Freelancing is fantastic! It gives you that sense of responsibility and trains you to lead yourself first and your future company second. But, of course, you need clients above all else, as they are your primary means of developing your work and building a halo of success around you.
How do I start, and how do I find a new client? Certainly, I won’t cover all possibilities and methods, but I’ll discuss five personal, quick, and inexpensive ways to simply get your first client!
Work with Friends and Family
This is a method I don’t particularly favor, as it might be the reason you end up hating the design profession for many reasons, which we’re not discussing here. However, despite its drawbacks, it is an effective and real way to start simply and to build initial relationships that help you develop yourself, your work, and your way of dealing with future clients.
All Roads Lead to You
Friends of friends, close acquaintances, and others—how will they know who you are and what you offer? So, leave several paths leading to you in a flexible and light manner, far from the pure materialistic approach. Instead of saying, “Web and Graphic Designer,” say, “I help those who face design problems.” Generally speaking, people prefer working with individuals they know or those close to their acquaintances. This is an important point that can be leveraged without significant effort or marketing expenses that might not benefit you at all.
Be with Someone Else in the Heart of the Action
The meaning of partnership might differ here from the general meaning. For example, a friend who is a web developer and has some loyal clients he works with—at the same time, he isn’t a designer or, at least, not a professional one. Why not collaborate with him on his projects, where you handle the design and he takes care of the programming? Another option is to offer this idea to those you know, as it could benefit both you and them.
Participate in Exhibitions and Conferences
This is one of the traditional and obvious methods, but it is effective, just like the first step. Visiting those events and specialized exhibitions related to what you offer is crucial. The audience you need to start with is there, including clients, entrepreneurs, and those who entered this field before you. But at the same time, avoid using those cliched marketing methods. Don’t print 1,000 cards and go there to distribute them to attendees. Make it spontaneous and straightforward, introducing yourself and your work in a light manner.
Blog in Your Field
This is the method I find to be one of the best, most enjoyable, and most professional. Believe me, you won’t find anything simpler, more enjoyable, or better than this—blogging about what you love, what you know, and how you love to do it! So get a professional blog with a beautiful design that reflects you as a designer, developer, or whatever your profession may be. Start blogging about what you know and love, discussing everything related to your profession. Attract some visitors, then create a portfolio of your simple works as a sample of what you offer. Then get ready to receive your first client, God willing, and continue at that pace. But remember, blog as you love, not as you should!