How to Use Behance to Get Freelance Design Clients (Pakistan)

In today’s digital age, the world of freelance design is booming, and Pakistan is no exception. Many talented designers across our country are looking for ways to showcase their skills and connect with clients, both locally and internationally. One of the most powerful platforms for this is Behance, a creative showcase owned by Adobe.

Behance isn’t just a place to upload your work; it’s a vibrant community and a powerful tool for attracting freelance design clients. If you’ve been wondering how to effectively use Behance to grow your freelance career right here in Pakistan, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every essential step, from setting up your profile to landing those coveted projects.

We’ll cover why Behance is so crucial, what to do, how to do it, and provide practical tips tailored for the Pakistani context. Let’s dive in and unlock your potential!

Step 1: Setting Up Your Behance Profile

Think of your Behance profile as your professional shop front on the internet. It’s the first impression potential freelance design clients will have of you, so it needs to be immaculate, informative, and engaging.

Choose a Professional Profile Picture: Use a clear, friendly, and professional headshot. Avoid selfies or casual photos. Your face should be visible, creating a relatable human connection.
Craft a Compelling Headline/Bio: Your headline is a short, impactful sentence that tells clients exactly what you do. For example: “UI/UX Designer | Crafting Intuitive Digital Experiences” or “Brand Identity Specialist | Helping Businesses Stand Out.” Your bio should expand on this, detailing your design philosophy, your expertise, and the value you bring to clients. Mention your location, Pakistan, as clients sometimes search regionally.
Fill Out All Profile Sections: Don’t leave anything blank. Include your experience, education, awards, and any relevant certifications. The more complete your profile, the more credible you appear.
Link Your Other Platforms: Connect your LinkedIn, personal website, or other social media profiles. This offers clients more avenues to connect with you and verifies your online presence.
Define Your Services: Behance allows you to list specific freelance services. Be precise. Instead of just “Graphic Design,” specify “Logo Design,” “Branding,” “Web UI Design,” “Packaging Design,” etc. This helps you appear in relevant searches by potential clients.

Common Mistake: Many designers just put their name and a generic title. This doesn’t help clients understand their specific skills or how they can solve a problem.

Pakistani Context Tip: Consider adding a line about your availability for local projects or your understanding of the Pakistani market, if applicable. For instance, if you specialize in branding for local businesses, mention it.

Step 2: Building an Irresistible Portfolio

Your portfolio is the heart of your Behance presence. It’s where you display your work, and it needs to be nothing short of exceptional to attract freelance design clients.

Quality Over Quantity: Don’t upload every single project you’ve ever done. Curate your portfolio to include only your strongest, most professional, and most recent work. Aim for 5-10 outstanding projects to start.
Focus on Your Niche: If you specialize in a particular area (e.g., UI/UX, branding, illustration), ensure a majority of your projects reflect that niche. This helps you attract clients looking for specific expertise.
Create Detailed Project Case Studies: This is crucial for attracting freelance design clients. For each project, don’t just show the final output. Explain the following:
- The Problem/Brief: What challenge was the client facing? Even for personal projects, define a hypothetical problem.
- Your Role: Clearly state what your specific contribution was.
- The Process: Show sketches, wireframes, mood boards, iterations, and rejected concepts. This demonstrates your thought process and problem-solving skills.
- The Solution: Present the final design.
- The Impact/Results: How did your design solve the problem? Did it lead to increased sales, better user experience, or improved brand recognition? Quantify if possible.
Use High-Quality Visuals: Behance is a visual platform. Use stunning, professional-grade mockups, high-resolution images, and clear layouts. Avoid pixelated or poorly presented work.
Optimize Project Titles and Descriptions with Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your project titles and descriptions that potential clients might search for. For example, “Minimalist Logo Design for Tech Startup,” “E-commerce Website UI/UX Redesign,” or “Modern Brand Identity for Pakistani Restaurant.”
Add Project Tags: Utilize all relevant tags that describe your project, style, and industry. This increases visibility in Behance’s search and discovery features.

Common Mistake: Uploading only final images without any context or process. Clients want to see how you think and solve problems, not just the end result.

Pakistani Context Tip: If you’ve worked with local businesses or on projects relevant to the Pakistani culture, highlight them. This can resonate with local freelance design clients.

Step 3: Engaging with the Behance Community

Behance isn’t just a static portfolio site; it’s a dynamic community. Engaging with other designers and their work can significantly boost your visibility and attract freelance design clients.

Appreciate Projects: When you see a project you like, click the “Appreciate” button. This is a quick way to show support.
Leave Thoughtful Comments: Don’t just type “Nice work.” Instead, provide constructive feedback or express genuine admiration. For example, “Love how you approached the typography in this branding project; the color palette is also very refreshing!”
Follow Other Designers: Follow designers whose work inspires you or who are in your niche. This keeps their projects in your feed and shows them you’re engaged.
Curate Moodboards/Collections: Create public moodboards on Behance with projects you admire. This can also serve as a way to show your aesthetic sense to potential freelance design clients.
Share Your Work: Utilize Behance’s sharing features to post your projects on other social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. This drives external traffic back to your Behance profile.

Common Mistake: Treating Behance as a “set it and forget it” platform. Consistent engagement is key to staying relevant and discovered.

Pakistani Context Tip: Connect with other Pakistani designers. This can lead to collaborations, referrals, and insights into the local market for freelance design clients.

Step 4: Leveraging Behance’s Features for Client Acquisition

Behance offers specific features designed to help you connect with freelance design clients. Knowing how to use these effectively can make a significant difference.

Enable “Hire Me” Button: Ensure this option is activated in your profile settings. This is a direct call to action for potential clients.
Respond Promptly to Messages: When a client contacts you through Behance, reply as quickly and professionally as possible. A quick response shows you are serious and reliable.
Understand the “Freelance Projects” Feature: Behance sometimes features a “Freelance Projects” section where clients can post design jobs. Keep an eye on this section and apply to relevant projects that match your skills. While not always a direct job board, being familiar with how clients interact with the platform is valuable.
Utilize SEO within Projects and Profile: Just like Google, Behance has its own search algorithm. Use descriptive keywords in your project titles, descriptions, and profile bio. Think about what a client might type into the search bar to find a designer like you. For instance, if you specialize in “logo design for startups,” ensure these terms are present.
Be Consistent with Uploads: While quality is paramount, consistent uploading of new projects or updates to existing ones keeps your profile fresh and signals to Behance that you are active. This can positively impact your visibility.

Common Mistake: Not having the “Hire Me” button enabled or ignoring messages from potential clients. Every inquiry is an opportunity.

Pakistani Context Tip: Be mindful of time zones if you’re targeting international clients. A prompt response within their working hours can make a big difference.

Step 5: Presenting Your Work Professionally Beyond the Design

The way you present your design work on Behance is just as important as the design itself. A stunning presentation can elevate even a good design to a great one, capturing the attention of freelance design clients.

Use Mockups Wisely: Mockups help clients visualize your designs in real-world scenarios. Use high-quality, professional mockups that enhance your work, rather than distract from it. Don’t overdo it with too many mockups or ones that are too complex.
Maintain Visual Hierarchy: Guide the viewer’s eye through your project. Use clear headings, organized sections, and sufficient white space. Don’t cram too much information or too many images into one section.
Consistent Branding: Even on Behance, maintain a consistent personal brand. Use consistent fonts, colors, and presentation styles across all your projects. This shows professionalism and a clear aesthetic.
Proofread Everything: Before publishing, carefully proofread all your project descriptions, titles, and profile information. Grammatical errors or typos can undermine your professionalism.
Consider Animation/Video: For UI/UX projects, motion graphics, or branding, a short, well-made video or GIF showcasing interactions or the brand in action can be incredibly impactful.

Common Mistake: Sloppy presentation, inconsistent branding within projects, or poor image quality. These can make even excellent designs look amateurish.

Pakistani Context Tip: If you’re designing for local brands, consider how your mockups might feature local elements or contexts, making the work more relatable for Pakistani freelance design clients.

Step 6: Marketing Yourself Beyond Behance – Broadening Your Reach

While Behance is a powerful platform, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. To truly maximize your chances of getting freelance design clients, you need a holistic marketing strategy.

Share on Social Media: Regularly share links to your new Behance projects on professional platforms like LinkedIn, and visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Use relevant hashtags.
Personal Website/Portfolio: While Behance is great, having your own dedicated website gives you full control over your brand and allows for deeper integration of testimonials, pricing, and contact forms. You can easily link your Behance projects to your website.
Networking (Online and Offline): Join Facebook groups for Pakistani freelancers or designers. Attend local design workshops, seminars, or meetups in cities like Lahore, Karachi, or Islamabad. Word-of-mouth referrals are incredibly powerful in Pakistan.
Freelance Marketplaces: Consider having a presence on other freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. While different from Behance, these can provide a consistent stream of initial projects and help build your client base and testimonials.
Email Signature: Include a link to your Behance profile in your professional email signature.
Business Cards: For any in-person networking, ensure your business card has your Behance profile URL.

Common Mistake: Relying solely on Behance for client acquisition. A multi-channel approach is always more effective.

Pakistani Context Tip: Actively participate in local freelance groups and online communities. Many Pakistani clients prefer to work with local designers due to ease of communication and understanding of local nuances.

Step 7: Continuous Improvement and Learning

The design industry is constantly evolving. To consistently attract freelance design clients, especially in a competitive market like Pakistan, you need to commit to lifelong learning.

Follow Industry Leaders: Follow prominent designers, studios, and design blogs. See what’s new and what’s gaining traction.
Take Online Courses: Platforms offer numerous courses on new software, design principles, or niche skills. Invest in yourself.
Experiment with New Styles/Tools: Don’t be afraid to try out new design styles or software. This keeps your portfolio fresh and expands your capabilities.
Request Feedback: Ask trusted peers or mentors for constructive criticism on your Behance projects. An outside perspective can highlight areas for improvement.
Update Old Projects: If you have older projects that are still strong but could benefit from a fresh presentation, consider updating their mockups or adding more process details.
Analyze Your Behance Analytics: If you have access, check which projects are getting the most views or appreciations. This can give you insights into what resonates with your audience and potential clients.

Common Mistake: Becoming complacent. What worked last year might not work today. The design world moves quickly.

Pakistani Context Tip: Consider taking courses or workshops from local design institutions or online platforms that offer localized content. This can help you understand the specific design needs and cultural considerations within Pakistan.

Conclusion

Behance is a phenomenal platform for freelance designers in Pakistan looking to expand their client base. It’s more than just a portfolio; it’s a dynamic community and a powerful marketing tool. By meticulously crafting your profile, showcasing your best work with detailed case studies, actively engaging with the community, and strategically leveraging its features, you can significantly increase your chances of attracting high-quality freelance design clients.

Remember, success on Behance, and in freelancing generally, doesn’t happen overnight. It requires consistent effort, a commitment to quality, and a proactive approach to self-promotion. Keep learning, keep creating, and keep perfecting your presence. With dedication, your Behance profile can become a powerful engine for your freelance design career right here in Pakistan.

Resources

Creative Tools & Platforms for Designers and Freelancers

Behance – Showcase your portfolio and attract potential clients globally.
Adobe Creative Cloud – Industry-standard suite for graphic design, video editing, photography, and more.

Social Platforms for Sharing & Networking

LinkedIn – Professional networking and career development.
Instagram – Share creative projects and grow a visual brand.
Pinterest – Inspire and attract through visual discovery and mood boards.

Freelance Job Platforms

Upwork – Find freelance projects across various creative and technical domains.
Fiverr – Offer your services through pre-packaged gigs to clients worldwide.

Online Course Platforms

Coursera – Learn from universities and industry experts.
Udemy – Affordable courses for creatives and professionals.
Domestika – High-quality creative classes with a global community.