Tips On How To Secure More
You’ve done everything by the book: set clear goals for your freelance business, advertised on popular platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn, and polished your service offerings down to the last detail. You’ve even invested in building a sleek website and maintaining active social media profiles.
And yet, clients seem to trickle in unpredictably, like water from a leaky faucet. You never know when the next one will arrive. When they do, you panic about how long it will be before you see the next payment.
So, what could you possibly be doing wrong?
The Freelancing Struggle
One of the biggest challenges for freelancers is building a steady stream of clients. This uncertainty often overshadows other common freelancing concerns, such as professional isolation and work-life balance.
Here’s the truth: freelancing isn’t just about delivering a service. Whether you’re a writer, designer, marketer, or developer, the service you offer is just one piece of the puzzle. Success comes from a combination of consistency, strategy, proactively seeking opportunities, and a relentless focus on delivering high value.
Let’s break down why many freelancers struggle to find clients and how you can overcome these barriers—with real-world examples to inspire action.
Why You’re Not Getting Clients
1. Your Service Experience Falls Short
It’s not enough to deliver a quality product. The client’s experience working with you matters just as much.
Example:
A freelance graphic designer, James, completed a project for a major startup. The design itself was flawless, but James frequently missed deadlines and left client emails unanswered for days. As a result, the client didn’t feel valued and chose a more responsive freelancer for future work.
Lesson:
Timeliness, clear communication, and going the extra mile can transform one-off projects into long-term partnerships. Consider sending weekly project updates, offering post-delivery support, or creating a simple onboarding process to impress clients.
2. Lack of Professionalism
Your personal brand plays a pivotal role in attracting clients. How you handle contracts, communications, and even social media posts can either strengthen or weaken your reputation.
Case Study:
Sophia, a freelance content writer, shared controversial opinions on her personal Twitter account. One potential client, who followed her online, decided not to work with her because they feared these opinions might reflect poorly on their business.
Action Tip:
Maintain professionalism across all channels. Use tools like Grammarly for polished communication and stick to neutral or industry-related topics on public platforms.
3. Weak Value Proposition
Clients need to understand exactly what you offer and how it solves their problems. A vague or overly broad service offering can confuse or alienate them.
Example:
Amira, a generalist marketing consultant, struggled to secure clients until she rebranded as a “B2B LinkedIn Content Specialist.” By narrowing her niche, she attracted high-paying clients who needed her specific expertise.
Action Tip:
Define your unique selling proposition (USP). What makes you different? How does your work deliver measurable results? For instance, instead of saying, “I write blog posts,” say, “I create SEO-optimized blog posts that boost organic traffic by 25% within three months.”
4. Poor Online Presence
Having a LinkedIn profile or website isn’t enough. Clients need to see evidence of your expertise and engagement.
Example:
Ali, a freelance photographer, didn’t attract clients from his Instagram page until he began sharing behind-the-scenes videos, tips on lighting, and client testimonials. This content showcased his skillset and built trust.
Action Tip:
Post consistently on platforms where your target audience is active. Share case studies, how-to guides, or even failures and lessons learned. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and showcases your best work.
5. No Defined Target Audience
When you try to appeal to everyone, you end up appealing to no one.
Case Study:
Rachel, a freelance life coach, struggled to stand out in a crowded market. After narrowing her focus to “life coaching for mid-career professionals navigating burnout,” she not only attracted clients faster but could also charge higher rates for her specialized services.
Action Tip:
Identify your ideal client. Use tools like surveys, audience analysis on social media, or studying competitors to refine your niche. When your messaging speaks directly to your target audience’s pain points, you’re more likely to secure clients.
How To Get Freelance Clients in 2025
Practical Strategies and Real-Life Wins
1. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Complete every section and use relevant keywords to boost your visibility. For example, Hannah, a freelance UX designer, added case studies to her LinkedIn portfolio and saw a 40% increase in inquiries within two months.
2. Leverage Niche Marketplaces
Platforms like Toptal (for developers) or 99designs (for graphic designers) cater to specialized audiences. David, a software developer, landed a $15,000 project by targeting clients on a niche platform instead of general marketplaces.
3. Network Effectively
Attend industry events or join online forums where potential clients hang out. Sarah, a virtual assistant, found three retainer clients by attending a local entrepreneurs’ meetup.
4. Create Content That Adds Value
Position yourself as an industry expert by sharing free resources. For instance, Ahmed, a digital marketer, published a guide on increasing email open rates, which landed him five new clients from his newsletter subscribers.
5. Ask for Referrals
Don’t shy away from asking satisfied clients for recommendations. Offer incentives like a discounted service for successful referrals. Jacob, a copywriter, grew his client base by 30% within six months using this strategy.
6. Tailor Proposals to Each Client
Instead of using generic templates, research the client’s business and personalize your pitch. Emily, a PR consultant, won a high-profile client by referencing their brand’s specific pain points in her proposal.
7. Engage on Social Media
Post daily on platforms where your audience is active. Use scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to stay consistent. Daniel, a personal trainer, doubled his client inquiries by sharing daily workout tips and testimonials on Instagram.
Final Thoughts
Freelancing isn’t just about the work you deliver—it’s about the entire ecosystem you create to attract, retain, and impress clients. By combining professionalism, strategy, and targeted efforts, you can build a sustainable and thriving freelance business in 2025 and beyond.
What steps will you take today to secure your next client? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
