Who are the clients you want to work with?

As a freelancer working online, starting off your career in the virtual world can be quite challenging. It’s like having a new business. Getting your first clients could take some time if you don’t know the right steps to take. For sure you would want to avoid those clients who look for cheap payment in exchange for your high quality services. They are not who you really want to work with. Good and high paying clients exist. They know the value of a really good work and are willing to pay above standard rates. They are the ones who you want to look for. How to get clients for your business? Read on.

How do you find them?

Whether  your freelancing business is about offering virtual professional services or perhaps consulting, web design, real estate or even lawn care or  cleaning, there are many ways to get clients now. You need to remember that you want to establish trust first. You’ll have to show them that you are the right person for the job. To achieve this goal, it is a must to have an online portfolio that includes work samples that you have done in the past. Should this be your first time in this field, make sure to create samples you can show as proof of the skill or services you offer. If it is possible to get testimonials from your previous clients, this will help prove your credibility. If it is not available yet, don’t worry. You can still show that you are trustworthy. Ask the people who know you according to your values. It could be your friends, colleagues, your college professor, pastor, anybody who knows you in a good way. Use this as a testimony. When you have your first clients or customers, make sure to ask testimonies from them. Never fake this one. It will only reflect a bad impression on you.

Finding your clients

Marketing your services as a freelancer has never been easier, especially at this time. With the boom of social media, different web properties, viral online tactics, videos and many more, spreading the word about what you do should be easy. Here are some actions to take:

1) Create profiles on virtual freelancing sites.

Make sure to complete them and show pictures of your work. If there are tests that are needed to be taken to give your future clients a measure of your skills and abilities, go and take them. Do these in as many freelancing sites as you can find. When you receive a job offer or interview, do not hesitate to ask for the rate that you are comfortable with. Remember, you are an awesome service provider who enjoys helping clients meet their needs. Deliver great value in your service.

2) Find forums about your topic.

If you offer services related to web research, content and development, find internet marketing forums. If you offer services about travel arrangements, find travel forums. Join relevant forums and participate regularly in discussions. When you are able to, post a signature that includes a link to the valuable service you offer. This link could point to one of the online profiles that you created earlier. Or, you may also direct the link to your own personal website that features the service you provide.

If you want to start free, there are many free websites to use such as Wix, Weebly, Tumblr, Blogger and WordPress. When you start earning online, consider creating yourownname.com site. It shows a more professional and sincere approach about the work you do. And it establishes trust which sets you apart from other freelancers in the online world. Include being active in forums in your regular schedule. Always help others with what you know whenever you can. The word will spread and it will only be a matter of time before you meet your ideal client.

3) Join social groups about your topic.

You can find them in top social networks such as Linkedin, Facebook groups and Google plus communities. Again, create fantastic profiles that your networks can read about you and what you do. Follow the leaders in your industry. Connect with them in any way possible. Comment on community discussions that spark your interest. Be very active until you are connected with the right person. Along the way you will meet other freelancers. Sometimes there are those who have excess workload. You can offer help to them by delivering the service required by their clients. This method can give you the work opportunities you seek. Keep on doing it and be very active. Soon your network will recognize your name through the comments and help that you give them.

4) Make a slide presentation about your topic.

Add interesting images and graphs about it. Discuss the trending issues on your topic. On your last slide, add the benefit of the service you offer and your website URL. Post the slides in Scribd.com and Slideshare.net. Make sure to create your profiles first and include your own URL. Once in a while, create new presentations on related topics about your service. These websites receive a large amount of traffic. The clients you look for may just find your slides and contact you.

5) Create videos about your topic.

You can repurpose the slide presentation you created into a video slideshow. There is no extra thing to do except to post the video in YouTube.com, Vimeo.com and other video sharing sites. Make sure to put the proper description and tags so your potential clients can find you. Don’t forget to add your own URL somewhere in the description or profile settings. See to it that whenever you create a slide presentation, you also convert it into a video so you can post on video sharing sites.

6) Advertise for free on Craigslist.

But instead of posting your own services so others can hire you, you use craigslist by finding those people who are already looking for the services that you offer. You can do this by going to the “jobs” section and checking posts from business persons who are currently looking for help. You can contact them and tell them you happen to see their post on craigslist. Explain to them  the benefits of your services and how it can help their business. Always remember to start the conversation on how your potential client can benefit from your offer. This will give you an edge over other freelancers who keep on bragging their qualifications. Remember, it’s about their needs and problems, and you’re the solution provider.

Go Get Them!

There you go with the six methods on how to get clients for your business. Remember that still, the best way to spread the good word about you and your freelancing service is to over deliver and make an excellent deal that your clients will never forget. Create happy clients with the work you do and soon enough, your freelancing career will thrive. You’ll have a client base more than you need!

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