How I Landed My Most Recent Freelance Client (And Free Massages) Without Ads or Networking Events
When you embark on a self-employed, freelance, anti-matrix journey, one of the biggest questions that comes up is:
Where do I find clients?
I’ve broken this down before on my blog (and even made a YouTube video about it), but today I want to share exactly how I landed my most recent client—because it might spark some ideas for you.
—> How to Find Clients (BLOG) - https://nicolepaulus.com/blog-content/2021/1/18/how-to-find-clients
—> Your Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Clients and Starting Freelancing (VIDEO) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQDfFkIEoMI
The Secret: A Local WhatsApp Group
I recently moved to a surf town in Nicaragua. One of the biggest reasons I chose this spot was the expat community—people who genuinely support each other, share tips, and connect via local WhatsApp groups.
There are several groups floating around, but I only subscribe to two:
General events group – where people post updates about what’s happening around town.
Women’s group – where we share everything from carpenter recommendations to the best burger spot, to surf conditions.
It was in this women’s group that I introduced myself—and landed a new aligned client.
Why I Don’t Advertise
I love telling people that I’ve never had to advertise my business in the traditional sense.
I don’t pay for ads.
I don’t do PR stunts.
I don’t attend pricey networking conferences.
And yet, I manage to stay afloat (and then some).
Most of my work comes through referrals from past clients. I build trust by being responsive, informative, and delivering what I promise. That creates happy clients who naturally share my name with their friends.
But recently, I felt called to expand. I’m manifesting more aligned clients to boost my income and build a little surf shack here in Nicaragua. So I decided to put myself out there a bit more.
The Simple Introduction That Worked
Here’s exactly what I posted in the women’s group:
“Hi ladies – I am fairly new to the area, but just bought land so will be around a while 🙂 Wanted to introduce myself, say hi, and also share my website with you all.
I have 15+ years’ experience working with Squarespace (website building platform), managing social media (primarily LinkedIn), and I’m also a non-dogmatic Kundalini teacher.
If you need local help getting your website up and running or bringing visibility to your business, I’m here! I offer work/trade and flexible payments based on budget and especially love working with creatives, healers, and conscious business owners. Get in touch if any of this resonates ❤️ https://nicolepaulus.com/”
Within hours, someone reached out.
Meeting My New Client
She was looking to up-level her coaching business and loved the idea of a work/trade. We met at a beachside restaurant, shared ceviche and quinoa salad, and started talking.
She helps burned-out moms move from angry to anchored. Our values overlapped instantly, and I left feeling like I’d gained both a new friend and an inspiring client.
We agreed on a hybrid exchange:
Six 90-minute coaching sessions (where I’d help her dial in her branding, offers, and messaging).
She’d pay me cash for three sessions.
She’d trade three sessions in the form of 90-minute massages (she’s also a massage therapist).
The Takeaway: Don’t Be Afraid to Share
So what’s the moral of the story?
👉 Don’t be afraid to casually share who you are and what you do.
This doesn’t mean spamming every group or dropping your link in people’s faces. But in authentic, community-driven spaces, you never know who might need your help.
And sometimes, finding your next freelance client is as simple as saying: Hi, here’s who I am, here’s what I do, and I’d love to support you.