When I started out as a freelance writer I was invisible – and that’s not a good thing to be. At the time I had years of writing experience, published clips in magazines and years of experience teaching journalism, but no one had ever heard of me. Many new freelance writers find themselves in the same position. Finding success as a freelance writer is about many things: writing skills, communication skills, punctuality and much more. But none of that will do you a bit of good if clients can’t find you. If you want to be a working freelance writer, you need to remove your invisibility cloak and step into the spotlight. That may not come naturally. If you’re anything like me, you would far rather stay in the background and get on with your writing, but you can’t.
Self Promotion
I know I say this a lot, but you have to market yourself as a freelance writer if you are going to get work. You need to have somewhere where potential clients can find you (either through a website, blog, Squidoo lens or social profile). You have to have a way for them to contact you (email or contact form). You need examples of your work (or links) and you need references or testimonials from your clients.
Socialize
That’s just the starting point, though. Some of the best recommendations come from word of mouth, so make it easy for people to talk about you by interacting with them on blogs, forums and social networking sites. I’ll give you an example of how this can pay off. I talk to a lot of other writers, not for promotion, but basically because all of us need to feel connected with others. I found out a few weeks ago that one of those writers had recommended me to someone looking for a backup writer. She didn’t even tell me. She did this because she had met me online, had talked to me and thought I could be trusted. (Thanks, Karen). So I’m no longer invisible.
What have you used/will you use to become visible to potential clients?
(Photo: juanarreo)
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I have been trying to be visible, but when I look at how many writers are out there, especially on the web, it just becomes overwhelming. I guess that I have to stay focused on my area – plant science and scientific manuscripts – in order to make myself visible. How can we not only make ourselves visible, but stand out?
AnitaK’s last blog post..Challenge #6: Magazine Mayhem
Awesome post, Sharon! I can vouch for Squidoo. Within just a few days (maybe even two, if I remember correctly), I got an e-mail from a client saying he loved the writing displayed in my lens and wanted me to write for him!
I also have a website, two blogs, hubs, have written a few guest posts…. I do have the contact forms on my sites. I have a StumbleUpon account. I plurk.
Getting myself out there is the hardest thing of all for me because I’m so much a hermit by nature. With great writer friends and mentors like you it’s getting easier, though!
Even my mom tells everyone about me. Just the other day, she was talking to an herbal supplier she uses and mentioned that her daughter is a freelance writer and blogger. The person didn’t know what a blog was! She told them all about it and told them it would help their business and their sales if they had one. Then she told them they could hire her daughter to blog for them. She sent them to my website and blogs. Yay for mom finding me blogging gigs!
I may not need to market myself with a mom like that. hehehee
*smiles*
Michele
Wow! It truly is easy to fall into the shadows. Especially with a medium like the internet. I often feel lost in the masses. Building the confidence to ’stand out’ is one of the toughest processes we need to go through to become successful.
Successful people have to be remarkable.
How do I do it? One step at a time I think. By being myself, being friendly, and by acknowledging and being willing to talk about what I can do and what I’ve done for others. Being true to yourself and your vision draws people toward you and if what you’re offering is good, and the kind of person you are is remarkable people will start to see you, and talk about you.
Obviously, working to get yourself out there, into the community, building a brand and a presence is the way you can control how quickly word spreads. Just don’t build hype, build honest integrity.
This is an excellent point regarding getting noticed since there are so many writers out there. I have to say that despite trying to do the social networking as much as possible, all of my freelance assignments have come from personal contact and meeting people, so maybe it’s really the combination of the 2 that work the best. I have also read a lot about the importance of video, and I really think that’s the direction people are going in now. I’m amazed at how much web traffic some video bloggers get with very basic videos….
It took me the longest time to finally put together a website and now that I did, I am not using it to find work. Too bad – maybe if I had gotten my act together earlier I wouldn’t be disenchanted with writing for clients!
@ Anita: if you have a defined niche, then that’s a good start.
@ Michele: That’s why moms rock! Mine does the same
@ Becca: ‘Being true to yourself and your vision draws people toward you and if what you’re offering is good, and the kind of person you are is remarkable people will start to see you, and talk about you’. I wish I had put it like that
@Carrie: I get a mixture. Many repeat clients and referral clients initially came via one of my promotional efforts.
@ Katherine: if you have a website, then eventually clients may find it. I get a lot of clients from this site, which I write mainly for writers.
Hi Y’all,
Glad to see you’re ready to step into the spotlight and get noticed!
Tsufit
Author, Step Into The Spotlight! A Guide to Getting Noticed
It’s definitely tempting to get wrapped up in socializing online. Any tips for making a balance between actually working and blogging, twittering etc? I have very limited time lately and feel like my web presence has dropped off the face of the earth. But you’re right…social contacts are necessary when it comes to getting jobs online.
Courtney’s last blog post..Why aren’t more writers marketers?
I’ll have a think about that one, Courtney. It would make a great post.
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