When targeting potential clients from far and wide, the internet is your greatest asset. However, all this effort will be for naught if your ideal client isn’t likely to live in your town or frequent the neighborhood coffee shop.
BUILDING A CLIENT BASE PROFESSIONAL
You can also put together professional flyers to hang on coffee shop news boards and in other local gathering spots. That is, in print advertising.ĭepending on your location, newspaper classifieds could still reach hundreds, if not thousands, of eyes. In a time when Facebook and Craigslist dominate the market of buying and selling goods or advertising services, it’s easy to forget where it all started. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your geographical location and service offerings. And when it comes to advertising your services to a prospective first client, you have two options: Sometimes, the old-fashioned route is the best one.
BUILDING A CLIENT BASE HOW TO
But combining this strategy with some others for how to build a client base can result in some unexpected connections. Of course, not everyone is a natural salesperson. Then, let them know you’d be happy to speak with anyone they know who might be a good fit for your business. If the grocery store clerk asks what you do for a living, give them a short pitch. And with this strategy, you’re not limited to picking up work from close friends and family.īasically, you want to let as many people know about your foray into freelancing as possible. One of the most effective (but also hardest to master) strategies for finding your first clients is through word of mouth. Maybe you don’t have anyone in your immediate social circle with a need for your services. Either way, don’t lose sight of how this first client could add value to your portfolio and your business as a whole.
BUILDING A CLIENT BASE FULL
Whether you choose to charge your friends and family full price, if anything, is entirely up to you. But there’s no reason to downplay your work by openly explaining the personal connection. When it comes time to add this work to your portfolio, there’s no need to blatantly advertise your personal relationship to the client. Perhaps you know someone through a past employer who could benefit from your social media marketing services? Now, think about how those services or products fit into the lives of those in your social circle.Īre you a web designer whose sister-in-law has a small crafting business in need of a website?ĭo you want to break into wedding photography and have a friend ready to walk down the aisle? Take a moment to think about the services or products you provide. Friends and Familyīecause even a single client under your belt can help connect you to dozens more, sometimes the best strategy is to stretch the definition of a “real” client. Still, though, they’re great places to get your foot in the door and land your first handful of clients. Plus, these platforms are known for taking large chunks of users’ take-home pay. Realistically, few freelancers can sustain full-time careers on these platforms (though some certainly do!). Rounding out the top three are Fiverr and Freelancer. Beneath the shadow of companies like Uber Eats and Wag, however, a rapidly growing freelance marketplace has emerged.Īt the moment, one of the most popular freelance marketplaces is Upwork. The “ gig economy” has blown up in the form of countless desktop websites and mobile apps. But social media isn’t the only platform playing host to these connections. If there’s one thing the internet is undeniably good at, it’s connecting people. So, where should you start the search? 1. Instead, it’s placing yourself in the right place at the right time. Meaning, all else equal, it’s not your industry experience, portfolio samples, or sales pitch that will land that initial client. Often the question of, “Where?” is more important than, “How?” But when you venture out to find your very first client, one thing is certain: Without a doubt, the first one is always the hardest. The clients you work with ultimately decide the direction your business takes - the projects you complete, connections you build, and opportunities you face.īut before you can fill your roster with high-value clients, you need to know where to find your first prospect. Your client base won’t just pay your bills. If you don’t know how to build a client base, you won’t get very far. Here’s the thing about running a freelance business: It doesn’t matter how talented or experienced you are in your field.
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