If you're thinking 'any client that pays is alright with me', you may want to change your thought process for the long-term. A good client not only pays on time but will want repeat business AND possibly refer your services to their colleagues. This, of course, eliminates the time you spend hustling or cold-calling by email (which may not bring much of a return since this type of mail tends to land in the junk pile). It can also free you from having to learn personality quirks and other things that come with the freelancing hustle.
While you may be a person that loves to meet new people, this process can wear on you after a while. It's not quite like having a storefront if your clients aren't local. If you're regional or global, this may mean learning about different cultures that affect everything from communication to how you get paid.
The 15 ways freelancers can stand out is a good start to defining who you are and what you can do for a potential client. Most newbies think in terms of offering the lowest price (there's a strategy to this if you're serious) in order to land the gig but offering yourself on a platter with all the trimmings will filter out the deadbeats. It's kind of like the old-school job classifieds where the legit companies usually stated the job description, benefits, and more in a medium-to-large display ad but hole-in-the-wall operations often used no more than two lines.
Unless you come with a lot of connections in your industry, presenting yourself in the best light pays off in a big way. A good social media profile with relevant links and education/industry certifications can get you some notice. However, using a platform like LinkedIn to tell a story about what you have to offer clients is much better than having a bunch of degrees, or using glossy words to describe yourself.
Don't get me wrong, education and power words go hand-in-hand but don't make that all you have to offer a client. The right storytelling techniques for freelancers can help you develop a voice that not only reflects the quality of your work but will make your profile stronger than your competitors. It's kind of like dating. If you wonder why you keep attracting the wrong mate, often you'll find that a makeover (either external or internal...or a little of both) gives you the confidence to build relationships with people who can make things happen. And that's in a good way!
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