Freelancing 101: Signing Your First Client
Pop open some bubbly, LWR crew, because we have something to celebrate: a brand new blog series! If you’re acquainted with our group, you might know that we welcome people from all corners of the remote working world - employees and entrepreneurs alike. A large segment of the LWR family, though, is made up of freelancers or women who are looking for a path into full-time freelancing.
To all those who want to launch their freelance business or are in the early stages of that launch right now, this series is for you! Our Freelancing 101 Series will feature a variety of topics for new and emerging solopreneurs to sink their teeth into. So, without further ado, let’s talk about your first client.
Top Ways to Land Your First Client
Getting your first client is a breakthrough moment on your journey because it’s the catalyst for more clients down the road, but how do you land your first client when you don’t have an established history to your name? Here’s where to start:
Your Existing Network
The reason it’s challenging to sign your first freelance client is that they have no way to know whether they can trust you. So why not go to the people who already do trust you? I’m talking about your personal network (family and friends) as well as your professional network (past colleagues and previous employers). You might be surprised by how many people have projects for you or know someone else who does.
Job Boards and Freelancing Sites
If you want to go straight to the source, try applying for gigs on either job boards or freelancing sites. General job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn have proven profitable for many, and there are job boards dedicated to particular freelancing specialties too. For example, problogger.com is great for blog writers and 99designs can be fantastic for graphic designers.
You can also use freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, but use caution. They tend to take a lot off the top, so make sure you calculate your rates accordingly.
Online Freelancing Groups
Sure, we could all debate the pros and cons of social media for days, but I can tell you first-hand that it’s a great asset for freelancers. A supportive and knowledgeable community is an absolute must for entrepreneurs, and so many of those communities have arisen in the form of online groups for freelancers.
People post projects and gigs in these groups, and this can be a fantastic way to land your first client. These groups are also loaded with knowledgeable advice on getting clients and just about anything else freelancing-related. My personal favorite is Freelancing Females, but there are countless other groups out there too for different cities, freelancing specialties, industries, and so on.
A Word of Wisdom: Always Have a Contract
As we chat about getting clients, I’d be remiss if I didn’t make one important point: always have a signed contract with your clients, whether the client is a stranger or someone you’ve known for years. It just makes everything clear and straightforward from day one, and it’s a critical habit to get into as you build your business. Fortunately, there are plenty of boilerplate freelance contract templates available online to make it easy.
Getting Your First Clients
Your first client is a momentous stepping stone for your freelancing business, but it’s not always as difficult to find them as you might expect. Start with the sources above and keep at it, and one day it will all pay off! In the meantime, start working your networking chops by joining us at Ladies Work Remote.