How to Work with Clients Without Freelance Platforms

Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr can be a great way to find clients, but they also come with some downsides. They often take a significant cut of your earnings, and they can be very competitive. The good news is that you don't have to rely on these platforms to find clients. With a little effort, you can build a thriving freelance business without them.

Finding Clients

There are many ways to find clients without using freelance platforms. Here are a few ideas:

• Networking: Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with people on LinkedIn. Let people know what you do and that you're looking for new clients.
• Cold Emailing: This can be a very effective way to find clients, but it's important to do it right. Personalize your emails and focus on how you can help the client. Don't just send a generic email to a long list of people.
• Content Marketing: Start a blog, create a YouTube channel, or write a guest post for a popular blog in your industry. This is a great way to show off your expertise and attract clients to you.

Contracts and Invoicing

Once you've found a client, it's important to get a contract in place. This will protect both you and the client and ensure that you get paid for your work. Your contract should include the scope of the project, the timeline, the payment terms, and any other important details.

When it comes to invoicing, there are many different tools you can use. You can create your own invoices using a template, or you can use a service like PayPal or Stripe.

Getting Paid

One of the biggest concerns that freelancers have about working without a platform is getting paid. The best way to protect yourself is to ask for a deposit upfront. This is typically 50% of the total project fee. This will show that the client is serious about working with you and will ensure that you get paid for at least some of your work if the project falls through.

Working without freelance platforms can be a great way to build a more profitable and sustainable freelance business. It takes a little more effort to find clients, but it's well worth it in the long run.