consider hiring her in the future and that she could use me as a referral. Guess what? I hired her and I was used a testimonial.
Free doesn’t sound sexy, but you have to prove yourself somewhere. I’ve recently started pro wrestling and I have been told not to expect payment until many shows in. Four shows in and not a dollar made yet. That’s not going to stop me.
What happens when you land your first client (paid or unpaid)?
This is where you have concrete evidence that you’re on to something. Someone actually wants your help or your service. This is where you start building momentum. This is where things start looking up.
One client will always lead to others. So if you want multiple freelancing clients, all you need to do is land your first client and then over-deliver. You need to hustle. You need to ensure that you do the best job possible so that this person recommends you. Or else, why bother?
If you want to read more, you need to check out my book on Amazon on how you can start freelancing.
Good luck and I’m here to help you get started!
I’m just getting into freelance writing and I love it! It took a while to get that first gig, but you are right, more opportunities open up after the first one happens. I am more confident, and more inspired to continue to hustle!
Awesome to hear Melanie. How did you find your first gig? Good luck!
Far too often people think their skills are a lot better than they are. Many companies provide “money back guarantees”, which is the equivalent of working for free.
Budding entrepreneurs need to understand the value of getting their name out, and using their good works and referrals to get more business.
You need to get your name out! Any way possible. And yes, you might have to work for free.
I found an initial client for my spreadsheet business through a friend of mine who owns a small business. I charged very low rates compared with the market, but I didn’t care because of how important that first client was. I’ve since raised my rates and definitely can extract more value per hour of work.
That’s what I like to hear. Was the client willing to be a referral?
I remember the time that I felt like giving up and that freelance writing will not work for me until my first client through an online workplace . It wasn’t much really but that really boosted my spirits and 4 years later, I am still into writing and have already worked for different clients.
Good job Jen! Time flies eh?
I focus a lot of magazine/website article writing and it takes time to come up with article ideas, pitch them to editors and wait for feedback (that may never come). But you have to keep plugging away and one day it will pay off.
I completely agree about working for free at the beginning. Hell, I still write for free when it truly benefits me. In fact, I have a free bi-weekly writing client.
Hey Martin, I’ve been doing some freelance writing myself and landed a couple of blogging clients already. As you say it’s great having that extra cash every month to pay down debt or put towards a nice family vacation.
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I’ve been trying to get my foot in the day. I had grand plans. Once I read this article it reminded me to walk before running. Just had my very first guest post. Now I’m motivated to keep moving upward and onward. Thanks.