How to Land Remote Clients Without Using Upwork or Fiverr

Upwork and Fiverr are popular, but overcrowded. They come with high fees, intense global competition, and little control over your client relationships. Most freelancers race to the bottom on pricing and struggle to stand out. Worst of all, you don’t own your client list. If the platform bans you, your business is gone overnight.

Use platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter to showcase what you do. Share your work, write short posts with tips or case studies, and post your process. Instead of saying 'I build websites,' say 'I helped a founder grow revenue 40% by redesigning their mobile checkout.' Over time, this builds inbound interest and positions you as an expert.

Craft smart, personalized emails to dream clients. Don’t sell immediately—offer value. Mention what you admire about their work, identify a specific problem you noticed, and propose a short call to share 1–2 quick wins. Real people respect thoughtful outreach. Send 10 emails a day, and you’ll get replies.

Find your clients in Slack groups, Discord servers, and subreddits. Contribute value, answer questions, and share what you’re working on. Communities like r/startups, IndieHackers, or specific Facebook groups are great for meeting founders and businesses. Clients are hiding in conversations—not just job boards.

Even a simple personal website can convert leads. Include a clear value prop, a few case studies, testimonials, and a call to action. Add a blog to improve SEO—write helpful content like 'Top 5 UX mistakes SaaS companies make'. Bonus: Use lead magnets (free audits, templates) to grow your email list.

Before asking for a project, offer something helpful: a quick UX review, a suggestion via Loom, or a personalized idea. This builds trust and positions you as generous and knowledgeable. Many freelancers land their biggest deals by offering small value upfront—no pitch, just help.

After you complete a successful project, ask your client: 'Do you know 1–2 people who’d benefit from this too?' You can even offer a referral bonus or discount. Most people are happy to refer if they had a great experience. Don’t leave that opportunity on the table.

Platforms like Surnx help remote workers find curated cafés, coworking spaces, and even villas—with fast Wi-Fi, flexible passes, and networking potential. Instead of working alone, use Surnx to meet other professionals, founders, or even future clients. Many users have met clients organically just by showing up in the right space.

If you’re serious about freelancing, ditch the dependency on platforms. Focus on visibility, connection, and delivering value. Start building your own ecosystem—one where you control the clients, the pricing, and the relationships. And when you’re ready to work and connect on your own terms, try Surnx.