Hi Jeff,
Firstly, let me apologise for taking so long to respond. I have been out of action, healing from a ruptured disk in my back.
In answer to your question . . . Yes. I think it’s important for freelance writers to continually market themselves. This will ensure you have a steady flow of work. It will also enable you to break into new markets and expand your list of services. This is important, not only for your long-term success but also to keep you fresh. I have been writing professionally for more than 20 years, and I stay fresh by working for a variety of clients, producing a range of work from PR releases, newsletters and brochures to video scripts, speeches and advertisements.
So, how do you begin? Here’s six steps to get you moving in the right direction:
1. Develop a folio of work and prove your worth.
This is chicken-and-egg stuff. You need samples of your work, known as a folio, to gain work ~ and you need work to begin building a folio. So to get started, approach people you know in business. These can be family or friends. Offer your services at a low cost or, if you have to, at no cost. I am not suggesting you make a career out of working for free. I am only suggesting this approach if you cannot find paid work. If you don't know of anyone in business, try various volunteer organizations, churches and social groups. It's important to remind yourself that you are in a training phase, and that usually comes at a cost. In this case, the cost could be working for a reduced rate.
2. Collect testimonials ~ let clients tell other how good you are.
Once you have completed one or more jobs, seek testimonials from your clients. This will help support your growing folio and give potential clients confidence in your work. Once you have been in business for a while, you may find that you receive referrals and testimonials without even asking for them. That's what happens to me. This is generally far more powerful than asking for them, and it's a great vote of confidence in your abilities.
3. Check out the job classifieds.
No doubt you are already doing this ~ but don't limit yourself to jobs for journalists, freelancers, PR or marketing writers ~ check out sales and marketing roles. If a company is expanding its sales force it will more than likely need marketing collateral, an ongoing PR program or maybe just some overload communications services. Be proactive, write to the Marketing Manager, CEO, Managing Director or Sales Manager (whoever is more appropriate), offering your services. But don't wait by the phone, call them within a few days of mailing the letter.
4. Keep up with the news.
When you see news of a company launching a new product, branching out into a new region or field, put them on your prospect list for the same reason as above. They may need your help.
5. Turn a negative into a positive.
The experts are still talking negative about the economy. Are we headed for a recession, a soft landing or a hard one. Either way you slice it, it spells doom for full-time employees. Often, marketing departments are the first hit when times get tough. But recessions mean companies have to work harder to maintain market share ~ so there's plenty of opportunities for freelancers. I started my PR and marketing business at the height of a recession, and it went from strength to strength.
6. Publicize yourself.
You know how to write, you're learning how to conduct PR and marketing for others, but what about promoting yourself? Develop a company brochure, detailing the features and benefits of working with you. Include a list of services (eg news releases, direct mail letters, advertising copywriting, speeches, events, newsletters and brochures).
Well, Jeff, that’s my six steps to kick-starting your writing business.
Now all you need to decide is WHEN you are ready to write for business and write your own ticket.
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Michael Meanwell
michael@meanwellstore.com
Author of the e-books
~ 'The Enterprising Writer'
~ 'Writers on Writing'
~ 'Quote Unquote'
Download my ebooks at:
http://www.meanwellstore.com
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