10 Marketing Tips for Freelance Writers

I was scheduled to give a talk last week about marketing for freelance writers.  The other presentations ran overtime, so I didn’t get a chance to speak after all. However, I still spent a lot of time during meals and recreation discussing the various ways freelance writers can market themselves. I learned marketing means different things to different people. For some it’s becoming a famous name on the web, for others, it’s about getting more work and landing lucrative contracts.  Either way,  it takes a lot of effort and shameless self promotion.

If you want your career to take off in a big way, or if you want to make a name for yourself online, maybe some of these tips can help. These are my methods for networking and they worked well for me.

10 Marketing Tips for Freelance Writers

Note: This isn’t about building traffic, this is about building up your name, your contact list and advancing your career.

1. Treat Your Name as Your Brand

Having a heavy online presence means your reputation is everything.  Treat your name as if it’s a brand. Every job you accept, every business you promote, every client you work with all have a direct bearing on who you are and what people think of you. Carefully weigh every decision. If you don’t have your good name, what’s left?

2. Build Your Online Presence

Nowadays it’s not enough to have a blog or website. An online presence means websites, blogs, social networking and communicating online in a big way. If you’ve been reluctant to embrace some of the less traditional forms of marketing, you’re only hurting yourself. To say, “I’m never going to try FaceBook” or “I’m staying away from Twitter on principle” is fine, but what are you protesting? Social media contains some important networking tools. To avoid them is to miss out on an enormous opportunity.

2. Network with Professionals in Your Area

Many areas host professional luncheons or cocktail hours. Attend some of these events to meet the people who are in a position to hire freelancers. Possible employment isn’t the only reason to attend, and no one likes to hang around with a walking sales pitch. Talking to other professionals gives you a good idea of what’s going on in the real world. What is the market like? What businesses are doing well? Which business are doing poorly? Learning all you can about your local economy and the businesses in your neighborhood, will give you a good idea of who is likely to hire and which businesses are low on funds.

3. Attend Conferences, Summits, Meetups and Tweetups

Conferences are amazing networking and promotional opportunities.  All the people in your industry are gathered in one place and they’re very interested in what you do! Meet the movers and shakers in your field, attend classes, workshops and sessions from the best in the business, and receive new product and service demos. Conferences can be expensive, but they’re generally worth every penny.

4. Prepare Some Promotional Material

When you’re attending conferences and networking events, how are you presenting yourself? How are others remembering you? Create some promotional material such as a business card or brochure. Hand these out to the people you meet. They may not call you right away, but having your name on file could mean they call you first – before taking out an ad to attract others.

5. Advertise Online and Offline

Websites and blogs are perfect for advertising your services but not everyone wants to spend time doing a web search for writers in their area. Think of the different places you can advertise. The local newspaper, church bulletin, Pennysaver, local magazines and area guides are affordable alternatives to taking out a huge ad in the phone directory or major newspaper. Put your details on an index card at the laundry mat and coffee shop. Not everyone is going to need a freelance writer, but maybe one out of 20 people who see your ad will respond.

6. Research Your Target Markets

The question “what do you write” or “who do you want to write for” isn’t always and easy questions. Many writers have no idea what to do beyond what they’ve been doing to survive. Think about your ideal writing gig and research what this type of job will entail. Find out as much as you can about this type of job including the people who are hiring, and the people who are doing this kind of writing. Get to know them all. Network.

7. Define Your Niche

Being a generalist works well but defining a niche can mean the difference between “writer” and “expert.” When you specialize, you’re more likely to attract the attention of businesses and individuals looking to hire in these areas. Consider this, would a business that provides sustainable materials for builder be more likely to hire a generalist to write his web and promotional copy, or someone who is well versed in sustainable matters? Defining your niche doesn’t mean you have to stop writing for other places, but establishing your expertise means a better chance of being hired – and earning more money – in those areas you know best. Having a niche allows for more networking and marketing industry. For example, a generalist might market at events geared towards writers, but someone who specializes food can also attend networking and promotional events having to do with restaurants, catering, desserts, meat, vegetarianism and more.

8. Collaborate with Other Freelancers

Don’t underestimate the power of the collaboration. If you’re not getting ahead on your own, it won’t hurt to team up with others. Project up with a web designer and provide design and content services, take some overflow projects from other freelancers, write some ebooks and courses or blog together. Find others in your niche and see how you can get together and rock.

9. Join a Professional Organization

Professional organizations impress clients and look great on the resume. They also provide tremendous opportunities to learn and network.  Many of these organizations also have areas online for social networking.

10. Always Follow Up

I’m a firm believer in the follow up. If you give someone your card, follow up. If you talk to someone about possibly writing, follow up. If there’s a remote chance for work, follow up. Never leave it up to the other person, if he’s busy he might shove it to the backburner. Take the initiative and follow up.

Please share your best marketing tips in the comments. If you disagree with any of the above, please share why!

This post is sponsored by Demand Studios