most recent 30 from freelancing.stackexchange.com 2025-08-05T10:20:45Z https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/feeds/tag?tagnames=attracting-clients https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/rdf https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10543 2 Julius Hamilton https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/28714 2025-08-05T08:32:35Z 2025-08-05T23:04:25Z

<p>Sometimes you have a good idea for making something someone might want to buy but it’s very particular and you can envision it being done maybe 1-5 times.</p> <p>What is a good strategy as a freelancer for sort of pitching or advertising a kind of “suggested project”? It’s supposed to be something somebody wants, so they want to pay for it.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10746 4 code913 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/30061 2025-08-05T08:00:36Z 2025-08-05T12:09:05Z

<p>I'm a programmer and I have a year of experience in building small projects for clients. I've always tried to give my 100% on client projects and many times hit the GitHub codespaces monthly free usage limit.</p> <p>But I find it hard to commit to my own side projects. I start with tons of motivation but eventually it dies out and starts to feel like a grind due to the lack of payment and I never end up finishing it. I've got a pretty empty portfolio because of this and I currently have to depend on word of mouth for getting clients.</p> <p>I'm thinking of starting a blog where I can just talk about anything tech related on my mind. Or I could post about specific problems and how I found their solutions.</p> <p>I feel like clients would be interested in seeing how my thought process for programming functions and will be impressed by my posts. I learn a lot from other people's own blogs so this would also be a way for me to give back to the community.</p> <p>But I don't know if this would be sufficient to convince clients that I can actually finish what they pay me to code.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10967 1 M Raven https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/32322 2025-08-05T14:05:40Z 2025-08-05T22:59:25Z

<p>I am recently licensed and attempting to forge a new path for myself as an insurance broker and legacy planner/grief coach.</p> <p>I have researched everything I possibly can regarding marketing strategy, social media, etc and I don't have the slightest idea what to do with it all now.</p> <p>I have zero clients and am completely broke now after spending everything I had to license. I can purchase lead types eventually but in the interim I need to source some other way, organically and by my own website and social media content. The problem is I'm not doing that at all.</p> <p>I don't have any money to pay it.</p> <p>Can someone help me figure out what I need to do in a concrete, clearly-defined structure?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/7137 1 FKEinternet https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/17662 2025-08-05T06:08:40Z 2025-08-05T23:44:36Z

<p>I answered a job posting on Upwork, and in response, "David Lee" asked me for my Skype ID. Because of a number of "issues" on my end, it took several days before we were both on Skype at the same time when this conversation ensued:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>David Lee:</em> Hi<br> <em>David Lee:</em> are you available now?<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> Yes, I'm here<br> <em>David Lee:</em> Great<br> <em>David Lee:</em> Ok, Sorry but I have to apologize something first.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> That the job posted is not needed anymore.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> But I have something to discuss with you now if you have time.<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> What do you have?<br> <em>David Lee:</em> ok, thanks<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I am from China and also a web developer myself. But I can't create account on Upwork.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> So I want to purchase someone's Upwork account. I would really appreciate if you can help me.<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> Didn't you have to create an account to post the job?<br> <em>David Lee:</em> Oh, it's just client account which I created yesterday<br> <em>David Lee:</em> not verified one also<br> <em>David Lee:</em> so do you work full time on Upwork?<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> It's one of the things I do<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> How would you "purchase" an account?<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I want to talk about the price.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> and pay immediately through paypal<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> I'm not quite sure what you mean. Are you saying you want me to give you my username and password, with my work history and profile attached? Is that what you are saying you want to buy?<br> <em>David Lee:</em> Yes, that's right.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> That means also you should not use it once I start using it.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> And I am willing to pay for it.<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> How much are you willing to pay?<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I am sorry but I lost your profile<br> <em>David Lee:</em> would you please send it again to me?<br> <em>David Lee:</em> oh, I found it<br> <em>David Lee:</em> you have only one job history<br> <em>David Lee:</em> is it Video verified one?<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> yes<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I can pay 600$.<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> hahahahahahaha I've spent 40 years building my reputation as a contract programmer and consultant, and you think I'd be willing to sell <strong>that</strong> for $600?<br> <em>David Lee:</em> You mean you spent 40 years to make this profile?<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> No, I only found Upwork about a month ago, I've been working in this business for 40 years<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I understand.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> As I said, I am Chinese.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I am not so rich.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> But I am doing this because Upwork is only platform on which I can make earnings for living.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I am impressed in your passion for work.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> Sorry, I thought you are young looking at your photo. lol<br> <em>David Lee:</em> 30s<br> <em>David Lee:</em> like me<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> that's what most people think when they see me<br> <em>David Lee:</em> They might be<br> <em>David Lee:</em> So would you pls help me this poor Chinese youth?<br> <em>David Lee:</em> (bow)<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> My Upwork account, and the credentials and history associated with it, are part of my reputation. You are going to find that an honest person will never "sell" their reputation, and that if you <strong>do</strong> manage to "buy reputation" from someone, it won't be worth the money you paid for it.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I see<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I just want to by a Upwork account and use it to get jobs there<br> <em>David Lee:</em> You can remove those work history on it before selling it<br> <em>Fred Koschara:</em> This is going to make an "interesting" blog post....<br> <em>David Lee:</em> haha<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I would appreciate if you please don't do it.<br> <em>David Lee:</em> I am doing this for my living, being very serious..</p> </blockquote> <p>(FWIW the lines about "Ok, Sorry but I have to apologize something first." and "That the job posted is not needed anymore." were repeated from when he first contacted me and I told him I was busy replacing a failed UPS.)</p> <p>I've reported this incident to Upwork, but is there anybody else I should make aware of the situation? In addition to being unethical, it seems like doing this sort of thing should be illegal, although trying to enforce it on someone in China would be "difficult" at best.</p> <p>How common is this practice? Has anyone else been approached with the same or similar scams? How did you deal with it?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9948 9 Mr Zach https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/25604 2025-08-05T10:33:30Z 2025-08-05T14:52:37Z

<p>I have trouble to get contracts as a freelancer. In every case it ends up with the company wanting to hire me and not rent me as a freelancer. The main argument is something like &quot;this is an extreme important role for our company and we want this knowledge to be in house&quot;.</p> <p>What is the best way to make sure they will rent me as a freelancer?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10615 0 user29106 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/0 2025-08-05T00:26:18Z 2025-08-05T07:51:36Z

<p>As I can understand, a refund in freelancing is not mandatory by EU and US laws (correct me if I'm wrong), but still may be a benefit of freelancer's policy for clients.</p> <p>A quotation from <a href="https://millo.co/upfront-payment" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a page about freelancing</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Something else you could consider is a refund policy. A written money-back guarantee makes selling new clients on your upfront payment policy easier. It gives them peace of mind knowing they have nothing to lose should you fail to deliver the work.</p> <p>Think of it as the first few stages of a customer journey map, where you need to build awareness and trust with the company before inking the deal.</p> </blockquote> <p>Since I'm personally considering to charge clients in arrears after each work milestone, there is no need in a money-back. My client can simply not to pay for the milestone done if he doesn't like it.</p> <p>The question is, how to properly describe in my policy such a client right without creating a false assumption that I'm just a learner and not a professional expert?</p> <p>I mean if I would write something like</p> <blockquote> <p>You can simply not pay for the milestone done if you won't like it</p> </blockquote> <p>can be implied by clients as</p> <blockquote> <p>I'm just a learner who fills his portfolio and therefore I anticipate your disliking</p> </blockquote> <p>P.S. It would be great to hear opinions of the very clients from their standpoint on the subject here</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10599 1 Roger V. https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/23884 2025-08-05T13:06:24Z 2025-08-05T20:56:27Z

<p>I am trying to look beyond the stereotype, which is as follows: I think of freelancing as a job for a young person, not burdened with family obligations and long-term financial commitments (like a mortgage), who is still far from retirement. It is also a good option to get by when temporarily without work.</p> <p>I have tried freelancing for a couple of years before my current job found me, and I think of potentially going back to freelancing, since it seems to offer potential for higher earnings. I am however wondering whether it is a good option in a long-term. The reasons are following:</p> <ul> <li>Having to freelance while having a family probably makes me less competitive (can't work long hours, can't be available at any time, notably on weekends and during school vacation periods.)</li> <li>Financial stability - slack in the market, change in the habits of clients (I mostly found them via online platforms), difficulty of working intensively in older age (and potentially retiring.)</li> <li>Speaking of age - how would it feel to do freelancing when you are 50 or 60 years old? Do clients even take you seriously?</li> <li>Career development - even if freelancing offers higher earnings, there is probably a limit, due to the time and physical limitations, which is probably reached within a few years. What is next then? - building my own company (i.e., having others work for me)? Positioning myself for a different market segment? Eventually finding a consulting job, affiliated with a big company (i.e., ending freelancing)?</li> </ul> <p>Advice and stories from experienced freelancers would be greatly appreciated.</p> <p>Similar question: <a href="https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/3112/23884">Next level of freelancing and growth</a></p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10609 1 user29106 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/0 2025-08-05T13:15:34Z 2025-08-05T21:43:54Z

<p>I need useful advice. I'm a web developer from Ukraine with many years of experience, yet have never worked with clients from Western Europe and America. But now I'm considering that.</p> <p>I know it's very popular marketing strategy in the world to offer something basic or initial for free (so-called <em>freemium</em>) in order to attract a client and if he wants more, he has to pay for the more (so-called <em>premium</em>).</p> <p>In view of that, I'm considering an idea to advertise on my own website an offer to a prospective client of the first screens of his website's homepage for free. Using frameworks and pre-made components it doesn't take much time to create the screens or sections and present them to the client. And if he wants the next screens or jobs, he may continue cooperation, but on a paid basis.</p> <p>Another option is to give the first portion of my work simply in advance and if the client wants to go further, then he first pays for the first portion he has already got and only after that I do the next job for him. If he however doesn't want to continue, the first portion becomes my gift and it's ok.</p> <p>At that I don't want to require any advance payments from the clients and want to deal with them directly out of freelance platforms. Hence, the second paid job for the client I would like to accomplish in advance from my side as well. But if he won't pay for it in arrears (i.e. will steal it), that would mean two jobs for free. And the more will be the second stage, the more I will lost.</p> <p>To mitigate the risk, I'm considering to make the second stage small. But the question is, how it's convenient for the Western clients to pay small amounts? Moreover, are there some legal or financial restrictions in EU or America for small payments? Or another issues?</p> <p>Any your idea and advice would be appreciated.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10596 1 Md Nazmul Hossain https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/29079 2025-08-05T09:15:21Z 2025-08-05T08:29:12Z

<p>I'm starting as a freelance software developer. However, as I researched more about getting clients, I started having doubts about it.</p> <p>Most companies have in-house developers. And not every company needs software. Doesn't this make it harder to get software clients?</p> <p>I also looked a bit into getting clients as a designer (which I'm not) and I see that most companies don't need a full-time designer to design their logo, brand, etc. And most companies need a designer for their tasks. So, most companies go to outsourcing the tasks which I think makes it easier to find clients than the software dev one.</p> <p>I'm confused about these now. I have a few questions going on my mind:</p> <ol> <li>What are some of the best ways to get software clients outside of freelancing platforms?</li> <li>Will cold email outreach work? If so, how may I do it?</li> <li>How to find companies to pitch/offer my software development services to?</li> <li>If finding dev clients is really harder, should I move myself to design (especially branding) and start over again as a designer?</li> <li>Any advice you can give me in this situation?</li> </ol> <p>Any help would be much appreciated!</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10124 3 Muaz https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26440 2025-08-05T03:59:50Z 2025-08-05T11:27:56Z

<p>For young developers out there, is it a good idea to start their own startup or get a job while pursuing a university education?</p> <p>For someone young, is a startup counted as experience?</p> <p>For a single guy is this a good idea?</p> <p>Is capturing a big market for small revenue a good strategy?</p> <p>For someone from a third-world country where a possible 3-digit revenue is better than a local job with pip environment is it a good idea?</p> <p>Is startup good for learning and professional growth?</p> <p>Does hard work and commitment guarantee success?</p> <p>what I have tried: I have been working on an idea for about 3-4 months. My basics are all done. I have only slept 8hrs in the last 5 days. I am committed as it is better than what I was doing for cooperate anyway .As only guy I sometimes feel useless and worthless; regardless I keep on hustling. I don't know if it's a good idea or not. I did full time job along university and best thing is I am not even a software engineer. I am doing electrical engineer along.</p> <p>About domain I have about 2 years of experience now in software development. Mentor: I highly admire Elon Musk. Plan right now: I am earning passive income from crypto trading which supports me financially, so that I can focus on my work more.</p> <p>In the future I would love to work in the USA. Someone like me will be valuable or no?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10303 8 alxmntrvl https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/13035 2025-08-05T12:38:27Z 2025-08-05T19:59:42Z

<p>I recently started my first local design and marketing business, and currently I'm on the search for clients/work. I had a job interview yesterday with a reputable local construction company that is open to the possibility of working with me on a freelance basis, rather than as a full- or part-time employee, which has several benefits in my case.</p> <p>My question is regarding how I should approach a proposal with this potential client, and future clients. I'm not good with pricing my work (I'll be honest) and do NOT want to lowball myself. I'm trying my best to avoid hourly work, and billing for hours in general. I've just heard great arguments against it, and have seen these arguments borne out in my own 5 year freelancing career. Hourly is just not great, unless possibly if you're able to command a high hourly rate to be profitable, which I am not able to at the moment because that would scare potential clients away.</p> <p>So my question is – should I propose a monthly retainer? I'm honestly not sure what options an experienced freelancer who does not want to be stuck in hourly billing and run a profitable business normally proposes to potential clients.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10127 6 ConsultingNewb https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26325 2025-08-05T05:55:25Z 2025-08-05T03:16:11Z

<p>I can generalize this question to, &quot;I'm knowledgeable in this methodology that is relatively rare in the market, yet respected (to those that have heard of it). Does it make sense to reach out to companies that are looking for experts in a different methodology I consider inferior?&quot;</p> <p>I'm figuring my angle could be along the lines of, &quot;I see you're looking for someone with expertise in X, have you considered someone with expertise in Y? Here are the benefits: ... Here's my number if you'd like to discuss further: ...&quot;</p> <p>Would this be an effective approach, or is it a waste of time? Keep in mind, 95% of the jobs out there are looking for X, not Y. It'd obviously be more efficient to reach out to that 5%, but they're hard to find.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10292 3 rubengavidia0x https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/23754 2025-08-05T10:52:22Z 2025-08-05T17:54:08Z

<p>I am having problems with how to reject this kind of project for my clients. As an example, a recent client that weeks ago I did a C Project for him arrives again days ago needing help in a project related to parallel computing and multi-threading. I had to refuse because this topic is outside my skills. Another example can be if I have a client that comes to me needing help with NLP (Natural Language Processing) and I know more of Computer Vision, Python, scikit-learn, etc.</p> <p>If the project is easy, I could help, but if do not I don't know how to answer without being &quot;rude&quot;, ghost him/her or look unprofessional. <strong>clients judge a lot</strong> (Mostly clients who I had to reject him/her do not return offering more work. On the other hand, those who I have worked with have stayed with me and have even offered me projects out of the skills of the first project).</p> <blockquote> <p>If we are sincere from the perspective of a client if you cannot solve his project it is because you have a lack of experience in the area ( when I said area I am meaning all the skills not only the specific skill that we can't do it) and He will look for a better freelancer than if he knows his technologies and will keep him with him for future projects.</p> </blockquote> <ul> <li><strong>What do I have to do in case a client or potential client offers me a job outside of my skills and how to retain them for future offers?</strong></li> <li><strong>What is the best answer in this case for retaining your client for future projects?</strong></li> </ul> <p>I think a good idea is to list my skills in order to give the client an idea of my skills.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10108 5 ConsultingNewb https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26325 2025-08-05T20:31:42Z 2025-08-05T18:20:58Z

<p>I've run into a lot of situations where company's and directors/CEOs/etc. are either on the fence about hiring a contractor/consultant, or against the idea. In these situations, they're thinking about hiring a full-time employee. If I find myself in this situation, I don't feel like I have the context or empathy to explain the benefits of hiring me as a consultant over hiring me as a full-time employee. I see the advantages for myself, but not them.</p> <p>To gain empathy—and sell myself better—I'd like to know the pros and cons of hiring a full-time employee vs hiring a consultant, and I'd like this to be from their perspective, not mine.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10223 3 Jay https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/21841 2025-08-05T16:27:06Z 2025-08-05T07:46:29Z

<p>Recently I've started sending some proposals to some possible clients. One of these new leads, is not a competitor but a company in the same city as one of my current clients, and in my proposal I was mentioning that I helped this client of mine achieve over X dollars in sales with my work (web design). My girlfriend read this and thinks it is not my place to disclose the amount of money I've help them generate — take into consideration that the site I made was from the beginning, so there were no previous numbers. Now I'm wondering, is it? I mean, I'm not telling an exact number, just something in the likes of &quot;I help them make over $100k in sales with my services&quot;. Is this considered unprofessional? Or rude? Should I go ahead and ask this client if sharing am ambiguous number of sales is okay with them?</p> <p>I'm a bit lost, any help or suggestions are appreciated</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9661 1 user24435 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/0 2025-08-05T14:02:57Z 2025-08-05T08:45:25Z

<p>As a freelance copywriter, I often take on freelance jobs for advertising agencies.</p> <p>I contacted one recently to offer my services (a small local agency) and we had a Skype call to discuss further.</p> <p>He asked if he could see the kinds of briefs I'd been working to, so that he could see how I'd interpreted them (e.g. briefs that had been sent to me by other advertising agencies).</p> <p>I can see where he's coming from, but I feel it would be a little disrespectful for me to send over briefs from my other clients, seeing as they are basically all in competition with each other.</p> <p>Am I right in thinking I should avoid doing this?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10001 2 MC_Kejml https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/25804 2025-08-05T10:21:04Z 2025-08-05T14:05:35Z

<p>one of the possible ways of getting freelance work is through agencies, where I can help with the agency's clients, as many times they reach their regular employee capacities and need help. So they outsource me.</p> <p>So, I'm applying to these agencies, and many times I meet the following obstacles:</p> <ul> <li>They need someone fulltime</li> <li>They need an employee</li> <li>They want you to relocate (apparently even during Covid...)</li> <li>They don't work with freelancers</li> </ul> <p>Despite having 6 years of relevant experience, certifications, references, etc. Many times I won't even get to talk with the technical person to establish value, but a recruiter just shrugs me off. I wonder how you guys that work with agencies usually circumvent these problems. I appreciate your input. Thanks. 🙂</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9772 4 user24862 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/0 2025-08-05T13:29:34Z 2025-08-05T13:03:55Z

<p>Can any freelancers out there tell us about being legally prosecuted for sending (single but unsolicited) emails to prospective clients (in the EU)?</p> <p>In the EU of course there is the 'opt-in' law on unsolicited emails. (A recipient must opt in first.) And you can't even send an introductory email first to ask if a recipient wants your email (that would amount to the same thing, which is prohibited, so how you can legally get a recipient's permission to send them an email? - can you only call them or send them a letter?) I'm talking about single emails (not mass email advertising, which is indeed reprehensible) to get your name and service out into the market, to persons or firms who may really need what you're offering.</p> <p>I've always wondered whether some firm or person has actually reacted to a single unsolicited email by taking the sender to court for breaking this EU Directive (every EU state has its own version in law). It seems improbable, but with people you never know.</p> <p>Has anybody found a 'work-around' to cover an email sender from this risk? (Maybe write at the bottom of the email something like: 'not a commercial offer in the sense of the law' ?)</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10071 1 Asim Khan https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26196 2025-08-05T10:58:37Z 2025-08-05T15:37:41Z

<p>I have been freelancing as a front-end developer since 4 years but the problem is I get clients only through Upwork and Fiverr. I want clients outside these platforms and only from the USA or European countries. What is the best approach?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/5921 4 Aurora A https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/11760 2025-08-05T07:06:07Z 2025-08-05T21:52:32Z

<p>Is it ok to reveal your tactics and techniques to customers? If not, what would you say? If yes, how much would you say?</p> <p>I work in digital marketing, it this helps.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10105 2 ConsultingNewb https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26325 2025-08-05T04:41:24Z 2025-08-05T13:37:37Z

<p>Hypothetically, if I saw a full-time job I would be a perfect fit for, would it be ethical/effective to apply and later explain that I'm only interested in working as a freelancer? Assuming the answer is yes, when is the best time to reveal this information?</p> <p>This is different from <a href="https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/questions/853/can-i-sell-solicit-my-services-by-applying-to-regular-job-positions">Can I sell/solicit my services by applying to regular job positions?</a> because my question is asking about the ethics and effectiveness of doing so.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10088 1 wsdookadr https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26330 2025-08-05T19:12:52Z 2025-08-05T20:25:39Z

<p>I've set up a company and I'm paying an accountant monthly to help me with taxes, then I have to also pay taxes, recently I had to pay a lawyer to help me with drafting a contract template for future clients.</p> <p>I'm having a <em><strong>very hard</strong></em> time finding clients / projects.</p> <p>One option is going through job platforms but I'm finding there are many downsides:</p> <ol> <li>The job platform is charging a 10% fee (relative to the project's value)</li> <li>For some projects I'm not eligible to bid because I'm located in Eastern Europe and some clients are placing a restriction on the geography (I lose around 15% of projects this way alone)</li> <li>The site only allows me a small number of bids. I get charged further fees to purchase additional bids</li> <li>I have to reissue/regenerate the invoices the freelance job market generates for me because none of them has my fiscal code on them</li> <li>There's a lot of work involved in winning bids. From previous experience I have to place around 15-20 bids to win 1 or 2 projects, this is a very time-consuming process that I would rather have spent in actual client work</li> <li>The project budgets are really low value, much below market value</li> <li>There's a lot of risk involved in dealing with unvetted clients (with no previous projects or reviews). I've had one client last month simply refusing to pay their invoice even though the deliverables were to spec. This comes after multiple progress meetings with them where I demo'd deliverables</li> <li>There are many communication delays involved so I have to multitask between trying to find clients and doing actual work</li> </ol> <hr /> <p>I'm writing to ask: How should I find clients outside of these online job markets, preferably with a steady stream of projects, and communicating with them directly? If there are contracts to be written, that's not a problem, but it seems like just finding interested clients. I was told that I should somehow use referals but honestly I don't know how that would work in practice.</p> <p>Another way would be for clients to find my services, but that also doesn't seem to be easy or efficient in any way (even when using blog posts as a way to advertise services offered), as most seem to be interested in hiring people, and I'm just trying to do contracting-based or consulting work.</p> <p>A related, more quantitative question would be: After how many blog posts (that advertise services) should I be expecting to connect with a potential client for example on Linkedin? Is this even viable? I don't know if this question has an answer but I'd be interested to read any thoughts on that.</p> <p>Thank you in advance for any thoughts you'd like to share about these questions</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10086 4 ConsultingNewb https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26325 2025-08-05T22:55:10Z 2025-08-05T07:05:10Z

<p>First of all, if my approach to this is a waste of time (mine or the client's) or unethical, let me know because that's more important to me.</p> <p>I'm a programmer with management, product management, and agile coaching experience. Sometimes when I'm applying to technical jobs, I see a post from a company that could, in my opinion, greatly benefit from my skills. The problem is, these job postings are for lower level full-time positions, and I want to work as a consultant. I often apply anyway, hoping that I can reach someone that realizes I can provide more value than the position offered.</p> <p>Some of the times, it's HR that replies. Usually they function as a candidate filter, reading a checklist of skills and salary for the ideal candidate. If I don't check all those boxes, I don't move on to the next stage. I feel like if I could somehow reach the person with the actual problem, I'd have a chance of explaining my value (and price) beyond HR's checklist.</p> <p>What techniques can I use to get past HR and reach those with the actual problems I could help with?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/173 29 tim.baker https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/124 2025-08-05T16:57:39Z 2025-08-05T02:17:02Z

<p>Freelancing has its advantages - don't get me wrong; however, many people want to be reassured that they are dealing with a big company. Since I can't possibly provide this, how can I mitigate these problems?</p> <ul> <li>I know my finances are sound, but how can I reassure the client that I am not going to disappear tomorrow?</li> <li>How can I word contracts so they don't appear to come from single person, yet aren't deceptive?</li> <li>Is it ok for me to "hide" that I am, ultimately, small time, even though I pour my heart and soul into this?</li> </ul>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9935 4 queenD https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/25527 2025-08-05T02:58:19Z 2025-08-05T05:22:33Z

<p>About a year ago I tried to start a consulting company. approached potential clients with my services but did not get anywhere. I am now working full time and one of them has come back to me and would like to do business. Now, will it be wise to quit my full time job and focus on my business with this client?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9815 3 TheHeadlessSourceMan https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/23949 2025-08-05T13:07:31Z 2025-08-05T06:34:27Z

<p>I've been looking into ReactJS and I really like it. I've done the tutorials and worked through some apps of my own. In short, I am confident that I now know it well enough that I am ready to tackle a professional gig.</p> <p>So, now that I am at a point where I am ready to get started professionally, how do I &quot;break in&quot; without any prior work experience? (That old catch-22, where if you want to get a job, you need to have had a job.)</p> <p>React is not like AWS or MSCE where there is any official certification you can get. (At least none that I have seen. Maybe I am missing something.)</p> <p>Also, I've heard some freelancers say, &quot;price yourself lower&quot;, while others say, &quot;don't undercharge or you'll only attract the kinds of clients who don't value you and will make your life miserable&quot;.</p> <p>I guess my question is: how can I proceed from here?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/1188 19 user1692 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/0 2025-08-05T19:31:44Z 2025-08-05T10:22:19Z

<p>I want to take care of various pets for various (even dirt-cheap) prices just to be sure I can get any client to accept my offers. If I make prices unbelievably low, people will likely want me because I won't ask for much. Problem?</p> <p>As the title reads, <strong>I have low self-confidence</strong>. I have to fake every smile, and often times people can read through it. I am not a very talkative person to strangers, and I'd have to "force it out", which makes me seem very fake. I am not unwilling, unskilled, or lacking experience, <strong>but just lacking confidence</strong>.</p> <p>I grew up in not so good environment, and my esteem was crushed endlessly. I have drive, but I don't have people skills, esteem, confidence, or much self-worth(I also have mild Social Anxiety, and can't manage a typical hourly-setting job). Will I be too big of a burden to handle this kind of work?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9668 2 O.S.Kaya https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/24444 2025-08-05T14:25:46Z 2025-08-05T22:01:05Z

<p>I'm a new mobile app freelancer and i'm about to win a new client. They are going to pay me hourly based. </p> <p>But they asked me how much i'd charge them if they need support in the future. How should i want to reply to this. Should i charge them monthly or yearly for offering a particular hour of support? Or should i just charge them when they ask for something? Because if they agree for paying me monthly for support then they'd obviously expect every month that i do something useful right? </p> <p>I don't want to scare them off by asking them 'too much' money, but i also want to have some recurring income if you understand what i mean. </p> <p>Do you guys have any experience or tips regarding this situation?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/6629 4 Doug Null https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/16524 2025-08-05T22:33:41Z 2025-08-05T21:02:05Z

<p>When I cold call a hiring manager for the first time, what exactly is the best thing for me to say after they answer?</p> <p>I've been a contract software engineer for 25 years. Times are always changing.</p> <p>I used to say: "Hello, I'm , a software engineering contractor, and I'm calling to offer my services."</p> <p>But lately this is often interpreted to mean that I'm a job shop offering the service of providing contractors.</p> <p>I'm mainly looking in the Silicon Valley area. Hiring managers are 95% of the time friendly.</p> <p>It's 2017. What should I say?</p> <p>specifically: Should I say I'm a "freelance software engineer" or a "contract software engineer"? Is "freelance" a thing these days?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/3239 4 Waseem Abu Senjer https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/4738 2025-08-05T00:17:05Z 2025-08-05T14:51:35Z

<p>I'm a WordPress developer living in the Middle East, and I have a strong portfolio and experience. I want to expand my clients base to the US. Because I'm living far from USA, I can't have personal meetings with them. I tried freelancing websites, and I got a few jobs, but it's not financially feasible.</p>

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