Finding clients is something most freelancers only do when work runs out. They open a marketplace, send a dozen proposals and wait. Yet the most interesting projects often never reach job boards at all.
Job boards are useful, but they shouldn’t be your only source. Here are eight places where my colleagues and I have found clients.
1. Studios hiring full-time
A job posting means the studio’s workload is growing. While they search for an employee, they need hands right now — write and offer freelance help.
Keep it short: who you are, what you do best, links to two or three relevant projects and an offer to help while they search for a full-time hire. Nothing more is needed. I explain how to make that selection convincing in how to become a better freelancer.
2. Studios whose work you love
Make a list of 20 studios and write to each personally, mentioning a specific project of theirs. Mass mailing doesn’t work here.
Don’t expect a reply to the first email. Follow up a few weeks later with new work or a short note congratulating them on a recent project. That keeps you in mind without being pushy.
3–4. Production companies and individual creatives
Production companies constantly look for animators for ads and branded content. Producers and art directors move between companies and bring trusted people along. So one good relationship often means work from three different places.
5–6. Former colleagues and other freelancers
People you studied or worked with grow alongside you and remember who was easy to work with. Other freelancers pass work on when they’re overbooked or need another skill — say, 3D instead of 2D.
7. Companies on the edge of change
- Rebrand: a new logo needs logo animation.
- Product launch: promos, explainers, interface animation.
- Funding round: a video for the pitch and the website.
Follow industry news, LinkedIn and product pages on social media. A rebrand announcement or a funding round is the perfect moment to write: the need for animation is coming soon and no contractor is chosen yet.
8. Campaigns that impressed you
Saw a great video? Find out who made it: the studio, the production company or the brand. That’s a ready list of people who value the same kind of work as yours.
Tip:
Prospecting is a habit, not an emergency. Twenty minutes a day on three personal emails beats one day of mass mailing once a month.
- Video credits: the YouTube or Vimeo description often names the studio.
- Behance and LinkedIn: creators post work with the full team listed.
- Festivals and roundups: motion award shortlists are a ready list of strong teams.
How to write the first email
An email of five or six sentences gets read to the end. A screen-long email gets saved «for later», meaning forever.
Before writing, update your portfolio and define your specialty. And once you have enough work, think about raising your rate.
Ready to bring your idea to life?
Tell me a bit about your task — I’ll come back with a format, rough timeline and a quote within one business day.
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