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I teach marketing classes to freelance writers and one of the questions I get asked more than any other is "How do I convince
someone to hire me when Im new and then get them to pay me, too?"
This is definitely a chicken-egg kinda question. And is a typical experience to freelance writers just starting out.
First off, I strongly suggest every freelance writer who is SERIOUSLY striving to make writing a full-time career take an honest
assessment of their writing skills. By this I mean determine what your writing strong points are, what areas you need to develop, and
where your expertise and interests lie. Next, pretend youre a customer prospect and answer "whats in it for me". Your answer needs
to reflect the benefits your writing service brings or the problems it will solve because this is the ultimate reason why an editor or any
commercial prospect is going to offer you a writing assignment.
There are two things that usually attract any customers attention These are things that save time and money. If you can accomplish
both of these without compromising quality then you’re already miles ahead of your writing competitors.
Your next step is to at the very least get business cards and a website. They not only help you introduce your offerings to your
customer prospects, but when you go through the process of developing these materials they help you get clear on what you do and
do not offer. Tip: dont waste the white space on the back of your business cards. If its too costly to have content professionally added
by a printer, stamp a message on the back or print a message on address labels and then stick the label to the backside of your
card. When people turn your card over they get to read a special message like "Hey, here are 3 reasons why you must read this
book!"
Once you get the basic marketing materials pair them with evidence that back up your written claims. Even if you dont have clients,
or have never been published, you can produce samples that illustrate your writing ability. In fact, the absence of clients give you
more creative liberty because you’re not limited by any particular guidelines. Design a few mock-ups of ad copy, articles, or whatever
else is well suited for the target customer group you’re going after.
Then follow up by doing these five things: 1. Make a list of everyone who is aware of your writing skills and ask them if its okay for you
to use them as a reference. When you walk into a client meeting youll feel confident knowing that you can supply a list of references
of people who are going to vouch for your talent and credibility.
2. Revamp your resume. Think about all writing related tasks youve had in the past. These can be office memos, PowerPoint
presentations, charts, even minutes youve taken at meetings. Highlight these responsibilities in your resume and talk about the
results that were achieved with them.
3. Write an introduction speech that begins with a benefit you offer or problem you solve. This format grabs people’s attention
because its different from the usual name first pattern. It also addresses the benefit or solution you offer up front. This is an attention
grabber too because people always want to know whats in it for them.
4. Never apologize for a modest portfolio. Showing up is more than half the battle so please give yourself credit for initiative. If you
have less than 6 samples, then dont worry with a portfolio. Instead, create leave behinds. Just make copies of your best mock-ups
and stick them in an attractive folder or have them bound at a printer. Insert your business card where it can be seen and give this to
the person youre meeting with. If you’re asked about a portfolio, just say I created these for your file and you may look at them when
you have more time.
5. Always, always send a thank you card— the kind you actually put into a tangible mail box. This simple courtesy goes a long way.
Plus you create another touch point that gets the prospect to think about you.
Sonya Carmichael Jones teaches freelance writers how to market their work and writing services. If youre a freelance writer who
freezes when it comes to marketing or wants to increase your comfort level by learning insider marketing secrets, then go to
http://www.writersweekly.com/wwu/courses/freelance.html to sign up for "Get Published. Get Paid! Marketing B00TCamp for
Freelance Writers". Hurry! You want to sign up BEFORE the next session begins.
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