If you're considering a move into freelancing or consulting - the one question that's probably on your mind is: "How will I find clients?"
That's the one question I hear most often when I talk about consulting - and it's the one question I felt most vividly when I first started consulting independently.
The good news is that there is a relatively straightforward path for finding new clients. Yes, it takes some time, and yes, it can be a bit of a grind - but you can get there. Here's how.
If you're like most consultants, the primary way you'll find most of your contracts is through people you already know.
That sounds like unhelpful advice - but it really points to the type of activity you need to be doing if you think you want to do consulting at some point... you need to get to know people.
That doesn't mean you should go "networking" - it means really getting out and getting to know people that fit in your area of expertise.
The best way to do that is by finding local meetups in your area.
If you're a software developer, find a local group for your language of choice, and go visit. After a few meetings, offer to give a lightning talk. Then a few months later give a full length talk.
You'll grow a lot as a developer by doing those things - and you'll also get to know people who work for companies that could hire you down the line.
The next most important piece of the puzzle is some public proof that you know what you're doing... how can potential clients trust that you can get the work done?
This could be a portfolio, or blog, or ebook (ebooks are magic for this) - but make sure you have something to point to that shows you are an expert in your area.
It seems like obvious advice - but you'd be surprised at how many consultants don't have a public demonstration that they're an expert... and then have trouble finding clients.
Think about it from the client's perspective: how can you be trusted with their work?
Ok - so you've gone to meetups, and you have a blog or ebook or youtube channel or podcast... now how do you actually get a client?
First: Start mentioning that you're looking for clients.
Again - this sounds like obvious advice, but you need to actually do it!
Go to the local people who you've met and say: