Hello! Enjoy this post from a blog friend. Finding your first client is often the hardest part of freelancing. With Jesse’s tips below, you’ll be on the right track quickly.
Hi, I’m Jesse Gernigin. You might remember me from my previous post about increasing earnings. Thank you to everyone who reached out — I met some fantastic people and built meaningful connections.
Most conversations I had began with the same question: how do I get clients?
My recommendation is to start freelancing. You don’t need a complicated setup. If you’re interested in becoming self-employed, there are great resources that explain the basics and the steps involved.
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- My Online Income Reports
Why Freelance?
Freelancing is straightforward. You don’t necessarily need a website, a large portfolio, or dozens of testimonials to begin. To start freelancing you need a skill that solves a problem for others. Are you a strong writer? You can write emails, ghostwrite series, and create blog content. Are you a photographer? You can support branding and visual design for websites and blogs.
It really can be that simple.
So why don’t more people freelance? Starting feels confusing. There are many voices offering advice and countless places to look for work. Many people simply don’t know how to begin.
How do I get started freelancing?
To begin freelancing you must do one key thing: get clients. Working with clients is the fastest way to improve. Client work exposes strengths, reveals weaknesses, and accelerates growth. If you tried freelancing before and felt overwhelmed, it’s likely because you focused on the wrong things. Many freelancers are busy chasing work rather than cultivating clients. There’s a significant difference between landing a client and landing a single task.
Top freelancers focus on building client relationships. That focus is what sets them apart: they keep clients coming back and refer them to others.
What stage hypnotism taught me about getting clients
When I started as a stage hypnotist I made many mistakes. I undercharged, undervalued my services, and missed opportunities to create ongoing revenue after a show. I was focused on the performance rather than the business side of success.
I was blind to the business of being successful.
I concentrated on getting shows instead of cultivating clients. A mentor taught me to focus on generating clients rather than just closing one-off sales, and that shift changed everything.
Get clients, not dollars
We need to change how we think about clients. Don’t reduce a client to a pile of dollar signs. Seeing clients merely as a transaction makes the relationship transactional and short-lived. A great client can become a steady source of income and introduce you to more work. Unsuccessful freelancers treat clients like cash deposits: find a client, take the money, and move on.
To consistently get work as a freelancer, change how you view clients. Here’s a trick I learned from running a stage hypnosis business.
Stage hypnosis trick for success
Many clients hire a stage hypnotist only once a year, but they can become repeat customers for a decade. A client who books you once a year for ten years isn’t worth a single fee — they’re worth the lifetime value of those bookings. How would you treat a client differently if you considered them worth ten times more over a longer period?
Seeing long-term value changes your approach.
Below is a three-step guide to landing your first client, drawn from my experience both as a freelancer and as a stage hypnotist.
Get your first client: a three-step guide
Step 1) Solve a client’s problem
If you want clients, go where they are. If you’re a freelance writer, try marketplaces like Fiverr or Upwork to build experience and testimonials. If you prefer working directly with businesses, discover the groups, meetups, or events they attend and join those spaces.
You must find shared places where clients gather and make yourself available to meet their needs.
Examples include a massage therapist networking at a gym or a trainer using an email list to promote a webinar that introduces nutrition coaching. Identify where your ideal clients spend time and be present there.
Step 2) Don’t try to sound smart
I’ve lost clients by focusing on sounding clever instead of solving problems. Clients want someone who understands their needs and speaks plainly about solutions. Speak the client’s language and explain clearly how your work benefits them.
For example, as a copywriter you won’t win clients by saying you write “organic, SEO-rich content.” You will win them by explaining how your article will increase subscribers, sales, or engagement. Learn the words your clients use by reading two- and three-star reviews in your niche — those reviews often mirror client pain points and vocabulary.
Step 3) Make proposals about the client
When I began freelance writing I made a common mistake: I sold myself instead of selling the solution. A strong proposal addresses the client’s needs directly. If a client needs a compelling email, don’t tell them how much you enjoy writing emails or how experienced you are — show them what you will do for them.
Clients want outcomes. As a stage hypnotist, clients wanted fun, family-friendly shows that pleased both parents and kids. Yet many hypnotists advertise gimmicks or speed rather than the result the client truly wants. Focusing on outcomes — what you will deliver for the client — wins more bookings than focusing on yourself.
Great proposals emphasize the client’s benefit and clearly outline the solution, not a resume of past achievements.
Get started!
You already have what you need to begin. Freelancing can be enjoyable and rewarding. Start small: set a clear, achievable goal such as landing one client. Focus on delivering value and building a relationship from that first win.
Why start with one client?
If you can secure one client, you can scale to three, then eight, and beyond. A steady roster of clients can become a full-time income over time. Are you ready to take the leap?
Was it hard finding your first client? What worries you most about starting a side hustle?