Landing a new client is a big deal. Not only does this mean more work and more money, but you should realize that it can lead to even more clients. Believe it or not, one freelance writing client can lead to another in no time at all. And guess what? This train can continue rolling, time and time again.
Here are two ways that you can turn one client into another:
1. Call on companies in the same industry and explain what you are doing for others. For instance, maybe you took on a blogging job for a real estate company. Why not call other agencies in your area, explain your services, and see if you can sign them up as well? Once you have industry experience it is much easier to land additional clients.
2. Referrals. You should never be afraid to ask your current clients if they can refer you to others. You may be surprised at the payoff. Even if you do not realize it right now, many of your clients are well connected. The good thing is that a large number of them may be looking for a writer – this is where you come into play.
To become a successful freelance writer you need to market your services, day in and day out. The above is a form of marketing. That being said, you do not have to put in nearly as much time and effort. Instead, you are letting your current clients do a lot of the work for you. How does that sound?
There are probably several good reasons why you decided to become a freelance writer. I love the freedom, potential earnings, and the ability to work at home. What excites you? While it is important to know what you enjoy about freelance writing, you also need to think about the details that don’t sit well in your mind. In other words, what don’t you like about freelance writing?
Just like any career, there are going to be things about freelance writing that you do not enjoy. Some of the more common drawbacks include:
1. Working alone. Although working at home is a huge benefit, it means that you will not have any daily interaction with other workers. Will this bother you? Time after time I hear from writers who are having a hard time with this part of their career.
2. You are in charge of everything. It is a big mistake to think that the only thing you will be doing is writing. Sure, your main duty is to produce content for clients. But along with this you are also responsible for sales, marketing, accounting, and many other tasks. Do you have the time and patience to handle all aspects of your business with success?
3. One on one client interaction. You may be surprised to hear that this is something many freelance writers do not enjoy. I love talking with clients via email, phone, and even in person. That being said, some freelancers feel the opposite way – they hate this part of the job. If you are not willing to interact with clients you should probably stay away from a freelance writing career.
Remember this: just because you don’t like a particular detail of freelance writing does not mean you should give up. No matter what job you are working, there are bound to be pros and cons. Freelance writing is no different.
For every person jumping into the freelance writing ring there is another giving up. Are you thinking about quitting on this career path? If so, you have the right to do so. But before you make a final decision, step back and take note of what you are doing. Giving up on freelance writing is not something you want to do on a whim. You need to think about every aspect of this decision, as well as how it will affect your career and financial lives.
Here are three questions to ask before you call it quits:
1. Where did I start? It is important to look back, consider where your career started, and see if you made the progress you were expecting. When you reflect on the past you may be surprised at what you find.
2. Where are you right now? After you look at where you have been it is time to consider where you stand at the present time. Are you earning enough money? Are you having fun with this career? This should be an easy question to answer.
3. Where can I go in the future if I stay on the same path? It is important to look ahead and determine where you will end up if you stay the course. If you see that you have a very real chance at reaching all your goals, now is not the time to give up.
Some people give up on freelance writing before they consider how much time they have put into growing their career. You may find that continuing to work hard will eventually lead you towards all your goals.
There may come a time when you have to stop working as a freelance writer – this happens all the time. Just make sure you are 100 percent sure of your decision.
