How to Get Your First Ads Client (Without Connections)

Most "how to get clients" advice assumes you already know people. If you're starting from zero in PH, that's not helpful.

Here are 5 paths that actually work.

TL;DR

Path 1: Audit-to-client pipeline.

Path 2: Internship or junior role at an agency.

Path 3: PH Facebook group involvement.

Path 4: Upwork/Onlinejobs.ph entry-level gigs.

Path 5: Build content to attract inbound.

Pick 2 paths. Run both for 90 days.

Path 1: Audit-to-client pipeline

Find businesses with weak ads. Offer a free audit. Convert to paid management.

Where to find

Filipino Facebook groups (Filipino Entrepreneurs, Shopify Philippines).

LinkedIn (founders posting about marketing).

Cold email founders of small Shopify brands.

Your past job's network (former colleagues now starting their own brands).

The audit

Free audit: 2-page document highlighting issues + recommendations.

30-min discovery call.

Pitch: ₱20K–₱40K/month management.

Conversion rate

Realistic: 1 paid client per 10 audits delivered.

So plan to do 30+ audits to get your first 3 clients.

Path 2: Agency internship

PH agencies hiring junior media buyers:

BBDO Manila.

Niche Manila.

Cookies Brands.

Various smaller agencies.

Apply to 10–20. Land interview at 2–3.

Pay: ₱20K–₱40K/month junior. Worth it for:

Real account exposure.

Learning structured systems.

Network.

After 6–12 months: leave for freelance with a portfolio + case studies (with permission).

Path 3: PH Facebook group involvement

Active in:

Filipino Entrepreneurs.

Shopify Philippines.

E-commerce Philippines.

Specific niches (Fashion Sellers PH, Skincare Brands PH).

Provide value:

Answer questions (without selling).

Share tactical posts (case studies, templates).

Comment thoughtfully on others' posts.

Over 60–90 days, members notice you. Inbound DMs start.

Don't pitch in posts. Provide value. People will ask you for help.

Path 4: Upwork / Onlinejobs.ph

Lower-paying entry but real client experience.

Upwork

Bid on $200–$500 fixed-price gigs initially.

Build feedback (5-star reviews matter).

Graduate to $30–$80/hour roles within 6 months.

Onlinejobs.ph

Filipino-specific platform.

PH-rates jobs (₱15K–₱40K/month).

Less competition than Upwork.

Both are race-to-the-bottom on price initially. Use them to build resume + portfolio, then leave.

Path 5: Content marketing inbound

Slowest but highest-quality clients.

LinkedIn

Post 2–3 times/week on:

Specific tactics that worked.

Mistakes you've seen.

Case studies.

PH-specific market commentary.

After 3–6 months: regular inbound.

Twitter (X)

Same approach. Filipino tech/business audience growing here.

Personal website

Case studies, blog posts, tactical guides.

Newsletter

Build email list (1K+ takes 6 months). Convert subscribers to consultations.

Inbound clients pay 2–3x outbound clients on average.

Pricing your first client

Don't undersell — but also don't overprice.

First client: charge what you can defensibly explain

If your portfolio is dummy-account work: ₱15K–₱25K/month.

If you have agency experience but no freelance portfolio: ₱25K–₱40K.

If you have past results from internship: ₱30K–₱50K.

Don't go below ₱10K/month

Anyone charging ₱5K is dabbling, not professional. You don't want to compete there.

Pitch structure

For cold outreach (LinkedIn or email):

```

Subject: Quick question about [their brand] ads

Hi [name],

I noticed [specific observation about their ads/site/growth].

I help [type of brand] grow ROAS by 20–40% in 90 days. Recently [case study with numbers].

If you're open to a free 20-min audit, I can show you 2–3 specific opportunities I see in your account.

Worth a chat?

[Your name]

```

Specific, value-led, low-friction ask. Not "I'm a media buyer, hire me."

Common rejection reasons

"We have an agency."

Reply: "Awesome. If you ever want a second opinion on performance, happy to do a free audit."

Plant seed. Some return in 6 months when current agency disappoints.

"Send your portfolio."

Have one ready. Even if it's dummy-account work, present it well.

"What's your rate?"

Have anchored pricing ready ("₱30K/month for management of one brand"). Don't fumble.

"Too expensive."

Either client isn't ready (move on) or your pitch didn't communicate value (improve next time).

What to do in week 1

If you're starting from zero:

Day 1: Set up LinkedIn, Onlinejobs.ph profile, Upwork profile.

Day 2: Join 5 PH Facebook groups, observe.

Day 3: Identify 20 potential audit targets.

Day 4: Send 5 audit emails.

Day 5: Apply to 5 agency junior roles.

Day 6: Post first LinkedIn content.

Day 7: Repeat outreach.

Keep cadence for 90 days minimum. First clients usually arrive between weeks 6–12.

Common mistakes

1. Waiting to "feel ready"

You won't. Start before perfect.

2. Pricing too low

₱5K/month signals junior forever.

3. Trying to do all 5 paths

Focus on 2. Otherwise spread thin.

4. Quitting too early

90 days is the minimum. Most quit at 30.

5. Bad communication

Slow replies, typos, generic pitches. Quality of communication separates winners.

Want help building skills first?

The Facebook Ads Course Philippines and Google Ads Course Philippines give you the technical foundation. Then it's outreach.

Related reading:

How to Become a Media Buyer in the Philippines

Freelance Media Buyer Pricing Philippines

Working With International Clients