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10 Free Or Cheap Ways To Market Your Writing Business

Short on cash? Not to worry. You can marketways to get the word out about your business.
your freelance writing services with littlePut your business cards in your pocket and
or no money. These 10 strategies costalways give two or three to each person (one
nothing, or close to it. They'll save youto  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 localvisible  role  in  committees  or  events.
paper for the names of people who have been
promoted, hired or rewarded by their6. Call 5 to 10 people you know -- friends,
companies. Write a short congratulatoryrelatives, coworkers, folks at church,
letter (refer to the specific achievement toetc.--and talk to them about what you are
make it personal), and enclose two or more ofdoing as a freelance copywriter. Let them
your business cards (one for the person toknow you are available for work if they
keep, the others for him or her to give tohappen to hear of anyone who can use your
others). By the way, your business cards DOservices. Sometimes we think our "inner
include complete information about what youcircle" 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," ispeople 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 thattoday!
highlights  the  main  benefit  you  offer.
7. Start your own newsletter or e-zine. Make
2. Scan magazines and newspapers for articlessure at least 75 percent of the copy is
that are of interest to one or more of yourinformation people can use -- not marketing
current clients or "hot prospects" (peoplehype about you. For example, write articles
you've talked to but have not worked foron "Better Business Writing," "The Top 10
yet). Clip the articles and send them to theMistakes to Avoid When You Write a Business
prospects with an attached, handwritten noteLetter," or "Advertising Copy That Sells."
stating something like, "Hi, Alice. ThoughtShow your expertise in most of the
you might be interested in this. Please keepnewsletter, 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 ato action (what you want the reader to do
reason to remind your clients and prospectsnext, such as call you for a free
about you. It's a way to keep your name inconsultation).
their minds. The use of snail mail and a
handwritten note gives this tactic a personal8. Contact a bookstore and offer to teach a
touch. This is much more effective (and lessfree seminar about writing. Use a recently
obtrusive) than sending interesting tidbitspublished 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 orwill benefit from the free promotion of the
have the opportunity to refer their clientsbook.
to artists. And artists frequently need good
copy that their clients cannot or do not want9. Call four ad agencies and ask to speak to
to supply themselves. Contact local graphicthe creative or copy director. Be ready with
designers and ask them about their businessesa 30-second introductory pitch about your
before you talk about yours. Let them knowservices and how you can benefit the ad
that you may have an occasional client whoagency. Ask for either a meeting to discuss
could use their services. After thethe agency's needs or permission to send a
conversation gets going, you can mention yourpackage  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 othersradio or local TV. Many media outlets
for the designer to give to clients who mayactively 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 Chamberalso 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 bestproducers with your idea.



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