Find Clients Online as a Freelancer: Ask These Questions First

Finding clients online doesn’t start with “post more.” It starts with better questions. When you’re clear on who you help, what problem you solve, and where your ideal clients hang out, every channel works harder. Use this question-led checklist to sharpen your strategy, then act on the 30-minute plan at the end.

The basics: who do you help and with what?

1) Who is your ideal client (ICP) in the Netherlands?

Think sector, size (SME, enterprise, (semi)-public), region (Randstad, Brainport, Arnhem/Nijmegen), and buyer role (marketing manager, product owner, HR). A focused ICP makes your marketing targeted and affordable. This should be the basis of your strategy to find new clients.
Quick action: Write one sentence: I help [sector/role] in [region] with [problem] so they achieve [result].

2) What urgent problem do you solve?

Turn skills into outcomes. Your one-liner should read: I help [audience] with [problem] through [approach]; result: [proof].
Quick action: Put this line at the top of your website and LinkedIn About.

3) What proof can you show?

Pick 2–3 case snapshots with one clear metric each (+18% conversion, –25% lead time, NPS +1.2). Proof beats promises.
Quick action: Turn each into a 6–8 line mini-case (situation → approach → result).

Your online storefront: website, SEO, and proof

4) Can someone “get” you in 5 seconds?

Your hero section should state job title, specialisms, ICP, and a single call-to-action (CTA). No jargon.
Quick action: Add one primary CTA (e.g., Book a 15-min intro).

5) Do you use the words your clients search for?

Use plain, common NL job titles and terms (e.g., Functional Application Manager AFAS, BI Analyst Power BI, SEO Specialist e-commerce). Place them in H1/H2s, opening paragraphs, and image alt text naturally.
Quick action: Make a 10-term keyword list and weave them into existing pages.

6) Is your proof visible, above the fold?

Prominent case cards and testimonials convert. Logos only with permission.
Quick action: Add a “Results” strip on your homepage with 3 metrics.

7) Are your cookies/privacy compliant?

If you use tracking/marketing cookies, ask for clear consent and keep your privacy policy readable.
Quick action: Offer real choices on your banner (Accept / Reject / Settings) and keep consent logs.

Visibility: LinkedIn and content that converts

8) Would your LinkedIn profile win your next assignment?

• Headline: job title + 2–3 specialisms (“Scrum Master | SAFe | Team Coaching”).
• About: 4–6 short sentences in first person + one metric.
• Experience: 3–5 bullets per role; attach media.
• Skills: 20–50 entries; pin the top ones you want to sell next.
  Quick action: Post a mini-case weekly (image + short caption).

9) Are you publishing content that actually helps buyers?

Create one pillar piece per month (guide/checklist) and repurpose it into 3–4 LinkedIn posts and one email. Use NL-specific examples and buyer language (not insider jargon).
Quick action: Outline this month’s pillar and schedule 3 spin-off posts.

Funnel & legal: CTA, email, and GDPR basics

10) What’s the next step you ask for?

Pick one: Book a call, Request a proposal, or Download the checklist. Repeat it at the top, middle, and bottom of key pages.
Quick action: Remove competing CTAs.

11) Are you collecting email addresses lawfully (opt-in)?

For newsletters and direct marketing, get explicit consent, record it, and offer easy opt-out. Keep forms lean (name + email is often enough).
Quick action: Add a short consent line and link to your privacy policy.

12) Do you have a simple lead-magnet?

Offer something practical (Rate-range template, Accessibility checklist, Sprint kick-off deck).
Quick action: Gate it behind a tiny form and deliver instantly.

Measure & improve: clicks to clients

13) Do you know where enquiries come from?

Use UTM tags, set goals in analytics, and log leads in a simple CRM/spreadsheet.
Quick action: Add UTM templates to your bookmarks.

14) Which existing pages already rank or convert?

Improve what works: sharper intro, clearer CTA, fresher proof, and FAQ snippets.
Quick action: Update 1 top page today (title, intro, CTA, proof, FAQ).

15) How fast do you respond to leads?

Aim for within 24 hours. Templates + personalisation win.
Quick action: Create two email templates (public-sector tone vs. commercial tone) and block two daily call windows.

30-minute “do it today” checklist

• Write your one-liner (audience – problem – approach – result).
• Update your LinkedIn headline and About with one metric.
• Put one primary CTA on your homepage (header & footer).
• Publish one mini-case (situation → approach → result).
• Check your cookie banner/opt-in for clarity.
• Create 3 saved searches/alerts (title + sector + region).
• Block 2 hours weekly for business development (search, apply, follow up).

Common mistakes (and fast fixes)

• Audience too broad > Fix: choose one ICP and serve them relentlessly.
• Invisible proof > Fix: add a results strip and a Featured case on LinkedIn.
• No clear CTA > Fix: pick one action and repeat it; remove distractions.
• Non-compliant consent > Fix: explicit opt-in, plain privacy copy, easy opt-out; log consent.
• Posting ad-hoc without a plan > Fix: 1 monthly pillar → 3–4 repurposed posts; measure and iterate.

Get moving with Striive

Striive connects clients and professionals with smart matching and clear contracting and payment flows. You focus on your craft; we help you get to better-fit assignments faster, with less admin and more clarity.