How to Get Your First 10 Clients as a Freelancer

Introduction

As a freelancer, getting your first clients can feel like you're lost in a desert with hardly any signs of life.

The good news? You can turn that barren terrain into a prosperous clientele with the correct strategy. These tried-and-true tactics from real freelancers can help you get your first ten clients.

It's challenging to get your first freelance customer. It's similar to earning your first million dollars; as Duane Alley once said, "the first million is the hardest because you don't know you can overcome your own beliefs." If you play your cards well, getting your second, third, and so forth clients is easy once you've gotten your first.

All we mean by "playing your cards well" is that you can choose which strategy is most effective for you. You must solve this problem on your own.

Let's not rush things, though; there are a couple ways to get your first client.

Here are some tips for getting your first clients as a freelancer.

1. Know Yourself First

Do you intend to accommodate everyone? You won't have any clients, then. Allow your personality to shine.

Be honest about your schedule, family status, and deadlines. Some people seek a 9-to-5 employee, while others simply require someone to meet deadlines and complete other responsibilities. Find out who you are before deciding who to work with.

2. Tell Friends and Families

So you're starting a new adventure? You must inform others about it, though. Starting with your friends and family is a wise move.

Alright, when you try to explain what UX or copywriting are, some of them might just stare at you. However, sharing the details of your freelance business with those closest to you is beneficial.

Practice your pitch: This can help you make your explanation more obvious to people in your business.

Make use of their networks: Your services can be advertised by friends and family.

First, it's an excellent practice for when you have to explain what you do to others. It will assist you in honing and clarifying your pitch. It will be easy to explain yourself to individuals in your field if you can make your family and friends understand.

Second, you're reaching out to everyone they know—their distinct networks—rather than just talking to them. They will be able to compliment you the next time someone they know is looking for someone who does what you do if you make it clear what you do.

Remember everyone you've been interacting with on Facebook. This is your payback for spending so much time staring at their kid and pet photos. Tell them what you're doing, then.

3. Use your current network

The majority of professionals will switch from full-time employment to freelancing, so using your current network of connections from previous positions to locate clients is the ideal place to start.

When I first started, I sent my contacts individual emails and LinkedIn messages that included a link to my website, information on the services I provided, and a statement that I was now a freelancer.

It was more of a casual message to reliable coworkers informing them of my job transition and stating that I would appreciate recommendations if any pertinent assignments came up. As a result, I immediately had contracts and even a few freelancing clients months later.

One of the finest methods to establish a referral flow is through people who already know you and can attest to your qualifications, especially if they can recommend a specific contact.

Yes, you must already be friendly with other professionals in your field in order to do this. And now is the time to begin creating a network if you don't already have one to work with.

4. Make a pitch to prospective customers

In order to build a diverse list of clients, it's critical to reach out to people who might be your ideal clientele.

LinkedIn pitches and emails: Emails are more difficult to ignore. Make sure your pitch is clear, succinct, relevant, and customized.

Find out who your ideal customers are: Choose the appropriate contact and tailor your pitch to their requirements.

Over time, refine: If you don't initially know who your ideal clients are, you will find them as you explain what you do.

5. Participate in freelance marketplaces.

Fortunately, both beginners and experienced freelancers can find open projects on a wide range of markets across industries.

General marketplaces: Fiverr, Toptal, and Upwork

Platforms for niches: Voices (voice-over), Behance (design)

Create a profile, present your portfolio and experience, and submit offers for projects that suit your qualifications. Marketplaces have fierce competition and take a cut, so avoid becoming overly reliant.

6. Publish your ideas consistently

I created and edited videos and articles for a food blog for 3 years, researching trending topics in food and health to engage readers and grow the audience. During this time, I produced over 100 pieces that were published across the blog and other reputable platforms.

Since then, I've continued producing content—over 1,000 pieces—to share my thoughts on content creation, marketing, and audience engagement; some were paid assignments from clients, and others were for free to build my portfolio.

The adage "show vs. tell" applies perfectly here, because potential clients or collaborators could:

Read my articles or watch my videos
Gain actionable insights from my work
Reach out to collaborate if they found the content valuable

Sharing your ideas in public forums demonstrates your expertise in topics relevant to your services, whether it’s content strategy, marketing, or audience growth.

There is no single “right” way to do this. You should create content in formats that suit your strengths and reach your intended audience, such as:

Blog articles
Videos or YouTube shorts
Social media posts

7. Make your employer your first customer

When it's time to talk about your resignation, if you get along well with your current employer, suggest that you assist the business in a project-based role as a contractor.

It's easier to get your first freelance client because you've already established your expertise with the industry and in ties with your colleagues.

When you approach your present or previous employers, be prepared with clear recommendations about the projects you would like to help them with, the extent and schedule of your partnership, and your pricing depending on the amount of time or deliverables you will provide.

8. Exchange your services for recommendations and endorsements.

Taking advantage of chances to demonstrate your abilities and knowledge for free or at a minimal cost is a useful strategy for developing your reputation and clientele as a new freelancer.

Trading your services for testimonials and referrals should ideally just be a portion of the business when you first start because exposure won't cover your expenses in the near future.

When deciding which free opportunities to accept, take into account which will put you in front of the target audience, help you gain useful experience, and generate recommendations and testimonials that will eventually lead to paid work.

Be a little more daring at first with what you're taking on, especially if it piques your interest, as you cannot guarantee the results from these investments.

However, you must refrain from saying "yes" too frequently. If you don't strategically incorporate unpaid assignments into your overall mix, a lengthy number of them could overwhelm you.

9. Lead with a minimal viable product

Making it easy for early adopters to buy in is the aim of designing one of your initial services as an MVP (Minimal Viable Product). Consequently, you obtain valuable input to guide subsequent versions.

My MVP was video editing and blog writing because I already had these abilities and a portfolio from my side project. It's frequently outsourced, it's not too expensive for businesses, and it's simple to communicate its advantages.

My job as a freelancer began with freelance writing.

There are, of course, a lot more ways to get your first freelance clients. Additionally, you are not required to follow every one of these suggestions. Instead, try a variety of strategies to see what works best for you when you sign your first freelance clients.

Conclusion

Getting your first freelance clients can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Try different things to determine what suits you the best. Make contacts, show off your abilities, and don't be scared to ask for help. This is the first step for any successful freelancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to find clients as a beginner freelancer?

Freelancers can find clients in a variety of ways. Networking is one of the best methods to get started. Connect with other experts in your sector, attend industry events, and join professional organizations to foster contacts that may lead to future opportunities.

Why am I not attracting clients?

Be explicit about who your ideal clients are.

Or being so broad in your aim that it's virtually meaningless. For instance, small business proprietors, SMEs, and family enterprises. Consider the types of clients you really enjoy working with.

How to get first 100 clients?

Therefore, gaining your first 100 clients has nothing to do with scale. It has to do with concentration. Choosing a hyper-specific set of people and exactly fixing one of their hyper-specific concerns is the cheat code so that when they learn about your solution, they know it's for them right away.

How do I find my first freelance client?

In order for clients to feel comfortable trusting and hiring you for their requirements, the process entails reaching out, establishing relationships, and getting yourself known. Commence with your network: Share your offer with friends, family, and business associates, and inquire whether they need assistance or know of someone who does.