The Real Reason You’re Not Landing Freelance Clients And How to Turn It Around

You’ve done the hard work. You’ve learned the ins and outs of digital marketing—maybe you’re a pro at crafting killer Facebook Ads, writing engaging content, generating leads, or tackling technical SEO. You’ve built a portfolio, practiced your skills, and you’re ready to take on clients.

But there’s a problem: no one’s hiring you.

You’ve tried platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, but it feels like a dead end. With no reviews, no reputation, and hundreds of other freelancers competing for the same gigs, your profile is getting lost in the noise.

You might even be second-guessing yourself: “Am I good enough?”

Let’s clear this up right now: Your skills aren’t the problem. Your strategy is.

If you’re relying solely on freelance marketplaces to find clients, you’re making things harder than they need to be. The good news? There are better, smarter ways to get clients—ways that don’t involve competing on price or begging for five-star reviews.

In this post, I’ll break down why you’re not getting clients and share practical, step-by-step strategies to start landing clients outside of marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork. These are the same strategies that successful freelancers use to build a steady stream of work. Let’s dive in.

Why Freelance Marketplaces Like Fiverr and Upwork Aren’t Working for You

Freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork can be great—eventually. But for new freelancers, they’re often the toughest place to start. Here’s why:

Fierce Competition: Thousands of freelancers are vying for the same jobs. Many have years of reviews and established profiles, making it hard for newcomers to stand out.
Price Wars: Clients on these platforms often prioritize the cheapest option, which can force you to lower your rates to unsustainable levels.
Slow Start: Without reviews or a track record, your profile might not even get seen, let alone chosen.

Think of these platforms like a crowded marketplace where everyone’s shouting to be heard. It’s not impossible to succeed there, but it’s like trying to start a race from the back of the pack with weights tied to your ankles.

The truth? Not every client is on Fiverr or Upwork.

Many business owners—small startups, solopreneurs, and even marketing managers—don’t go to freelance platforms when they need help. Instead, they’re looking for solutions where they already spend their time: places like Facebook, LinkedIn, or their email inbox.

These clients don’t care about your Upwork badge or star rating. They care about one thing: Can you solve their problem?

Let’s explore how you can find these clients and build trust with them, step by step.

Strategy 1: Find Clients on Facebook (Without Spending a Dime)

Facebook isn’t just for memes or catching up with friends—it’s a goldmine for finding clients. Thousands of business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketers are active on Facebook every day, posting about their businesses, running ads, or trying to grow their audience. Many of them are struggling with things like low ad performance, poor engagement, or missed sales opportunities.

That’s where you, the digital marketing freelancer, come in. You can offer solutions to their problems—without spending a single penny on ads.

Here’s how to do it:

Join Relevant Facebook Groups: Search for groups related to your niche, like “Digital Marketing for Small Businesses,” “Entrepreneurship Hub,” or “Ecommerce Growth Strategies.” These groups are filled with business owners who need help with their marketing.
- Pro Tip: Use the search bar in Facebook to find groups by typing keywords like “digital marketing,” “business owners,” or “ecommerce.” Join 5–10 active groups to start.
Look for Pain Points: Scroll through posts in these groups. Look for business owners asking questions like, “Why aren’t my ads working?” or “How do I get more traffic to my website?” These are your potential clients—they’re openly sharing their struggles.
Leave Helpful Comments: Don’t just pitch yourself. Instead, offer a thoughtful, helpful comment that shows your expertise. For example, if someone’s struggling with low ad engagement, you might say:
“Hey, I noticed your ads might not be targeting the right audience. A quick tweak to your audience settings could boost your click-through rate. Have you tried narrowing down your demographic to [specific suggestion]?”
This shows you know your stuff without coming across as salesy.
Send a Polite, Value-First Message: Once you’ve engaged in the comments, send a private message to the person. Keep it short, friendly, and focused on helping them, not selling. Here’s an example:
“Hi [Name], I saw your post about struggling with ad engagement in [Group Name]. I’ve helped businesses like yours improve their ad performance with a few simple tweaks. Would you be open to a quick, free audit of your ads? I can share a couple of ideas to boost your results.”
- Why this works: You’re offering value upfront (a free audit) and positioning yourself as a problem-solver, not a pushy salesperson.
Follow Up: If they respond positively, deliver on your promise (e.g., send the audit). If they don’t reply, don’t take it personally—just move on to the next opportunity.

Why Facebook Works: Business owners are already active in these groups, and they’re looking for solutions. By showing up consistently and offering help, you build trust and start conversations that can lead to paid work.

Strategy 2: Tap Into LinkedIn’s Power for Freelancers

LinkedIn is like a virtual networking event where business owners, CEOs, and marketing managers hang out. Unlike freelance platforms, LinkedIn lets you connect directly with decision-makers who have budgets and real problems to solve.

Here’s how to make LinkedIn work for you:

Optimize Your Profile: Your LinkedIn profile is your digital storefront. Make it clear what you do and who you help. For example:
- Headline: “I Help Ecommerce Brands Boost Sales with High-ROAS Facebook Ads”
- About Section: Share a brief story about why you’re a freelancer, the results you’ve achieved, and how you can help clients. Include a call-to-action, like “Message me for a free ad audit!”
- Pro Tip: Add a professional headshot and a custom banner that showcases your skills (e.g., “Digital Marketing Expert | Specializing in SEO & Ads”).
Post Consistently: Share short posts about your expertise—think tips, case studies, or quick wins you’ve achieved for clients. For example:
“Last week, I helped an ecommerce client increase their ad ROAS by 30% by tweaking their audience targeting. Want to know the exact strategy? DM me!”
Posting regularly keeps you visible and positions you as an expert.
Engage with Others’ Content: Comment on posts from people in your niche—business owners, marketers, or potential clients. Add value with your comments, like sharing a quick tip or insight. This gets you noticed by the right people.
Send Thoughtful Connection Requests: Use LinkedIn’s search to find potential clients (e.g., “ecommerce founder” or “small business owner”). When you connect, include a personalized message like:
“Hi [Name], I saw your post about your new product launch—congrats! I specialize in helping ecommerce brands improve their Meta Ads performance. Would love to connect and share a few ideas if you’re open to it.”
- Why this works: It’s specific, respectful, and focused on their needs.
Be Patient and Consistent: LinkedIn is about building relationships, not instant sales. Engage daily, post 2–3 times a week, and send a few connection requests each day. Over time, you’ll build a network of potential clients.

Why LinkedIn Works: Decision-makers on LinkedIn value expertise and results. By showing up consistently and offering value, you’ll get on their radar and open doors to long-term projects.

Strategy 3: Master Cold Email (It’s Not as Scary as You Think)

Cold emailing might sound intimidating, but it’s one of the most effective ways to reach clients directly—especially local businesses or small brands that need digital marketing help. The key is to make your emails helpful, not salesy.

Here’s how to do it:

Research Your Targets: Look for businesses that could benefit from your skills. For example:
- Check local business websites that look outdated or have poor SEO.
- Find companies running Facebook or Google Ads that seem poorly optimized (e.g., generic ad copy or low engagement).
- Use tools like Google or LinkedIn to find contact info for their marketing manager or owner.
Identify Their Pain Points: Before emailing, analyze their website, ads, or social media to pinpoint where they’re struggling. Maybe their website loads slowly, or their ads aren’t targeting the right audience.
Craft a Short, Value-Driven Email: Keep your email concise, professional, and focused on their needs. Here’s an example:
Subject: Quick Idea to Boost Your Ad Performance
Hi [Name],
I came across your recent Facebook ad campaign for [Business Name]. It looks like you’re doing great things, but I noticed a few areas where small tweaks could potentially double your click-through rate. I’d love to offer a free audit of your ads and share a couple of suggestions—no strings attached. Would you be open to that?
Best,
[Your Name]
- Why this works: It’s specific, offers value upfront, and doesn’t feel like a hard sell.
Follow Up (Once): If you don’t hear back in 5–7 days, send a polite follow-up:
“Hi [Name], just checking in to see if you had a chance to review my last email. I’d love to share those ad optimization ideas if you’re interested!”
Don’t pester—move on if they don’t respond.
Track Your Results: Send 10–15 emails per day and track who responds. Over time, you’ll refine your approach and get better at spotting the right clients.

Why Cold Email Works: It’s a direct line to business owners who may not even know they need your help. By offering a free audit or suggestion, you position yourself as a trusted expert, not just another freelancer.

The Key to Success: Visibility and Trust

Here’s the hard truth: Freelancing isn’t just about who has the best skills—it’s about who’s visible and trusted.

You could be the best SEO expert in the world, but if no one knows you exist, you won’t get hired. That’s why your focus should be on showing up consistently and building trust with potential clients.

Here’s a simple daily plan to get started:

Send 10 Outreach Messages: Reach out to potential clients on Facebook, LinkedIn, or via email. Keep them personalized and value-driven.
Leave 5 Valuable Comments: Engage in Facebook groups or LinkedIn posts with thoughtful comments that showcase your expertise.
Post 2–3 Times Per Week: Share quick tips, case studies, or success stories on LinkedIn or in relevant Facebook groups.
Be Consistent for 30 Days: Commit to this plan for a month, and you’ll start seeing responses, conversations, and opportunities.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for Clients—Go Find Them

Clients aren’t going to magically discover your Fiverr profile or Upwork gig. You have to take action and make yourself visible where your ideal clients already are.

If one approach doesn’t work (say, Facebook groups), try another (like LinkedIn or email). If a door stays closed, look for a window. The key is to keep moving forward and never stop reaching out.

Start today:

Polish your LinkedIn profile or online presence.
Create 1–2 simple case studies (even if they’re from practice projects).
Reach out to 5–10 real people with a value-first message.

Your breakthrough is out there—you just have to go claim it.

Need Help Taking Your Freelance Game to the Next Level?

If you’re feeling stuck or need a personalized strategy to land clients, we’re here to help. At Mahnoor LLC, we offer:

Done-for-You Digital Marketing Services: Including Facebook and Instagram Ads, SEO, lead generation, and conversion-focused content.
Freelance Strategy Support: Guidance to refine your outreach, build your brand, and attract high-paying clients.

Visit us at mahnoor.online for more details or contact us for a free consultation. Reed More Blogs: www.mnoorllc.com/blogs

And don’t forget to check out our blog for more tips on leveling up your freelance skills, strategy, and mindset!