How to Start Your Own Freelance Business (And Actually Land Clients)

The internet is full of flashy headlines promising “6 figures in 6 months” or “land $10K clients overnight.” But here’s the truth: not everyone starts with that goal—and you don’t need massive numbers to build a successful freelance business.

When I started freelancing, my goal was simple: earn consistent income and create flexibility. My monthly targets didn’t match the big earners in my niche—but my business still mattered, and yours does too.

Step 1: Decide on Your Business Structure

Before pitching clients, choose a legal structure for your business. This varies depending on location and long-term goals, so consult a tax or legal professional if needed.

Common options:

  • Sole Proprietorship → Easiest to start, often under your personal name.

  • LLC → More liability protection, higher setup/maintenance costs.

  • DBA (Doing Business As) → Allows you to use a business name while keeping your legal name as the owner.

My approach? I started under my personal name (Bethany McIntosh) and added a DBA when I wanted a separate brand identity. It kept the paperwork simple in the early stages.

Step 2: Identify Your First Service Offering

You can expand later, but start with one or two services you can confidently deliver now. For me, that was social media management because:

  • I had experience designing graphics and writing captions.

  • I’d already managed accounts for my own business.

  • I had local contacts who needed the service.

Your first offer doesn’t need to be your forever offer. The goal is to start building income and momentum.

Step 3: Find Your First Clients

There are dozens of ways to connect with clients. Here’s what worked for me (and what didn’t):

  • Personal Connections → My first freelance client came from someone in my professional network.

  • Facebook Groups → Great for starting out, but rates tend to be lower since clients control the hiring process.

  • Content Marketing → While I didn’t land clients directly from posts, I gained referrals from relationships built on social media and Pinterest.

  • Collaborations & Contributions → Guest trainings, bundles, and free resources built credibility and led to stronger client relationships.

  • Podcasts & Speaking → Many of my best clients came from hearing me teach or speak—they saw me in my “expert zone” before reaching out.

Step 4: Understand Where Your Best Clients Come From

Here’s what I noticed:

  • Lower-paying clients came from job boards and Facebook posts.

  • Higher-paying clients came from referrals, collaborations, and speaking opportunities—because I was positioned as the expert.

That’s why I focus on visibility and authority-building, rather than chasing every job posting.

Step 5: Keep Learning and Adjusting

Your first year of freelancing will be full of learning and testing. Your business doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Some freelancers want to scale to six figures and a team. Others want stability and freedom. Both are valid.

The key is to keep improving, refine your offers, and focus on building relationships that last.

Why Pinterest Belongs in Your Freelance Strategy

Social platforms are fast-moving, but Pinterest is evergreen. Your content there works long after you hit “publish.”

As a freelancer, that means:

  • Your blogs, offers, or portfolio can continue reaching new leads automatically.

  • You can build visibility without living in your inbox or posting daily.

  • You’re creating an inbound funnel that positions you as the expert.

That’s why I pair every freelance strategy with Pinterest—it’s the marketing engine that keeps working in the background while you grow your career.

Final Thoughts

Starting a freelance business doesn’t mean you need everything figured out or that you need to chase the same goals as everyone else. Start with what you can do right now, connect with people who need it, and create opportunities to show your expertise.

The rest will grow from there.

✨ Want help creating a marketing plan that works in the background while you build your freelance business? Request my Service Guide or Work With Me to make Pinterest your next stage of growth.

xo, Bethany

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