By: Chuck Leddy
In the first of the 3-part freelancer series, we dug into how to expand your freelancing business during tough economic times.
Here is a summary of my top 10 tips:
1. Ask to do "more and/or different" work for existing clients. If you do blog posts, why not ask to write white papers, newsletters, webpage copy, or other types of content?
2. Stay in touch with former clients and people you worked with at client orgs. Rapid turnover is common in the content world, so stay in touch with all the people you work well with.
3. Keep a current and former client list: send out quarterly emails asking them for (1) work and/or (2) referrals (the lifeblood of any business). You never know who needs what content, but if you can stay top-of-mind, you’ll get more work.
4. Ideate & pitch new ideas to existing clients to “drum up” work. You may have to put on your “content strategist” hat sometimes to generate content assignments for yourself.
5. Don't consider yourself an SME (subject matter expert) in one specialty -- be open to learning & ask clients to support your learning. You’re an expert in packaging ideas, taking complex topics and making them accessible and engaging for your readers. You can “borrow” expertise from SMEs and then package it -- that’s your real job.
6. Explore "adjacencies”: potential clients who are similar to existing clients and in the same space. Make a list of adjacent companies and reach out to their content leaders seeking more work. You already have knowledge of the space, so seek to leverage it across the space.
7. Consider blogging at your own website or guest blogging (speaking, podcasting, volunteering, etc.) to grow your reputation.
If you’re interested in guest blogging for Boston Content, email us at bostoncontent@gmail.com!
8. Explore working for online platforms and content agencies but know HOW their business models work. They are intermediaries who manage the client relationship, pulling in writers to work with clients. You can make more money working directly, although you should consider “partnering strategically” with these intermediaries to generate revenue.
9. Network, network, network in any way you can: online, offline, wherever you go. You’re in a relationship business, so get good at fostering relationships that can sustain you and your business.
10. One approach does NOT fit all freelancers. Be ready to try, fail, and grow from mistakes.
We spill even more great tips in the on-demand session which you can view here
For more insights on building a successful marketing practice and brand, join us for this 3-part freelancer series covering topics ranging from securing your first client to growing through a pandemic and using your personal brand to build your business.
Check out Boston Content’s 2021 Content Marketing Playbook for more insights on where content marketing is going in 2021.
About the Author:
Chuck Leddy
B2B Brand Storyteller