5 Ways to Get SEO Clients as a Freelancer or Consultant
Any freelancer knows that their livelihood depends on a steady stream of clients, but the big question is, how to get SEO clients when you’re a freelancer? If you’re an SEO freelancer, there are some specific areas to get new SEO clients that anyone can try, such as thought leadership and applying for contract positions.
Getting SEO freelance clients doesn’t have to depend solely on your network, years in SEO, or even your specialty. It depends on how you leverage your network, where you’re looking for jobs, and how proactive and professional you are.
As an SEO consultant and freelancer myself, below are all the ways I’ve successfully found and secured SEO freelance clients—this even includes contracts ranging in size from five to six figures.
Here are five ways to get SEO clients, which any freelancer can do.
1. Leverage Your Network
Leveraging your network is a must-do for any SEO freelancer. If you have SEO experience, you likely know people in specific industries or brands, which can help with client referrals. Your network can help connect you when new SEO freelancing opportunities arise.
Telling people in your network you’re freelancing will keep you at the top of their minds when they hear of SEO consulting and freelancing opportunities.
Are you interested in starting your own SEO freelance business? Check out my SEO Freelancing Cheat Sheet to get started today.
2. Use Freelancing Job Sites
Using freelancing job sites is a no-brainer for getting SEO clients. Anyone can create a profile and start bidding on freelance projects.
Here are some of the top freelancing job portals where SEO freelancers can find jobs:
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- Fiverr
- Credo
- Guru
- PeoplePerHour
3. Apply for Contract Positions
Applying for contract SEO positions is another excellent way freelancers can find temporary roles. Finding contract positions includes searching for remote, contract, part-time, or freelance SEO positions on notable job portals like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Craigslist.
Contract positions will most likely be part-time, remote, or flexible, and they can be great options for SEO freelancers just starting.
4. Social Media or Local Advertising
While advertising requires an upfront investment, it can get you in front of specific audiences and brands for new freelancing or consulting clients.
Social media advertising, such as Facebook or LinkedIn Ads, can get your SEO freelancing business in front of specific audiences. Also, if you’re interested in working with local businesses, advertising in local media outlets can help get freelancers exposure to the local community.
5. Industry Thought-Leadership
While not always a direct channel for client acquisition, thought leadership throughout the SEO industry can help expose SEO freelancers to new brands and audiences. SEO thought leadership includes writing, speaking, or networking within the SEO industry or on SEO topics.
Thought leadership can often help position freelancers as SEO experts and is attractive to prospective clients. Publishing thought leadership regularly is a great way to get SEO clients.
Have you tried any of these SEO freelance client-getting strategies? Or have you used any other strategies to find SEO freelancer clients?
Are you interested in starting your own SEO freelance business? Check out my SEO Freelancing Cheat Sheet to get started today.
Kristan is an independent consultant with 15 years of experience in the SEO industry. Kristan previously founded the award-winning SEO agency Conifr. She’s worked in agency and in-house SEO leadership positions, most notably as the SEO Director at Zillow Group, overseeing a channel that received over one billion web visitors a year. Kristan is a freelance SEO consultant who built and sold a seven-figure agency and now enjoys helping others develop their freelance business.
