You’re ready to build your freelance writing business, but how do you find clients?

It’s one of the biggest questions new freelance writers ask. There are dozens of ways to generate leads, but it’s to refine your strategy to the methods that work for you.

These three strategies are among the highest-impact methods we teach inside Freelance Writing 101. In this post, we’ll cover LinkedIn outreach, freelance platforms, and collaborations with other service providers. You’ll learn exactly how to build a steady flow of clients for your writing business.

Start by making your LinkedIn profile irresistible to potential clients. Use the following checklist to create a high-conversion profile: 

1. Add a professional headshot
2. Create a keyword-heavy, compelling headline (for example, Copywriting Expert for SaaS Companies).
3. Add a summary focused on the benefits you deliver to businesses and the tangible results they’ll receive with your services.
4. Add sample projects, featured posts, and client recommendations for social proof.

When your profile clearly communicates your value, it becomes your best inbound marketing tool. Think of it as your digital storefront. It also makes it much more likely for potential clients to respond if you send an outreach message. 

Don’t just connect with anyone. Identify ideal clients by role and industry, such as content managers, startup founders, or marketing leads.

Use LinkedIn’s search filters to find them and send connection requests with a short personalized note. This targeted approach grows a network of prospects who are most likely to need your services. Engage with their posts regularly to stay visible and memorable.

Once you’ve optimized your profile and built a network, it’s time to reach out.

Follow a simple 3–4 message sequence: connect → engage with their content → offer value → pitch. Use a soft approach, such as inviting them to a quick call or sending them a useful resource. This builds rapport before you make your offer and increases your acceptance rate.

Inside Freelance Writing 101, we give students our exact LinkedIn outreach scripts, templates, and content posting calendar so you can hit the ground running.

Freelance platforms can be crowded, but they’re also full of opportunity if used wisely. Here are some of our favorite platforms for finding high-paying contracts:

• Contra
• Upwork
• Fivver
• Solid Gigs

Compare the features of each platform see which one(s) fit your niche. Understand the pros and cons of each — fees, competition, and average rates — so you can invest your time where it matters.

Choosing the right platform at the start helps you avoid frustration and wasted bids. In Freelance Writing 101, we walk you through each platform and proven proposal strategies to win high-paying gigs. 

Most freelancers treat platforms like a lottery. Instead, you can use a strategy to acquire more clients without wasting your bids.

First, craft a headline with industry keywords that gives leads a full picture of what you do.

Then, add portfolio samples that highlight results, not just skills. Write proposals that address the client’s pain point rather than generic “I can do this” responses.

This positions you as a partner, not just a commodity. Include a clear call-to-action at the end of each proposal and personalize your opening line to show you’ve researched the client.

Take on a few high-fit, well-paying projects to build ratings and testimonials quickly. This creates social proof that makes future proposals easier to win.

Then move toward retainer contracts as soon as possible to stabilize your income and reduce time spent pitching.

Our course walks you through platform-specific templates, profile optimization examples, and how to retain several freelance platform clients for consistent monthly revenue. 

Designers, web developers, social media managers, and marketers often need writers for their clients.

By partnering with complementary professionals, you tap into a ready-made pipeline of leads without cold pitching. It also strengthens your positioning: a designer + writer combo can offer a complete solution rather than two separate services.

Look for complementary professionals in your niche on LinkedIn, at local networking events, or through online communities. Before reaching out, research their entire brand. Understand the services they offer and the audiences they serve. That way, you can personalize your pitch. 

When you make contact, offer a mutually beneficial arrangement such as: 

• Referrals
• Revenue share
• Package deals
• Complementary discounts

Suggest specific ways you could work together (for example, copywriting for their web design packages or content for their social media clients). Be straightforward and clear about everything. Explain your value proposition and timelines so you and your collaborators can align professionally.  It’s also crucial to tell them your communication preferences for the partnership.

This proactive approach turns one-off jobs into ongoing work and can lead to steady retainer projects. Plus, you earn a long-term network of referral partners.

Bundle services like web design + copywriting or brand strategy + content. Maintain a spreadsheet or CRM of partners to follow up regularly and keep the relationship warm. Build trust by overdelivering on joint projects so your partners are eager to refer you again.

Inside Freelance Writing 101 we show you how to set up collaboration agreements, create packaged offers, and price joint services. This allows you to scale quickly without relying solely on cold outreach.

By optimizing your LinkedIn profile and outreach, using freelance platforms strategically, and partnering with other service providers, you can create a steady flow of clients without constant cold pitching.

Consistency in these three areas will build a reliable pipeline for your writing business and free up more time to do what you love: write. 

In Freelance Writing 101, we break down 8 proven lead generation strategies to acquire clients in as little as two weeks. We provide our students with scripts, templates, and step-by-step instructions to help them land clients faster and build a sustainable freelance writing career.