Loading...
Answers
MenuWhat are your best tips to find clients?
Every Freelancer knows the risk of unstable client business. There seems to be some industry professionals that clients flock to rather than others. What are they doing right? What are ways and websites where a start-up design company can find and convert new leads?
Answers
From my experience, many start-up companies find new clients and win contracts via various freelancing platforms; these are not just for individual contractors. I've worked with companies helping them get started on freelancing websites and win clients. It takes time and effort to start, but once you have established reputation you get invited for jobs and re-hired. When using freelancing platforms your payment is secured which is important for start-up - not all sites offer this though, always read the small print carefully.
You should also network locally. Find an event that is geared towards start-ups and surely someone there needs design work done.
If you have any further questions, just give a call.
There are many ways to make this happen and reasons. Some are organic, like being connected, influential, or in the right environment. For the rest, it is a hard road. Many go to services and gates to get new clients, others research, local networking, and partnerships. I like to build systems. When you understand your prospects you can position yourself to be the choice and find places where there is less competition.
The difference between McDonalds and the local burger joint that is going bankrupt is one thing: effective marketing.
Don't skimp on your marketing and you will become one of the businesses that "clients flock to"
I am one of those industry professionals that clients flock to. I am freelance graphic designer and spend on average an hour a day replying to potential clients who would like to work with me. I am on a great freelancing platform, where my skills, testimonial and portfolio are presented very well. It takes time to get highly rated - but very worth the effort in the beginning.
Building and monetizing a loyal client base takes a lot of diligence and skill.
Besides the referral agencies and other third party reliant methods, three things you must do are
1. You have to skillfully build a trusted brand
2. Build and grow a niche audience for your brand on- and off-line
3. Effectively engage your niche audience
4. Monetize Steps 1-3
Lets converse and I can work you through these steps in detail if interested.
Join Business Networking International BNI. http://bni.com/
As a freelancer, you're most likely to work with people who have met you or to whom you get introduced. BNI is all about getting referrals and from people who meet you every week. I've been a member for a year and it's transformed my business.
If you want coaching in how to write your 60 second pitch or create a new business tracking method that works, get in touch.
Related Questions
-
How to get a job as a Junior Front End Web Developer with no experience?
People need don't need experience on paper, they are looking for person who serve their desire. make a strong portfolio and increase your skill level. Upload your portfolio online and apply directly. ------------------------------- You will definitely got something. and about for job you don't need contact just show your strong skills. ---------- Check linkedin, powerlinx, freelancer, feverrVikas MantuteVM
-
What are the best practices in transitioning from freelancing to working in a company with clients/employees?
Establish your brand, team, and processes. There are plenty of dev shops out there so you have plenty of examples to follow. For example Thoughtbot has an open source playbook you can use to build your own company.Chalmers BrownCB
-
How can I develop a good client base on Upwork or Elance as a freelancer?
I do a lot of business with people on Elance (which is now being merged into Upwork and is going away, so stick with Upwork). The real challenge for US-based workers (which you may or may not be) is the price competitive nature of jobs when competing against an international workforce. There are always going to be great workers in every country and sometimes in certain areas you just can't compete on price. For example, I do a lot of business with great people in the Philippines and their work is excellent, they speak perfect English, and they are very affordable. What I usually tell people who are first getting into the space is to be honest about that in your profile and do some jobs for near-free with private pricing so you can build up your profile with good ratings. There are some disadvantages to this approach, but I find it helps to get some jobs under your belt with employers. One of the keys is going to be differentiation. You have your industry listed but skills, language, specific experience, and other niche items are really going to help here. I'm a consumer of a lot of Upwork contractors so I'm happy to do a call and discuss my experience with you. I work with people all over the world on a regular basis and I've built my business around these assets.David LedgerwoodDL
-
Where is the best place to find real high end "professional" freelancers?
My solution has always been. 1) Leverage your network but be specific in the ask "Do you know a programmer that's $20-$40 hour (likely from eastern Europe) that you've worked with and like?" 2) There so many new marketplaces jumping up focused on niches that may be worth trying (ex: http://elto.com & others). The only other solution (if you want to spend avg. ~$100/hour) is to call a local dev shop and try and get a "bro deal" / that may work great if you live in a small town and they have capacity. Hope that helps.Dan MartellDM
-
Should I hire full time designers, or should I freelance design talent to save overheard? What are the pros and cons to each?
I agree it really depends on what you are trying to achieve. It can take sometime to source the right person to do the job. I disagree that you should only outsource to a freelancer if you have a one off project. My designer is a freelancer and I have been using her for several years because I like her style and she is very fast and efficient so I end up paying a lot less for the work and there is usually very few edits. I think that for any business it is worthwhile investing in creating a good relationship with any member of your team. If the work you required isn't a full time role, then hiring a freelancer makes a lot of sense because you can build a loyal and trusting relationship with them and therefore depend on them to deliver.Liz ParkerLP
the startups.com platform
Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.