When you try to attract leads through cold calling or sending marketing materials to inform people about your services, the recipient doesn’t necessarily know you. They have no compelling reason to choose you over a competitor who might send them similar arguments.
Seasoned freelancers have the right solutions for finding new clients. Many people rely on social media, networking, and job boards, which are great ways to find freelance gigs and new clients.
But if your business isn’t growing as you would like, you can increase your chances of attracting new customers by trying unique ideas to attract your target audience. As a small business owner, you need to find your customers.
No customers, no business. There are many proven ways to join online communities, establish a social media presence, and reach out to past customers.
Instead, consider leveraging your skills by collaborating with other professionals and interacting with potential freelance clients in new ways.
Alumni Network
If you went to college, your alumni network probably has a job board, and your dream client may seek help. Set up filters and sign up for alerts about jobs in your field.
You can check a company’s LinkedIn page after viewing their job posting to see if they work with freelancers. You may also be able to find a contact person within the company who can make decisions regarding their independent team.
Even if you’re considering a full-time position, go for it: hiring managers may need contract services to help them find FTEs. Even if you don’t have a personal relationship with these prospects, you still have something great in common.
And if you reach out to a former student, you’re more likely to get a response, even if it’s not. If they disappoint you easily, ask if they know anyone who needs your expertise. Likewise, if an alumnus works for a company or publisher that produces content you’re interested in, try contacting them.
Promote Others’ Work
You can easily connect with potential businesses you’re targeting by researching what they do and finding ways to promote it. You don’t need your blog or website to make an impact. For example, let’s say you see a company on LinkedIn that looks like your ideal customer.
If you don’t know the hiring manager, contacting them and pitching your services can be difficult. Instead, see what businesses share through their social networks and blogs, then promote it through your channels. If this goes unnoticed, you have a good reason to try logging in and have a paycheck stub.
You share the news that you appreciate their work and are happy to share it with your network. This can open the door to a deeper discussion about your work in a more natural way than a direct pitch.
Once you share a link to their published piece, highlighting their work, it’s a perfect time to let them know you’re accepting clients if they need any help down the road.
Make your clients’ customers your customers.
Just like your customer’s partners, your customer’s customers are a great source of new business. For example, freelance writers often interview subject matter experts or clients as part of their blog or case study workflow.
If I agree with the interviewee, asking if their company is looking for writers doesn’t hurt. This exact process has helped me get clients and has also won the jobs of many of my colleagues.
Hire a freelancer
Imagine you’re a hiring manager or business owner who needs your services but doesn’t know where to find them. Instead of spending time on forums and posts from other independent contractors, put yourself in the shoes of someone looking to hire a freelancer. Google these queries and browse through topics that suggest sources to find a freelancer.
You may discover that your ideal customers are using recruiting tactics or spending time on websites you never considered. You’ll also get behind-the-scenes feedback on their problems and how to market your services best to solve them.
Show yourself on social media.
Creating a personal brand is always a good idea. You expose yourself and your thoughts to the world – and new clients – (this is something I am actively doing!). But what about showing your true self, not just your professional self? For some people, this works wonders.
You never know who might have the same hobby or interest. A pleasant conversation can easily end in a sales pitch. And sometimes customers contact you directly. Remember to experiment with social media platforms to see which works best.
Launch a Social Media Group for Other Freelancers
When their calendar is full or a prospect isn’t a perfect fit for their services, they’re more likely to refer to someone they’ve built a relationship with. It may not seem like it at first glance, but supporting your competitors is a great way to boost your freelance business. You might even consider starting a Facebook group or online resource page.
By hearing about communication and business challenges, you can offer support, avoid making the same mistakes, and become an expert. The more visibility you get, the easier it is to add social proof to your portfolio. You’ll often have a much easier time creating connections and sourcing jobs when seen as an expert.
One or more of these techniques is bound to work for you. And when you start reeling in the big leads, it’s crucial to have a solid management strategy in place so you can respond quickly and get new clients onboarded effectively. So before you launch into one of these headfirst, ensure your process is tight.
Finding freelance gigs and clients can be challenging, but if you get creative and find novel ways to interact with potential clients, you can create financial stability and a thriving freelance business.