Then → Now · 2026
All four marketplaces the post named survived to 2026, but Upwork has reportedly replaced its predictable fee with a per-contract rate anywhere from 0% to 15%.
What it said (2018) ↓
Channels: freelance marketplaces (Upwork as "go-to", Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, Freelancer), LinkedIn, and Facebook groups where clients gather, not competitors.
"Start your own Facebook group."
What happened (2026) ↓
All four marketplaces still operate. Upwork now charges a variable fee of 0–15% per contract, per its own help pages; the May 2025 start date comes from third-party guides. Upwork help
PeoplePerHour still operates and appears to be independent (no acquisition found), with a tiered commission from 20% down to 3.5%. source
Verdict · Held up: 7 / 10 · Full 2026 update
- Freelancers should go where their clients gather, not where their competitors are.Still valid evergreen
- Marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour and Freelancer were good places to find clients.Came true all survived, but repriced
- Freelancers could meet clients in coworking spaces found through the Cowork7/24 app.Outdated
Original post · 15 March 2018
“But where do you find your clients?” It’s probably the question I hear most when I say that I work as a location independent freelancer. It’s also one of the biggest reasons people don’t dare to take that step into freelancing, or why digital nomadism stays a dream instead of reality. The truth is, once you know where to look, it really is not that difficult. I’m listing my favorite ways to find clients for my freelancer business.Freelance Marketplaces
There are a couple of big, well-known websites that serve as virtual marketplaces for freelancers. They all have their own style, but as a client, you list your project, and as a freelancer, you create a profile and apply to the projects. Payment is often done via the website and both client and freelancer are relatively safe. In return for facilitating the platform, the website takes a commission from each project. Competition can be fierce on those platforms, but don’t get intimidated by that. When you create a killer profile and list your previous results, you will be able to attract good clients. My personal go-to website is Upwork, but there is also Fiverr, People Per Hour, Freelancer, and a lot more.Social Networks
I work in social media marketing so it wouldn’t be a good sign if I wouldn’t find clients that way! However, I believe that with any type of job, you will be able to find clients on social networks. First of all, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and reflects all your skills and achievements. Connect with potential clients and post updates with interesting ideas and advice within your industry. If you share enough value, people will get curious and find your profile.
The same goes for Facebook and especially Facebook groups. Don’t make the mistake of looking for clients in groups focussed on your industry - there, you will only find your competitors. Instead, look for groups aimed at your ideal client. There are groups for everything, so whether your ideal client is a new mom or a dentist, you will be able to find a group where they are discussing their problems.
Same strategy: provide as much value and advice as you can and people will know where to find you when they need your services.
Pro Tip! Why not start your own Facebook group for your niche?
Coworking Spaces
If you haven’t discovered coworking yet, it’s about time! These places are hubs full of creatives and entrepreneurs and they are all eager to collaborate. In a good coworking space, the vibe is very supportive and everyone wants each other to succeed. So when a startup is looking for a marketing strategy, they will likely turn to the community, and when a content writer needs some images, they will turn to the freelancer at the next desk. Coworking Spaces act as a great catalyst for you to find your next freelancer job. Check out the coworking spaces around you with the Cowork7/24 app!Events
The way I met most of my current clients is by attending events like conferences, workshops, and other network opportunities. Just as with the Facebook groups, don’t try to find your clients in your industry events. Instead, go to the events where your clients are; startup events, medical conferences, … whatever niche you excel in!
Pro Tip! Want to make sure you get to talk to as many people as possible? Become a volunteer at the event or apply to be a speaker. Hosting an UnConference sessions works as well. Network possibilities guaranteed!
Of course, there are many more ways to find clients, but to me, these methods have proved to be successful time and again. What’s your favorite way of finding clients in your freelancing business?
2026 update
What happened after this was written
Claims then:
- Channels: freelance marketplaces (Upwork as "go-to", Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, Freelancer), LinkedIn, and Facebook groups where clients gather, not competitors.
- "Start your own Facebook group."
- Coworking spaces, via the Cowork7/24 app.
- Events: volunteer, speak, or host unconference sessions.
What happened since:
- All four marketplaces still operate.
- Upwork now charges a variable fee of 0–15% per contract, per its own help pages; the May 2025 start date comes from third-party guides. Upwork help
- PeoplePerHour still operates and appears to be independent (no acquisition found), with a tiered commission from 20% down to 3.5%. source
- Fiverr made its AI-first restructuring (30% of staff) in September 2025. source
- LinkedIn engagement rates fell through 2025 (Buffer data via Social Media Today); see the LinkedIn post above. source
- Whether Facebook groups still work for finding clients in 2026 could not be confirmed; no search was run.
- The Cowork7/24 app CTA is dead (Android 404).
Named tools/orgs status:
| Name | Then | Now | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upwork | Go-to marketplace | Active; variable 0–15% fee | Upwork help |
| Fiverr | Marketplace | Active; AI-first restructuring in 2025 | Engadget |
| PeoplePerHour | Marketplace | Active, independent | millo |
| Freelancer.com | Marketplace | Live (HTTP 200) | curl 2026-09-30 |
| Cowork7/24 app | Find coworking spaces | Off Google Play | curl 2026-09-30 |
Verdict:
- "Go where your clients are, not your competitors": Still valid (evergreen).
- The marketplaces: Came true, all survived, but repriced.
- The coworking app CTA: Outdated.
Headline finding: All four marketplaces the post named survived to 2026, but Upwork has reportedly replaced its predictable fee with a per-contract rate anywhere from 0% to 15%.
Re-verified 3 November 2026: 3 claims confirmed, 1 corrected, 4 hedged, 0 removed.
Researched 30 September 2026 and re-verified against the sources on 3 November 2026. Sources are linked in each point. Items marked "unverified" could not be established and are not guessed.