Can Potential Freelance Clients Find You?

This episode starts with a slightly unsettling question: how easy is it for people to find you?

It almost sounds like the title of a creepy Netflix series, but it is actually one of the most important questions freelancers can ask themselves.

If a potential client goes online and searches for the service you provide, how likely is it that they will come across you?

Many freelancers focus a lot of energy on creating great work or sharing helpful content, but they do not always stop to think about where people might actually be searching. This episode is a reminder to step back and look at the places clients might discover you, and how visible you are in each of them.

If you want to attract more clients, it helps to make sure you are discoverable in the places they are already looking.

Start With Search Engines

The most obvious place clients might search is a search engine such as Google.

A simple exercise Emma recommends is typing in the phrases you think potential clients would use when searching for someone with your skills. Try a few different search engines and see what appears.

Do you show up anywhere in the results?

You do not necessarily need to be on the front page to start with, but you do want to appear somewhere. If you are not showing up at all, it may be worth spending some time improving your search engine optimisation (SEO).

Your website analytics can also give useful clues. They can show the search terms people are already using to find your site, which can help you understand what is working.

Emma is quick to point out that she is not an SEO expert, so if you want to dive deeper it can be helpful to do some research or speak to someone who specialises in SEO.

AI Is Becoming a New Way People Discover You

Another increasingly common way people discover freelancers is through AI tools.

More people are asking tools like ChatGPT or other AI search tools for recommendations, resources or communities to join. Emma has noticed that people are finding her Facebook group and podcast through AI searches.

One simple way to explore this is to ask the AI tool directly. For example, you could ask:

“What can I do to show up more often in AI recommendations for my industry?”

These tools can sometimes give surprisingly useful suggestions about improving your visibility.

YouTube Is a Powerful Discovery Tool

YouTube is another place where people actively search for solutions.

Many users go to YouTube when they have a specific problem they want to solve. Because of this, it can be a great platform for building trust and starting a relationship with potential clients.

Emma suggests that if you are not already creating YouTube content, it might be worth experimenting with it. A simple starting point is YouTube Shorts, which are easier to create and can reach a wider audience quickly.

If you already create Instagram Reels, you may even be able to automatically share them to YouTube Shorts. That way your existing content gets extra visibility without much additional work.

Longer YouTube videos can also host things like podcast episodes, tutorials or training sessions.

Don’t Forget Podcast SEO

Podcasts are another powerful discovery channel.

Emma regularly hears from people who have found her podcast while searching for freelance-related topics. Some of those listeners later join her mailing list or community groups.

If you run a podcast yourself, it is worth thinking about how searchable your episodes are. Using clear titles and keywords can make it easier for people to discover them.

Even if you do not host your own podcast, appearing as a guest on other podcasts can help your name show up in more searches.

Social Media Is Another Search Engine

Social media platforms are increasingly behaving like search engines too.

People now search directly on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok or Threads when they are looking for information.

Using clear keywords in your content and captions can help your posts appear when people search for certain topics.

On platforms like Threads, using categories and topics can make it easier for new people to discover your posts.

It is competitive, but thoughtful use of keywords can still make a difference.

A Simple Question to Ask Yourself

Ultimately, this episode comes back to one simple question:

How easy is it for someone to find you online?

Looking at the different places people might search can reveal interesting insights. You might discover that you are already showing up somewhere you did not expect, or that one particular platform is bringing you more visibility than you realised.

Something to Think About This Month

If you have a little time this month, try exploring where you currently appear online.

Search for your services on Google.
Ask an AI tool for recommendations in your field.
Look at your podcast listings or YouTube content.
Search for keywords related to your expertise on social media.

You might uncover opportunities to improve your visibility, or discover that you are already gaining traction somewhere.

Either way, it can give you useful clues about where to focus your efforts as you grow your freelance business.