By permission, I'm printing this excellent article from my colleague Michael A. Stelzner. If you're a freelance writer, you'll find a lot of value in these tips.
"What we've got here is a major disconnect. Never before in the history
of words has the demand for freelance writers been so high. Yet I
constantly hear from copywriters, journalists, technical writers and
copyeditors that 'marketing' is a four-letter word," says Michael A.
Stelzner, one of America's top-paid freelance writers.
There's plenty of work for the taking. According to a recent Junta42 study, 6 in 10 businesses are spending more for content production. The need for case studies, ebooks, newsletters, articles, websites, white papers and press releases is growing at an unprecedented rate.
For the writer who applies a few simple techniques, work is plentiful and money is good.
To land more work from higher-paying clients, Stelzner and nine other top-billing freelancers suggest the following easy-to-employ tactics:
How Ten of America's Top Writers Keep the Money Flowing In
#1: Stop Billing by the Hour: "Pricing projects by a fixed fee, not by the hour, increases your chances of landing the job. Don't say, 'My fee to write your e-newsletter is $75 per hour.' Say, 'My fee to write your e-newsletter is $800.'"-Steve Slaunwhite, author of Start & Run a Copywriting Business.
#2: Write About Your Target Industry: "Identify some of the biggest names in your target industry. Interview a few of them, create a great article and shop it to a few major online or offline publications. The free press will help you gain exposure and be read by an audience of prospective clients. Plus, the experts will be happy to help you again in the future."-Michael A. Stelzner, author of Writing White Papers.
#3: Stay Top of Mind by Keeping in Touch With Clients: "It doesn't matter how good a job you did for a client before. When even a little time has passed, if you're out of sight, you're out of mind. Pick a way to stay in touch-by phone, personal email, newsletters or social media. Doing so may even remind clients they need to get started on a project--and they'll call you."-Casey Hibbard, author of Stories That Sell.
#4: Leverage Social Media Marketing: "In this age of Google and social media, your prospects are even more distracted, cynical about sales messages and rightly motivated by their own self-interest. Make your promotional content brief, attractive and to the point. Always offer significant value before asking for anything. When making a request, frame the action as a way for the prospect to get even more benefits."-Chris Garrett, content marketer and co-author of ProBlogger.
#5: Ask for Referrals From People You Know: "Whether or not you're new to freelance copywriting, approaching people you already know about your freelance business, such as previous employers, is always the best place to start prospecting. These folks know and trust you. Even if they can't hire you, they're usually more than willing to introduce you to those who can."-Ed Gandia, author of Stop Wishing and Start Earning.
Click here now to read writer marketing tips #6 - 10 from Peter Bowerman, Marcia Yudkin, Pete Savage, Chris Marlow and Nick Usborne.
Successful writers share one common trait-- they market themselves using very easy-to-implement tactics. Yet even as demand for writers is skyrocketing, many freelancers would rather spend their time walking the dog or washing the dishes.
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Peter Bowerman and 9 other top authors share tips to help grow a freelance writing business |
There's plenty of work for the taking. According to a recent Junta42 study, 6 in 10 businesses are spending more for content production. The need for case studies, ebooks, newsletters, articles, websites, white papers and press releases is growing at an unprecedented rate.
For the writer who applies a few simple techniques, work is plentiful and money is good.
To land more work from higher-paying clients, Stelzner and nine other top-billing freelancers suggest the following easy-to-employ tactics:
How Ten of America's Top Writers Keep the Money Flowing In
#1: Stop Billing by the Hour: "Pricing projects by a fixed fee, not by the hour, increases your chances of landing the job. Don't say, 'My fee to write your e-newsletter is $75 per hour.' Say, 'My fee to write your e-newsletter is $800.'"-Steve Slaunwhite, author of Start & Run a Copywriting Business.
#2: Write About Your Target Industry: "Identify some of the biggest names in your target industry. Interview a few of them, create a great article and shop it to a few major online or offline publications. The free press will help you gain exposure and be read by an audience of prospective clients. Plus, the experts will be happy to help you again in the future."-Michael A. Stelzner, author of Writing White Papers.
#3: Stay Top of Mind by Keeping in Touch With Clients: "It doesn't matter how good a job you did for a client before. When even a little time has passed, if you're out of sight, you're out of mind. Pick a way to stay in touch-by phone, personal email, newsletters or social media. Doing so may even remind clients they need to get started on a project--and they'll call you."-Casey Hibbard, author of Stories That Sell.
#4: Leverage Social Media Marketing: "In this age of Google and social media, your prospects are even more distracted, cynical about sales messages and rightly motivated by their own self-interest. Make your promotional content brief, attractive and to the point. Always offer significant value before asking for anything. When making a request, frame the action as a way for the prospect to get even more benefits."-Chris Garrett, content marketer and co-author of ProBlogger.
#5: Ask for Referrals From People You Know: "Whether or not you're new to freelance copywriting, approaching people you already know about your freelance business, such as previous employers, is always the best place to start prospecting. These folks know and trust you. Even if they can't hire you, they're usually more than willing to introduce you to those who can."-Ed Gandia, author of Stop Wishing and Start Earning.
Click here now to read writer marketing tips #6 - 10 from Peter Bowerman, Marcia Yudkin, Pete Savage, Chris Marlow and Nick Usborne.
The way you have narrated the tips surely if someone follows I think it will definitely work including myself..Thanks for your helpful article
Posted by: Data Entry Jobs Online | Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Nice tips, specially the first one. Not only does it remove the doubts about the hours spent, clients will feel at home with you knowing they are not billed by the hour.
Posted by: Alexs | Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Good and useful 10 systematic process of money making. Me too enjoyed the first one. Also I do think "keeping in touch..." is the best of the 10.
Thanks
Posted by: articlesshare | Monday, September 28, 2009 at 02:12 AM
Good article... Stick to the basics and learn that everyone has to learn marketing at some level. Marketing does not always mean direct sales.
Check out this video series...
How To Use Freelance Sites To Bid For Jobs Or Outsource Your Business with Master ReSell Rights
http://ow.ly/seNX
Posted by: chucklowe | Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Approaching to the people you have worked for will definitely work if you made a good impression before...if not I think that process will going to be a total disaster...Any way I do agree with you in all points; specially first one is interesting.
Posted by: articlescreen | Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 07:09 PM