#268 How to Land Freelance Clients Using Warm Leads, Directories, and Client Referrals (Live Event Replay Part 1)

#268 How to Land Freelance Clients Using Warm Leads, Directories, and Client Referrals (Live Event Replay Part 1)

Author: Emily Reagan | Digital Marketing Mentor, Speaker October 21, 2025 Duration: 1:11:52

Wondering how to get freelance clients without cold DMs, awkward pitches, or job board burnout? Welcome to Part 1 of our live event replay: 7 Ways to Land Clients. A panel of talented freelancers joins me to share the real strategies that helped them attract clients through warm leads, online directories, and word-of-mouth referrals.

My guest speakers are Workgroup members who’ve mastered the art of visibility and positioning. They break down how they built trust, refined their messaging, and leveraged relationships to create steady, high-quality client pipelines.

  • Katie Fisher shares how our Workgroup directory & a Kajabi certification led to multiple high-value projects and affiliate income.
  • Robyn Stoney walks us through her 27x ROI warm lead strategy using personalized, short pitch emails that actually get replies.
  • Stacy Covitz and Esai Arasi add insight into how to get freelance clients by nurturing relationships that lead to more referrals.

Listen to learn more about:

  • How to get freelance clients through specialized directories
  • The importance of positioning, proof, and why your marketing assets matter
  • How to combat the “trust recession” with testimonials, case studies, and portfolios
  • How to turn a warm lead into a retainer client
  • How to grow through referrals, community, and client results

This isn’t theory — it’s what’s working right now for real freelancers inside our community. Listen in and get inspired to position yourself where the clients are already looking.

FREE Live  Masterclass: How to Build a Freelance Marketing Business You Actually Love

Calling all virtual assistants and marketing pros ready to stop doing random admin work and start offering strategic marketing services clients happily pay $35–$150/hour for. Join us for my free masterclass “How to Build a Freelance Marketing Business You Actually Love (And Pays Well)” on October 23.

You’ll learn how to package your strengths, position yourself like a pro, and finally step into work that lights you up. >>Save your seat here!

Links Mentioned in the Show: 


Connect with Katie:


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3 ways we can work together: 

  1. Need to build your digital marketing skills and set up solid workflows so you can confidently put yourself out there for freelance work? Get on the waitlist for the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School where you'll learn in-demand marketing implementation skills to launch or grow your work-from-home business. I also share job leads directly with students, making this a true gateway to flexible, meaningful freelance work. Ready to get started sooner? You can jump into the self-starter program right now.
  2. Already doing marketing work and have a few clients? Want a stronger referral network? Apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup—a tight-knit community of freelancers just like you. Inside, you'll get behind-the-scenes support, advanced trainings, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, I’ve shared over 3,000 job opportunities with this group—exclusive leads you won’t find anywhere else. If you're ready to grow your business and connect with a supportive network, join us here!
  3. Looking to hire a Digital Marketing Assistant? If you want to expand your team & grow your business, submit your job opportunity here. I'll share it with the skilled unicorn marketing assistants inside my workgroup totally free.

  >>> Download my Top Ten Most Requested Digital Marketing Tasks & Services


Emily Reagan brings her experience as a digital marketing mentor and speaker directly into your headphones with The Marketing Freelancer: Unicorns Unite. This isn't about vague inspiration; it's a practical dialogue for those navigating the specific challenges of running a solo marketing business. Each episode digs into the real work of positioning your services, attracting clients who value your expertise, and establishing pricing that reflects the true impact of your work. You'll hear conversations focused on moving beyond the feast-or-famine cycle to create a sustainable, profitable practice. Emily operates from the belief that every skilled freelancer possesses a unique set of talents-their "unicorn" qualities-that form the foundation of a standout business. The discussions in this podcast are designed to help you identify and leverage those strengths with confidence. Whether the topic is refining a niche, improving client conversations, or streamlining operations, the aim is actionable insight. Tuning in means joining a community focused on elevating the craft of freelance marketing, not just as a side hustle, but as a primary, rewarding career. If you're building a business in marketing, entrepreneurship, or creative services, this series offers a direct line to strategies and mindsets that can help shape your path forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Marketing Freelancer: Unicorns Unite
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