Finding Clients in 2025

(and Not Losing Your Spark Along the Way)

Hey friends,

If you’ve found it harder to find clients this year… you are so not alone.

Over the past few months, I’ve had countless DMs, emails, and heart-to-hearts in coworking chats and voice notes from freelancers in our community who are feeling stuck. Leads have slowed. Projects have dried up. Pitches are going unanswered. And for some, it’s started to feel personal.

So first, I want to say this clearly: It’s not just you. It’s the market.

2024 was a tough year for a lot of industries – from tech to media to e-comm – and that ripple effect has absolutely hit the freelance world. Many businesses have been cautious with their budgets, slower to hire, and more hesitant to test new partnerships. But Q3 and 4? It’s the final half of the year. A fresh chance to shift gears, get creative, and (gently) push forward.

In this note, I’m sharing a few real-world, not-too-scary, community-approved ways to start finding freelance clients again. Some are classic. Some are fresh. All of them are working for women in this community right now.

Let’s dive in.

Referrals are still queen

When things slow down, lean on your people. Past clients. Fellow freelancers. Biz besties. That person you did a free audit for in 2022. Send a friendly check-in message. Share what kind of work you’re looking for. Offer to return the favour.

→ Ask for “a quick intro to anyone you know who’s looking for help with X” – it’s easier to say yes to.

Go where your clients already are

Job boards are great, but clients don’t always post there. Try looking in:

• Facebook groups and Slack communities (especially niche ones)

• Comments sections on your dream clients’ posts

• LinkedIn job listings and hashtags (some are open to freelance)

• Agency rosters or subcontracting networks

→ Freelancers in our community are also landing work by cold DMing brands they love with a soft pitch and a value-first mindset. It takes guts, but it’s working.

Position yourself clearly and with confidence

If your profile, website, or portfolio says “Copywriter. Social Media. Brand Strategy. Newsletters. Emails. Pinterest Ads. Voiceovers. TikTok.”… people don’t know what to hire you for.

In 2025, clarity = bookings. Try refining your title and services around one core offer. Make it seriously valuable. And show results where you can.

→ Not sure how to position yourself? Drop your bio in our below, and we’ll help you out. 

Share behind-the-scenes content, not just finished work

Clients want to see how you think. So don’t stress about posting polished case studies. Instead, show:

• How you tackled a client brief

• What your workflow looks like

• A voice note of you explaining a new strategy

• Your favourite tool of the month

• Something you learned the hard way

• How you can adapt an industry trend to help them

→ This builds trust, fast. And shows potential clients that you’re not just talented – you’re thoughtful too.

Tap into the collective power of community

If you’re feeling discouraged, come back to us. Ask for feedback. Share your wins (and your stuck points). Let people know you’re available. The power of this community has always been that we lift as we climb. So let’s keep climbing, together.

The first half of the year may have knocked the wind out of your sails. But I promise you – the spark is still there. And there are clients out there who need exactly what you do. So if you’re looking for a sign to keep going?

This is it.

Let’s make the rest of 2025 a year of ease, alignment, and actual paid work.

With you always,

Sara

P.S. If you’ve landed a new client recently, reply and tell me how you found them – I’d love to share a roundup in next month’s issue.

📚 Something for your reading list: Hype Yourself: A no-nonsense PR toolkit for small businesses by Lucy Werner 

⏰ Are you working for free? Track your time and free up more space for work or life outside work with our fave tracker.

☕️ This mug makes my coffee taste better 

💁🏼‍♀️ What to do when clients don’t pay

‼️ Don’t forget to take your weekends!

💖 Have you got a small business or maybe a client that would love to get in front of our freelance community? We’re opening up partnerships for the end of the year.