Cheat Sheet: 69 Strategies for Attracting New Clients

by Michelle Lake · July 30, 2024

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.