How To Find Clients as a Freelancer in the UK - 5 Ways That Work

Last updated: 25/02/2024 Written by: Ruby Layram

how to find clients as a freelancer

One of the biggest challenges that freelancers face is finding enough clients to bring in a steady stream of income. However,  with the right strategies in place, it is possible to find regular clients that pay well in the UK. In this article, we will explore five effective ways to find clients as a freelancer and start making money from your freelance business in 2024.

How To Find Clients as a Freelancer in the UK

The best way to find clients as a freelancer in the UK is to diversify your search methods. Sign up to multiple freelance platforms, use social media, and reach out to potential clients directly via email.

From our experience, the more methods that you employ, the higher your chances will be of landing paid work. You can never apply to too many jobs. In fact, we found the most success by applying and conducting outreach every single day during the initial stages of working as a freelancer.

In the section below, we will take a closer look at the 5 best ways to find freelance clients and get your first paid freelance job in 2024.

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 1. Tell your people

One of the first steps in finding clients as a freelancer is to let your friends and family know about your freelance business. By sharing what you do with your closest network, you can make sure that your loved ones recommend you to people who may ask them for service providers.

Telling friends and family about your freelance business not only helps you spread the word, but it also gives you an opportunity to receive valuable feedback and recommendations from people who know you well.

By informing your loved ones about your freelance business, you create a network of potential referrals. When they come across someone in need of your services, they can confidently recommend you, vouching for the quality of your work and professionalism.

Word-of-mouth recommendations from trusted individuals can be powerful in attracting new clients to your freelance business.

Top tips for telling people about your freelance business:

  • Be clear and concise when explaining what you do as a freelancer.

  • Provide examples or a portfolio of your work to showcase your expertise.

  • Ask your friends and family to spread the word and recommend you to their contacts who may benefit from your services.

To make the most of your loved ones’ connections, be sure to clearly explain what you offer so that they can spread the word to the right people.

how to get more freelance clients

2. Sign Up To Freelance Job Sites

Freelance job sites can provide valuable opportunities for freelancers to start building their client base. Platforms such as People Per Hour, Freelancer, Fiverr, and Upwork offer a wide range of projects that freelancers can bid on to showcase their skills and expertise.

While these sites may require some effort to stand out from the competition and build a reputation, they provide a stepping stone for many successful freelancers. Starting your career on these platforms allows you to gain experience, develop your portfolio, and establish your credibility within the freelance community.

However, it's important not to rely solely on these platforms. Building your client base outside of freelance job sites is crucial to long-term success as a freelancer. Most of the jobs that are available on job sites come with low rates. To secure higher-paying opportunities, you will need to know how to effectively reach out to clients directly or use your online presence to find work.

Using freelance job sites to build a portfolio and reputation

One of the key benefits of freelance job sites is the opportunity to build your portfolio and reputation. By completing successful projects, you can gather positive reviews and ratings that showcase your abilities to potential clients.

Furthermore, most freelance job sites offer beginner-friendly positions that make it possible to start a freelancing career with no prior experience. Use these sites to build up enough experience so that you can start reaching out to potential clients directly.

Make the most of this feature by showcasing your best projects and demonstrating your skills through a well-curated portfolio.

  1. Choose diverse projects that highlight your range of abilities.

  2. Showcase the quality of your work through high-resolution images or samples.

  3. Include testimonials or feedback from satisfied clients to build trust and credibility.

By building a strong freelance portfolio and reputation on job sites, you can attract more clients and increase your chances of securing higher-paying projects both on and off the platforms. Remember to leverage your portfolio when reaching out to potential clients outside of these sites to further establish your credibility and professionalism.

how to find freelance jobs

3. Use Social Media

Social media can be a game-changer for freelancers when it comes to finding clients and building valuable connections. It provides a platform to showcase your skills, engage with businesses and individuals in your industry, and generate new freelance leads.

By utilizing social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, freelancers can get on the radar of potential clients and establish meaningful connections. Here's how you can leverage the power of social media for your freelance business:

Follow and engage with businesses and individuals

  • Identify the key players in your industry and follow their social media accounts.

  • Engage with their content by liking, sharing, and leaving thoughtful comments to establish yourself as an expert and active member of the community.

  • Participate in relevant discussions and offer valuable insights to demonstrate your expertise.

Use social media to find job posts

  • Many businesses and individuals looking to hire freelancers post job opportunities on social media platforms.

  • Follow relevant hashtags and join industry-related groups to stay updated on new freelance job openings.

  • Regularly search for keywords related to your niche on social media platforms to find potential clients who are actively looking for freelancers.

Share your work and expertise

  • Showcase your portfolio and share your work on social media to give potential clients a glimpse of your skills and capabilities.

  • Curate and share valuable content related to your industry to position yourself as an expert in your field.

  • Offer tips, insights, and advice to help your audience and establish yourself as a go-to resource.

Remember, building connections on social media takes time and effort. Be consistent, authentic, and genuinely interested in others. By leveraging the power of social media, you can expand your network, attract new clients, and take your freelance business to new heights.

4. Reach out to people directly

Sometimes the best way to find clients is to directly reach out to them. This can be done through social media or by sending cold emails to companies and individuals who may be in need of your services.

This can be a VERY effective strategy if you know how to write a freelance cover letter that sells. Reaching out to potential customers directly allows you to set your own rates and find opportunities that may not have been available through job sites.

How I landed my highest-paying client through direct email outreach

Before starting The Rich Girl Guide, I worked as a freelance writer for 5 years. During this time, all of my highest-paying jobs were achieved by sending cold emails to companies that I thought might need my services.

I have to admit, it took a while to see any success with this method. I set myself a goal to send 3 cold emails every single day until I got a positive reply. After about 2 weeks, I received a reply from The Motley Fool UK saying that they were interested in working with me. I ended up writing for The Fool for 1 year and earned £60 per hour!

My top tips for success:

  1. Keep your emails clear and concise.

  2. Use persuasion psychology to write emails that make people want to hire you.

  3. Give the recipient a reason to email back. The best way to do this is by ending your email with a question or by providing the first draft of work that they could use. I would attach article pitches to each email and ask the recipient whether they would like me to send a first draft.

how to get clients as a freelancer uk

5. Take Part in Networking Events

Networking is a powerful strategy for freelancers to connect with fellow professionals and potential clients. By attending industry events, meetups, and conferences, you have the opportunity to build relationships and gain insights about your target audience. Networking can open doors to referrals, collaborations, and new business opportunities.

When you participate in freelancer networking events, you can meet like-minded individuals who may be looking for freelancers or know someone who is. These events provide a platform for you to showcase your skills, exchange ideas, and connect with potential clients on a more personal level.

Building relationships with other freelancers is equally important. By networking with fellow freelancers, you create opportunities for collaborations and referrals. They may recommend you to their clients when they are fully booked or not able to take on certain projects, thereby expanding your client base.

Networking is effective for established freelancers who have a portfolio of work that they can show to interested clients. We recommend starting with freelance job sites and then branching into networking opportunities once you have built up some experience.

Here are some tips to make the most of freelancer networking events:

  1. Do your research: Before attending an event, research the attendees, exhibitors, and speakers. This will give you an idea of who you want to connect with and help you prepare relevant questions and topics of discussion.

  2. Come prepared: Bring business cards or other promotional materials that showcase your skills and services. This will make it easier for people to remember you and contact you after the event.

  3. Be approachable: Smile, engage in conversations, and actively listen to others. Show genuine interest in what they do and ask thoughtful questions. Networking is a two-way street, so make sure to give as much as you receive.

Remember, networking may not yield immediate results, but it is a valuable investment in your freelance business. By building relationships with freelancers and potential clients, you create a strong support system and increase your chances of finding new opportunities and growing your client base.

Conclusion

Finding clients is one of the biggest challenges faced by freelancers in the UK. In this guide, we have taken a look at 5 ways to find clients as a freelancer even if you have no experience.

The key is to use multiple strategies at the same time to maximize your chances of success. It is also important to stay consistent. I sent out over 25 cold emails before hearing anything back and over 40 emails before landing a client.

If you have no experience, the best way to find freelance work is by signing up to freelance job sites. These platforms connect freelancers to paying clients and provide numerous entry-level opportunities for beginners. You can use these platforms to build up experience and improve your portfolio before using other methods to find more lucrative roles.

Also read: 10 Ways To use ChatGPT for Freelancers

FAQs

  • There are various strategies you can use to find clients as a freelancer in the UK. Some effective ways include leveraging your network, utilizing freelance job sites, using social media, reaching out directly to potential clients, and networking with fellow professionals.

  • As a freelancer, finding clients can often feel like a challenging task. With the rise of remote work and the gig economy, competition among freelancers has become more intense than ever. However, with the right strategies and perseverance, it is possible to find and attract new clients successfully.

  • The competition in the freelance industry is fierce. You may have outstanding skills, but without actively differentiating yourself from the crowd, potential clients may overlook you. Take the time to research and understand your target market, and then tailor your services to meet their specific needs. Highlight your unique selling points and showcase your expertise through compelling marketing materials and a strong online presence.

All of our articles are written to help our readers to learn about different side hustles, how they work and how to start earning money from them. Although we mention potential earnings, it is important to understand that there is no guarantee that you will make money from any of the side hustles that are mentioned on our site. Making money from a side hustle requires consistency and significant effort. While we aim to provide useful insight into each side hustle opportunity, it is down to you to follow the right steps towards making any profits.

About The Author

Ruby is the founder of The Rich Girl Guide and has been writing content around personal finance, side hustles and wellbeing for over 3 years. You can find some of Ruby’s published articles on The Motley Fool UK, Tradingplatforms.com and Buyshares.co.uk.