Working as a freelance developer is sure as hell exciting but man does it come with a host of challenges!
The competition is unbelievably high, decent gigs are extremely hard to come by, and finding high-paying clients is a herculean task. Not to mention, the few clients you find are not always worth your while.
But who doesn’t desire the luxury of working on their own terms? What’s a little extra effort when it gives you the freedom to set your own schedule, select your preferred projects, and earn the big bucks?
Plus, we are always here to help you on your freelancing journey, aren’t we?
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Tips on How to Get Clients as a Freelance Developer
For ambitious developers looking for freelance gigs that pay well, here are 8 amazing tips to land lucrative clients!
1) Create a magnetic portfolio
Every developer should invest in creating an attractive, professional portfolio. It’s your best chance to display your skills & expertise, and convince your clients that your services are worth paying for.
Like Emily Ridge here:
Include your past works, any personal projects you’ve pursued, volunteer work, and so on. Contact your previous clients and ask them for testimonials to feature on your website for credibility. Make sure the aesthetics are top-notch and your website content is keyword-specific.
Insider tip: If you are a beginner with no projects to your name, find small businesses and offer to build their website for free. This way, they get their website, and you have something to add to your portfolio.
2) Register on freelancing platforms
Did you know that 36% of the U.S. workforce constituted freelancers in 2020? Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a remarkable interest in freelance marketplaces where jobs range from grocery shoppers to high-end software developers. Plus, there’s that irresistible freedom to work on your own terms and handle any number of projects you like.
Companies too have become dependent on sourcing developers from freelance platforms — naturally, that’s where you should be.
We don’t mean sign up on every third platform out there; not all freelancing platforms are worth your time and effort. In fact, there are only a handful that offer steady, high-paying gigs like Fiverr, Upwork, and Toptal. Platforms like Begig even have a strict screening process for developers and clients so as to ensure project success rates and top-notch freelancing experience.
Agreed, it will be a daunting task to find decent projects initially, thanks to the huge line of competitors. You might even have to resort to accepting underpaid projects simply to bag quality reviews from clients. However, it will enhance your visibility and eventually help you attract a litany of lucrative gigs.
3) Tap small businesses in your location
Reaching out to local businesses is particularly beneficial for freelance developers who are just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey. Very few approaches are as effective as real-life conversations and in-person pitches.
So, get out there and network with business owners. Find out if they are interested in establishing a digital footprint. Even if they don’t require your services currently, they might refer you to people who need help building or redesigning their websites. See how word-of-mouth is working in your favor? We say, get ’em tigers!Â
4) Get involved in open-source projects
Possibly the best way software developers can build credibility and reputation is by contributing to open source projects on platforms like GitHub.
Pick projects which offer a chance to showcase your mastery in your domain and start contributing. This will not just put you before the right crowds but also help build valuable relationships with project leaders in your arena.
5) Seek referrals from your friends and acquaintances
Friends and acquaintances can be a great help in furthering your freelance career. Especially those friends who work at tech companies; freelancing opportunities are rather commonplace here. All you have to do is ask.
Feel free to enquire about good freelancing development projects at their company. If you do encounter a successful referral, make sure to provide impeccable service as a thank you to your connections.
6) Work on building a strong online presence
No renowned business or employer is likely to hire a freelancer who doesn’t have a good online reputation. Freelance development is a competitive arena, and it’s paramount for you to stand out from the crowd if you hope to be successful in your space.
Take cues from Chip Huyen who was ranked #1 on the #LinkedInTopVoices List in 2019.
Her account is an amalgamation of unique insights and opinions, inquisitive questions, ideas — indicative of thought leadership. Ever so often, the Deep Learning Engineer also posts instances from her personal life to give audiences a glimpse into her human side.
Follow suit and build a compelling online presence on social media, particularly on platforms where your potential employers hang out. These include LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, forums like Reddit, Quora, GitHub, and so on.
Post about your work regularly and use captivating, keyword-specific captions to attract high-paying clients. Make sure to highlight your USP and showcase your skills that give insight into your ambitious and unique talent.
7) Haunt networking platforms
Networking is a guaranteed accelerator of freelancing success. Considering how easy it is to pursue networking in the current digital era, you have the golden opportunity to secure some of the best developer gigs for yourself.
Begin with joining Facebook and LinkedIn groups related to your niche. For example, if you are looking for UX job opportunities, look for “UX design” groups or pages on Facebook.
Make sure you are an active member participating in conversations and online events in the group to get noticed by recruiters.
It’s a good idea to stay active on every social media platform, including Reddit and Quora, which can potentially help widen your network.
If you are into in-person networking, make sure to attend conferences on web development in your city and develop a connection with potential employers and fellow developers who can give you good references.
8) Engage in quality SEO practices
Google has made it rather easy for recruiters to organically find relevant freelancers on the internet through Search Engine Optimization. Make sure you leverage your website’s content and best SEO practices to feature in the top search results.
Research keywords that your employers are interested in and create engaging content relevant to those keywords. As SEO is trackable and customizable, you can tweak your digital marketing strategy for maximum interest.
This will not just increase website traffic but if your talent, pricing, and soft skills strike the right chord with potential recruiters, work offers are bound to line up before you. All you have to do then is freelance your way to the top!
Over to you!
Go on, get cracking on these tips and watch work opportunities pour in! Let us know if we can help you with anything else!