7 proven ways to get clients as a freelancer in 2025

Keen to land big-ticket clients and propel your freelance gig to the next level? This article outlines 7 tried and tested strategies to get more clients as a freelancer from both the UK and across the globe. 

We've also outlined how Wise Business can help you seamlessly invoice your clients and maximise your earnings by receiving payments in 40+ currencies - all at the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

1. Refine your unique selling point (USP)

Did you know there are over 2 million freelancers in the UK¹? That means plenty of competition within each niche - and all the more reason to set yourself apart from the competition by having a stellar 'unique selling point' (USP).

Just like brands carve out their USP to differentiate themselves from competitors, you also need to have one and refine it. 

This gives you an edge when competing with the thousands of other freelancers in your niche.

How to establish a top-tier USP:

Be honest with yourself about your strengths. Which of your skills have past clients praised you for the most? What did you think you were strong at but struggled with later? Are there skills other freelancers in your niche have that you don’t? Use the answers to these questions to point you in the right direction in terms of your self-development.

Consider your clients’ pain points. Ask yourself - what are the problems your clients are trying to solve by hiring you? What gaps exist in your niche that you can fill with your services? Become the go-to service to solve that issue.

Craft your story. Clearly communicate your value so clients connect with you immediately. For example, if you’re a freelance UX designer and you’re passionate about early-stage start-ups, build your story around that. Share why you enjoy working specifically with start-ups and highlight the unique value your skills bring to their growth.

Once your USP is clear, make it visible everywhere. That includes your LinkedIn profile, freelance website, portfolio, and any other relevant social platforms. 

The easier it is for prospects to see what sets you apart, the faster it is for the right ones to find you. 

2. Build your LinkedIn network

While job-hunting is a big part of LinkedIn, it's ultimately a social platform where your main focus should be to foster client relationships.

The strength of your LinkedIn network directly affects the number of clients you attract - so it pays to build your freelance brand and professional network on the platform.

How do you attract clients as a freelancer on LinkedIn?

Make your USP front and centre: Remember when we mentioned the need to have a solid USP? This needs to be apparent on your LinkedIn profile so your clients see the value they can gain from your services immediately. We recommend highlighting your USP in your headline and About section.

Invest your time engaging in conversations: Join conversations happening in the comments and on thought leaders' or other freelancers' posts. When you comment or join discussions, more people see your name, which is a good way to build familiarity and trust.

Be authentic and helpful when you engage: Interact sincerely with posts, share your perspective when relevant, and support others in your network. This builds genuine relationships and stays visible to potential clients.

Send connection requests without fear: As apprehensive as you might be about reaching out to people, the upside to doing it is too big to ignore. This doesn’t just include client reach-outs either - we recommend reaching out to other freelancers in your niche for advice as well as industry leaders for fresh perspectives. A short note or quick follow-up once they accept to introduce yourself and your service goes a long way.

3. Use a multi-pronged social strategy

Another effective way to find clients on social media is by releasing helpful content on multiple relevant platforms at the same time.

Doing this helps you position yourself as a thought leader, builds trust, and connects with potential clients on platforms where they already spend a lot of time and feel comfortable. 

Top tips on using social media platforms to get clients as a freelancer:

Pick the right platforms: Focus on the platforms your ideal clients spend the most time on, instead of spreading yourself thin across every channel.

Match the format to your audience: Do your ideal clients interact better with reels, threads, or long-form posts? Find out which content format resonates with your ideal clients the most - and make sure you use the right format for the right platform.

Address pain points: Create content that solves real problems and shows you understand their challenges. For example, as a technical SEO expert, you can address the website issues that manufacturing companies face, like managing large catalogues or poor site infrastructure, and the unique way they can solve these issues.

Promote strategically: While educating prospects, subtly highlight your services and how you can help. However, avoid turning every post into a sales pitch.

Join industry conversations: Share your insights on important topics in your industry to establish your credibility.

Keep it relatable: Use simple language, examples, and analogies that your audience can relate to.

Always include a call-to-action:  Whether it’s “DM me” or “Check out my portfolio”, make sure you include a call-to-action in your posts. 

Note: Engagement is good, but inbound leads matter more (except you have a different objective). Even if your posts don’t go viral, the main goal is for the right clients to find them.

4. Use freelance platforms strategically

Freelance platforms like UpWork² and Fiverr³ often get a bad reputation as places that only land you 'cheap jobs'.

But finding clients on these platforms involves a carefully laid-out strategy. And when used strategically, they can connect you with quality clients and even boost your reputation in your industry.

Take Upwork’s Top Rated program⁴, for instance. It highlights the top 10% of freelancers who consistently deliver excellent work, rewarding them with a badge, curated job opportunities, and faster payments. 

Fiverr has Fiverr Pro⁵, which highlights top talents on the platform to premium clients. 

These programs prove that platforms aren’t just for quick cash; they can also position you for long-term success as a freelancer.

What are the top ways to find work quickly on freelancer platforms?

Understand how the platform works: Take time to really understand the platform you’re using. Learn how projects are posted and bids are reviewed, and how payments are processed. The more familiar you are with its system, the better you can position yourself to win clients.

Optimise your profile: Craft a compelling about section that tells potential clients about your experience and how you can help them. You should also showcase your best work and highlight what sets you apart from other freelancers on the platform.

Tailor your proposals: Write a tailored cover letter for each job application, highlighting relevant experience that makes you a perfect fit for the project.

Deliver excellence: Go above and beyond with quality work, responsiveness, and professionalism at every stage.

Nurture your relationships: Give repeat clients added value or bonus services to encourage loyalty, glowing reviews, and referrals. 

5. Attend industry events

Industry events provide a nearly unbeatable opportunity for you to meet potential clients directly and connect with peers who may refer you to new opportunities. 

They also allow you to widen your network, step outside the limits of online interactions, and build stronger, face-to-face relationships. 

Tips to keep in mind when speaking with prospective clients at industry events:

Nail your elevator pitch in advance: Before the event, research key attendees and companies you'd like to connect with. Develop a concise introduction that focuses on the value you provide and the problems you solve, rather than just listing your skills. This ensures you make a memorable first impression.

Listen more than you speak: When you meet a potential client, lead with questions about their business, their role, and the challenges they're facing. The goal is to understand their needs and then tactfully tailor your conversation to how your services offer a direct solution.

Establish a clear next step: Don't let a great conversation end without a plan. Before you part ways, suggest a specific follow-up action, such as scheduling a 15-minute call for the following week or sending over your portfolio. This makes it easier to transition the connection from a casual chat to a tangible business opportunity.

6. Set up and optimise your website

If you don’t yet have a website for your freelancing gig and can afford to set one up, it’s advisable to do so.

Ideally, you’ll want your website to have the same domain name as your niche. This could be your own name or the name of your agency if you have one.

Once you’ve got one, make sure you do a bit of search engine optimisation (SEO) to make it as discoverable as possible to your clients on search engines like Google. 

For more information, read our guide to crafting your business website for international success](https://income-climb.live/gb/blog/crafting-your-business-website-for-international-success) and check out SEO tools like Ahrefs⁶, which have several fantastic resources on how to do SEO.

Keep more of what you earn freelancing with Wise Business

Freelancing goes beyond just finding clients. It’s about keeping all the moving parts of your business running smoothly.

That’s why the payment platform you choose to receive payments from your clients matters - and that’s where Wise Business comes in.

With Wise Business, you can [receive payments](https://income-climb.live/gb/business/receive-money from clients worldwide without hidden charges. You’ll get local bank account details for multiple countries, making it easy for clients to pay you like a local.

You can also create and share payment links, create an invoice, or withdraw your earnings from platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer - irrespective of what currency it’s in - directly into your bank account at the mid-market rate without any hidden fees. 

Get started with Wise Business 🚀

Sources:

1. IPSE – The Self-Employed Landscape
2. Upwork Home page
3. Fiverr – Home page
4. Upwork Customer Service and Support – Top Rated
5. Fiverr Pro - Home Page
6. Ahrefs - The Beginner’s Guide to SEO

Sources last checked on September 17th, 2025

Wise is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011, Firm Reference 900507, for the issuing of electronic money.