20 min read How to Generate Leads as a Freelancer
The success of your freelance career largely depends on how you market yourself to generate leads. Luckily, there are several ways to do so.
It’s best to pick a few marketing techniques that resonate with you and relate to your services. That way, you’re guaranteed to generate loads of leads.
So, if you want to know how to generate leads as a freelancer, keep reading! Below we take a look at the best tips and tricks to generate quality leads.
Whether it’s through Facebook, a blog, or YouTube, you’re bound to get more exposure and boost your sales!
11 Ways to Generate More Quality Leads as a Freelancer
You don’t just want people to show interest in your services. You want them to become long-term paying customers. So, here are 11 sure-fire ways to generate quality leads that you can turn into customers.
1. Social Media
Social media is a freelancer’s best friend. But, you need to use it correctly to get the most out of it.
Some great social media networks for freelancers include:
- TikTok
- YouTube
To start, choose a platform that you feel most comfortable using. This will help you produce content and posts that are authentic.
Then, once you have become more comfortable, try to use a platform that best markets your content and that suits your target market.
For example, if you’re a freelance designer, try using Pinterest to showcase some of your designs. Or use it to give helpful design tips to your readers.
If you’re a freelance writer and content creator, you may want to make use of Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
These platforms are quite over-saturated. So, just make sure that your content stands out and that it reaches the right audience.
You can also use Facebook as a means to network with your target audience. There are so many groups available that you can join for this purpose.
For example, joining freelance-focused Facebook groups can help you generate leads. Engage in discussions, offer advice, and share your work to gain visibility.
2. Lead Magnets
Lead magnets help you get contact information from prospective customers. For obvious reasons, this is a great marketing advantage. And luckily, there are so many ways to do it!
Some lead magnets you may want to use include:
- A webinar
- A guide or ebook
- Product samples or trials
- A quiz, survey, or poll
- Samples of your work
But, consumers are becoming warier when it comes to giving their information out online. So, you’ve got to use lead magnets correctly for them to be effective.
Lead magnets should:
- Be relevant
- Have value
- Serve your business purposes
Lead magnets must be engaging. This is important so that your potential consumer generates interest and feels the need to subscribe.
If you provide value and give prospects a taste of what you can do for them, they will be more interested in your service and more likely to make a purchase.
As mentioned, lead magnets also enable you to collect contact information, like an email address. As such, it helps to build your email list. You can send targeted emails to nudge your leads into making a purchase.
3. Blogging
Blogging is a great way to give your potential customers a glimpse of who you are. By adding a personal touch, you become more relatable.
You can make your blog content fun and light-hearted, informative, or both.
Some tips to help you generate leads from blogging include:
- Offering exclusive, gated content
- Writing on unique topics
- Always including a Call to Action
- Using interactive content
- Retargeting blog traffic and prompting visitors to sign up for your newsletter
4. Guest Blogging
If you want to know how to generate leads as a freelancer, guest blogging is an excellent method to try. By collaborating with other businesses in your niche, you can reach a wider audience.
So, it’s best to reach out to websites and businesses that are bigger and more established than you are.
But you can’t expect much from one collaboration. So, try to negotiate three to four guest blogging deals at a time. This will guarantee quality leads or at least some more traffic on your social media platforms.
5. Optimize Your Online Profiles
Your profile is the first point of call for most of your clients. It needs to be up to date and professionally done.
Optimizing your profile also helps you distinguish yourself from the competition. To do so, your profile needs to stand out.
You can achieve this by:
- Using a professional and eye-catching thumbnail
- Uploading a high-quality profile picture
- Clarifying your brand name
Another way to optimize your profile is by writing a relevant and interesting bio. A good bio concisely sets out what service you provide and who may benefit from it.
Also, add relevant keywords so that your profile is easy to find when conducting a search. You want to make sure that whoever visits your profile remembers it and can find it again with little effort.
6. YouTube
YouTube is the second most popular website in the world with 34.6 billion visits a month. So, with all that traffic, you are bound to generate some quality leads.
Uploading videos to YouTube is a great way to indirectly market yourself while providing valuable and informative content to potential customers.
Adding a sense of value to the lives of your subscribers is what ultimately turns them into paying customers.
So, if your service involves SEO for example, you may want to do a Q&A to help your subscribers understand why it’s important.
You could also post helpful tutorials that relate to your service. Or a fun video to give your subscribers the opportunity to get to know you better.
Link to your services in the comments section or the description to make sure you get those leads!
7. Email Marketing
A highly effective way to generate quality leads is through email marketing. This involves sending a broadcast email to your contact list advertising your services.
This is a great platform to advertise promotions, sales, samples, or free consultations. It’s also a great way to provide your clients with valuable content. This way, you keep your clients engaged and build long-lasting relationships.
If you feel like you haven’t acquired enough email addresses, it’s time to start utilizing lead magnets.
For example, you could add a free subscription feature that offers a discount code or a free consultation when signing up.
8. Leverage Your Email Signature
Your email signature is the perfect spot to leave a call-to-action message.
Some examples of effective ways to leverage your email signature include:
- Advertising a promotion
- Listing some new services
- Advertising a special event or sale
- Creating new lead magnets
Be sure to use one of these examples to leverage this free marketing opportunity and generate quality leads!
9. Free Consultations
This is an easy way to gain long-term clients. By offering free consultations, you offer potential clients the opportunity to see what it’s like to work with you.
Because it’s free, it’s difficult to refuse. As such, it’s a great way for you to get your foot in the door with customers that may be on the fence about using your services.
Plus, it allows you to showcase your skill. Even if you don’t get the client, you may get a referral.
10. Referrals
Trust is an important factor when it comes to lead generation. People like to use the services of a person that has been referred to them by a family member or friend. So, referrals are an important part of generating quality leads.
There’s no shame in asking. If you worked well with a client and they’ve mentioned how happy they are with your product, ask for a referral. Let them know that you felt you worked well together and you would love to work with anyone they know of.
Another way to get a referral is by implementing a built-in referral strategy. For example, you can offer clients a discount for referring a friend.
11. Take Advantage of Holidays
This is the perfect time to get in touch with current and past clients. When sending a genuine holiday-related email, attach an update on your services or offer some specials.
This also gives you an opportunity to get creative. There are a ton of popular made-up holidays that are celebrated over the year. Some of these include National Lost Sock Memorial Day and National Garlic Day.
You could choose some holidays that relate to your services and leverage them as a fun marketing opportunity to gain quality leads.
Final Thoughts on How to Generate Leads as a Freelancer
If you feel like you’ve got the skill and the drive but you just aren’t getting the clients, don’t worry, you’re almost there. You just need to work on your lead generation.
It’s a fundamental part of any freelancer’s career. So, be sure to follow this guide on how to generate leads as a freelancer and watch your client list grow to new heights!