How I Found Freelance Clients While Working Full-Time
Without my employer finding out
Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash
I always knew I wanted to go freelance, but I didn’t want to take the leap without having a few clients under my belt first. I wanted to know that my finances were in order and that I could secure clients before handing in my notice.
But I knew if my employer found out what I was up to, I risked being fired.
Without being able to openly advertise my services, I had to find covert ways of telling clients I was open for business.
Preparation
Before I started looking for clients I created a website, put a portfolio together using examples from my day job, and got a professional email. Appearances matter, so I wanted to look professional from the beginning in the hope it would help me land clients faster.
I had spent years honing my craft at my job, so I had the experience I needed. I had been absorbing information for years online on how to run a freelance business. I had read endless articles, watched hours of YouTube videos and been following relevant creators on LinkedIn for months, so I was ready.
Finding opportunities
Opportunities can come from the most unlikely places, all you need to do is look for them. Twice while scrolling through Instagram I came across posts from creators I followed looking for copywriting services. This is how I secured my first-ever client. I worked with them for a couple of months and made £800 - not bad for a first gig.
But I was also actively searching for opportunities. I signed up for newsletters that deliver freelance gigs straight to your inbox and I started searching on LinkedIn. Every day I would go into the LinkedIn search bar, type “freelance copywriter”, filter by posts in the last 24 hours and apply to ones that were relevant. I signed 2 clients this way and made over £6000, all while still working full-time.
Referrals
Getting those first few clients is tricky, it takes a lot of work, especially if you’re still in employment and can’t openly advertise your services. But if you focus on doing the best possible job for those clients, you will get referrals. It’s surprising the amount of opportunities that are out there.
The main things to do to find freelance clients:
Look professional from the get-go
Have a portfolio of work
Look for opportunities everywhere
It can be hard finding your first few clients, and it’s made even harder if you’re trying to do it without your employer finding out. But it is possible.
And I promise you nothing feels better than the day you hand your notice in.