Finding Work as a Freelancer

Finding steady work is one of the biggest issues that plague the average freelancer, and it’s one of the leading cause of people giving up and quitting.

Even those freelancers who have a solid reputation and a lot of happy clients may occasionally see dry periods. They can be caused by a number of things, such as seasonal fluctuations, dips in the economy, holidays, tax season, and many other reasons.

But whatever the cause… they suck.

And it’s even worse in the beginning. When you don’t yet have a solid reputation to stand on, finding work can be tricky. You may have to keep your prices lower initially. You may have to work harder. But things will get better.

In the beginning, you can find work in a lot of different ways. For example, freelance websites and gig sites like Fiverr are great ways to find work, but you’re not likely to earn enough for a real living there unless you’re highly skilled and have real talent. Beginners probably won’t make a lot of cash there.

It’s better to find work on forums, especially webmaster forums. People who own and operate websites often need a wide variety of work done, such as writing, sales copy, graphics, website work, programming, and other services. Some of them have been burned by freelancers in the past, and are willing to pay more for someone they can trust to deliver quickly and do a great job.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from anyone you do business with! Word-of-mouth is the best type of marketing there is, and if you can get a very happy client to recommend you to others, you’ll see steady work coming in faster than if you try to do it all on your own. When you’ve completed a project, just ask the client to send anyone they know who needs work done your way. You’ll be surprised how many will actually do so!

Don’t forget to search Craigslist for work. Search all the major city areas for people who are looking to get work done. Unless they specifically say they want someone local, most people are willing to work with freelancers on a remote basis if they find the right person.

In the beginning, you will probably have to hustle to find steady work. You may even spend more time looking for work than you do working on projects!

But as you build your reputation, finding work will become easier and easier until it eventually comes to you on a regular basis. And when those nearly inevitable dry periods come, you can get back out there and hustle until it’s over.

If you missed the previous lessons, you can read them here:

How To Become a Freelancer - Lesson 1 - Potential Freelancing Problems

How To Become a Freelancer - Lesson 2 - Freelance Business Ideas

How To Become a Freelancer - Lesson 3 - Freelance Portfolio Building

How to Become a Freelancer - Lesson 4 - Building Your Freelance Reputation