7 places for freelancers to find new clients

If you’re a freelancer or a creative, and you don’t know where to find new clients… I got you. 

Here’s a list of seven places you can find new clients.

Before we jump into it, it’s important to recognize that none of these methods will get you work tomorrow. If you need cash in the short-term to pay rent, these methods won’t necessarily help you (especially because the good clients all pay net-30 anyway, right?) 

If you need rent money, it might be a better option to find a part-time job that doesn’t use up creative energy, that you can do in your off hours to cover your bases. That said, if you can make a practice of these 7 methods, and do them consistently for 2-3 months, then you’ll have more clients than you can handle. 

Here it is. Seven places for freelancers to find new clients. 

#1 - Among other creatives who do the same thing as you 

This is the most common way I find clients. My friends are either too busy, too successful, or not confident enough to take on a specific job. So they recommend me for it. The strategy here is an easy one: just become genuine friends with other creatives who do the same things as you. Don’t be stingy. It’s not competition. Share freely your tips and tricks and rates and presets…eventually work will come back to you. 

#2 - With other creatives who do peripheral things as you 

This is the second most common way I get clients. I become friends with people who do peripheral things as me. For example, I’m a producer, so I become friends with photographers and directors. They need what I do, so they bring me on their projects. If you’re in the wedding industry, find other professionals in the wedding industry and go have lunch together. Talk shop. Share war stories. When their clients ask if they do what you do, they can recommend you. 

#3 - At events where your people hang out

If you’re a photographer, go to photo galleries. If you’re a copywriter, go to marketing conventions. If you’re a filmmaker, go to film festivals. We sit and we wait patiently for the phone to ring, or the inbox to fill up, when there are real people who need what we offer gathering in public spaces. Go be with them. When you get there, aim to make genuine connection with people. Ask real questions. Not sure where to start? My three magic questions are as follows: 

• What did you get up to this weekend?

• What part of town do you live in? How do you like it? 

• Do you have any travel plans coming up? 

#4 - Via cold outreach to brands and agencies 

Open up Google maps, and search for ad agencies, PR firms, and production companies in your area. Open up all their websites. Find their email addresses. Send them an email with the subject line “Freelance ______ Connect” (fill in the blank with whatever you do). In the body of the email, let them know that you’re local, you’re available to work, and then link your portfolio. Don’t ask for a job. Don’t get weird if they don’t respond. Only one in ten of these emails will come back. Only one in fifty will hire you. Wait—did you hear me? One in fifty will hire you! Start sending emails, buddy! 

#5 - On job boards and job websites

Get your profile up on ilovecreatives or ProductionHub or Upwork or StaffMeUp. Maybe all of them. It’s unlikely you’ll get a lot of gigs through these websites, but I can guarantee you’ll get zero gigs through these websites if you don’t have a profile on them. One gig will more than pay for whatever nominal fees you have to pay to put a profile up. 

#6 - On social media 

Post on social media! Share your recent work, or your old work, and let people know you’re available. You may not go viral. You may not get a lot of traction or engagement. That’s ok. All you’re doing here is making connections, and reminding people you exist. Someone will see your post. And a few days later they’ll see someone else post “ISO a freelancer who does _______” (fill in the blank with whatever you do). They’ll send your post to that person. Boom. I’ve been hired this way many times. 

#7 - In your text messages 

There are people in your text messages right now who either have hired you before, could hire you in the future, or know people who could hire you. Text them. Don’t make it weird. Don’t give them a sales pitch. Just send over your portfolio and say “Hey there, I wanted to share my updated portfolio and let you know I’m available for work if you or anyone you know needs any help. Thanks!” 

The Challenge

Do you want more clients? Do you want to start implementing these strategies? Take the seven-day challenge. 

Day One - 15 minutes 

Send a message to five creatives who do the same thing as you to schedule a coffee or a call. Not sure what to say? Try this. “Hey [name], it’s been fun seeing you crush it recently. It would be fun to chat sometime soon. Are you free for a [coffee / call] in the next week or so? How does [day & time] work? 

Day Two - 15 minutes 

Send a message to five creatives who do peripheral things as you to schedule a coffee or a call. Not sure what to say? Try this. “Hey [name], it’s been fun seeing you crush it recently. It would be fun to chat sometime soon. Are you free for a [coffee / call] in the next week or so? How does [day & time] work? 

Day Three - 20 minutes 

Find upcoming events this month where your people will be hanging out. Purchase a ticket. 

Day Four - 60 minutes

Pull 10 emails from local ad agencies, PR firms, and production companies. Send them each an email with the following template. 

Subject: Freelance ______ Connect

Body: Hey [agency / firm], Good to be connected! I’m a freelance [whatever you do] in [your city]. Sending over my portfolio in case you ever need [your services]. Feel free to text or call anytime if you need a hand—[your number]. Have a great day!

Day Five - 30 minutes

Create a profile on a job board or freelancer network website. 

Day Six - 20 minutes

Post a piece of your work on social media, and people know you’re available to hire. 

Day Seven - 15 minutes 

Text five people who could hire you, or who know people who could hire you. Not sure what to say? Use this template. “Hey [name], I wanted to share my updated portfolio and let you know I’m available for work if you or anyone you know needs any help. Have a good one!” 

The reward

I’m giving away free books to the first three people who complete this challenge, screenshot the proof, and DM it to me on Instagram. 

Good luck out there.