10 Must-Do Tasks to Promote Yourself as a Freelance Writer Online
1. Create a linked in account. Linked in lets you connect with past coworkers, new clients and others. When you can get recommendations from clients, it makes it easier to get more clients later.
2. Guru profile. It doesn’t cost anything to set up a Guru profile, but it can be a big help in your promotion efforts. I have had many clients contact me after seeing me on Guru.com.
3. Profile Site. You must set up a profile site, even if it’s a simple blogspot or facebook page. Showcase samples of your writing and put up some compelling copy that might actually make someone want to hire you.
4. Get a professional portrait done and post it to every profile you have online. Your personal image shows the employer they are dealing with a real person, not a content mill. It also establishes a sense of trust that makes you more approachable.
5. Tweet. Every time something you write is published, tweet it. It helps you and your client. Even if you are just a ghostwriter on the piece, you may spark greater interest in the article and the client will notice that your work sparked more traffic than usual.
6. Social bookmarking. It’s also a good idea to spread the word about your published work to social bookmarking sites. I use OnlyWire to bookmark everywhere.
7. Throw yourself into your work proposals. When you see a job you are interested in, use your enthusiasm to get the attention of the prospective employer. Talk specifically to the concerns and needs expressed in the job posting. Try to figure out what the employer’s pain points are and speak directly to them. Tell the employer how you can solve his problems. Remember, each application should be a compelling piece of copy in its own right designed to sell your writing as a product. Make it shine!
8. Follow up. Give it a few days after receiving payment for a job and contact the employer to thank them for using your services and offer yourself for future work if they need it.
9. Be friendly. Treat your clients like your friends. Give them compliments, speak nicely to them and joke around. These communications develop bonds that make the client more likely to return to you as a source of trusted content.
10. Double your rates. Twice. The rate you start out with is low, pitifully so. Double that rate for a while and then double it again as you gain skills. When you charge more for your work, you have more time to provide high-quality content the client seeks.
