Introduction
The dream is real. But so is the work behind it.
You’ve heard the stories. Someone quits their 9-to-5, opens a laptop from a café in Lisbon, and within months they’re earning more than they ever did in an office. Inspiring? Absolutely. Realistic? More than you think — if you approach it with the right strategy.
This article is your starting point. Whether you’re a designer, writer, developer, translator, social media manager, or video editor, the fundamentals of finding your first freelance clients are the same.
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Freelancing Online
How to Find Your First Clients and Live From Your Skills
The dream is real. But so is the work behind it.
You’ve heard the stories. Someone quits their 9-to-5, opens a laptop from a café in Lisbon, and within months they’re earning more than they ever did in an office. Inspiring? Absolutely. Realistic? More than you think — if you approach it with the right strategy.
This article is your starting point. Whether you’re a designer, writer, developer, translator, social media manager, or video editor, the fundamentals of finding your first freelance clients are the same.
Step 1 — Get Brutally Clear on What You Offer
Before you even think about clients, you need to answer one question clearly:
“What specific problem do I solve, for whom?”
Not “I do graphic design.” But rather: “I design high-converting landing pages for online coaches.”
The more specific you are, the easier it is to find the right clients — and for them to find you. Niching down feels counterintuitive at first, but it’s one of the most powerful moves a new freelancer can make.
Ask yourself:
- What skills do I have that others would pay for?
- What industry or type of client can I serve best?
- What outcome does my work produce for them?
Step 2 — Build a Simple Portfolio (Even Without Paid Experience)
No clients yet? No problem. Your portfolio doesn’t need to be built from paid work. It needs to demonstrate that you can do the job.
Here’s how to build one from scratch:
- Create sample projects — Design a fake brand, write a mock blog post for an imaginary company, build a demo website.
- Do a free or discounted project — Offer your services to a nonprofit, a friend’s business, or a local shop in exchange for a testimonial.
- Repurpose personal work — A blog you wrote for fun, a logo you made for yourself — it all counts.
A simple portfolio site (Carrd, Notion, or even a PDF) with 3–5 solid examples is enough to get started.
Step 3 — Choose the Right Platforms
There are two main roads to your first clients: freelance marketplaces and direct outreach. Both work. Using both together is even better.
Freelance Marketplaces
These platforms connect you with clients actively looking for freelancers:
- Upwork — Best for long-term projects and higher-paying clients once you build a reputation.
- Fiverr — Great for packaged, productized services. Set your offer, clients come to you.
- Malt — Very popular in France and Europe, especially for tech and creative profiles.
- Toptal / Contra / Codementor — More selective, but higher rates.
Pro tip: On Upwork and Fiverr, your profile is your storefront. Spend real time on your bio, title, and portfolio. Most beginners rush this — don’t.
Direct Outreach
Don’t wait for clients to find you. Go find them.
- Search LinkedIn for companies that match your niche.
- Send personalized, value-first messages. No copy-paste spam.
- Engage with their content before pitching.
- Reach out to people in your existing network — you’d be surprised how many ‘I didn’t know you did that!’ conversations turn into paid work.
Step 4 — Write Proposals That Actually Get Read
Most freelancers lose work not because of their skills, but because of how they pitch. A great proposal is short, specific, and client-focused.
The winning structure:
- Open with their problem — Show that you understand their situation.
- Present your relevant experience — One or two specific examples, not your entire life story.
- Offer a clear next step — A quick call, a small test project, a concrete deliverable.
Avoid starting your proposal with “Hi, I’m [Name] and I have X years of experience…” — everyone does that, and no one reads it.
Step 5 — Set Your Rates Confidently
Pricing is where most beginners trip up. They either undercharge to ‘compete’ or have no idea where to start.
A few principles to anchor you:
- Research market rates — Look at what others with similar skills and experience charge on the platforms you’re targeting.
- Don’t price by the hour at first — Consider project-based pricing instead. It’s cleaner, easier to justify, and doesn’t penalize you for being efficient.
- Your rate signals your positioning — Being the cheapest option rarely attracts the best clients.
Start at a rate you’re comfortable with, then raise it after your first few successful projects.
Step 6 — Deliver Great Work, Then Ask for Referrals
Your first clients are your most powerful marketing tool. One happy client can easily lead to two or three more.
After every successful project:
- Ask for a written testimonial.
- Ask directly: “Do you know anyone else who might benefit from this kind of work?”
- Stay in touch. A simple check-in message 3 months later can reignite a relationship.
Word of mouth, even online, is still the highest-converting source of new clients for freelancers.
The Honest Truth About Starting Out
The first few weeks — sometimes the first few months — will be slow. You’ll send proposals that get no response. You’ll underprice yourself. You’ll doubt everything.
That’s normal. It’s part of the process.
What separates successful freelancers isn’t talent alone. It’s consistency, adaptability, and the willingness to keep going past the awkward beginning.
The good news? Every client you land makes the next one easier. Your portfolio grows. Your confidence grows. Your rates grow.
And one day, you’ll look back at that first project you landed and realize — that was the moment everything changed.
Ready to take the leap? Start with step one. Right now. Don’t wait until everything is perfect — it never will be.
Tags: freelancing · online work · remote work · first clients · digital skills · entrepreneurship