Marketing Non-Stop

For the past 31 days, I’ve been anxiously awaiting each post from Thursday Bram’s special series “Market Your Freelance Writing in 31 Days.” Thursday provides freelance writers with FREE marketing tips to locate clients in need of their services. Many new freelance writers neglect marketing because they find the process intimidating. In most cases the real problem is that they just aren’t sure how to get started.

In order to be successful as a freelance writer, you’ll need to market your services on a regular basis. I’ll even go so far as to say that you should be marketing 24/7. It’s a lot easier to get started than you might think and your marketing campaign doesn’t have to be complicated or cost you an arm and a leg. Here are a few simple marketing tips to increase visibility:

Set up a website. These days there’s no reason for a professional freelance writer not to have a website. Sure some get along without one, but many clients will take you more seriously with one than without. Your website is like a storefront that’s available 24 hours a day. It can be one of the most valuable marketing tools at your disposal. It provides potential clients with everything they need to know about you and the services you provide. You can even post your portfolio for review.

Start blogging. A professional blog allows you to further establish yourself as an authority – especially if you are a specialty freelance writer who covers topics like finance, alternative health, agriculture, etc. You can inform clients about topics of interest in the industry, and build a community of followers through interactive dialogue.

Contact clients directly. This seems to be the best way to acquire well paying clients. If you’re looking to escape low-paying content mill and bidding sites, then you’ll need to develop a marketing strategy that appeals to your target audience.

Email marketing. Even if you always produce outstanding work, you risk losing clients if you don’t keep in touch. An email marketing campaign is one of the best ways to keep in contact with current clients. It can also be a great way of acquiring new clients by collecting contact information in exchange for an informative newsletter, special report or ebook.

Social networking sites. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can result in business opportunities if you update information regularly and engage in genuine conversations with others.

If you’re not marketing, you’ll find it difficult to bring in new and repeat clients; and without clients you won’t be in business for long. It can take a little time to find the marketing formula that works for you, but once you do you’ll find it easier to keep the momentum going.