How to Get Your First Client With No Portfolio
By Kamal Abdelrahman, filmmaker and marketing strategist, Dubai
It's the classic trap. You need a portfolio to get clients, and you need clients to build a portfolio. So you sit and wait, and nothing happens.
Here's the secret: you don't need a client to start doing the work. You just need to do the work. Here's how I'd get out of that loop.
Step 1: Make three pieces for nobody
Don't wait for permission. Make the work you'd want to be hired for, even if nobody's paying.
- → Want to shoot real estate? Film a friend's apartment as if it's a listing.
- → Want to make brand films? Make a short one about a local café, and give it to them for free.
- → Want to edit? Take free stock footage, and cut it into a trailer.
- → Want to design? Rebrand a shop you think needs it, as an exercise. Label it as a concept.
Three strong pieces are enough. Nobody needs fifty. Just be honest about what's what. Call it a personal project or a concept. Never pretend that a brand hired you when it didn't.
Step 2: Do one or two free projects, on purpose
Free work has a bad reputation, and sometimes it deserves it. But at the start, one or two carefully chosen projects can change everything. Pick them using these rules:
- → It's something you actually want to do more of.
- → The person is well connected, or respected in the community.
- → You agree on a limited scope. One video, not "ongoing support."
- → You'll get a testimonial and permission to show the work.
Good options include a small business you love, a nonprofit or a festival. A lot of my early experience came from working with the Alexandria Short Film Festival team. It wasn't about the money. Those two years taught me how to work under pressure, and they gave me proof that I could do it.
Step 3: Tell everyone what you do
Your first client probably won't find you on Google. It'll likely be someone who already knows you, or someone they know.
Most people are too embarrassed to say anything. Get over that. Message your friends, your family, your old colleagues and your classmates. Keep it simple:
"Hey, I've started making videos for small businesses. Here's something I made recently. If you know anyone who needs this, I'd love an introduction."
That's it. You're not begging. You're telling people. The best opportunities often come from conversations, not cold pitches.
Step 4: Solve a problem you can see
Don't ask, "Do you need a videographer?" Everyone will say no. Look for someone with an obvious problem instead.
A restaurant with terrible photos. An agent with no videos. A gym whose Instagram hasn't been updated in eight months. Send them a short, specific note, with an idea:
"Hi Sara, I really like your gym. I noticed you've got no videos of your classes on Instagram. I think a 20-second Reel of your morning class would do really well. Here's an example of something similar I made. Would you be open to a quick chat?"
Notice that it's about them, it's specific, and it's easy to reply to. Send ten of these a week. Most won't answer. You only need one.
Step 5: Post your work in public
Share what you're learning. Post your projects and your process. You don't need to be an expert to do this. "I'm learning to film real estate, and here's what I tried this week" can be genuinely interesting.
You'll build a trail of proof, and you'll stay in people's minds. Someone who's seen you improve for six months already trusts you. Also, write a proper LinkedIn profile and collect recommendations, starting with the people you've helped.
Step 6: Price your first job sensibly
Don't charge nothing, and don't charge top rates. Be open that you're building your portfolio, and offer a fair starting price for a clearly defined piece of work. Taking money, even a small amount, changes how both of you treat the project.
Put it in writing, even if it's just a clear WhatsApp message or an email: what you'll do, when you'll do it, how many changes you'll make and how much it costs. And take a deposit.
Step 7: Over-deliver, then ask
Your first client's most important role isn't paying you. It's what they do next. So treat that project as if it's your biggest.
- → Reply quickly
- → Deliver early, if you can
- → Add one small thing they didn't expect
- → Ask how the content performed
When it's done, ask for two things: a short testimonial, and "Do you know anyone else who might need this?" Your second client is usually a lot easier than your first.
What you don't need yet
- → A fancy website
- → A business card
- → A new camera
- → A perfect logo
- → Ten more online courses
These all feel like work, and they're just ways to avoid sending that scary message.
Just start
I'm Kamal Abdelrahman. Today I've got 500+ videos behind me, and recommendations from real estate directors and marketing heads. But there was a day when I had none of that. I just had a camera and a festival team willing to give me a chance. Nobody starts with a portfolio. You start with one project.
Pick one business near you today, and find one obvious problem you could solve. Then send one message.
Looking for this kind of work? See personal branding in Dubai.