The Introvert’s Guide to Finding Clients as a Freelancer

Being a freelancer comes with many rewards and many challenges. One of the most challenging things about freelancing is finding new work. 

It’s the nature of freelancing that you work on projects for a limited amount of time. Even if you usually work with retainer clients, you most likely need multiple clients to make a full-time income and to be able to put money aside for retirement. 

I’ve been freelancing as a community strategist for the past six years. I’ve worked with clients like Kickstarter, Virgin Money via Hanzo Studio, CIEE, and even the Marshall Fund of the United States.  

Additionally, I’ve written three guides for creative freelancers, which have been recommended by some of my favorite online magazines, including Girlboss, 99U, and Creative Boom. These books have also led to the opportunity to give a TEDx talk, which I’m super proud of. 

In this class, I’ll discuss some general strategies for finding new clients and will also share some stories about how I got to work with the brands I’ve worked with. 

I hope this class will inspire you and help you make a game plan that feels easy and authentic to execute.  

For some of you, you’ll hear things that might seem like no-brainers to some. But, to others, those same things might be an utterly new approach to looking for clients. 

To provide the full spectrum of strategies, I’m introducing the simpler techniques at the beginning of this class and will then share how I do cold acquisition and pitch clients I’m not connected to in any way later on. 

If you’ve been freelancing for a while, there might be some videos you can skip and others you’ll need more time to work through. So, please get a pen and paper and get comfortable. 

Just a side note about the title – I am an ENFP based on the Myers-Briggs personality s test, which they say is the most introverted extrovert. While I’m confident about my skills, I’m never comfortable being the center of attention. :) So while I’m mostly perceived as extroverted, I definitely don’t feel like it on the inside. In other words, my tips may help you whether you identify as more extroverted or introverted. 

What’s important to me is that everyone who watches this class finds something useful. 

• Introduction
• Project Task: Write a Plan for Yourself
• Tap into Your Contacts
• Start a Mailing List
• Have a Blog on Your Website
• Publish Case Studies Online
• Update Your Social Media Channels
• Use Online Job Platforms for Freelancers
• Have a Vision
• Have the Right References
• Make a Case for Yourself
• Reach Out to the Right Person
• Be Open About Your Passions
• Sometimes, There Are No Clients
• Final Words