You're a freelancer who needs to find new clients. What's the best way to do it?

It is often thought that being a "jack of all trades" is versatile, but in the freelancing world, it can leave you lost in the crowd. To stand out, you must identify your niche expertise. Ask yourself: Are you a content writing wizard for the tech industry? A social media guru for local businesses? Sharpen your focus and become the go-to person for your specific area of expertise. Based on my personal experience, I can tell you that when I first started freelancing, I tried to take on any writing project that came my way. However, I only started landing consistent clients who valued my specialized skillset when I focused on crafting engaging blog content for marketing agencies.

Freelance platforms can be a great place to start your freelancing career, but simply creating a profile and waiting for clients to contact you may not be enough. To increase your chances of getting hired, it's important to actively engage with the community. Offer helpful advice, participate in discussions, and showcase your expertise. From my personal experience, I found success on freelance platforms by taking the time to understand the client's needs and asking thoughtful questions in my proposals. This extra effort helped me stand out from the competition and get hired for more projects.

Freelancing is not a solo job. You can build your professional network by attending industry events, conferences, or online forums. This way, you can connect with potential clients and fellow freelancers. Let me share my personal experience with you. I attended a content marketing workshop, and it helped me connect with a small business owner who needed website copywriting services. This initial project led to a long-term collaboration, and her referrals helped me expand my clientele base.

Content is king (or 👸😄): Create a captivating website or blog that showcases your skills and experience. Develop a strong online presence through social media engagement and guest blogging for relevant websites. Testimonials are 💎: Gather glowing testimonials and positive client reviews to build trust and credibility. Pricing with Confidence: Don't undervalue your expertise. Research your niche's standard rates and set competitive pricing. Deliver Value, Every Time: Exceed client expectations with exceptional service and top-notch work. Happy clients become repeat clients, and advocates for your freelance business.

I got my first paid online gig through an article I published in a newspaper. It was the last route I had expected to land a job. The key message here is to never stop advertising your skills wherever you can. Advertise your skills shamelessly and purposefully.