Here's how you can attract new clients as a sustainability freelancer.

To build your credibility you must be consistent with your values and principles, mainly those focused on sustainability, you must be sincere and honest, offer solid experience samples of your skills and activities, keep your relationships active, invest in continuous development, always have positive attitudes, carry out periodic self-assessments of the brand's image and credibility.

To attract new clients as a sustainability freelancer, showcase your expertise through a professional portfolio and case studies that highlight successful projects. Leverage LinkedIn and industry-specific networks to connect with potential clients and demonstrate thought leadership through insightful content. Obtain and present client testimonials to build credibility. Offer free initial consultations to illustrate your approach and the value you bring. Tailor your proposals to address specific client needs and emphasize how your sustainability solutions align with their business objectives.

Landing new clients as a sustainability freelancer takes strategy. Here's how: 1) Define Your Niche: Specialize in a specific area of sustainability. This helps you stand out and attract clients with similar interests. 2) Build a Strong Online Presence: Create a professional website showcasing your expertise and projects. 3) Offer Value-Driven Services: Clearly communicate how your services can benefit clients' bottom line and reputation. 4) Leverage Case Studies: Highlight successful projects to demonstrate your capabilities and attract similar clients. Remember, building a successful freelance business takes time and effort. Be patient, persistent, and focus on delivering exceptional value to your clients.

To attract new clients as a sustainability freelancer, build credibility by showcasing a strong portfolio of past projects, obtaining relevant certifications, and actively engaging in sustainability communities. Network and share valuable insights on LinkedIn, collaborate with other professionals, and regularly update your expertise. Highlight successful case studies and client testimonials to establish trust and demonstrate your impact.

Start by establishing yourself as an expert in sustainability. Gain relevant certifications, publish insightful articles, and share case studies that showcase your successes. Clients are more likely to trust and hire someone who demonstrates both knowledge and proven results. In my experience, consistently showcasing your expertise through various channels significantly enhances your credibility and makes you a go-to resource in the industry.

Networking drives growth. Active engagement in online forums and social media groups strengthens presence. Insights shared establish authority, keeping services aligned with market demands. Constant involvement reveals trends, fueling client attraction. Engage with intent, connect with purpose, and let expertise draw clients in.

Focus your networking efforts where they’ll have the most impact. Attend industry conferences, join sustainability-focused groups, and actively engage on platforms like LinkedIn. Networking isn’t just about meeting people; it’s about building meaningful connections that can lead to referrals and partnerships. In my experience, smart, targeted networking helps you connect with potential clients who are genuinely interested in your services.

✏️ It is always better to meet people in person but what you do if you can’t? Take the alternative route: online. You need to use your online presence to benchmark your value proposition as a freelance consultant. Okay, but how do I discover that? Take your most up to date CV, update it in a generative AI tool and ask it exactly what you need to know: Please enlist the three categories I could offer consultancy on and help me to decide a plan to start building an online presence on LinkedIn, for example, for my business of one. You can do this work of reflection manually, but why not just outsource some of that thinking for you. 🪴🧪📈Take those three topics you are really good at or experienced on, and make an online content plan.

If you are a freelancer, then your time is precious. Sure, you can try to be everywhere all at once, but it is best to be strategic in your networking plan. Find out who your ideal customer is and who your ideal ally is. Once you know this hypothetical demographic (small business owner, B Corp, Director of Sustainability, Non-Profit Executive Director, etc), then you can find where these individuals go to meet others. If this is challenging, then identify a specific person and simply ask them where they go to network. Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and leverage LinkedIn to connect with potential clients and collaborators.

I recently read about how BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) works with companies to enhance their sustainability efforts. BSR thoroughly analyzes the unique challenges each business faces, whether it's supply chain transparency or reducing environmental impact. They then propose tailored strategies, such as responsible sourcing or circular economy models, and highlight the benefits—like '15% reduction in operational costs', enhanced brand reputation, or improved compliance with sustainability regulations. By aligning their solutions with the specific needs and industry context of each client, BSR effectively demonstrates their ability to integrate sustainability into business operations, making their services highly attractive.

Don’t just sell your services—offer tailored, actionable solutions that directly address your clients’ specific sustainability challenges. Understand their pain points and provide strategies that deliver real value. In my practice, clients are more likely to engage when they see that your approach is customised to their needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all offering. Tailored solutions demonstrate your commitment to their success.

It goes without saying that it is okay to ask people that had good work experiences with you to give a testimony. I have a good collection of LinkedIn recommendations but I also aim to start asking clients to write testimonials on my website. Hope that prompts you to ask for referrals for your work too! It does not matter if you have done freelancing before or not, anyone that worked in a project with you can refer you for specific skills you have that have been helpful to them! 😉

A lot of times you will get the advice to collect and share testimonials from satisfied clients on your website and social media profiles to build trust. This is a no-brainer, so I suggest you go a bit deeper! Request that they themselves share the testimonial on their own networks and website (if applicable). This is much more impactful because it widens the net of visitors to your site AND engages them once they have already expressed interest. Offer incentives for partners that are willing to do this for you.

Free stuff that have been crafted with heart and soul and aim to make a difference for others will have an impact in your brand as a freelancer. Align that well with the value proposition of your business of one, to concentrate efforts and be focused and effective on your approach. Think about distribution of your work, and read articles from marketing specialists on how to share your work targeting the right audience. LinkedIn courses are a good start!

By keeping the conversation active and engaged with your customers, you can continue to learn how you can provide them with more precise solutions. By being flexible and adaptable, you increase your customer satisfaction rates, increase word of mouth, and increase the value proposition of your work. Regularly update your knowledge of sustainability trends by subscribing to industry newsletters, following thought leaders, and taking relevant courses. This ensures you provide cutting-edge solutions to your clients.