What is Client acquistion & freelancing?
Freelancing is freedom with a $10k per month paycheck.
As a freelancer you aren't chained to a desk with a micromanaging boss looking over your shoulder every second of every day.
Your ability to make money from anywhere means you can spend July working from your laptop in a beach house villa in Bali if that's what you want to do.
Choose your own hours, choose your clients, and be rewarded.
And here's what makes it even better.
There are tons of freelancing skills that are easy to master within a week that can pay you $1,000... $5,000... and even $10,000+ per project.
Web design, copywriting, social media management, graphic design, ecommerce, dropshipping. With AI now being a popular freelancing skill perfect for beginners, there are no wrong choices in the freelancing game.
If you have a 9 to 5 job right now, by the end of the week you could already have started your freelancing business and land a client that replaces your 9 to 5 income with a single project.
Find your niche
There's only one thing you have to get right if you want to be paid $10k or more per month as a freelancer.
Picking a niche that's loaded with business owners who will gladly throw money at you for solving their biggest problems.
When you pick the right niche you set yourself apart from the 200,000+ freelancers just looking to do everything and anything.
You go from "just another fish in a big pond" to "the only fish in the money pond."
You see, once you establish yourself in the right niche, you stop chasing clients and they start chasing YOU.
You become "the go-to."
The expert they whisper about in their Slack channels, tag in private business owner Facebook groups, and forward around in referrals like a secret weapon.
And before too long, you're booked out months in advance.
Picking only the projects you love and charging rates that make your old job salary look like a typo.
So, how do you pick your niche?
First you want to pick something you're interested in learning or already have some experience with, then zoom in even harder.
Don't have any skills yet?
Start with what interests you most.
Every expert was once a beginner who decided to get really good at one thing instead of staying average at everything.
This is called micro-niching and it's the quickest way to stand out and get more freelancing clients right now.
For example, if you want to help fitness coaches get more clients you might micro-niche this way.
"I work with fitness coaches who help women ages 30-40 shed post-pregnancy belly fat."
When your niche is clear, your messaging has more meaning and clients start chasing you.
There's just one obstacle you must avoid if you want to land these clients.
Most freelancers today will search "how to get more freelancing clients" on YouTube and take advice from videos made 5 or more years ago.
You need to know what methods and strategies are working NOW.
TODAY.
If you'd like a competitive edge and an inside look at more than 8 modern freelancing client acquisition strategies click here.
Work on Your Pitch
"Ummm... uhhhh...."
Sometimes you only have a few seconds to get someone's attention.
Which (for many opportunities you will get) can be the difference between getting ghosted and getting paid.
You'll see this a lot with freelancers who don't take their business seriously.
They'll do a bunch of outreach—emails, cold calls, networking—but the moment they get a potential client interested…
They fumble and mumble which immediately tells the client, "hey, I'm unprofessional and I don't know what I'm doing."
Can you imagine only "kinda-wanting-to-escape-your-9-to-5"?
That's exactly why you being here and wanting to perfect your pitch puts you ahead of 90% of your competition.
You have a goal (become a $10k per month freelancer who can work from anywhere) and will do whatever it takes to achieve it.
So without further delay…
Here's what your pitch must include if you want to always be ready to sell your freelancing services and close clients on the spot
Bold Opener
Your Background/Case Studies
Results
Simple CTA
If you do these things right, your pitch should end up sounding like this:
"When chiropractors in Indiana decide they want to grow their monthly revenue by booking more appointments, they all come to me. Over the last 11 months, I've tested and developed a proven new-patient booking system that has generated more than $760,000 for chiropractors across the state of Indiana. Would your chiropractic office be able to handle an increase in new monthly patients?"
This style of pitch attracts clients through emails, DMs, cold calls, and even in-person networking.
Most freelancers you're competing against still pitch like they're applying for a job.
You know… long-winded… vague… forgettable…
You don't need to talk more.
You just need to say what matters.
The Real World shows you exactly how to turn a pitch into an offer that clients can't say 'no' to.
But that's just the start…
You'll also discover how to tailor your pitch for global markets, handle live objections without stuttering, and build a stone cold sales system that works in any niche, any platform, and anywhere.
So whether you're trying to close a deal with a CEO in London or hopping on a sales call with a roofing company in Texas…
You'll always be ready.
Click here if you want your next sales call (and every single one after) to be an automatic "yes.”
How to get freelancing clients using social media
Build a personal brand
Learning how to get clients as a freelancer becomes easy when you know how to position yourself online.
Any successful freelancer in 2025 knows content is king,
But good content… good content gets you paying clients.
Below you’re going to discover not only what to say and how to say it across all your social media profiles…
You’ll also see how to create content that gets liked, shared, and most importantly… business owners DMing YOU for help.
LinkedIn is a client acquisition cheat code most freelancers don't know about.
Unlike Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok... where your content disappears from people's feeds in 48 hours... LinkedIn keeps your posts alive for weeks.
That means more exposure, more impressions, and more chances for your ideal clients to find you (if you know how to do it right).
Here's what sets LinkedIn apart:
It's half social network, half professional search engine, and it rewards content built with a certain strategy…
Let's use an example
Let's say you create a 14-day content strategy about how SaaS companies can use AI to scale their marketing.
If you include the right post ingredients, LinkedIn's algorithm will push your content straight onto SaaS founder's feeds (even if they don't follow you).
And unlike most other platforms, your content won't vanish.
It'll keep showing up... again... and again for 4+ weeks.
So if your goal is to get in front of high-quality leads to promote your freelancing success, LinkedIn is not "an option."
You need to be on there building your personal brand and you need to have been on there yesterday.
Now, you might be asking what kind of content actually gets seen, shared, and pushed by the algo?
Right now, there are 3 fundamental ingredients that viral LinkedIn creators use to make their content explode for weeks on end.
But heads up: LinkedIn changes their algorithm to keep people on the app…
So staying updated is just as important as posting in the first place.
If you want to know exactly what to post, when to post, and how to stay ahead of the algorithm updates so you can stay in front of your ideal clients…
Click here to get the most recent (and upcoming) LinkedIn content playbook.
YouTube
YouTube is a freelancer’s best friend when it comes to getting more clients as a freelancer.
Think about it…
If you have a problem… let’s say “how to make the perfect omelet”... what do you do?
You go to YouTube and watch someone do it, right?
Business owners do the exact same thing.
They hop on YouTube daily to solve their current business problems.
(Problems you can help them with by making YouTube content)
And if your content shows up as a solution to their current biggest problem…
You just became the expert they trust.
Let’s say you help kitchen remodeling contractors get more qualified leads using Google Ads.
Right now, there are kitchen remodelers typing into YouTube:
“How to get more kitchen remodeling jobs per month”
If you’ve got a video waiting with their answer, guess who they reach out to next?
Not some agency or stranger cold pitching them with emails, cold calls, and DMs.
You.
Because they don’t have time to figure it out themselves (they just want to pay the person who already knows how).
But here’s the part most freelancer’s miss:
If your goal is to just “post a video” that’s not going to be enough.
The videos that win the top 3 spots on YouTube’s first page all include one key ingredient that makes the algorithm keep them there.
Without it your video gets buried never to be seen or watched ever.
But with it…
With this one key ingredient your content gets seen, clicked, watched, and rewatched by your exact target audience.
If you’d rather have clients fighting for your time rather than begging for theirs, click here.
Instagram & Facebook
Instagram and Facebook weren't made for client acquisition but they’re sneaky little backdoors if you know how to use them.
Normally people just hop on to doom scroll and forget about their problems.
Funny cat videos
Another “your sleep paralysis demon but he sells crypto” ree
Two grandmas having a Nerf gun war in Walmart
You know… the usual stuff.
BUT here’s the kicker → your ideal clients are doom scrolling too.
They’re exhausted after a long day, distracted, and low-key panicking about their business problems while pretending not to.
So when you show up in their feed with content that’s actually funny and solves a problem they care about
You earned their attention, a laugh, and their business.
Let’s say you’re an expert at email marketing.
Instead of posting something boring and “pitchy” make something scroll-stopping.
Example:
Set up a sketch where you’re laying on a therapy couch, sad, pouring your heart out.
Meanwhile your friend is seated in a therapist-looking chair nodding along where the following script is played out:
“My client yelled at me yesterday. He ran out of inventory again after my last email campaign sold out all his stock. Now he’s on the phone with the bank explaining the $11,500 sales spike so they don’t shut down his account for fraud. And I’m just here like… sorry I’m too good at email?”
Look… it’s just an example okay? I never said I wrote jokes for Saturday Night Live…
You get the idea → Make your content fun, relevant, and scroll-proof.
Once your content starts taking off you’ll notice two things happen:
You’ll start getting DMs from ideal clients who “just saw your video”
You’ll get so booked you won’t have time to keep making content
This is both good and bad.
It’s great you’re getting money in…
But you need the deals to keep flowing while you focus on delivering killer results.
Otherwise you risk having $0 months while you fulfill project work.
You can always easily hire a VA to help, but if you need money-in to pay for emergencies it’s much harder to create new deals when you need them.
The good news is that you can avoid this dead zone with automated content creation.
If you want to be prepared with a plug and play content creation system that gets new deals on auto-pilot, click here to access.
Blogging
Business owners immediately recognize blog authors as experts.
They have a problem, they go to Google, and boom… if you’re there with an in-depth solution to a specific problem…
New paying client.
The key here is making sure you match what a business owner in your niche is searching for.
“How to get more sales for a jewelry store”
“How to get more leads for your lawn care business”
“How to get more views for your Instagram content”
If you know what your ideal client is searching for on Google, then you can gain their attention.
However… there is a set of rules to the blog game if you want to rank high.
You have competing blogs that have been around longer than you have on the same topics.
You have to worry about backlinks, domain authority, and making sure you have the correct keywords.
To discover how you can leapfrog over the BIG guys in the blog game in as little as a few months, click here.
How to get freelancing clients by networking
Warm networking
Freelancers in any niche for any skill always forget about one pool of potential clients:
Your warm network.
You probably don’t even realize you know someone that knows someone who owns a business.
The best part?
They can introduce you since they know you personally so it’ll sound more trustworthy to that business owner instead of reading your cold email.
So, who do you know that might know someone?
Do your parents have any friends or family who own a business that needs your help?
Do your siblings know someone?
What about your friends and their families?
Heck.. do your parents, siblings, or friends own business you can help out?
Yes, okay, I get it… reaching out and asking someone you know can be a bit awkward.
“What if they say no and laugh?”
“What if asking them ruins the relationship?”
“What if I screw up the project and it THAT ruins our relationship?”
100% understandable.
You’re right.
There’s a right way and a… not-so-right way to go about reaching out.
If you want pre-built proven reach out templates and ways to frame the conversion that 100% protects your existing relationships, click here to get started today.
Ask for referrals
If you have already worked with a few clients and delivered amazing results, you’re sitting on the fastest, lowest effort client acquisition strategy in the game:
Referral networks.
Okay, yes, I get it…
At first asking for referrals might feel like a “big ask” or “being pushy.”
But let’s reframe this real quick:
You’ve already done the hard part (delivered results).
You solved real problems.
Your past client is happy.
So… what…, giving them a chance to look like a hero by recommending you to someone else in their circle is a bad thing?
Think about it,
If you helped a business owner get more business, streamline their systems, and make more money…
What business wouldn’t want to be the one who connected their friend to “the freelancer who made that happen”?
You’ve already earned the ask.
So ask.
And don’t overthink the script because you don’t need a 7-paragraph text or email.
Something simple like this will do the job and get you referrals:
"Hey [Client Name], I really enjoyed working with you. If you know any other business owners who could use help with [result you delivered], feel free to pass my name along. Would mean a lot!"
Just a mix of clean, casual, and confidence.
Plus referrals convert faster, spend more, and stick around longer because the trust is baked in.
You’re basically coming pre-recommended so you just need to show up to the sales call.
Asking for referrals is a sign you’ve done great work so reap the rewards, okay?
Should You Work for Free?
Starting out with zero clients is the most awkward stage in freelancing.
You’re stuck in the famous “no proof, no trust” loop:
You need experience to get clients…
… but you need clients to get experience.
Most beginner freelancers use this as a reason to throw their arms up and quit (which is sad).
If only they knew about how to use a de-risked intro offer:
Let’s say a business owner is interested in what you’re saying.
They hop on a sales call with you, you both to start talking about how you can help them, but then they find out you’ve got no experience and they start backing off…
Totally normal because they’re not trying to gamble on a “maybe”
So, just remove the risk.
You come in with a specific plan you’re confident will work and you say this:
“Let me set this up for free. If it brings results (and it will), then we’ll talk about a win-win payment structure based on performance.”
BOOM.
You just went from a rookie to a low risk, high reward asset.
An instant reframe that is no longer a risk AND they only pay when results come in.
Everyone wins.
Please note: This is not about working free forever.
You just need proof… quickly and strategically… so you can charge full price later.
Oh also, if you want to see how to walk into sales calls without sounding desperate and needy click here to gain access to recorded successful sales calls and templates.
Keep your portfolio up to date
Think of your portfolio like your freelance storefront.
If it’s outdated, half-empty, links don’t work… don’t expect anyone to want to work with you.
The only thing you have that separates you from everyone else in your niche is how well you’ve made clients more wealthy.
An unprofessional-looking, disorganized, and broken portfolio is the same as caution sign up online saying “PLEASE NO ONE WORK WITH ME.”
It’s the only trust-builder you’ve got so at least make it look nice so you can get more freelancing clients.
So, here’s a rule:
Every time you generate results, have some sort of process for collecting a testimonial video, results screenshots, and whatever else you need to signal project success.
Okay, now, don’t flood your site with everything you’ve ever done.
Your goal here is to pick your best work and make it match the kind of projects you want more of.
Your portfolio is the first thing potential clients see before you reach out, so make sure it shows your strengths and makes them say, “Damn, I need this person on my team.”
What are the best freelancer sites to get clients?
You’ve probably heard of freelancing sites like Upwork and Fiverr to get clients.
While you do get put in front of business owners looking for help…
You aren’t going to get paid anywhere near life-changing money amounts (plus the hefty fee Upwork and Fiverr takes from every deal).
Competing on either of those platforms is a race to the bottom because there’s always going to be someone more affordable (aka cheaper) than you that gets the job.
While you can get a $200 project here and there… if your goal is financial freedom this is not the route you want to take.
Business owners who will pay you thousands of dollars per project on repeat every month aren’t on Upwork or Fiverr.
They’re in your warm network, waiting for an outreach email, reading blogs, and watching content on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
The Real World not only teaches you how to do all the above to get clients, we also show you how to keep scaling up bigger and better projects.
The professors there are currently doing the things you want to do and living the life you want to live (making millions and traveling).
If you want to stay on a path that leads to financial, time, and location freedom and DOESN’T have you competing for pennies, click here to start freelancing the right way:
FAQ's
1. How much money can freelancers make per month working from home?
Freelancers working from home can make anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000+ per month depending on their niche and client acquisition skills. Beginner freelancers typically start earning $1,000-$3,000 per month, while experienced freelancers in high-demand niches like copywriting, web design, and digital marketing regularly earn $10,000-$25,000 per month. Top freelancers who master client acquisition and specialize in profitable niches can earn $50,000+ monthly working remotely from anywhere in the world.
2. What are the highest paying freelance jobs and skills in 2025?
The highest paying freelance jobs in 2025 include AI consulting ($150-$500/hour), copywriting for direct response marketing ($5,000-$25,000 per project), web development and app creation ($75-$200/hour), digital marketing strategy ($100-$300/hour), and sales funnel optimization ($10,000-$50,000 per project). These high-income freelance skills are in massive demand because they directly help businesses increase revenue and profits.
3. How do freelancers find clients without using Upwork or Fiverr?
Successful freelancers find high-paying clients through LinkedIn outreach, content marketing on YouTube and Instagram, warm networking with personal connections, referral programs from existing clients, and SEO-optimized blogging. These client acquisition strategies help freelancers avoid the "race to the bottom" pricing on freelance platforms and instead connect with business owners willing to pay premium rates for quality freelance services.
4. How long does it take to become a successful freelancer and replace your full-time job income?
Most dedicated freelancers can replace their full-time job income within 3-6 months by focusing on one profitable niche, mastering client acquisition skills, and consistently delivering results. Beginner freelancers who follow proven freelance business strategies can land their first $1,000+ client within 30 days. The key to freelance success is choosing the right niche, creating a compelling pitch, and using modern client acquisition methods rather than outdated freelancing advice.
5. What's the difference between freelancing and starting a digital marketing agency?
Freelancing focuses on selling your personal skills and time to clients, while a digital marketing agency involves building a team and systems to deliver services at scale. Freelancers typically work solo and trade time for money, earning $5,000-$25,000 per month. Digital marketing agencies can scale beyond the founder's time limitations and generate $50,000-$500,000+ monthly by hiring specialists, automating processes, and serving multiple clients simultaneously.
6. Do freelancers need a business license, LLC, or special permits to work legally?
Freelancer business requirements vary by location, but most freelancers benefit from forming an LLC for liability protection and tax advantages. While not always legally required, having proper business formation helps freelancers appear more professional to high-paying clients, simplifies tax filing, and protects personal assets. Freelancers should also obtain any industry-specific licenses required for their niche and consider business insurance for additional protection.
7. How do freelancers handle taxes, invoicing, and business expenses?
Successful freelancers use accounting software like QuickBooks or FreshBooks to track income, expenses, and generate professional invoices for clients. Freelancers can deduct business expenses including home office costs, software subscriptions, marketing expenses, and professional development. Many freelancers work with accountants who specialize in freelance businesses to maximize tax deductions and ensure compliance with self-employment tax requirements while focusing on client acquisition and service delivery.