The Freelancer’s Guide to Identifying Ideal Clients (Fast)

Publication Date

May 16, 2022

Summary

This post is a bonus lesson pulled straight from the Get Clients course. We’re diving into 5 quick ways you can brainstorm your ideal clients so you can pitch more confidently and consistently.

What Is an Ideal Client?

In freelance writing, an ideal client is someone who:

Can afford to pay you what you ask
Fits within your desired niche
Helps move your career forward (via bylines, income, exposure, or referrals)

Knowing your ideal client helps you:

Create a portfolio that speaks to the right audience
Build a targeted leads list
Write pitches that actually get replies

5 Ways to Brainstorm Your Ideal Freelance Writing Clients

1. Use Google

Search for company names within your niche. For example:

“Vitamin companies”
“Outdoor dog gear brands”
“White water rafting publications”

Try to find at least 10 brands or publications you’d love to work with.

2. Search Blog Listicles

Listicles (like “10 Best Trail Running Shoes”) often feature brands that are spending money on PR or marketing. That means they might be willing to pay writers too.

Google:

“Best [product]”
“Top [niche] companies”
“Best [service] for [audience]”

Pro tip: Companies featured on Page 1 of Google probably have a budget.

3. Think Like Your Target Audience

What does your dream client’s customer use, want, or buy? What’s their lifestyle?

Brainstorm:

Products they use daily
Gear or apps they swear by
Services they subscribe to
Publications they read
Influencers or creators they follow

Start with yourself if you’re part of the audience—what do you use?

4. List Services in Your Niche

Don’t just pitch products. Think about services your niche offers or needs.

For example, in wellness, consider:

Health coaches or online programs
Gyms or studios
Nutritionists or food delivery apps
Wellness podcasts
Mindfulness or habit-tracking apps
Subscription boxes

Aim to find at least 10 service-based brands in your space.

5. Research Competitors

Once you find a brand you like, look up their direct competitors. You’ll often uncover smaller or similar businesses who also hire freelancers.

Use:

“Alternatives to [brand name]”
“Top competitors of [company]”
G2 or Capterra for SaaS competitors
Influencer or affiliate marketing links

Try This

Want to go even deeper? In the Get Clients course, we show you how to:

Create a full leads list
Find email addresses
Write effective cold pitch emails

You’ll also get templates and systems to help you stay consistent and confident.

FAQs About Identifying Your Ideal Client

Why is it important to know your ideal client?

Knowing your ideal client helps you focus your portfolio, streamline your pitches, and work with clients you genuinely enjoy (and who pay well).

How many ideal clients should I brainstorm?

Aim for at least 25–50 companies when building your first leads list. Use the 10 strategies above to diversify your options.

Can I have more than one ideal client?

Yes—but when you're starting out, focus on one niche and one ideal client profile. You can always expand later once you’ve built momentum.

What if I don’t know my niche yet?

If you’re still deciding on your niche, check out this post on picking a profitable niche or watch the Find Your Niche in 3 Easy Steps video to clarify your direction.

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