Going freelance has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it affords you the freedom and flexibility to be your own boss and work exactly how you like. I’ve been freelancing since 2006 and can’t imagine working any other way. While initially, a lack of fixed income can be a concern this can be alleviated if you promote your freelance business effectively.
One of the biggest challenges as a freelance worker is self-promotion. Whatever industry you are in, you will need to get your name out there and stand out amongst your competition. And you don’t have the marketing budget of a large company to help you. All of your marketing costs must come out of your own pocket. There are many affordable yet effective ways of marketing your business. Here are six of the best promotion techniques.
Promote Your Freelance Business: Referrals
A happy customer is your best asset when promoting your business. If a client is satisfied with your work, they are more than likely to provide a positive referral about your services if you ask them to. Most buyers’ decisions are influenced by their peers, so a recommendation from a respected source will do wonders for growing your client base. Take testimonials and post them on your website or social media.
Promote Your Freelance Business Start a Blog
As a Copywriter, I can confirm that creating high-quality, valuable content is one of the best ways to get your name out there. By regularly posting on a blog, you can acquire a dedicated fan base and attract potential customers. The content of your blog should relate to your business without being overly promotional. Establish yourself as a thought-leader in your industry, providing the answers to people’s problems and making them remember you long after they click off the page.
Email Marketing
Sending out cold emails is a strategy that requires a lot of patience, however, can be highly effective. By capturing visitor contact details on your website, you can build an email list. By sending relevant information to their inboxes, you can slowly draw them in.
Promote Your Freelance Business: Client relationships
As a freelancer, it is imperative that you build strong relationships with your customers, both past and present. You may find that repeat business from one or two satisfied clients is your primary source of income. Keep former clients up to date on new developments and services.
Networking
The more people you know, the more likely you are to meet a potential client. Attend industry events, connect with people on social media and hand out business cards to ensure people remember you. Online networking has become very popular in recent times and is a great way to build relationships.
Promote Your Freelance Business: Print Marketing
Printing and distributing flyers, posters and leaflets can be a brilliant way to get your brand out there. Many companies, such as Duplo International, allow you to print marketing materials sustainably and affordably.
Freelancers need to be always on the lookout for opportunities to promote their businesses. These are just a few of the marketing techniques you can use. There are many others that could be even more successful.
