Every freelance writer wants to have a stable of regular clients. This is something that can take time, and even then, you never know what is going to happen. I have several clients that I work with on a regular basis, but at the same time there are others that are “one and done.†That being said, you never know when one small project is going to turn into a large, long term gig. For this reason, you should always do your best work while also pushing to turn a client into a regular.
If you are interested in expanding your client base, and you should be, there are several basic tips that you can follow:
1. Do not limit yourself when you are starting out as a freelance writer. In other words, be open to different types of projects and topics. This will help you to get a good feel for what you like best.
When I started as a freelance writer I really liked web content. And while I still write for the web, I learned that corporate writing and feature articles are also very interesting. By keeping an open mind, I quickly found which areas I was most interested in. And by being willing to work on a variety of projects, it allowed me to expand my client base in the shortest possible period of time.
2. Network with as many other freelance writers and online entrepreneurs as possible. My friends in the industry are always sending leads my way. And when possible, I do the same for them. The more people that you network with the more clients you are going to find. It can take a while to build a network, but in the long run it will work to your advantage.
3. Use every possible marketing method. This includes a website, blog, cold calling, cold emailing, and query letters among others. Through marketing, you will find potential clients while also getting your name in front of a lot of people.
These three tips are basic, but they will go a long way in helping you to expand your client base. And as you expand your client base, you have a much better chance of finding buyers that offer regular work.
Being self-employed as a freelance writer offers many benefits. And while most people think that it is easy for a self-employed professional to take a vacation, this is not always the case. In fact, I think it is more difficult for freelancers to vacation than those who work for a company.
As a freelance writer, you only get paid when you work. To go along with this, you are not given a set amount of vacation days at the beginning of the year. Sure, you can take off when you feel like it, but if you do, you can be rest assured that you are not going to get paid. This is much different than somebody who works for a company and gets paid when they take a vacation.
Of course, this does not mean that you should never take a vacation from freelance writing. If you are ready to take a few days off, there are several tips that you can use in order to ensure that you do not get behind:
1. Make sure that your clients know that you are leaving. You do not have to go into detail, but if you regularly communicate with a client, tell them that you will be out of the office. This way, they do not think that you are avoiding them or putting them off.
2. Get caught up before you leave. There is nothing worse than taking a vacation when you are already behind on your work. Remember, the work will still be there when you get back. And by that time, it has probably doubled!
3. Check your email when you are gone. I know, this is a big no-no. Most people believe that a vacation is a vacation, and this means no work. And while I agree with this to a certain extent, I like to stay connected no matter if I am on vacation or not. This helps to ensure that no fires break out, and that my clients are getting taken care of to the best of my ability.
There is nothing wrong with taking a vacation from your freelance writing workload. In fact, I encourage that you do so. If you decide to take some time off, use the three tips above to help you along the way.
As a freelance writer, do you ever think about adding another income stream? If you are like me, this is something that you are always looking into. Sure, freelance writing is my main gig and probably always will be. But that being said, there is nothing wrong with expanding into other areas that may be able to bring in some extra cash each month.
For many freelance writers, a natural addition is income through blogging. Although I do not earn a lot of money through this blog, it does help to pay some bills each month. To go along with this blog, I have several others which bring in extra money. Since I enjoy writing, I do not have any problems updating these blogs on a regular basis. And as you probably know, the more that you update the more traffic you will receive. From there, the only thing you have to do is decide how you are going to convert your traffic into profits.
As you probably know, I decided to start a freelance writing course last month. This was a great way for me to add another stream of income while also helping others. After a day or so I had sold out 10 slots at $100 each. While this is only an extra $1k per month, it is a good start. This was an easy addition for me because I enjoy teaching freelance writing and connecting with others who have similar interests.
By adding new income streams, you will find that you are earning more money than ever before. As a freelance writer, you should be able to find time for other money making activities such as blogging, etc.Â
