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Ask HN: How to actually get clients when starting to freelance?

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Re: Ask HN: How to actually get clients when starting to freelance?

#11

Post by Im_a_throw_away »

hakanderyal wrote: post #8

The size and quality of your network is generally the main source of work for freelancers. Expanding your network is a great way to increase your 'luck surface'. Most of my big clients came to me with referrals from my existing (happy!) customers. You can check out Double Your Freelancing[0]. I'm not fancy of his academy stuff, but the book covers most of the things that will help you become succesful in your freelan…

> You can check out Double Your Freelancing

Already read it, and it's great! But it doesn't explain how to start getting clients from scratch.

> Expanding your network is a great way to increase your 'luck surface'.

That's what I'm trying to do. But I feel like going to developer meetups is going to be a very slow way to expend my network. Any other ideas?

Re: Ask HN: How to actually get clients when starting to freelance?

#12

Post by hakanderyal »

Im_a_throw_away wrote: post #11
hakanderyal wrote: post #8

The size and quality of your network is generally the main source of work for freelancers. Expanding your network is a great way to increase your 'luck surface'. Most of my big clients came to me with referrals from my existing (happy!) customers. You can check out Double Your Freelancing[0]. I'm not fancy of his academy stuff, but the book covers most of the things that will help you become succesful in your freelan…

> You can check out Double Your Freelancing Already read it, and it's great! But it doesn't explain how to start getting clients from scratch. > Expanding your network is a great way to increase your 'luck surface'. That's what I'm trying to do. But I feel like going to developer meetups is going to be a very slow way to expend my network. Any other ideas?

Business owners was my target segment, so I attended every meeting I could find that will have lots of business owners & executives attending. Business fairs, chamber of commerce seminars.

As I already said, if you have a chamber of commerce, or equivalent organisation in your city, join their events. In most cities, chamber of commerces organises events, meetups, seminars, meetings targeting local businesses & owners.

Main idea is, once you identify which market segment you want to target, in order to sell 'yourself' to them, be where they are. Meet with them, listen to their problems, and offer tailored solutions. Being a 'solution' guy instead of 'random web developer/designer' guy will help you differentiate yourself from your peers.

For example, instead of telling a business owner 'I design websites', go with "I create websites that will help you boost your sales, that will pay for itself and earn you more money". First one is generic, second one is offering a solution to their problem, a benefit that they can understand. Back your claims with research and data, and deliver what you promise.

As my target was business owners, I gave examples on that segment. But you can apply the same strategies to any other segment you want.

Re: Ask HN: How to actually get clients when starting to freelance?

#13

Post by Im_a_throw_away »

hakanderyal wrote: post #12
Im_a_throw_away wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You can check out Double Your Freelancing Already read it, and it's great! But it doesn't explain how to start getting clients from scratch. > Expanding your network is a great way to increase your 'luck surface'. That's what I'm trying to do. But I feel like going to developer meetups is going to be a very slow way to expend my network. Any other ideas?

Business owners was my target segment, so I attended every meeting I could find that will have lots of business owners & executives attending. Business fairs, chamber of commerce seminars. As I already said, if you have a chamber of commerce, or equivalent organisation in your city, join their events. In most cities, chamber of commerces organises events, meetups, seminars, meetings targeting local businesses & owner…

Really interesting, thanks! Can I send you an email to ask you a few questions about this? Where can I find your email?

Re: Ask HN: How to actually get clients when starting to freelance?

#14

Post by hakanderyal »

Im_a_throw_away wrote: post #13
hakanderyal wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Business owners was my target segment, so I attended every meeting I could find that will have lots of business owners & executives attending. Business fairs, chamber of commerce seminars. As I already said, if you have a chamber of commerce, or equivalent organisation in your city, join their events. In most cities, chamber of commerces organises events, meetups, seminars, meetings targeting local businesses & owner…

Really interesting, thanks! Can I send you an email to ask you a few questions about this? Where can I find your email?

Sure, I've added my email to my profile.

Re: Ask HN: How to actually get clients when starting to freelance?

#15

Post by illwrks »

leepowers wrote: post #9
illwrks wrote: post #2

I don't freelance but have considered it in the past. Why go to developer meetups? You will only meet other developers... go to marketing meetups for business people, young marketing executives etc.

Developers know other developers. But developers also know business people, startup aspirants, and other existing and potential customers. Developers can also have "overflow" where they have more work than they can handle and need to offload it. My own freelance career is supported by building direct relationships with clients and building relationships with other developers/designers/producers who I can work with on…

That's a fair point I hadn't considered. It's a good idea I'm not freelancing!!
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