Building your client base
FreelanceDiscover how to find clients through your network and online platforms, and how to market yourself effectively.
Transcript
Remember, when you’re starting out as someone self-employed, you’ll need to create your own opportunities. A good place to begin is with your existing network. Reach out to friends, family and former colleagues. Your first projects may come from people who already know and trust you.
Many freelancers carry on working for former employers, just under different terms. To attract new clients, you’ll need to showcase your work. This could be a simple online portfolio or website. Many free or low-cost tools are available to help you get started. You can also share your work using professional networking websites or industry-specific platforms or events where clients are actively searching for freelancers.
Marketing yourself might feel overwhelming at first. After all, it’s a specialist skill. But don’t worry, you don’t need a big budget to get started. Small, consistent steps can build your visibility. Share your work on social media or in online groups relevant to your field. Collect testimonials from happy clients and highlight them in your portfolio. Offer helpful tips or insights online; this shows your expertise and builds trust.
Keep a simple list or spreadsheet of who you’ve contacted or whoever’s shown interest so you can follow up without feeling lost. Finally, once you start to build a base of clients, make sure you meet agreed deadlines, communicate clearly and stay in touch. Reliability is one of the strongest forms of marketing – happy clients will return and recommend you to others.
Getting started as someone self-employed is about using your network, showing your work and taking small, steady steps to market yourself. Stay organised, deliver on your promises, and clients will come back and bring others with them.
All Adult Learning Modules
Budgeting
Module 1
In this module, you’ll explore how budgeting can help you plan ahead and manage the impact of rising costs.
Earnings
Module 2
In this module, you’ll learn how to understand your pay, spot any issues early and explore the different ways you can increase your income.
Freelance
Module 3
In this module, you’ll learn what freelancing involves, from getting paid to managing tax, expenses and day-to-day responsibilities.
Pensions
Module 4
In this module, you’ll explore how pensions work, from the State Pension to workplace and personal pensions, so you can plan ahead.
Debt
Module 5
In this module, you’ll learn how borrowing works, how to manage debt responsibly and where to get help if it becomes hard to handle.
Credit
Module 6
In this module, you’ll learn how credit works, different types of credit, how repayments are made and how interest and fees are calculated.
Mortgages
Module 7
In this module, you’ll learn how home buying works, the factors that shape affordability and how mortgages influence the overall cost.
Investing
Module 8
In this module, you’ll learn how investing works, how to manage risk and how to grow your money over time.
