Finding freelance clients can feel like an endless struggle—one day, you're landing a dream project, and the next, you're back to square one.
In this episode, we speak with Brian Gallagher, a corporate American turned global citizen and lifestyle coach and co-founder of Throwback Fitness - a workout studio with a gamified fitness experience, about the emotional roller coaster of freelancing, how to build a consistent client pipeline, and what strategies actually work when it comes to lead generation 🤩
From this episode, you'll learn how to:
✅ Why freelancing feels like a constant hustle for new clients.
✅ How to balance inbound and outbound client acquisition.
✅ Why content alone won’t bring clients (and what actually will).
✅ How to build strong client relationships before they even hire you.
✅ The mindset shifts needed to sustain a long-term freelance career.
Watch now and take control of your freelance journey! 🚀
🎧 Or listen to it here on Spotify
Why finding freelance clients feels like an uphill battle
Most freelancers experience the feast or famine cycle—some months are packed with work, and others feel completely dry. This unpredictability often creates stress and burnout.
Here are the biggest reasons freelancers struggle to find clients consistently:
🔹 no recurring revenue model – many freelancers rely on one-off projects, meaning they start from zero every few months.
🔹 passive marketing approach – waiting for clients to find you through content isn’t enough. Active outreach is essential.
🔹 the comparison trap – social media can make it seem like everyone else is landing six-figure deals while you're struggling.
🔹 lack of pipeline management – many freelancers don’t follow up with past leads, missing out on potential projects.
💡 “Freelancing is like a roller coaster. One hour, you land a client. The next, you lose one. The key is learning how to ride the ups and downs.”
So, how do you build a system that keeps clients coming to you?
1. Focus on outbound, not just content marketing
Most freelancers assume posting great content will bring clients to them. But content alone isn’t enough—you need to be proactive.
Here’s what actually works:
✔️ engage with potential clients – comment on their posts, start conversations, and build relationships.
✔️ reach out directly – sending thoughtful messages to leads and past clients keeps you at the top of their minds.
✔️ follow up strategically – most clients won’t hire you immediately. Stay in touch and check in periodically.
💡 “Clients don’t magically appear—you have to start conversations, nurture relationships, and stay visible.”
2. Nurture client relationships before they hire you
What is the best way to land clients? Help them before they even think of hiring you.
Try this approach:
🔹 Share insights or solutions related to their business.
🔹 Offer helpful advice without expecting immediate payment.
🔹 Provide free resources or quick wins that showcase your expertise.
💡 “I treated a potential client like they were already a client—helping them, sending useful resources. One day, they just asked, ‘How do I pay?’”
3. Stop chasing new clients—re-engage past leads
One of the easiest ways to find new projects? Reconnect with people you’ve already spoken to.
✔️ Follow up with leads who didn’t hire you immediately.
✔️ Stay in touch with past clients—they may have more work.
✔️ Engage with their content and remind them of your expertise.
💡 “Most of my clients come from people who followed me for months before reaching out. Consistency is everything.”
4. Build resilience against rejection
Freelancing comes with a lot of rejection—whether it’s ignored messages, clients ghosting you, or even negative feedback.
To handle rejection better:
✅ Expect it—reaching out to 100 people might only land a few clients.
✅ Don’t take it personally—it’s a numbers game.
✅ Keep refining your messaging—learn from what works and adjust.
💡 “You will be ignored. You might even get blocked. But if you keep going, you’ll find the right clients.”
Top 3 things to consider before freelancing full-time
If you're thinking about freelancing, ask yourself:
1️⃣ Can you handle inconsistent income? – Some months will be great, others slow. Financial preparation is key.
2️⃣ Do you struggle with rejection? – Outreach means facing ignored messages and lost deals.
3️⃣ Are you self-motivated? – Without a boss, you must create your own structure and routines.
💡 “If you need structure and a stable paycheck, freelancing may not be for you.”
TL;DR
Freelancing can feel like a constant hustle, but with the right strategy, you can build a steady client pipeline.
✔️ Outbound outreach > waiting for clients.
✔️ Relationships matter more than fancy branding.
✔️ Follow up—most leads won’t hire you instantly.
✔️ Freelancing is a mindset shift—embrace the ups and downs.
💡 “Want more clients? Be visible, be valuable, and start more conversations.”
Quotes
1️⃣ “Freelancing is a roller coaster—one hour you land a dream client, the next you lose one. Learning to ride the ups and downs is key to survival.”
2️⃣ “Clients don’t magically find you. You have to show up, start conversations, and build relationships—content alone won’t bring in steady work.”
3️⃣ “Most clients won’t hire you the first time they see your content. Stay visible, keep engaging, and when they’re ready, they’ll remember you.”
4️⃣ “Freelancing isn’t just working for yourself—it’s designing a life where you can be yourself, set your own rules, and find joy in your work.”
5️⃣ “The real secret to getting clients? Help them before they hire you. Show your value upfront, and they’ll come back when they’re ready.”
