When I decided to dive head-first into freelancing, I thought I had it figured out – that I knew how to get clients, manage my time, and succeed as a freelancer.
It turns out I got lucky with my first client because as soon as that contract ended, reality dawned on me. It became harder to land the next gig, and there were many things I didn’t take account of.
Freelancing is an extremely competitive landscape, and those who don’t make an effort to be seen will be left with nothing but frustration and desperation. In this article, I will outline the strategies you need to integrate into your daily routine to stand out from the crowd and secure clients. This way, you can avoid learning the hard way to achieve freelancer success, like I did.
Get Weekly Freelance Gigs via Email
Enter your freelancing address and we’ll send you a FREE curated list of freelance jobs in your top category every week.
Building a Portfolio That Speaks Volumes
When it comes to my portfolio, I focus on showcasing my best work instead of shoving everything in it. I know potential clients won’t sift through pages of work, so I have to put the best ones in front. But how do I decide which is best?
I consider factors like the size of the project and whether I worked with a known brand. I also think about how many problems I solved for that client. For design-related work, I always choose the most appealing and visually striking work I did. Since I want to showcase my capabilities, everything on the first page should be something I’m truly proud of.
When I present case studies, I state my client’s problem – or as much as I am allowed to reveal. Then, I show my solution and the results achieved. I use a concise narrative, highlighting my specific contributions. I include visuals like screenshots or graphs. And, of course, I make sure to feature client testimonials.
My advice: focus on projects that demonstrate your core skills and align with your target niche. Keep your portfolio clear, impactful, and results-driven.
Crafting Proposals That Captivate Clients
Before I start writing my proposal, I carefully review the potential client’s job post to understand their pain points. Doing some quick research about the client also helps better understand their circumstances and expectations. Essentially, your end goal here is to tailor the proposal to their needs.
This is why, after analyzing the client and their request, I craft an opening letter or message with a personalized, concise introduction. Then, I mention my skills, but only those relevant to the project. After that, I outline my proposed solutions. If the client already knows what they want, I suggest additional ideas.
To truly stand out, I offer a supplementary service, but I reserve this for the end of the proposal after covering the key points.
Take, for example, a proposal for a video editing job involving long-form educational videos. You can offer an additional service, such as editing short-form content. While it might not seem like a difficult job for you, a client might really appreciate your effort to go the extra mile. This is just one example, as it’s all about finding ways to elevate your service and stand out.
And while it’s tempting to use generic proposal templates and send them to as many proposals as possible, I highly discourage you from doing that. This is bad practice, and it only communicates laziness and impatience.
Showcasing Expertise and Building Authority
There’s one way to get clients without proactively seeking them out, and it’s called establishing an authority and positioning yourself as an expert. This is how I often get job invitations, even when I haven’t actively searched for one in a while.
So, how exactly did I build authority? First, I created a lot of content. I know this might sound tedious, but it really pays off. I set aside time to write a blog and make posts on social media related to the subject matter. On top of that, I always make sure the content I put out is relevant to my niche and the services I provide.
When I’m not busy creating content, I stay engaged in industry conversations, which I find beneficial not only for my visibility as a freelancer but also for deepening my expertise in the niche. Platforms like Quora and Reddit can be surprisingly effective networking tools, with potential clients often lurking and reading tutorials and opinions. It’s worth taking the chance.
I also monitor industry trends and shifts. Potential clients often seek out people who know how to use the latest tools and strategies, which is why freelancers who continuously learn new skills tend to stand out more.
Professionalism in Communication: The Key to Repeat Clients
Landing a client deal is one thing, but maintaining good relationships with clients is a whole different game. I treat every client like they’re my first, ensuring I’m always timely and responsive. I want them to feel confident that they made the right decision by working with me and that they can trust me.
Aside from that, I ensure that I set clear expectations and boundaries. I tell clients the days when I don’t work, what time I usually work on deliverables, and so on. If I don’t set clear boundaries, clients might think I’m available 24/7 and message me at odd hours. This is why having a clear-cut contract outlining working hours and deliverables helps in this case.
Now, here’s where professionalism matters most: handling feedback and friction. There have been times when my clients and I weren’t on the same page. So, before I escalate our communication into a disagreement, I first ask myself if pushing back will lead to a better outcome for the project. If so, I explain my side politely and outline the reasons I disagree with a certain decision.
However, don’t forget that, at the end of the day, our job as freelancers is to bring the client’s vision to life. Regardless of a client’s attitude or predisposition, it’s our responsibility to maintain a professional demeanor.
Prioritizing Security: Protecting Yourself and Your Clients
As a freelancer, I prioritize security measures to safeguard not only my own data but also my clients’ data. Unlike in a corporate environment, there’s no dedicated team for freelancer security. I have to step up and be that team.
Ensure payment security
Most popular freelancing platforms have payment systems built into their website. However, if you’re not using a website like Upwork, you must be aware of the various payment platforms catering to freelancers like Wise and Payoneer.
Of course, this might depend on where you live. Because of this, do a lot of research when starting freelancing and make sure all payments that you’re about to have will be protected at all times.
Handle client data with care
There are many ways to keep a client’s data secure, and I make sure to practice good cybersecurity hygiene for layered protection.
For example, when I work away from home or travel, I always use a VPN to encrypt my internet traffic. I also connect to the internet via an eSIM instead of public Wi-Fi, as scammers can easily hack such networks, revealing every sensitive activity you’re doing online.
Investing in a VPN and an eSIM should also be a no-brainer for you. Just note that with eSIMs, different locations might require services from other providers. So, whenever you’re traveling, search for keywords like “eSIM Japan” to find a provider that offers services in your location. This will ensure you don’t purchase an eSIM with no service available.
Other tools like password managers, firewalls, and antivirus are also staples for freelancers. I sometimes even use a virtual machine, depending on how confidential the data I’m working with is.
Be resistant to scams
As someone who makes a living online, I’ve honed my ability to identify potential scams. Some individuals pose as clients while attempting phishing attacks, while others offer jobs at incredible prices that seem too good to be true. Whenever you’re in doubt about the legitimacy of a client or their offer, always do a background check.
Reviewing a person’s LinkedIn profile can reveal important details about their professional history, connections, and credibility. Verifying the legitimacy of a client or their offer can prevent you from falling victim to scams and protect your personal and professional reputation.
Standing Out in a Competitive Freelance Market
I understand how difficult it is to stand out in such a globally competitive market, but don’t lose hope. Apply what I’ve shared, and with determination, time, and practice, you won’t have to worry about how to get your next clients.
Keep the conversation going…
Over 10,000 of us are having daily conversations over in our free Facebook group and we’d love to see you there. Join us!