The number one question I get from freelancers just starting out is “how do you find your clients?” I’m super grateful to say that at this point, my clients usually find me! Of course it has never been truly effortless, but in the beginning it was more about gaining confidence in my skills, and really getting comfortable putting myself out there. (Easier said than done!) Throughout this process, I found my favorite ways to increase visibility and get clients as a freelance web developer. Here they are:
How to Get Clients as a Freelance Web Designer or Developer
Find your specialty
You’ve probably heard the saying “narrow your niche” a lot and well, we aren’t going to tell you to do that because as creative slashies, we love dabbling in just about everything (offering it as a service only when we’ve polished our skills, of course). But although we’re a full service creative studio, we do have our specialties we’ve honed in on for years and these are often how people find us. I am primarily a WordPress and Shopify developer, and Angela is a copywriter. While we offer design, branding, and other digital media services, people usually first find one of us specifically for coding help or copywriting and if we’re lucky, they hire us for even more services.
Join a creative community
We have both had a lot of success finding work in creative groups on Facebook, or even just connecting with other creatives to collaborate with. For a long time, the majority of my freelance workload came from a single connection I made in a creative group. FB groups usually have rules so you can’t outright say, “Hi I’m a designer, hire me!” but you can keep an eye out for job opportunities that seem like a good fit for you.
Apply for a creative directory
Directories are another way to get found by people looking to hire creatives. Usually there is a small application fee (which might pay for itself!). Being listed in a directory is another way that finding your specialty comes in handy. For example, a directory might have 1000 graphic designers, but only 100 pattern designers. Choose your specialty and make sure it list it when you apply for a directory.
Keep in touch with former clients
Over the years, I’ve gotten several referrals from my very first client! We don’t work together too often anymore (a little web maintenance here and there) but she always sends people in her community my way. Keeping in touch with your previous clients (checking in to see if they need anything, how their business is going, etc) can ultimately expand your network, so don’t think of them as simply *in the past*.
Tell your friends & family exactly what you do
Probably 5% of my friends and family know what I do. Honestly maybe less. That’s just the way it goes in the creative world, huh? It’s tedious to explain the difference between web design and web development, that even if you’re creative, it doesn’t mean you can draw (ha!), or even that freelancing IS a real job. But taking the time to explain exactly what you do can help make connections between you and people who might not understand all that you offer. Maybe your sister’s friend’s friend needs a website for her shop. Maybe a family member’s business has been struggling to get found and they could use your amazing SEO skills. It seems obvious, but we’re currently working with two clients we know from our personal lives… And they wouldn’t know what we do if we hadn’t taken the time to share. You just never know!
Have you been wondering how to get clients as a freelancer? Seasoned freelancers, let us know what you’d add to this list!
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