Looking for work

I wasn't sure where to put this, hope it's OK here.

What I was really after was peoples opinions on the best ways to get clients. I've just started on my own and have had limited success. Most of my jobs in the past have been through word of mouth from the businesses I was working with but leaving them all of my contacts have disappeared and I have moral objections to trying to poach clients.

So far, I have one possible client which I got from sending out letters. I don't have much time still as I am still with one of the agencies I work for most days which makes phone calling a problem in the short term.

Any advice that people have from when they were starting out would be wonderful.

Lot's of cool leaflets and reduced rates when I started and then just word of mouth around local businesses. Ironically most web design work doesn't come from the web so it's just a case of making your presecnce known and building up a new lot of contacts.

It might take time but I suppose it's for the best in the end.

Pete.

It's sort of like which came first the hen or the egg. Getting clients when you are first starting out can be the hardest thing you ever do. You have a skill, you want people to know about that skill and use it. Freelancing is basically shouting louder than the next guy, PICK ME, PICK ME!!! Leaflets and reduced rates are one option. What I used with some success is to select a few clients I wanted to work with, designed a potential system change for them with all the work I would normally do and make a connection. (thats a nice way of saying cold call) I alway know as much as I can and who the decision maker is. Then it is up to me to make the sale of services.
I do have one more suggestion that is very important Do not quite your day job until you feel you can survive without a steady salary.

Do you have a site/portfolio? If you don't, you need that. It's you online resume!

You need experience to get a job so ... I'm not sure how much of that you have but I suggest getting on RentACoder and do some stuff. Get some experience and when you do a good job on a project, you'll likely get re-hired by the company to continue doing business.

I sometimes, look around at some site that I know of like soccer site in my area because I'm heavily involved in that and most people know me so I contact them, and tell them what I offer.

You know that is the best bit of advice I could ever have had. I've talked to lots of people who have set up themselves and they are always saying...

The rest of this post has been completely lost for some reason. I can't quite remember what it said. Basically it was "thanks for the adivce, I'll try that out."

Sannbe, I really like the idea of specking a site and then cold calling. I think that might be in my next attempt at marketing.

http://www.mellorweb.co.uk

I've been working for 2 web design companies and have been in a position with both where I am making all of the sites for them so I have experience on the technical side but not as much on the business end. I will definately take a look at RentACoder, thanks for the link

I will have to have a think about that, there must be some local groups I can talk too. I will, of course, contact similar businesses to the ones I have already done work for.

Glad I could be of some help. The others also have good suggestions so take them to heart. Freelancing is never easy in the beginning, but it is very rewarding when you reach the point where you can support yourself. Much good luck and success.

New Non-Profit organization are a great place to get leads. They need a cut rate and are willing to give new freelancers a try. Then the members of the non-profit are great for word of mouth!

Put up a business card where ever you see a bulletin board. Look in newspapers for people advertising. Those that don't have a web address listed, contact them. See if they have a site or would like one?

We have small town newspaper for local businesses to advertise at great rates. I put a business card size ad in and got many calls.

Once you find your niche, you'll get word of mouth business. I think for the first two years I only did farm sites! jeesh... People thought I could ONLY do those!

So, can we see some or are they your deep dark hidden past?lol

No you can't see my early works!! hahahahaha NO WAY!!! I'd be so embarrassed!! hahahahah