Strategies to Land your First Freelance Client

Hi Brave People,

The thing that most people are worried about when breaking into the freelance world: how the heck am I going to land my first client?

Valid.

But, don’t fear! Here are some practical tips on landing your first client 👇

Building a Strong Portfolio 

If you have no experience, here are two ways to get started building your portfolio:

1. Redesign your favorite brands: if your favorite brands have subway ads, or product packaging designs that are not your favorite, you have the power to create “mock-projects” — fake projects that have the potential to show your skillset. 

2. Use brief generators: brief generators prompt you with fake briefs that you can then use to create your designs. Check out Fake Clients or Good Brief for prompts!

Where to build your portfolio: 

• ReadyMag 

• Contra 

• Squarespace 

• Framer 

• Webflow

Building Relationships + An Online Presence 

Establishing a strong online presence through platforms like Behance, LinkedIn, or even your own website can significantly increase your visibility. Share your work, participate in discussions, and don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth referrals that often stem from a robust network.

Crafting a Compelling Pitch 

You’ve probably heard of people saying the term “elevator pitch” — this is essentially the skills/experience you have, packaged in a short and concise 1–2 sentence pitch that you can use whenever new opportunities arise. In your pitch, you clearly articulate what sets you apart, emphasizing the value you bring to the client’s project.

@thefreelancewritersguide

If you've only been trying to get freelancing clients through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, PLEASE try cold pitching! It's how I built... See more

Remember, that everyone starts somewhere! Be sure to follow along our Instagram and TikTok for more design tips coming your way!