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How do you find clients?

Posted on October 7, 2007
Filed Under Finding Clients, Freelancing |

So you’ve decided to become a freelancer or independent contractor, you’ve figured out what you want to do, and now you’re ready to get started. How do you find clients?

This is a question I get asked a lot by friends, “how do you find work?” Well, the answer depends a lot on what it is you choose to do. In this age of information spread, the web should be one of the first places you look for work/clients. There are many websites with classified ad sections, including your local newspaper! This is an easy way to search for work. A second universal place to find potential clients and work is in the local papers and magazines. Make it a habit to look at the classified section in your local papers daily to see if there is something you can do.

If you’re going to be working at something that involves computers and the internet, then you want to look online first, because people who need computer work done will frequently be found online, in computer-related forums and discussion boards. If you’re going to freelance as a photographer, you may want to scan the classified section of the paper to see if there are any events that are looking for photographers. You may also look at different magazines to see if they’re looking to hire part time photographers, or if they accept submissions from freelancers. If you’re going to be an independent manual contractor, such a plumber, or tile setter, once again start online, in classified ad websites such as Craiglist. Look at your local paper. Walk around the neighborhoods where a lot of new construction is going on, and introduce yourself. And so on…

There is always work to be done, and always someone who needs something done. Sometimes, especially in the more flooded markets, you may need to be creative in finding work. You will need to think outside the box to make an entryway for yourself into the market. One technique that I have used successfully before is to offer free work. Most people will jump at the opportunity to get something for free, and this opens the way for you to meet potential new clients.

Finding clients is important, but once you have them, how do you hold on to them? How do you make sure they come back to you? How do you get them to work for you? These are the issues I will address in my next post.

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One Response to “How do you find clients?”

  1. The MiddleMan - Friend or Foe? : Freelancing Tips on February 5th, 2008 9:57 pm

    […] talked previously about how to find clients. There are a lot of places online where you can easily find clients and work. This is especially […]

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