Online Freelancing promises multiple enticing benefits like becoming your own boss, choosing who you’d work with and when to do it, plus no OOTD burdens. I have met quite a lot of Freelancing heroes whose stories of success inspire me. But as a starter in this Gig industry, there is always the struggle of getting your first freelance client. Finding your first freelance client would be very crucial as it would be your first step towards a lasting digital nomad career. Your first freelance client will kind of be a huge factor in landing your next gigs. So how do we seal a deal?

How I got my first Freelance client

I’ve been meaning to start a freelance career but felt like I had no time to do it. I’ve received tons of invitation from clients before but I would only decline.  Until finally I was sent to attend a Rural Impact Sourcing Skills Training [on Online Freelancing] sponsored by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (Philippines). It was when I mustered the strength to look for my first freelance client.

As of writing, I am currently working as a Social Media Manager of an Inspirational Author and Speaker from New Zealand. I have also recently accepted a writing gig for a Photography Company in New Jersey. (Edit: As of January 2020, I am now on my 3rd client who owns a Business Solutions company based in Miami, USA. I recently closed my contract with a Singaporean counselor in December 2019, too. I have tons of part-time writing jobs to get my hands on as well. Getting your first client will open wide the door of opportunities indeed.)

In this blog, I wish to share with you some tips on how you could get your first freelance client.

Tips in Getting your First Freelance Client

1. Be found online

On the client’s part, they want to make sure that they are hiring a “real person”. One way they could verify that is by hitting the search button. You can nail your online persona by creating various web accounts including social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked-In to name a few. And of course, you need to be active on these sites. Make sure you post on your social media accounts at least once a day. It will also be a plus point if you have your own website and you do a blog post 2-3 times a month. This gives clients the confidence to get you. If you want to get a sample of my social media pages, you can go to www.angelittle.com/links.

2. Save a portfolio

While your Social Media and Website activities can already be considered as your portfolio, I would advise that you save your outputs in one drive. When I started applying for jobs I noticed that some clients would like to see samples of the things I’ve done. So I placed my designs, write-ups, and edited videos in one drive (it’s accessible at http://bit.ly/AACportfolio). That’s when I started getting replies from potential clients.

3. Know your unique edges and highlight them

In case no one told you yet, well, you are uniquely wonderful. There are things that only you can do. But unless you know what you can offer, clients won’t buy into you. There’s actually a brand inquiry website where you can find out your unique personality type. After you take the quiz, the result will tell you the things you can highlight about yourself. After I took that quiz, the tenor of my application letters changed. I began to highlight my strengths and the value I can offer to the client. You can find out yours at https://www.howtofascinate.com/.

4. Do not copy-paste your application letter

…because the clients will know! I’m not saying that you have to type your replies all over again. It’s good to have a template that will serve as your guide on what you would have to put in your letter. BUT! You don’t need to stick to one letter style all the time. You need to read the requirements/needs of the potential client you want to work with and match it with the value or services you can provide. The more personal you are with your letter, the more attention you get from your potential client.

5. Create a video profile

I think me and my first freelance client were so meant-to-be. (Hello, Jax, if you’re reading this 😉 ) We were having a hard time to meet for an interview because of the many things going on in our lives. (I was in Tawi-tawi for an event when my first freelance client sent me a request for interview). I was so interested in working with this client because what she does was close to my heart (inspiring people) so we tried our best to set a schedule but to no avail. So I sent my video profile found at http://bit.ly/AACvidprof1 and told her she could watch that while we wait for the right time. When the time finally came for us to meet [virtually], my first freelance client said that she already learned what she wanted to know about me in the video. So she went on talking about her business and the things she would have me do. A closed deal right away! Creating your video profile would be helpful especially if you’re not comfortable with talking to strangers 😉 The truth is, the clients are also busy with their things so they will actually appreciate it if you could help them save some of their time. Check out the video and make one for yourself!

The Ultimate Secret in Getting Your First Freelance Client

So that’s how I got my first freelance client. But my ultimate tip for you is the Bible principle of “asking”. If you don’t ask it from God, you will not receive it. God is a generous Father who is willing to give you what you ask for in prayer. So stretch out your hands, ask from the Lord, and be excited about his incredulous answer. 

If my tips helped you in any way, please let me know by leaving some comments! I’d love to hear from you. 🙂