How to land your first freelance client

The first client is the hardest. You have skills, but no freelance track record, no testimonials and no clients to refer you. Every opportunity seems to want someone who has already done it.

The good news: almost every successful freelancer started exactly here. Here are the approaches that work best.

Start with your network

Your existing network is the single best source of first clients. People who already know your work are far more likely to hire you or recommend you.

1. Make a list of former colleagues, managers, classmates and people in your industry.
2. Tell them, specifically, what you now offer: "I am freelancing as a product designer for SaaS startups, focusing on onboarding and dashboards. If you hear of anyone who needs help, I would love an introduction."
3. Follow up personally, not with a mass message.

Former employers can also become first clients, especially for work you know well.

Package a clear offer

"I do development" is hard to buy. A clear, specific offer is easy:

• "A Shopify speed audit with prioritized fixes, delivered in one week"
• "A landing page redesign, from wireframe to final design, in two weeks"
• "A data dashboard for your sales funnel, in three weeks"

Packaged offers lower the risk for a client trying you for the first time.

Build proof quickly

No client work yet? Create proof:

• Personal projects that solve a real problem
• A redesign or rebuild of a product you use, with your reasoning
• Open-source contributions
• Case studies of work you did as an employee, without confidential details

Label personal projects honestly. Clients care about the quality of your thinking. See portfolio tips.

Start small, then grow

A small first project lowers the client's risk and lets you prove yourself. Do it brilliantly, then propose the next step. Many long-term relationships start with a one-week project.

Avoid working for free. Low-priced is sometimes acceptable for a first project with a clear end date. Free usually attracts clients who do not value your work.

Join communities

Join communities where your clients and peers spend time: industry Slack groups, forums, meetups and online events. Be helpful: answer questions, share what you learn. Work often follows.

Use curated networks

Curated talent networks vet freelancers and match them with clients. Once you pass vetting, the network's reputation helps you overcome the lack of a freelance track record. Clients trust the vetting.

Write great proposals

When you find opportunities, stand out with a short, specific proposal that shows you understand the client's problem. See how to write a winning proposal.

Make your first client a success story

Your first client is your best marketing:

• Over-communicate: weekly updates, early warnings, quick replies.
• Deliver on time, or flag issues early.
• Ask for feedback during the project, not only at the end.
• At the end, ask for a testimonial and permission to show the work.
• Ask whether they know anyone else who could use your help.

Be patient and consistent

Landing the first client can take weeks or months. Set weekly goals for activities you control:

• Five personal messages to your network
• Two tailored proposals
• One portfolio improvement
• One helpful contribution to a community

Consistent activity produces results, even when individual attempts do not.

Watch out for scams

New freelancers are targets for fake job offers. Be wary of clients who ask you to pay for anything, offer unusually high pay for little work or want to move to private messaging immediately. See spotting remote job scams.

Get matched

Apply to HireCurated. Once you pass our vetting, we introduce you to clients looking for your skills.