Being a freelance copywriter and marketing consultant means that you’re your own boss, but it also means you are responsible for figuring out how to reach new clients and keep them happy. While this sounds simple enough, in theory, it can be challenging in practice – especially if you’re just starting out or have been at it for a while but aren’t making as much money as you want to make. Here are some quick tips to help you get the most out of your freelance business, whether you’re getting started or have been doing this for years!
1) Create a Website
A website allows you to brand yourself as an expert in your field, drive people to your services, attract clients and land future gigs. If you’re thinking about going freelance but are afraid of not being able to compete with established competitors, having your own website can level that playing field by making it easier for people to find you. While design services can be expensive, using blogging tools such as Square Space or WordPress (or even free options like Tumbler or Medium) can help make creating a site affordable and surprisingly simple. Getting started is key—especially if you don’t have any experience—so make sure you educate yourself on how web design works before charging ahead with building out your site.
2) Do Something People Want
Creating something nobody wants is hard. If you can’t think of an actual need or use case, try to at least think of something you’d like to have in your business. For example, I could write an app that helps people manage their freelancing workload. But why would people want it? People aren’t going to pay me money until they know that my app works—and they wouldn’t trust me with their money if they don’t believe in my skills as a developer.
3) Work with Brands who want to make an Impact
Some brands want to come across as impact-focused and socially aware. Others just want to sell something—usually via Facebook or email. It’s your job to make sure you know what kind of business you’re dealing with and tailor your approach accordingly. Are they looking for that quick sale, or do they have more interest in working together to build up an audience? After all, being a freelance copywriter is not only about writing content; it’s also about relationship building. That takes time, especially if you don't plan on hiring an army of writers at some point in your career.
4) Involve Other Writers in the Fun
If you run out of topics to write about or don’t feel inspired by your own writing, it might be helpful to include guest bloggers on your website. Having other people contribute can inspire more content while still giving you credit and visibility. Also, having multiple voices on your site can make it feel less like one person’s opinion and more like an unbiased source of information. The plus side is that guest blogging isn’t terribly difficult; in fact, there are ways to generate great leads through guest posting!
5) Stay Active on Social Media
One of my favourite tips is to stay active on social media. I have found that I can get a lot of clients by just posting about what I’m working on, new work and asking questions that my target audience might have. For example, if you are a freelance copywriter you can ask: Do you know how to create a clear, compelling copy? If not, check out [link to your site]. Or if you are starting an SEO company, try something like: How do you make sure your site ranks highly on Google? You might find that people respond to these and start following your page or website – ultimately becoming leads and hopefully customers!
6) Keep Learning and Adapting to Changes
Marketing is ever-changing, and if you want to be successful as a freelancer copywriter, you have to constantly develop new skills and adapt to new trends. For example, in 2018 Google announced that it would begin giving higher search rankings to sites that utilize mobile-friendly design. If you don’t incorporate mobile design into your marketing strategy, your website traffic could suffer dramatically. Over time, stay abreast of what changes in marketing will most impact your business so you can stay ahead of competitors.
7) Network, Network, Network!
While we understand that you can find plenty of jobs via social media and job boards, building relationships is essential if you want to grow your business. Networking on Twitter and Facebook and at industry, events is a great way to expand your professional contacts. In addition, LinkedIn has more than 5 million groups dedicated to freelancers; get involved in discussions, post questions and showcase your work! The more people who are familiar with you and your talents, the easier it will be to land contracts with new clients.
8) Remember it’s a Job so be Professional!
Many freelancers make the mistake of taking their relationship with clients personally, especially when it comes to rejection. This is a business, and you need to maintain professionalism at all times. Always deliver high-quality work in a timely manner and follow through on every detail that your client requests. Give as much (if not more) to your freelancers than you expect from them; after all, they’re responsible for keeping your business running smoothly and successfully. If something doesn’t work out with one particular client, move on! That way you can continue to develop strong relationships with other clients who appreciate your work.
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