Tactfully Approaching Old Clients for New Work?

Colton, I have a simple, effective way for doing this.
Consider today...there's less than 2 months left until Christmas.
So, you can email your clients and let them know that you're available for whatever period during the silly season.

I don't do much at all around that time so I can tackle plenty of work.
Christmas is not the only time. Depending on where you live and the time of year.
You can still use the same/similar email approach.
I find it doesn't always get me work but most times I do get something...many times it's a few big jobs and other times it may be to write 1 article.

Easy!

I'm not sure if nudging a client for more work is a good idea.

If you have done some work for me in the past and I was 100% satisfied with it, then chances are that WHEN I need more similar work done, then I will most definitely get in touch with you, because:

1. I'm happy with your work quality
2. I'm happy with your pricing
3. I'm happy with your time-keeping

However, if you nudge me asking for more work, I doubt I'll have anything for you, because otherwise I would've contacted you myself.

But hey, that's just me.

Before a boss wants to hire someone, he/she often looks at freelancer's profile. What is he/she look at? Your experience, your skill, your working history.

Here's my advice:

1. Prove them you have professional skills about the industry. On work up, there has test section, you can make tests about relevant skills and show out your test results on your profile. This helps your clients trust you more.
2. Once you ask for a job, you should provide them your finished products, provide a video or a file to prove that you can do very well what they need.
3. Cheaper than old freelancers.
4. Work harder, trying hard to give your clients the best products as well as results

As a new freelancer, you shouldn't focus too much on profitable. First, you should focus on the quality of your service.

The more quality you provide them the more job you may get. While working for your clients, don't forget to build the relationship with them. This is a key to get a long term job.

- Anhvu

A while back when I needed some extra work in my pipeline I used one of the freelance sites to drum up some work.

You should ensure that your approach is pretty casual otherwise it will sound desperate.

I usually will only contact people I have worked with in the past few months and they gave 5 star feedback.

I will personalise their message and say that I have a bit of time coming up over the coming two weeks and if they need anything done let me know.

Usually it will jog their memory a little bit and they will arrange something the hit rate is surprisingly good.

You could as Laurence suggests talk about getting organised ahead of the new year and suggest you've been getting lots of work done for client's planning for the new year and you're happy to help them out if they are getting started on EOY marketing etc..

Whatever you do don't sound generic or desperate.

A simple follow-up is all you need. I had a client I hadn't heard from in a few months. I sent him a quick message asking if he was happy with my last project, how he was doing and to let me know if he needed help with anything else.

He was thrilled I actually followed-up and instantly had more stuff for me. Ever since then I have been writing articles for him at least once per week.

You don't need to do anything fancy or gimmicky. A sincere and short follow-up message is all it takes.

I misread the title and thought you were going to look for old people in New York

If you want me to rehire you, assuming you did a great job:

Everything straightforward and polite is good enough.

Like Nike's says, Just Do It.

What's tactful got to do with it?

Hey, DABK

some people take time at the end of December. I don't. If you need xyz done during that time, I am available.

That could work, if I liked your work.

So would this:

Dear DABK,

October is American cheese month. I'm honoring American cheese by giving a 7% discount to the first 3 people to order in October. If you need something well written/done/produced AND would like it to be 7% lower than normal, call me at....

Sincerely,
xxx


PPS For orders over $x, I'm doing xyz/throwing in xyz for free

(OR:

If you are among the 1st 3 to respond and place the order by noon, I'll eat a cheesecake in your honor

(I'm joking, but you get the idea... There are many ways to sweeten a deal; just make sure it really makes sense, doesn't reduce the value of your main offering(s). If you're a writer, don't offer extra writing for free, offer something else that's either fun or useful (to client)).

Of course, the response rate is higher if you know copywriting. But even mediocre copywriting will produce good results, if you're contacting people who are happy with your work. All you're doing, really, is reminding them of their happiness and the cause of their happiness. If they want what you're selling right then, why wouldn't they say, Yes?

No matter how outstanding your work is, there are just times when your client doesnt need your services anymore, and thats one thing you need to accept. The good news is, as a freelancer, you can always look for other employers who can use your expertise. So if you dont get re-hired, dont lose hope as it also happens to all the other freelancers out there.

In terms of updating your old employers, the best approach is just to act professionally. Firstly, ask your past employer how they are doing. Once they respond, politely ask them if they have job opportunities that you can apply for. If they dont, let them know that you are available just in case they need extra hands in the future.

I like this approach @James Clifton it is genuine way!