Starting to earn money as a freelancer sounds tempting, but in reality, most newbies face the same question: "Where to get the first clients?" Without experience, reviews and a portfolio, it seems impossible. But in practice, everything is real. Below you will find a step-by-step plan on how to get your first orders and start earning online.
🧭 Step 1: Determine what you offer
Before you look for customers, you must clearly understand yourself, what exactly are you selling.
Not just “freelancing”, but a specific service:
- Website creation on WordPress,
- Setting up Instagram ads,
- Writing texts for blogs,
- Design of business cards or logos,
- Technical support for websites.
📌 The narrower your specialization, the easier it is to find clients and explain how you can be useful.
🌍 Step 2: Register on trusted exchanges
Freelance exchanges are a great starting point. You don’t need to look for clients manually: they are already there.
Exchanges for beginners:
- Freelancehunt — Ukrainian exchange with adequate customers and a clear interface.
- Kabanchik.ua — suitable for both online tasks and local orders.
- Upwork - international exchange (English is required), with a huge number of tasks.
- Kwork — the “ready-made services” format: you create a “product”, and customers buy it.
📌 Tips:
- Fill out your profile on 100%, add a photo, short description, skills.
- Please provide real or academic projects as cases.
- Add a price tag - even if it is below market price (at the start this is normal).
✍️ Step 3: Create a simple portfolio - even if you don't have any orders
You don't have clients? No problem.
Do it test projects, which will show your skills:
- Create a test site on WordPress (for example, a landing page for a fictitious cafe).
- Write an article on an interesting topic if you are a copywriter.
- Draw a logo or a business card if you are a designer.
- Record a screencast of you setting up a plugin or creating a site structure.
💡 It's better than a blank profile. Customers want to see examples, not a diploma.
👥 Step 4: Write applications that stand out
Most newcomers respond to projects like this:
"Hello! Ready to do it. Contact me."
This is a road to nowhere.
This is how it should be:
- Show that you understood the task.: "You are looking for someone to build a one-page website on WordPress - I can do it in 1-2 days."
- Suggest a solution: "I use free themes and adapt them to your style. I will add a contact form and optimize the loading speed."
- Finish with the call: "I can show you an example of similar work. Write to me - I respond quickly."
📌 It is important to write on business and without water.
🌐 Step 5: Use more than just exchanges
Some clients don't use freelance platforms at all. Here's where else to look:
🟢 Telegram channels:
- @ukrfreelance
- @workado
- @freelancehunt_jobs
🔵 Facebook groups:
- "Freelance Ukraine"
- "Remote IT work"
- "Web Development and Marketing"
🟣 LinkedIn:
Create a profile, add skills and start looking for employers through the search.
🧰 Step 6: Promote yourself on your website
If you have a website (for example, freelancego.pro) - make a section:
- Services: clearly, with prices.
- Portfolio: add your test and real projects.
- Blog: publish useful articles like this one - it attracts traffic from Google.
💡 You already have a blog - use it not only for SEO, but also as a source of trust for customers.
🎯 Bonus: What NOT to do
❌ Don’t ask “give me a chance.”
❌ Do not copy other people's applications.
❌ Don't work for free without benefit (unless for a review).
❌ Don’t sit and wait – activity = results.
🏁 Conclusion
The first orders are always work "in the minus" in terms of time, nerves and even money. But they are what start the process. One review leads to a second, then a third - and you are no longer looking for clients, but choosing who to work with.
The main thing is not to be afraid to start.
And remember: Clients don't appear on their own, they are attractedDo it right and they will stay with you for a long time.
Author: Alex
No Comments