The meeting focused on practical strategies for beginners to secure their first freelance, consulting, or coaching client.
Three main approaches were discussed: leveraging personal networks, direct outreach to contacts, and targeted offers to strangers.
Emphasis was placed on practical, actionable steps and common pitfalls to avoid for first-time freelancers.
Action Items
None specified in this meeting.
How to Get Your First Freelance Client: Approaches and Strategies
Attendees were advised not to overlook personal offline networks when starting out online, as existing contacts can be valuable initial clients.
Strategy 1: Announce services publicly on social media (e.g., Facebook) to inform contacts of your new freelance offering, which can lead to immediate client interest and future referrals.
Strategy 2: Directly contact at least 20 people in your network with a friendly, non-salesy message about your new services; tailor messages depending on whether recipients are potential direct clients or connectors.
Highlighted the importance of persistent outreach numbers (contacting more people increases likelihood of getting a client).
Strategy 3: If public announcements are not possible (e.g., due to current employment), identify a specific service to offer, research potential clients online, and send personalized, targeted pitches for that service.
Advised against immediately turning to generic freelance sites like Upwork for first clients due to high competition.
Decisions
Focus initial outreach on personal networks and direct contacts — Selected as more effective and less competitive than mass-market freelance platforms for getting a first client.