I'm having a tough time finding clients even though I'm great at building websites. I've learned the hard way that having solid technical skills isn't enough if I can't market my services. For those of you who freelance or run agencies, what strategies do you use to get clients? How do you find new business without just sending out cold messages?
7 Answers
First, create your own website to showcase your portfolio. If you're just starting, offer to build websites for businesses for free to gain some experience and examples of your work. Once you've got a handful of completed projects, you'll attract more clients!
Start by making websites for friends or family who own small businesses. Ask them if they know anyone else who might need a site. That can really build your network and get the word out about your skills!
Flip your thinking from 'I need clients' to 'I need conversations'. Create a focused landing page that explains a specific problem you solve and run a small ad campaign targeting your desired niche. Use those conversations to build relationships and help solve their problems, and some will inquire about your services.
Networking and referrals are huge! Just getting out there and meeting people can lead to clients.
Sounds like I really need to focus on networking more this year!
If you're considering taking on a project, like building a calendar tool, set your pricing based on your hourly rate, then estimate the total hours required for the project. Having a milestone payment structure could also make it easier to manage expectations and keep everything on track.
That's a smart idea! Setting a project roadmap with milestones sounds like it could help both me and the client stay aligned.
I've only worked as a web developer in a company, but when freelancing, it's good to set clear expectations with clients from the start. Make a project plan that includes any changes that may come up, and ensure you discuss what will happen if things don't go as planned.
Remember, clients are more interested in your confidence than just your skills. Create a personal website and a landing page detailing your unique selling proposition. Maybe something like, 'I build sites that load instantly' or 'I help small businesses gain clients online.' If you can show proof, like before-and-after screenshots, that helps too.
I've worked on a few sites already, but I think I need to be more vocal about my business and what I offer. Gotta summon that confidence!