Clients are the lifeblood of freelance writing. A steady stream of clients is the reason freelance writers keep their one-man business going.
The thing is, getting new clients isn’t a walk in the park, especially in this era where AI-powered content tools are becoming mainstream. That’s why it’s normal when some days, the life of a freelancer can feel like you’re spending more time client-hunting than actually getting a writing project done.
But don’t stress. With a little know-how, finding freelance clients can quickly become a worry of the past– especially in this digital world. You don’t have to resort to newspaper advertising or flyers and break the bank.
We’ll break down best practices for finding clients that need and look for your freelance writing business.
How to Get More Clients for Your Freelance Writing Business
Looking for new clients is equivalent to maintaining your freelance writing business existence. Even Shakespeare-level writing skills mean nothing for writers if they can’t get a gig to implement that in the first place.
Every freelancer has their own way of finding their clients. Here are some common channels they use:
Let’s find your best channel to source clients for your freelance writing business.
#1. Find where they “hang out”
The worst part about getting new clients is finding out where they are in the first place. It’s a waste of time and resources to put up ads or post on job boards that your target clients don’t even visit.
A great way to determine where your target clients hang out is by doing some good old research. Check out what kind of businesses or organizations they work for, their size, and whether they’re B2B or B2C. Find out what conferences or meetups they frequently attend and whether they’re active on social media.
For example, social media platforms are most likely dominated by users that are young, tech-savvy, and well-educated. If they need help with a writing project, they’re more likely to look for a freelancer who is the same generation as them and writes in a casual language.
Meanwhile, businesses or organizations are more formal. The writers they need are those who can write in a formal and business-like tone.
If you want to attract these kinds of clients, it would be best to put up your portfolio on job boards that businesses or organizations usually visit or put yourself out there as a thought leader in your industry by writing blog posts or articles that focus on the latest trends.
#2. Cold emails
Cold emails are one of the most effective ways to get new clients. It’s a great way to introduce yourself and your freelance writing business without coming on too strong. Start by compiling a list of companies or organizations you want to work with.
Then, do some research on who the decision-maker is in each company (hint: it’s usually the marketing team) and send them a personalized email asking if they need help with any writing projects.
One thing to keep in mind when sending cold emails is to make sure that your email stands out from the rest of the noise in their inbox. This means keeping your email short, sweet, and to the point. Tell them who you are, what you do, and how you can help them solve their problems.
#3. Get in touch with former clients
Your former clients already know how it feels to work with you, and they’re more likely to come back for more. So, don’t forget to reach out and touch base from time to time. Send them an email or give them a call every few months just to catch up.
You can also add them on social media or connect with them on their LinkedIn profile. You stay top of mind, and they’ll be more likely to think of you when they need help with a writing project.
#4. Partner up with other freelancers
One of the best ways to get new clients is to partner with other freelancers who have a different skill set than you, from copywriting freelancers to ghostwriters.
For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you can partner with a web designer or a developer. This way, you can offer your services as a package deal and tap into their network of clients.
#5. Attend networking events
Networking is key when it comes to building your writing reputation and establishing meaningful connections with other business professionals. If you want to get new clients, you need to put yourself out there and meet new people.
Networking events are a great way to meet new people and promote your freelance writing business. Attend meetups, conferences, or trade shows that are related to your industry. You can also join professional organizations or chambers of commerce in your area.
#6. Speak at events
If you want to get new clients, you need to be visible. And one of the best ways to be visible is to speak at events related to your industry. This could be a conference, a meetup, or even just a small gathering of like-minded individuals.
When you speak at an event, you’re not only putting yourself out there, but you’re also establishing yourself as an expert in your field. This will make people more likely to come to you when they need help with a writing project.
#7. Do some guest blogging
Guest blogging is a great way to get your name out there, build your brand, and attract new clients. When you guest blog, you’re essentially doing free marketing for yourself. Make sure to choose blogs that are related to your industry and have a high readership.
This is also a great way to build relationships with other bloggers in your industry. These relationships can be beneficial down the road when you need help promoting your own blog or when you’re looking for new clients.
What to Consider Before Sourcing Clients
Now that you know where to find new clients, it’s time to start thinking about what you need to consider before actually reaching out to them.
Identify and target your ideal client
The first step is to identify your ideal client. This could be a certain industry, a certain size of the company, or even a certain type of person. Once you’ve identified your ideal client, you need to start targeting them.
For example, if you want to work with small businesses, you can start by reaching out to local businesses in your area. If you want to work with larger companies, you can look for job postings on job boards or contact the marketing department directly.
Have a portfolio ready to go
When you’re reaching out to new clients, you need to have a portfolio ready to show them. This will give them an idea of your writing style and the type of work you’ve done in the past.
Make sure your portfolio is up-to-date and includes your best work. You can also create a showcase of your work on your website or blog. This will make it easy for potential clients to find and view your work.
Know your rates
Before reaching out to new clients, you need to know how much you’re going to charge them. This will ensure that you’re not undervaluing your work and that you’re getting paid what you deserve.
Read: How to Increase Your Freelance Rates
When setting your rates, consider the scope of the project, the level of experience required, and the type of client you’re working with. You can use this information to come up with a rate that is fair for both you and the client.
Land Those Clients
Freelance writing can be a great way to make a living. But, in order to be successful, you need to know how to find new clients. The points mentioned above are some of the best methods to get new clients for your freelance writing business.
Remember that Rome wasn’t built in one day. Don’t expect to get new clients overnight. Be patient and persistent, and continue marketing yourself and your freelance writing business. The more you do it, the easier it will become, and eventually, the clients will start rolling in
About the author
Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning explainer video company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order).
Twitter: @breadnbeyond
Email: andre@breadnbeyond.com
LinkedIn: Andre Oentoro
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