How I Landed My First Freelance Client on LinkedIn: A Story of Unexpected Opportunities

Phew! Landing my first client felt like a daunting mountain to climb. I pictured it taking months—maybe even years. But, as it turned out, it happened just like that.

Let me tell you how it all went down.

Starting Out: The LinkedIn Leap

In August 2024, I decided to dive into LinkedIn. I’d been working in the B2B space for years, but until then, LinkedIn was just an afterthought—a place to check job postings or read a few articles. But I wanted to do more. So, I committed to posting regularly, sharing insights, and engaging with posts related to my field.

At first, it felt like I was shouting into the void. I had a few likes here and there, but nothing groundbreaking. I told myself it would take time, but the consistency was key. Little did I know, though, that my efforts were about to yield some surprising results.

A Stranger’s Referral: The Unexpected Opportunity

In September, only a month into my LinkedIn journey, I came across a post that caught my eye. It was about email marketing’s effectiveness in B2B, written by a complete stranger. I could tell this person knew their stuff, and as someone who also works in B2B, I was intrigued.

I took a chance and slid into their DMs. I thought, Why not? Here’s what I messaged him:

“Hey! I loved your post on B2B email marketing. As someone in the B2B space myself, I know timing and approach can make or break results. Would you mind sharing some of the strategies that have worked for you? I get about 10% of my leads from email marketing, but I’d love to know what sets your funnel apart!”

To my surprise, he responded almost immediately. He thanked me for reaching out and invited me to continue the conversation on WhatsApp. We started chatting, sharing ideas, and diving into strategies.

The Magic Moment: Mentioning My Services

As our conversation continued, I casually mentioned my own work in SEO. I told him how I’d been getting results for my clients in just a few months. I wasn’t trying to pitch—just sharing a bit about my own journey and the kinds of services I offered.

And then, something amazing happened. Without even thinking twice, he referred me to someone in his network who needed SEO services.

That was it. A simple connection and a bit of curiosity had led me to my very first freelance client!

Lessons Learned: The Power of Connection

Reflecting on this experience, I realized just how powerful genuine connections can be. I hadn’t gone into that conversation trying to sell anything. I was simply interested in learning, sharing, and connecting. And because of that, I ended up with a referral.

So, here’s my advice to anyone just starting out or looking to expand their freelance business: Don’t hesitate to reach out, ask questions, and share your story. The world is filled with incredible people who are open to helping, learning, and growing together.

Take that leap, network fearlessly, and who knows? Your next client might just be one LinkedIn message away.