How Do You Market Yourself As a Freelance Writer?
January 3, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
Writing is only a small part of being a freelance writer. One also needs to troll tirelessly for jobs and market oneself. Marketing means lots of different things to lots of different people, but basically it’s how you put yourself out there and the image you present to potential clients.
Freelance Writing is Not for the Shy!
If I told you I was shy would you believe me? I am. One of the hardest parts of getting started was letting people know I exist. Self esteem issues also continue to get in the way. Am I good enough to apply for this gig? Even now when I receive an acceptance I still can’t believe I got the job over a much better writer. My clients don’t know I have these issues because I don’t let them. Don’t be shy and don’t let your self esteem get in the way. Take a deep breath and apply for those gigs. In between applications get out there and toot your horn.
Recently a fellow blogger sort of offhandedly mentioned that I put myself out there and he’s a little sick of seeing me in top 10 lists and interviews. You know what? I worked hard for my reputation and my self promotion made me and this blog a success. I make no apologies. I got over my shyness and put myself out there.
Here’s how I did it:
Cold Calling
Throughout 2006 I began aligning myself with local graphic and web design firms. I know from working for a graphic design firm 10 years ago, these places hire freelance writers all the time. So I called every firm I could find in a 20 mile radius. For every five I called, 3 had all the writers they needed and two said they would keep my information on file. After calling about 100 firms, I gained about a dozen new clients. Some were one off gigs, and two became good, steady sources of income. I hate cold calling. That’s the beauty of the Internet, but not all of the good gigs are online. It’s the cold-call clients that paid off the most.
Social Networking
Many of you came to FWJ because you know me from a writing forum, Twitter, or because I comment on your blogs. I give credit for my success as a blogger to social networking.
Some writers claim success from social networking sites such as Facebook or Linked In. I have accounts with each but never set them up or use them, so I can’t offer a decent testimonial. Participating in discussions works better for me than sending links around. Still, I can’t deny the power of social networking.
Blogs and Websites
I think it’s safe to say I owe most of my success to this blog. Anyone looking to hire me for a gig can find out everything he wants to know about me here. He can see my writing style, learn how I approach gigs, my favorite types of jobs and my work ethic.
Many writers prefer to use a website as a sort of online resume or portfolio and that’s fine too. Publishers and editors generally aren’t trolling the Internet for new talent, but I did have a few clients find me through this blog while they were looking for something else. Plus you can link to your blogs and websites as signatures in cover letters and correspondences so a potential client can visit and learn more about you.
Conferences
I hesitated before attending Blog World Expo in November. The idea of traveling alone and meeting people on my own was scary. I swallowed my shyness and did it anyway. I met new lifelong friends, important business contacts and attended many useful seminars. I don’t know what I was so afraid of, but now I can’t wait until the next one!
Sure, you can just submit your work to anonymous web portals but anonymity doesn’t equal success. If you want the good gigs, if you want to get your name out there, you’re going to have to toot your horn a bit. I know some writers and bloggers who can’t stand me for it, but I can’t deny it works.
How do you market yourself and your writing?
- Why You Should Consider Cold Calling to Find Work
- The Best of FWJ: 15 Posts About Finding the Best Freelance Writing Opportunities
- Between Gigs? 20 Things Freelance Writers Can Do to Keep Busy When There’s No Work
- 10 Reasons Face to Face Networking is Important for Landing Freelance Writing Clients
- 10 Necessary Reasons for Social Networking
The bottom line is “Get to know people!” It doesn’t matter how you do it, but spending a lot of time chatting in person or online in a directed way, with people who might possibly hire you or know people who will, is the hot tip. That, and having a web based portfolio to point people to.
I’m not sure about the rest of it, as I get all my biz through knowing most of Saint Paul. It’s a small town, so it’s not hard. Oh, and there’s this internet thingy I keep hearing about.
Most of my clients were picked up through my main website. Three weeks ago, in a post, I mentioned I would be offering my services as a freelance writer. I was contacted by two of my readers. They are now my clients.
I receive a lot of emails from businesses wanting to advertise on my main website. I usually turn them down. I do keep them on file. I followed up with two of those businesses two weeks ago. I picked up two more clients.
I also picked up clients through my main business. I’m a business owner, and I send newsletters on a monthly basis. I usually include a personal note about myself when I send out my newsletter. A few weeks ago I mentioned that I could be hired as a freelance writer. I’ve picked up three clients from my business.
In three weeks, I picked up seven clients through my personal blogs and business website. They’re paying me well. Freelance writing is not my full-time job, but I’m enjoying it immensely.
I’ve don’t actively market, although I’ve received decent paying gigs from my blog and Associated Content. I plan to take my business to the next level this year, therefore, I might look into a few marketing techniques.
Network, network, network… Make friends that become clients… Tell everyone what you do and not just, “I’m a writer.” Tell them you’re a web content expert or a freelance magazine article pro or something that leaves a great impression. Carry business cards everywhere and hand them out at the drop of a hat. Tell everyone what you do. Always offer, “I can help you with that!” the minute you see the chance.
(Deb – why the change from full feed to exerpts? ARGH!!)
Ditto to what Erik and James said.
Also, as Erik mentioned, despite the move to online communications, the phone is much more personable and provides me with more work than the Internet ever has.
Oh god, the phone… If I could rip it out of the wall and throw it in a snowbank, I would. The telephone – after the client has been secured – is one of the hugest time-suckers in the world. One of our moves for 2008 is to turn telephone calls into a billable service because a 1-hour conversation could’ve been solved with a three-minute succinct email.
But I digress. Yes, the phone is great for cold-calling!
I’m actually not shy, but the thought of cold calling is very stressful. I’m wondering if I should just do it to get myself out of my comfort zone. But, there are so many other methods of promotion, I’m not sure it even matters. Excellent post!
Does cold-calling really work in this business? My first job after high school was a reception, and I was trained to blow-off cold callers and sales people. I guess you would have to contact businesses that have a specific need for writers.
I understand how you feel Deb – the self esteem issues, the shyness. I came to freelancing backwards, because I wrote fiction first, and it is easy to hide facets of yourself within the characters. Sometimes I feel like a raw nerve. I plan to stand on my own two freelancing feet this year and roll with the punches. Part of the problem lies with the issues we deal with as women in the workforce that have been discussed on your site. If we don’t demand better wages or better treatment we’ll never get it.
@ Valencia – Yes, it does work and no, you do not have to contact businesses with specific needs for writers, because if you think about it, the written word is everywhere and all businesses need writers. Look at the highway billboards. Look at restaurant menus. Sale signs. You name it.
@ Ellen – Sometimes, those writers who are shy and who don’t like to deal with clients or people one on one often join a team of writers or a freelance writing business.
Speaking of conferences, does anyone have a link to a calendar of writing and blogging conferences?
While social networking is amazingly useful, I want to put a plug in for real live networking, as well. I’m a bit shy — I have as much trouble showing up places and introducing myself as cold calling, but I’ve gotten some amazing opportunities through Meetups and other in-person events.
OO, good post, Deb! This is exactly what I needed
Thursday, how does one organize or find real meetups?
I’m also wondering about cold calling. I’m willing to get out of my comfort zone, but I don’t know where to start. Who’s looking for freelancers and what kinds of experience should I have before contacting these firms? How do I prepare myself?
I’m sorry for all the questions, but I’m so new to marketing.
New writer,
I don’t cold call, but rather “warm” call, trying at least to build a small relationship first.
Our plan in moving forward for 2008 is very much about stepping outside of our comfort zone. Thanks for these suggestions on ways to do it.
I love’d the kick in the pants to do some cold calling. Hearing that it has worked, is inspirational.
I send out quarterly emails to everyone that I have a potential writing relationship with. The emails are fun to read tips for business and showcase my marketing and writing expertise. It keeps me in people’s minds so they are more likely to think of me when they hear about a job.
I also find LinkedIn a great place to post your resume. I have received great contacts and jobs through it. I’d love to hear more about how other people have used it. I know it has great potential for even more than I’ve gotten out of it.
@jcm – amen! Tell everyone about your writing, and carry business cards. This is really true for any business, but especially in writing…everyone needs writers.
Also: I landed a great gig b/c one of my (non-writing related) blog readers saw a post that said I was bored. He knew I was a writer because I had talked about it, and liked my writing style. Consider every piece of written word that you put out marketing…including these comments.
I agree 100% about alliances with web designers and graphic designers. My strongest leads come from alliances.
I hate cold calling and I even tried direct mail to all the local designers.
I found the best and most natural way to build alliances was through networking events. By getting to know and trust each other we have built up a relationship that naturally converts to cross referrals.
That said – watch the events you attend. You can spend all your life at networking events. Pick one or two events and go to them regularly to form deep relationships rather that going to everything brandishing business cards and competing to see how many you can collect!
Exuberantly yours!
Ingrid
Thank You! Sheesh! I should have commented here before going backwards to comment on another discussion! Either way, I whole heartedly realize that I need to step up the Marketing. Like you said Deb, marketing can mean many things it’s nice to see some of the ways that people market and I think that marketing can be a daunting task if you don’t have a plan in place for it.
You’re a mind-reader, Deb; I’ve just been thinking about how I need to team up with some graphic designers to rustle up work.
Can you give us an idea of the pitch you used when you called? Did you just introduce yourself, or was there a more specific angle to your call?
Thanks for this! It’s a great kick in the pants for the new year.
many pr companies use freelancers to write their press releases, marketing copy etc. The big advantage is that when they get new business, they may be inclined to pass some of the writing work to you. Could keep you real busy. And their rates are not bad either.
New Writer,
I’ve found plenty on Meetup.com. I’ve also managed to meet several people in my area through LinkedIn, and we’ve met in person since then.