According to Forbes, 73% of small business owners aren’t confident that their current strategy is contributing to their business goals. If you’re nodding along, you should keep reading.
When you’re just starting out as a freelancer or small business owner, the hardest part isn’t always the work itself. It’s getting your name and your services noticed.
Whether you’re a digital marketing freelancer, a writer, a social media manager or a content creator, knowing where to begin with your freelance marketing and how to build trust is essential for a successful freelance career.
In this blog, we’re going to give you some tips to help you start strong.
Freelance marketing is about quality and clarity, not always quantity. Before you start shouting from the virtual rooftops, you need to get your basics in place. That means:
If you haven’t yet built a website and written your website content, we highly recommend making this a priority. Your own site gives you a professional base, helps you show up in search and acts as a central hub for your portfolio, testimonials and services.
It’s also “real-estate” you own. Unlike social media, you control your website and can’t be affected by someone hacking your account or the platform banning you for a mysterious reason.
If you’re not quite ready for a website, start by optimising your LinkedIn profile and building a digital portfolio using Canva, Notion or Adobe Portfolio. You might also find our blog on how to set your freelance rates useful as you prepare to market your services.
You don’t need to be everywhere with freelance marketing. You just need to be somewhere consistently. Focus on one or two platforms where your ideal clients are likely to hang out. That might be:
Be intentional about what you share. Think about showcasing your process, sharing testimonials or feedback, answering common client questions and offering tips related to your skills. Content marketing doesn’t have to mean posting every day. It just needs to build trust and show potential clients what it’s like to work with you.
Freelance marketing isn’t about shouting the loudest. It’s about building relationships. That means:
Over time, this kind of engagement can bring more leads than any cold pitch. According to LinkedIn, decision-makers say they’re more likely to be influenced by someone who shares relevant insights.
Content marketing is one of the most effective long-term ways to grow your freelance business. But again, it doesn’t need to be complicated. Think about:
If you’re not sure what to say or how to structure your messaging, take a look at our post on digital visibility to help shape your positioning.
Email marketing might sound like something only big businesses do, but it can work beautifully for freelancers too. You don’t need a fancy funnel or a long newsletter. Just a way to keep in touch with people who might hire you.
Start with a simple lead magnet like a tipsheet or pricing guide, and use tools like MailerLite or Kit to build your list and send occasional updates. Over time, you’ll gather a list of warm contacts who already value what you do.
So many freelancers chase new leads without realising their past clients are their most valuable asset. Even one-off projects can lead to repeat work or referrals if you keep in touch.
Send a quick check-in a few weeks after the project wraps up. Let them know you’ve got space coming up. Offer a referral incentive if it feels right. Just stay visible so they don’t forget you when they need something else.
Freelance marketing is an ongoing process. What works now might not work in six months and that’s OK. The important thing is to plan your activity, track what’s working and adjust as you go.
If you’re not sure how to stay organised, you might like tools such as Full Scope, Capsule or Monday. All are tools we recommend often for managing freelance contacts, sales pipelines and follow-ups.
Starting a freelance career is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many ways to market yourself, and the advice out there can be noisy and conflicting. The key is to start small, stay consistent and build up over time.
And if you need a little support to get your digital presence off the ground, our freelance website course can guide you through it without the jargon or overwhelm.
You’ve got the skills. Now it’s time to show the world what you can do.
