13 Ways To Get Clients as a Freelancer In 2025

Introduction.

Starting as a freelancer can be exciting, but let’s be honest: it can also be pretty overwhelming.

The idea of working for yourself, setting your rates, and having the flexibility to choose your projects is awesome, but there’s one huge challenge every freelancer faces—finding clients.

As a freelancer, getting clients isn’t just about posting your portfolio and hoping for the best. It’s about understanding how to market yourself, build trust with your audience, and create opportunities for people to hire you.

In 2025, the freelance landscape is more competitive than ever, but there are still plenty of ways to stand out.

In this blog post, I’m going to walk you through 13 proven ways to get clients as a freelancer in 2025.

These strategies aren’t just for the seasoned pros—they work whether you’re just starting or have been freelancing for years.

Plus, I’m keeping things real and simple, so you don’t need any fancy jargon or complicated marketing tactics to get started.

So, let’s dive into it!

How Do I Get Found as a Freelancer?

1. Create a Killer Online Presence

Let’s be honest—if you don’t have a strong online presence, it’s going to be hard for potential clients to find you.

This is non-negotiable. You need a website or portfolio that shows off your skills and experience in a clear and easy-to-navigate way.

Make sure your website is professional and highlights your best work. Clients should know exactly what you can do for them within seconds of landing on your site.

Along with a website, you should also focus on building your social media profiles. LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram—whatever platforms align with your niche, get active on them. Share useful content, and insights from your industry, and engage with your audience regularly.

2. Leverage Freelance Platforms

Freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer have been around for years, and they’re still some of the best places to find clients.

They’re especially helpful when you’re just starting out because they give you access to a huge pool of potential clients.

But don’t just create a profile and hope clients come to you. Take the time to craft an attractive, detailed profile that speaks directly to the types of clients you want to attract.

Make sure your proposals are personalized and showcase exactly how you can help the client solve their problem.

3. Network, Network, Network

Networking doesn’t have to mean attending fancy events or making small talk at conferences. It can be as simple as reaching out to people you already know and letting them know you’re freelancing. Word-of-mouth is still one of the most powerful tools in a freelancer’s toolkit.

Reach out to past colleagues, friends, or business acquaintances, and let them know you’re open to new projects. Even if they don’t have any work for you, they might know someone who does.

4. Start A Blog Or YouTube Channel

You probably already know that content is king, but did you know it could also help you get clients? Starting a blog or YouTube channel is a fantastic way to build your authority in your niche.

Write about the problems your ideal clients are facing and offer solutions. Create videos that showcase your skills and knowledge.

This kind of content is valuable not just for SEO (which can help you show up in search results) but also for building trust with your audience. When clients see that you know what you’re talking about, they’ll be more likely to hire you.

5. Offer Free Samples or Mini-Projects

If you’re finding it hard to land your first client, offering free work might sound like a tough pill to swallow, but hear me out.

Offering free samples or mini-projects can be a way to get your foot in the door. Once clients see your work in action, they may be more willing to pay for a full project.

Just make sure to set boundaries so you don’t end up doing too much for free. And make sure the free work is high-quality so it showcases your skills effectively.

6. Tap Into Niche Communities

Joining online communities where your ideal clients hang out is a goldmine. Facebook groups, Reddit forums, or niche-specific Slack channels are places where people are actively looking for help. You can join conversations, offer advice, and, in many cases, directly pitch your services.

Just make sure you’re being helpful and not coming off as overly salesy. If you genuinely help people solve problems, clients will start to notice.

7. Ask For Referrals

Don’t be shy about asking your current clients for referrals. If you’ve done great work for them, chances are they know someone else who could benefit from your services.

A simple message saying something like, “Hey, I’ve really enjoyed working with you on this project. If you know anyone who could use my services, I’d be so grateful if you’d pass my name along” can go a long way.

8. Collaborate With Other Freelancers

Working together with other freelancers can help you tap into new networks and get clients you wouldn’t normally have access to.

Let’s say you’re a writer but don’t have design skills. Team up with a graphic designer and offer a combined package to potential clients.

Collaborations like this are win-win and can help both freelancers expand their client base.

9. Use Email Outreach

Cold emailing isn’t dead—it’s still a great way to connect with potential clients directly. When you send an email, be sure to make it personal, brief, and focused on what you can offer them. Don’t just send out generic emails.

Do your research about the business or individual you’re reaching out to and tailor your pitch to their needs.

10. Offer Value-Added Services

A lot of freelancers make the mistake of offering just one service. But what if you could offer more? For example, if you’re a graphic designer, you could also offer social media management services or web design.

By expanding the range of services you offer, you’re more likely to meet the diverse needs of your potential clients. It also gives them more reasons to hire you over a competitor.

11. Create an Attractive Portfolio

Having a solid portfolio is crucial. Your portfolio is your best chance to show off your skills and give potential clients a reason to hire you. The trick is to not only showcase your best work but to also make it easy to find relevant examples of what a client might need.

Instead of a generic portfolio, try tailoring it to your ideal clients. For example, if you’re targeting small businesses, your portfolio should include projects that align with their needs.

12. Use SEO To Get Found

If you’re not familiar with SEO (search engine optimization), now is the time to learn. By optimizing your website, blog, and social media profiles for search engines, you can increase your chances of getting discovered by clients who are actively searching for services like yours.

Research keywords related to your niche and use them in your content, titles, and descriptions. This will help you rank higher on Google and increase the chances that potential clients find you.

13. Invest in Paid Ads

If you’ve got some money to spare, paid ads can be a quick way to get in front of potential clients. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads allow you to target very specific demographics, so you can make sure your ads are seen by the right people.

If you go this route, make sure to carefully track your results to see if it’s worth the investment.

Conclusion

Getting clients as a freelancer isn’t about waiting for the perfect opportunity to come knocking on your door. It’s about taking action and putting yourself out there in creative and strategic ways.

The freelance world in 2025 is all about standing out, building relationships, and making sure your potential clients can easily find you. So, which of these 13 strategies are you going to try first? Let me know!