A Guide on How to Get Started and Find Remote Clients

Finding Remote Clients as a Product Designer

In today’s globalized world, remote work has become the norm, offering endless opportunities for product designers to collaborate with clients from anywhere. But is it that straightforward? Not entirely. Despite the push from some companies to bring employees back to the office, the allure of remote work—the freedom to spend more time with family and to work from anywhere—remains strong. For many, it's hard to imagine going back to the traditional office setting.

So, how do you find these remote clients, especially if you’re just starting or looking to expand your freelance or solopreneur business? Here’s a guide to help you navigate the world of remote client acquisition(it’s easy, but not simple).

1. Leverage Online Platforms:

- Freelance Marketplaces: Websites like Upwork, and Fiverr(not my favs) but are great starting points. They allow you to create a profile showcasing your skills, work experience, and portfolio. These platforms have a large user base, making it easier to connect with clients looking for product design services(it’s a way of putting yourself on the map, so make sure to have premium prices, don’t compete with low prices otherwise you will become another commodity service).

- Niche Job Boards: Specialized job boards such as Wellfound (formerly AngelList), Hacker News Jobs, and Uxcel Jobs are excellent places to find remote opportunities tailored to your expertise. These platforms tend to focus on startups and tech companies, which often require design services.

2. Build an Online Presence:

- Portfolio Websites: Create a personal website or portfolio on platforms like Behance, Dribble, or your domain. A well-crafted portfolio can attract clients by showcasing your best work.

- Social Media: Use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to network with other professionals, share your work, and engage in industry discussions. Consistent engagement can lead to job offers or project collaborations.

3. Networking and Community Involvement:

- Join Online Communities: Engage with online communities and forums where potential clients or collaborators hang out. Websites like Designer Hangout, Designer News, Skool, or even Reddit’s design-related subreddits can be valuable for networking.

- Virtual Events and Webinars: Attend or even host virtual events, webinars, and workshops(Free or paid). These platforms provide opportunities to demonstrate your expertise and connect with prospective clients, always good for building personal connections with people.

4. Cold Outreach, it’s a numbers game:

- Email Campaigns: Research potential clients and reach out to them directly via email. Personalize each email to show that you’ve done your homework on their company and how your skills can specifically help them.

- LinkedIn Outreach: Similarly, LinkedIn is a great tool for reaching out directly to decision-makers. Connect with people in roles that are likely to need design services and send a thoughtful message introducing yourself.

Places to Search for Remote Jobs:

• Wellfound (formerly AngelList)

• Hacker News Jobs

• Uxcel Jobs

Cool AI Tools:

New AI Tools of the Week:

1. Mixo - An AI tool that helps you generate business ideas and create landing pages in seconds. Perfect for solopreneurs looking to launch a product quickly.

2. Copy.ai - An AI-powered tool that assists in writing marketing copy, social media posts, and more, helping you communicate more effectively with your clients.

3. Durable - A tool designed to help solopreneurs build websites using AI-driven templates and suggestions in less than a minute.

Useful Resources:

1. Cal.com- A free scheduling tool that simplifies booking appointments and managing your time efficiently.

2. Arc Browser- My favorite browser for productivity and efficiency.

3. ClickUp - A powerful task management tool to organize projects and improve productivity.

That’s it for today!

Thanks for reading, and see you in the next one.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn | YouTube | Twitter

Wanderson Jackson

CEO @ Narius