Starting a new business, whether you’re a freelancer, consultant, or small-scale service provider, is an exciting yet challenging experience. The biggest challenge in the beginning is how to get your first client. It’s not just about earning money, but also about building trust and credibility.
A first client is proof that there is a need for your service in the market, and that someone is willing to trust you. But how will that be possible if you don’t have any experience, reviews, or references?
Let’s learn in this article how you can get your first client step by step, even without experience.
First: Identify your ideal client
Before offering someone a service, it’s important to know who you want to serve.
- Determine your “ideal client”:
- What field or industry is he in?
- What problem does he face that you can solve?
- What will his budget be?
- Where do they usually spend their time (online or offline)?
Example: If you’re a social media manager, your target audience might be small businesses or startups looking to increase online sales.
Build your portfolio even without experience
If you don’t have any clients yet, don’t worry you can still build a portfolio with mock or demo projects:
- Create a business logo or social media design
- Write a blog post or case study
- Provide a free service for a friend or acquaintance and get reviews
- Show it off on your personal website
- This builds trust and shows clients that you’re a good fit.
Build your network
Most freelancers’ first clients come from their own personal or professional network.
- Just send a simple message to enterprises to introduce your company and the services you intend to provide
- Often the first opportunity comes through friends, family, or old colleagues.
Use freelance platforms wisely
Create a profile on sites like:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- com
- Khamsat (for Arabic clients)
Be smart about applying
- Only apply for projects you can actually complete
- Keep the proposal short, relevant, and focused on the client’s benefit
- Show mock work or previous experience
Offer an “easy start package”
- To convince the client, you need to offer a package that is low risk and high value.
Example:
“One week of Instagram management for your business: 3 posts + analytics – for only 99 USD”
- Simple offers like these entice clients to try it out.
Go where the clients are
If you want clients to come to you, you need to go where they are:
- Facebook groups
- LinkedIn groups
- WhatsApp business groups
- Online forums (e.g. Reddit, Quora)
- Local business events in Saudi Arabia like Leap or ArabNet
- Instead of just selling a service, help, answer questions, and build trust.
Don’t forget to follow up
- Once you’ve sent a proposal or made contact, follow up. Clients are busy, and a friendly reminder can be enough.
Use WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp business is very common in Saudi Arabia. Create a professional WhatsApp business account:
- Enter company name, logo and information
- Set up auto-responders and shortcuts
- Add a service catalog (optional)
- This will provide quick and easy access to your clients.
Helpful tools
Objective tools
- Website/Portfolio WordPress, Wix, Carrd
- Proposals and design Canva, Better Proposals
- Invoicing PayPal, Zoho Invoice, Wafeer KSA
- Client management HubSpot CRM (free), Notion
- Online meetings Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp Business
Last but not least
Getting your first client is definitely difficult, but not impossible. All you have to do is understand that you are offering a solution to a client’s problem.
Stop thinking “I don’t have the experience”, and start thinking: “How can I help someone?”
With confidence, consistency, and the right strategy, you can lay the foundation for not only your first client but also successful freelancing.