Steady, recurring work is the stuff of dreams for freelancers.

But what’s less clear is exactly how to get there. How can you get clients to come back to you again and again—ideally on a predictable basis?

I don’t compliment myself often, but I’ll give credit where it’s due: This is something I’ve done pretty well in my own freelance business.

I work on a reliable and consistent cadence with the vast majority of my clients, and many of them have stuck with me for years.

And here’s where things get extra impressive: Most of those ongoing relationships started with a single, one-off assignment. I managed to turn that ad-hoc project into a steady engagement.

So let’s get to the part you really want to know: How did I do it? Here are a few tips to help you go from random work to repeatable revenue: 

1. Do solid work. It should go without saying, but gosh, I still had to say it. Clients will only want to come back if you do a good job with the first project (no matter how small). 

2. Ask for more. This tip is deceptively simple, but I’m eternally shocked by the number of freelancers who don’t explicitly ask for what they want. Remember, you don’t get what you don’t ask for. 

As strange as it sounds, it might not even occur to clients that you’re interested in taking on more work from them. So, once you’ve wrapped up a successful first project, try saying something like this: 

“I really enjoyed working on this project with you! If  you have more upcoming work that could use a freelancer, I’d love to take it on.” 

It’s short, simple, and direct. And while it might not immediately translate to steadily recurring work, the more random projects you take on (and do well), the higher your chances of being their go-to person moving forward. 

3. Pitch a new idea. Sometimes clients don’t even know what they need—and you might have the opportunity to tell them.

I’ll give you an example of how I approach this as a writer: Perhaps they assigned me an article and, as I researched and pulled together that post, I uncovered an interesting angle or relevant study that could lend itself to a follow-up article or a new piece.

When I turn in my project or draft, I’ll also pitch the related idea and ask if they’re interested in having me work on it. Even if the answer is no, I don’t think that level of initiative ever hurts. 

4. Give priority treatment. My recurring clients get priority treatment in my schedule and workload. I slot their assignments into the earlier part of my calendar. I give them faster turnaround times. I address their revisions with more urgency. You get the gist.

Here’s the kicker: Sometimes I’ll straight up tell my ad-hoc clients that signing on for steadier work gets them that level of VIP treatment. 

For example, if they send me a random, one-off project and ask if I can submit it within two weeks, I’ll say something like this: 

Hey [Name],

I’m happy to take this on, provided there’s flexibility with the two-week timeframe. I can have the draft over to you by [Date] if that works.

As a heads up, my recurring clients get priority in my schedule. So, if you’re ever interested in working together on a steadier basis (for example, committing to two posts per month), I can plan for your work in advance—and that means faster turnaround times, predictable submissions, quicker revisions, and a smoother process for both of us.

Let me know if that’s of interest (and, of course, if you have any questions)!

All the best,

Kat 

One-off projects don’t have to be random blips in your calendar—they can be the gateway to steadier work and more predictable revenue.

So, if you’ve previously felt stuck on how to transform ad-hoc assignments into something more stable, I hope these tips help you (and your clients) make the leap!