How to Get Freelance Copywriting Clients (8 Methods That Work)
The hardest part of freelance copywriting isn't writing — it's finding people who'll pay you to do it. Most new copywriters know they can write, but freeze when it comes to getting clients.
Here are 8 methods that actually work for landing freelance copywriting clients in 2026, ranked from easiest to start to highest long-term payoff. Each includes what it costs, how long it takes, and specific scripts or templates you can use today.
Cold Email Outreach
Easiest to startCold email is the fastest way to get your first client. Find businesses with bad copy (websites, emails, landing pages), write a short email showing you noticed, and offer to help.
Cost: $0
Time to first client: 1-4 weeks
Volume needed: 20-50 emails/week
Subject: Quick thought on your [landing page / email sequence / website]
Hi [Name],
I was looking at [company]'s [specific page/email] and noticed [specific observation — e.g., "your CTA on the pricing page buries the main benefit below the fold"].
I'm a freelance copywriter who specializes in [niche — e.g., "SaaS landing pages"]. I've got a few ideas that could improve [specific metric — e.g., "signup conversions"] without a major rewrite.
Would it be worth a 15-minute call to walk through what I'd change?
[Your name]
Key rules: Be specific about what you noticed. Generic "I can help with your copy" emails get deleted. Show you actually looked at their business.
Freelance Platforms
Easiest to startUpwork, Fiverr, and Contra are still valid starting points — especially for building a portfolio and getting paid reps. The key is niching down immediately instead of competing with $5/hr generalists.
Cost: $0 (platforms take 10-20% commission)
Time to first client: 1-3 weeks
Best for: Building initial portfolio and social proof
Tips: Set up a niche-specific profile (e.g., "Email Copywriter for E-commerce Brands"). Apply to 5-10 jobs daily. Include one specific idea for the client's business in every proposal. Raise rates every 3 completed projects.
LinkedIn Outreach
Medium effortLinkedIn is where B2B clients live. Optimize your profile headline to say what you do (not "Freelance Writer" — say "I write email sequences that convert for SaaS companies"). Then start connecting with marketing directors and founders in your niche.
Cost: $0 (or $60/month for Sales Navigator)
Time to first client: 2-6 weeks
Best for: B2B clients and higher-paying projects
Approach: Connect with a personalized note. Don't pitch in the connection request. Post useful content 2-3x/week. When someone engages, start a conversation. The sale happens in the DMs after they've seen your content.
Content Marketing (SEO)
Medium effortWrite blog posts targeting keywords your ideal clients search for. If you write for e-commerce, create content about "e-commerce email marketing best practices." If you write for SaaS, write about "SaaS landing page conversion tips." Your content becomes your portfolio and your lead generator simultaneously.
Cost: $0-12/month (hosting)
Time to first client: 2-6 months
Best for: Long-term inbound lead generation
Why it works: When a potential client reads your article about their exact problem and sees you write well, the sales conversation is already half done.
Referrals from Existing Clients
Easy (once you have clients)After you deliver good work, ask for referrals. Most freelancers never ask. The best time is right after delivering a project and getting positive feedback.
Cost: $0
Time to first referral: Immediately after first client
Conversion rate: 50-70% (warm referrals close at much higher rates than cold outreach)
Thanks for the kind words about the [project] — really glad it landed well.
Quick question: do you know anyone else who might need help with [type of copy — e.g., "email sequences" or "landing pages"]? Happy to offer them the same quality. No pressure at all — just figured I'd ask since we had a good experience working together.
Niche Communities and Forums
Medium effortJoin communities where your target clients hang out. Slack groups, Discord servers, Facebook groups, and subreddits for specific industries (r/ecommerce, r/SaaS, r/startups). Don't spam — answer questions, share insights, and let people discover what you do naturally.
Cost: $0
Time to first client: 2-8 weeks
Best for: Building trust and getting warm leads
Key rule: Give value 10x before you ever mention your services. Become the person who always has a helpful answer about copy and marketing. Clients will come to you.
Guest Writing and Collaborations
Higher effort, higher payoffWrite guest posts for marketing blogs, contribute to industry newsletters, or collaborate with complementary freelancers (designers, developers, marketing consultants). Every piece of content with your name on it is a lead magnet.
Cost: $0 (your time)
Time to first client: 1-3 months
Best for: Authority building and reaching new audiences
Paid Advertising
AdvancedOnce you have a proven offer and know your numbers (average project value, close rate), running Google Ads or LinkedIn Ads to a landing page can scale your client acquisition. This is not a beginner strategy — you need to know your customer lifetime value first.
Cost: $200-500/month minimum
Time to first client: 1-4 weeks (if offer is dialed in)
Best for: Scaling an already-profitable freelance business
Which Method to Start With
If you're just starting out with no clients and no portfolio:
- Start with cold email — it's free, it's fast, and it forces you to study real businesses
- Set up a freelance platform profile — get a few paid projects for portfolio material
- Ask for referrals after every completed project
If you have a few clients and want to grow:
- Start content marketing — your blog becomes your best salesperson over time
- Optimize your LinkedIn for B2B clients
- Join 2-3 niche communities where your ideal clients hang out
The #1 mistake: Trying all 8 methods at once. Pick 2-3, get consistent at them, then add more. Consistency beats variety when it comes to client acquisition.
Once You Have Clients: Keep Them Organized
Getting clients is only half the challenge. The other half is managing them without drowning in admin. Every new client means more deadlines, more invoices, more follow-ups, and more context to track.
This is where most freelance copywriters hit a wall — not because they can't write, but because they don't have systems. If you're managing more than 3 clients, you need a client management system and clear business processes to keep everything running.
For what to charge those new clients, see our 2026 rate benchmarks. For presenting your rates professionally, grab our free rate card template.
Manage every client in one workspace
The Freelance Copywriter OS has a built-in client CRM, project pipeline, rate calculator, and financial dashboard — all connected in Notion.
See the product →More guides for freelance copywriters. Rates, systems, templates, and strategies.