Establish the client-finding process

Finding clients as a freelancer can be tricky, but a structured process can make it easier and more efficient. Instead of wasting time and energy reaching out to people who may or may not be interested, having the process enables you to identify and target the right clients who are most likely to need your services.

The truth is that you did the majority of the legwork to help you find clients as a freelancer:

• You've chosen and started building a skill that has a positive ROI
• You've defined the problems you can solve and identified the market for your freelance services
• You've learned the core elements of an excellent offer and created one for yourself

Now it's time to act! Learning skills or perfecting your pitch will not get you further. You've spent enough time on prep work; now it's time to put it all together to practice.

Establishing client-finding process

Here's an actual example of my client-finding process:

1. Gather sources where to find clients
2. Pick a client/company
3. Write a pitch
4. Include relevant work
5. Send
6. Follow up

Let's break it down in detail.

Gather sources where to find clients

First, you must find a place where your clients hang out. There are a bunch of websites and freelancing platforms that give you access to clients all over the world. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Upwork
2. Toptal
3. Product Hunt
4. LinkedIn
5. Angelist
6. Contra
7. Dribbble
8. SolidGigs
9. Reddit
10. Google Maps 😳 (yes!)

While platforms such as Angelist, LinkedIn, Upwork, Contra, Toptal, and others are straightforward, here are a few other examples that also have an endless list of clients in need of your services.

Product Hunt

Over 4 million people visit Product Hunt each month. But why is nobody using this website as an opportunity to find clients? Insane, right?

Most of us overcomplicate the client-finding process and think it can be challenging. But, in fact – it's not. Here's what you should do:

Reddit

Communities are a valuable source of new clients. However, most designers I've spoken with have never used this fantastic tool for one reason or another.

Being involved in your local or global communities can provide you with various fresh leads. Not all of them will be thousand-dollar projects, but there's always the chance of catching a big fish.

It can be more time-consuming to build good relationships with other people in these communities and make them hire or recommend you. Even though there's no shortcut, here are a few places you can start to increase your chances of getting a client:

1. Design Jobs: https://www.reddit.com/r/DesignJobs/
2. Redditors for hire: https://www.reddit.com/r/forhire/
3. Graphic Design Jobs: https://www.reddit.com/r/GraphicDesignJobs/