| Short on cash? Not to worry. You can market | | | | ways to get the word out about your business. |
| your freelance writing services with little | | | | Put your business cards in your pocket and |
| or no money. These 10 strategies cost | | | | always give two or three to each person (one |
| nothing, or close to it. They'll save you | | | | to keep and one or two to share). |
| money...and put money in your bank account, | | | | |
| too! | | | | 5. After you join an organization, volunteer |
| | | | and be active. Get noticed by taking a |
| 1. Look in the business section of your local | | | | visible role in committees or events. |
| paper for the names of people who have been | | | | |
| promoted, hired or rewarded by their | | | | 6. Call 5 to 10 people you know -- friends, |
| companies. Write a short congratulatory | | | | relatives, coworkers, folks at church, |
| letter (refer to the specific achievement to | | | | etc.--and talk to them about what you are |
| make it personal), and enclose two or more of | | | | doing as a freelance copywriter. Let them |
| your business cards (one for the person to | | | | know you are available for work if they |
| keep, the others for him or her to give to | | | | happen to hear of anyone who can use your |
| others). By the way, your business cards DO | | | | services. Sometimes we think our "inner |
| include complete information about what you | | | | circle" knows what we do and can therefore |
| do, don't they? If not, redesign them today! | | | | refer us to others. More often, though, these |
| Just a title, such as "Freelance Writer," is | | | | people have only a limited idea of our |
| too vague. List what you can do (newsletters, | | | | capabilities. Change their misperceptions |
| brochures, ads, etc.) and add a blurb that | | | | today! |
| highlights the main benefit you offer. | | | | |
| | | | 7. Start your own newsletter or e-zine. Make |
| 2. Scan magazines and newspapers for articles | | | | sure at least 75 percent of the copy is |
| that are of interest to one or more of your | | | | information people can use -- not marketing |
| current clients or "hot prospects" (people | | | | hype about you. For example, write articles |
| you've talked to but have not worked for | | | | on "Better Business Writing," "The Top 10 |
| yet). Clip the articles and send them to the | | | | Mistakes to Avoid When You Write a Business |
| prospects with an attached, handwritten note | | | | Letter," or "Advertising Copy That Sells." |
| stating something like, "Hi, Alice. Thought | | | | Show your expertise in most of the |
| you might be interested in this. Please keep | | | | newsletter, then highlight the benefits of |
| me in mind for your future writing needs! | | | | your writing services. Remember to add a call |
| Regards, Henry." This strategy gives you a | | | | to action (what you want the reader to do |
| reason to remind your clients and prospects | | | | next, such as call you for a free |
| about you. It's a way to keep your name in | | | | consultation). |
| their minds. The use of snail mail and a | | | | |
| handwritten note gives this tactic a personal | | | | 8. Contact a bookstore and offer to teach a |
| touch. This is much more effective (and less | | | | free seminar about writing. Use a recently |
| obtrusive) than sending interesting tidbits | | | | published book as a resource, and have lots |
| via e-mail. | | | | of copies on hand for participants who are |
| | | | interested in purchasing the book. You'll |
| 3. Create an alliance with graphic designers. | | | | benefit from the free publicity and the store |
| Writers sometimes need graphic design work or | | | | will benefit from the free promotion of the |
| have the opportunity to refer their clients | | | | book. |
| to artists. And artists frequently need good | | | | |
| copy that their clients cannot or do not want | | | | 9. Call four ad agencies and ask to speak to |
| to supply themselves. Contact local graphic | | | | the creative or copy director. Be ready with |
| designers and ask them about their businesses | | | | a 30-second introductory pitch about your |
| before you talk about yours. Let them know | | | | services and how you can benefit the ad |
| that you may have an occasional client who | | | | agency. Ask for either a meeting to discuss |
| could use their services. After the | | | | the agency's needs or permission to send a |
| conversation gets going, you can mention your | | | | package with some of your writing samples. |
| services. Follow up by sending a personal | | | | |
| letter and several of your business cards. | | | | 10. Try to get in the newspaper or on the |
| (One for the designer to keep, and the others | | | | radio or local TV. Many media outlets |
| for the designer to give to clients who may | | | | actively seek guests who have something |
| need you someday.) | | | | interesting to say. Develop a topic idea that |
| | | | will showcase your talents as a writer while |
| 4. Join an organization, such as the Chamber | | | | also making for a good story or segment. |
| of Commerce or the local advertising club. | | | | Contact local reporters, radio hosts and TV |
| Face-to-face networking is one of the best | | | | producers with your idea. |