How to Get Your First Freelance Client in 10 Days
Most freelancers wait months to land their first client, and it usually has nothing to do with talent. The real reason is that no one knows they exist. Getting noticed online is not about luck or waiting for someone to find you. It is about putting yourself in front of the right people until they cannot ignore you. With the right plan, you can do that in ten days.
Start by creating something that proves what you can do. Pick one project that shows your skill clearly. If you are a designer, redesign a landing page from a brand you like. If you are a 3D artist, make a short looping product animation. If you are a video editor, cut a short reel using stock footage. The goal is to have something that makes people say, “Oh, they actually know what they’re doing.” Do not wait for permission or a real client before you start. You just need a solid example of your work out in the world.
Once that is ready, focus on how you present yourself. You do not need a fancy website. A simple portfolio link will do, as long as it looks clean and professional. You can use Framer, Notion, or any easy site builder. Keep it short: who you are, what you do, and a few pieces of work that show it. If someone can’t tell in the first ten seconds that you’re good, make changes until they can.
Now you need people to see it. Instead of scrolling through job boards, go directly to small brands that already exist. Search Instagram, X, or LinkedIn for ones that fit your niche—like coffee brands, fitness startups, or tech accessories. Look for companies with solid products but average visuals. Those are perfect targets because they clearly care about what they sell but might not have the creative support they need yet.
When you reach out, skip the long introductions and the awkward sales pitch. Keep it simple and helpful. Try something like, “Hey, I made this quick concept for your brand. Thought it might help with your next campaign.” Add your image or link and stop there. You are not begging for work; you are showing initiative. That alone sets you apart from most freelancers.
If they do not respond, send one polite follow-up. Something like, “Hey, just wanted to check if you saw this. No pressure, I figured it could be useful.” People are busy, and most opportunities are lost because no one follows up. Being polite and persistent goes a long way.
When someone replies with interest, be direct and clear about next steps. “I can make something like this for $___ and have it ready in three days. Would you like to move forward?” If they hesitate, reduce what you offer, not your price. Deliver something small, quick, and impressive, and you will often get repeat work or referrals.
By day ten, you will have something real to show, a clean profile that looks professional, a plan for reaching out, and likely your first paying client. It does not take luck to start freelancing—it takes action and a bit of consistency. You just need to start moving and make it impossible for people not to notice you.