8 New Clients in 60 Days

Last July things looked bleak in my freelance business.

I was only halfway to the income goal I set for myself and summertime is traditionally a freelance slow season .

I seriously ramped up marketing efforts, updated my portfolios, posted on LinkedIn consistently and started getting some work in.

By early fall, it looked like my freelance goal for the year would be reached.

But I wanted to crush it.

So I set a goal of getting two new freelance clients by the end of the year.

Instead, I quadrupled that number.

Here's How I Found 8 NEW Freelance Clients in Two Months

Discover the freelance marketing efforts I made for it to happen and the freelance rates I earned.

(Yes, these numbers are all over the map!)

1. I stayed in touch with editors.

I was brought on to a Contently brand a few months ago but didn't get any assignments from them yet. I sent a personal message to an editor and let her know that I could take on some writing in the coming months. They're one of the 10 freelance writing websites where you can find freelance writing jobs.

(Freelance pay: $6,000+ for four assignments)

2. I was referred for work.

A freelance friend mentioned my name to an editor who was looking for Long Island-based parenting writers to take on some assignments.

(Freelance pay: $500 for two assignments)

3. I sent a message on LinkedIn.

I used the LinkedIn premium feature where I can see "who looked at my profile."

Here are the details of EXACTLY what I?said to the editor who looked at my profile. It resulted in an international health tech client.

(Freelance pay: $350 for one assignment)

4. I was introduced to a new editor.

I reached out to an editor I previously wrote for and she asked me to write a sleep product review for her site and a sister website under their company's umbrella.

(Freelance pay: $1,600 for two articles)

5. I was referred to someone who reads my LinkedIn posts.

One of the previous editors I worked with and stayed in touch with on LinkedIn reads my posts there and recommended me to a family member who was looking to work with more freelance writers. (Key takeaway here:?Maintain relationships, people!)

(Freelance pay: $850 for one assignment)

6. I followed up on an email from last December.

I had an email correspondence with an editor last year, and nothing happened.?I replied to an email from 2022 to see if she needed freelance help and she said yes!

(Freelance pay: $250 to 1,000/month ongoing)

7. I?let a client know about another niche.?

I saw that one of my personal finance clients had a pet website as well. I told them that I?write those articles too and sent some clips. The editor didn't know I?had that background either! She gave me a pet health assignment. Check out these best freelance writing niches of 2024.

(Freelance pay: $1,000 for one article)

8. A content marketing agency gave me a new brand.

I was writing articles for one healthcare brand under an agency and they added a smaller brand to my assignments as well.

(Freelance pay: $1,450 for three assignments)

Try some of these yourself this week to get more freelance work.

Here are the LinkedIn templates of what I say when I connect with a potential client.

I'd love to hear about your freelance marketing efforts in the comments below.

About Diana Kelly Levey

Hi there!

I’m a New York-based freelance journalist, copywriter, content marketing writer, editor, and freelance coach with over 20 years of professional media experience.

I’m also a wife and a mom to two toddlers, an adopted dog, and an exercise enthusiast who enjoys baking.

l love helping others learn how to become freelancers, improve productivity, and run their small businesses while creating amazing content that converts.

I cover these topics and more on my blog and in my weekly newsletter .

You can learn more about me, my publishing background, and my nearly 20-year freelancing journey at DianaKelly.com .