Cheat Sheet: 69 Strategies for Attracting New Clients

Tailored for Freelance Web Developers & Agencies

Navigating the freelance or agency world can be challenging, so we’ve meticulously gathered 69 actionable strategies to help you secure your next client.

Referral Programs

  • Offer referral bonuses to acquaintances
  • Connect with former colleagues
  • Reach out to previous clients
  • Solicit referrals following successful projects
  • Establish a partnership network
  • Collaborate with other agencies
  • Utilize your personal network

 

Online Communities

  • Utilize Twitter’s advanced search function
  • Explore who’s hiring on Hacker News
  • Share client testimonials
  • Contribute to meaningful discussions
  • Provide insights on Quora
  • Add “Open for work” to your social media handles
  • Participate in relevant subreddits
  • Advertise your popular content
  • Engage with pertinent Slack groups
  • Showcase your process via video
  • Display your portfolio on platforms like Dribbble & Behance
  • Cold outreach to relevant individuals on LinkedIn
  • Cultivate an audience on Instagram
  • Build a Twitter following
  • Engage with relevant Facebook Groups
  • Pin your work on Pinterest
  • Share every completed project
  • Initiate conversations on Twitter & direct message prospects
  • Tag popular accounts followed by potential clients in your posts
  • Offer your services as part of a contest

 

Online Strategy

  • Identify local businesses with inadequate websites
  • Incorporate a brief video introduction on your website
  • Implement a chat tool instead of traditional contact forms
  • Optimize your website for search engines (SEO)
  • Specialize and target a niche market
  • Offer funnel products
  • Present successful projects as case studies
  • Reach out to potential clients via cold emails
  • Utilize Local SEO tactics

 

Freelance Platforms

  • Establish partnerships with reputable platforms
  • Browse and subscribe to classified ads platforms
  • Apply to Upwork.com
  • Apply to FreeUp.net
  • Sign up for PeoplePerHour.com
  • Register on Freelancer.com
  • Create a profile on Fiverr.com as a funnel
  • Join Angel.co
  • Apply to jobs.smashingmagazine.com
  • Subscribe to weworkremotely.com
  • Sign up for krop.com
  • Join authenticjobs.com
  • Subscribe to SolidGigs.com
  • Apply to 99Designs.com
  • Subscribe to remote.co
  • Subscribe to dowfh.io

 

Content Creation

  • Launch a blog
  • Guest blog on relevant platforms
  • Develop a useful product
  • Feature on podcasts or webinars as a guest
  • Start your own podcast
  • Launch a YouTube channel
  • Write an ebook
  • Initiate an email newsletter

 

Engineering

  • Volunteer your skills for a pro bono project
  • Fix issues with existing websites
  • Revamp outdated sites
  • Contribute to open source projects
  • Add a “Designed by x” label to footers
  • Provide redesign suggestions for existing websites

 

Offline Engagement

  • Join a co-working space
  • Attend local Meetups
  • Leave your business card at relevant locations
  • Speak at conferences or events
  • Cold call potential clients

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution here, and not every idea may align with your preferences or strengths. Start with the strategies that resonate most with you and gradually incorporate them into your routine.

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