How to Get Freelance Clients: 7 Insider Tips to Help You Succeed

For me, optimizing my Reedsy profile wasn’t about trying to appeal to everyone. It was about being honest about what I do best. I focused on the genres I love working with, shared a few covers I’m truly proud of, and wrote a short intro that sounds like me. That way, the authors who reach out usually “get” my style, and we’re on the same page from the start.

Illustrating a picture book isn’t just about making pretty pictures—it’s about crafting a whole visual experience that enhances the story. That’s why, when I take on a project, I offer a full-service approach. From the first rough sketch to the final print-ready PDF, I guide the book through its visual journey, making sure everything—from character design to typography—fits seamlessly together.

A Holistic Picture Book Service

When I work on a picture book, I don’t just illustrate; I design the book as a whole. My offer includes:

1. Illustrations – Thoughtfully planned to match the pacing of the story.
2. Cover Design – Creating a striking first impression that captures the essence of the book.
3. Interior Layout – Ensuring the flow of text and images keeps the reader engaged.
4. Book Formatting – Preparing a professional, print-ready PDF that meets publishing standards.
5. Colour Scheme Development – Setting the right mood and tone throughout the book.
6. Font Selection & Placement – Choosing and arranging text to complement the illustrations.

Transparency in Process & Collaboration

I know that authors have a vision for their stories, and I make sure they stay part of the creative process. Here’s how I keep everything transparent:

1. Workflow Overview – I provide a clear step-by-step breakdown of the process so clients know what to expect at each stage.
2. Miro Board Collaboration – I use Miro to share progress in real time. Authors can see sketches, leave comments, and even add reference images if they have specific ideas.
3. Regular Updates – I keep communication open, making sure my clients always know where we are in the process.

Project Timeline & Availability

I don’t just say “yes” to a project and disappear into an art cave. I let my clients know upfront when I can start and how long it will take. Clear scheduling means no guessing games—just a structured, efficient process.

Budget & Payment Plan

Every project is unique, and so is its budget. I provide a detailed pricing breakdown so clients know exactly what they’re paying for. I also offer a structured payment plan, making it easier to manage costs while keeping everything on track.

At the end of the day, my goal is to bring stories to life in a way that feels seamless, exciting, and stress-free for the author. A picture book is more than just words and images—it’s an experience. And I make sure every element comes together to create something truly special.

I always want my potential clients to have a very clear understanding of what to expect from me in our working relationship. So much about publishing and editing is opaque, so I'm always happy to answer questions and provide more detail on the areas that may not have a clearer path. But first and foremost, I want my clients to know that I won't miss a deadline, and clearly articulate what I'll be doing in my edits and what they will get in return.

By establishing a clear path through here on the Reedsy platform, it also creates a safety net for both myself as a freelancer and my clients. We both then have reference back to what was agreed, in writing, to avoid any confusion later on.

When I send an offer, I try to keep it clear and reassuring. I always mention what’s included — full cover design (front, back, spine) for both ebook and print. I let authors know that revisions are unlimited, and payment only happens once they’re completely happy with the result. I also include the turnaround time and pricing upfront, so there are no surprises. And I always invite questions — good communication makes everything smoother.

If I am making an offer to a client it's because I am genuinely interested in their project. Therefore I try to show that by talking about the things in their project that I like, relate to and that inspire me. I will try to lift examples from previous work and/or experiences that I think are relevant and communicate a sense of enthusiasm.

Then I will outline how our collaboration could work by breaking up the project into smaller stages that lead to the final delivery. This is especially useful for first time clients who don't know how the collaborative process works and what I expect from them as well as what they can expect from me.

I also want to be very clear what the scope of my offer is, what is included and what is not. Therefore I will specifically state what the deliverables are going to be and write if there are things that I haven't included. For example an author might want illustrations for their book but haven't mentioned a design for the book cover. Therefore I will include the illustration work in the scope of my offer but the cover design will be outside the scope. I can then specify this as something extra if the client is interested. This way I can be sure we both understand each other before the project starts and we can hopefully avoid any confusion or disappointment. Reedsy lets you amend offers so I always point this out to clients and suggest they get in touch if they want to discuss or change anything in an offer such as the scope or time frame or even the budget.

Finally, as I like to have licensing control over the illustrations I make, I include an extra contract for the client which ensures my illustrations are used as intended. This is a standard contract for illustration work which grants the client limited use according to the scope of the project and helps protect me and the client from improper use of my work.

I like to keep everything as transparent as possible.

In my cover design work, I always propose a very clear and simple menu. It’s literally like going to a restaurant—except this one only serves the best of what’s in season, and no hidden added costs!

What do I mean by that?

I always provide three to four different cover directions for your work. That’s just the initial concept phase. From there, I offer three rounds of changes to refine the chosen direction until we arrive at the final cover.

Once that’s done, I produce all the materials you need, tailored to your required specs, and I’m happy to make any necessary adjustments to ensure the final result is exactly right.

All of this is clearly listed in my menu so that an author knows exactly what they’re going to get, what they can ask for, and what I’m very happy to deliver.

At the end of the day, every project begins with an open question: What will make this book stand out?

And just as importantly: What will make this cover feel like a true representation of the author and their work?

That’s the spirit behind my offer. I’m always happy to show people how I structure it. It’s simple, but also thoughtfully detailed.

When I provide an offer to a client, I try to make sure that everything is as transparent and upfront as possible.

First, I will briefly comment on the brief that the client sent to me, and tell them the relevant experience I have in that area.

Next, I will explain the offer fee to the client, and I will direct them to Reedsy's "Cost of Publishing" blog page so that they can see how my pricing was calculated, and confirm that my pricing is in line with recommended Reedsy fees.

Following that, I will detail all of the services my work will entail and the approach that I will take. I make clear that I have a degree of flexibility in terms of workflow and that we can work to the author's preference. E.g. Submit chapters to me one at a time, or submit the whole thing.

I also explain to the client what my work does not entail, to avoid any potential misunderstandings. For example, if the client has asked for a development edit, then I will explain that my services will not include rigorous copy editing, or the creation of original content for them (i.e. ghost writing).

Lastly, I will strongly suggest that the client ensures that they are familiar with the publishing process before they hire the services of an editor, to make sure that they know what they're getting into, and what the big picture is going to be from writing that first chapter, up to getting their book out to the masses. Publishing is no small investment, either in time or money. The last thing I want is for a client to invest in development editing, only to be shocked that there is still a way to go before their book is ready to present to readers. Making sure that you understand the essentials of publishing from the outset is, well, essential!

Every great manuscript carries a story behind the story—your lived experience, your creative spark, your goals for publication. My editorial partnership is designed to honor that depth while giving you concrete results, starting before a single invoice is sent.

First, you’ll receive a complimentary edit of up to 1,000 words. I dive into structure, tone, clarity, and market positioning, leaving margin notes that show both strengths and opportunities. This sample gives you a transparent preview of my approach and delivers instant value you can apply whether we move forward together or not.

Next, we’ll hop on a focused, twenty‑minute Zoom call; this can be reserved for before editing, or after as a post-mortem. Think of it as a mini strategy session: we’ll unpack the sample edits (or final edits), discuss your vision for the book, and outline potential pathways—from traditional submissions to hybrid or self‑publishing timelines.

To keep momentum (and avoid information overload) I follow up with a short sequence of emails. You’ll get a written recap of our conversation, tailored resources, and answers to any lingering questions about craft, process, or production costs.

Before I touch another word of your manuscript, you’ll complete a concise questionnaire covering target audience, comparable titles, desired release window, marketing comfort level, and any non‑negotiable stylistic preferences. These insights let me shape an edit that aligns with your brand, voice, and business goals—no cookie‑cutter track changes here.

Throughout, my priority is understanding the person behind the pages. By combining attentive listening with practical, industry‑savvy feedback, I aim to turn a daunting revision cycle into a guided, confidence‑building collaboration.

You’ll also have ongoing access for questions as edits progress, ensuring clarification in real time, not weeks later. Together, we’ll transform your draft into the polished, purpose‑driven book you envisioned—and feel proud to share.

When I first joined Reedsy, I struggled a little with my offers - like anything, practice is required! It was taking me ages to write them, and most were not accepted. I then tried a template, and sent those out with minor tweaks for each client request. Still no dice to speak of - just a couple of jobs over a few months (for which I was very grateful).

But, on the verge of giving up Reedsy, I decided to go back to individual offers, with no templates. I accepted it would take time, and it does. I can easily spend an hour, sometimes more, on each offer I make. I also aim to keep my offers simple, straight-forward, and easy to understand. I now get a regular stream of work via Reedsy, and I think my individualised offers have contributed to this. Of course, I do end up writing the same sort of stuff in many of my offers - a developmental edit is a developmental edit, no matter what - but I also tailor my proposed work to each manuscript. I also pay very close attention to the request, and try to get to the heart of what the writer is truly after. This is really important. I also ask questions in my offers, and invite the client to ask questions of me too.

So far, so good!