Let’s face it, we all need a break sometimes, even if it’s just to get away from it all for a long weekend. Of course, while you’re in employment, it’s usually a case of having a word with your boss or HR department, booking a few days off and enjoying being away from work.
However, when you’re freelancing, there’s always that constant reminder that if you’re not working, you’re not earning. So the importance of ongoing self-promotion is key.
The question is, “How can you ensure you do that even when you’re taking a well-earned break?”
Here are my six smart marketing tips for freelance writers that continue to work when you don’t.
Tip#1 – Create an email signature
The good thing about creating an email signature is that you only have to do it once. It’s really easy to set up and takes around 5 minutes to complete. A quick Google search on how to add a signature can be found in this post.
But why go to the trouble of having an email signature in the first place?
Imagine how many emails you receive and reply to on a weekly basis. Quite a lot I suspect.
So, even when you’re not available, you can still set up an automated reply which will contain all your contact information, meaning it acts like a business card even when you’re not actually working.
The good news is that you can add as much, or as little, information as you like to your signature. Google states that it allows up to 10,000 characters, although for the life of me, I can’t see anyone needing this much information.
Anyway, Here’s mine, so you can see how it works.
It’s nothing fancy but it contains all the relevant information (and links) people need to get in touch with me.
Dale King
Business Owner and Freelance Dental Copywriter for Dental Writers, Dental Dale and Dental Writer’s Club.
Tip #2 – Make good use of LinkedIn
If you’re not already on LinkedIn, you really should be. LinkedIn is more than just another social media site. It’s a site where your potential clients hang out so it’s a great marketing tool.
Research suggests that 44% of hiring managers use LinkedIn as a source to find candidates and over 18 people are hired every single minute.
Perhaps the best thing about LinkedIn from a freelance writer’s perspective is that it allows you to add your resume and showcase your latest work in a portfolio.
So, every time you complete a piece of paid work, don’t forget to upload it to your online portfolio (client permitting, of course). This way, anybody looking at your profile can also check out any past work.
Oh, and just for perspective, the average user’s profile on LinkedIn gets 222 views across a three-month period. That’s a lot of eyes potentially viewing your work while you’re away from your desk.
Tip #3 – Get blogging
As a freelance writer, regular blogging is something you should definitely be doing. It remains one of the best long-term strategies to get your name out there and anyway, posting content on or about your writing niche shows people that you know stuff.
As an example, I have three websites, Dental Writers.com, Dental Dale.com and of course, this website, Dental Writer’s Club and all are regularly updated by yours truly.
It’s a lot of work so is it worth it? Hell yes!
Regular blogging;
- Establishes trust
- Allows you to build a subscriber list
- Drives traffic to your website, and
- Gives you a greater online presence over time.
You can even set up posts to automatically publish on certain days. This entails writing them beforehand, loading them onto a system like WordPress and selecting a date and time of your choosing.
Of course, this does take a little pre-planning before you go on vacation but it’s one of the best smart marketing tips for freelancer writers who want to keep their name out there and in front of potential clients when they’re not actually working
Tip #4 – Mention you’re “available for hire”
Whether your information is on your personal website, a third-party blogging platform like Contently, or on freelance marketplaces like Upwork, be sure to tell people that you’re available for hire. You can do this using clear and concise text with a link to an enquiry page, or you can have a button that says ‘hire me’ or ‘let’s talk’ or ‘available for work’
Either way, something as simple as telling people you’re okay to take on work is a good freelancing tip for someone about to enjoy some well-earned time off.
Tip #5 – Get associated
As with most things in life, the secret to success is not what you know but who you know. As an example, I started producing content for an American dentist several years back whose husband happens to be an endovascular specialist. He was also looking to have regular content and while it’s not exactly in my field of expertise, she recommended me to him. He then got in touch, we clicked and boom! I now create weekly content for both parties.
The key to this story is to get connected with others in your field, Even if they’re not currently in the market for content, you can always ask them if they’d be happy to recommend you should the need arise. Most will say yes. I’ve had a few projects this way and it keeps your name out there and fresh in the minds of others.
So how do you get connected in the first place?
- Look to follow them on X or LinkedIn and drop them a line – Nothing spammy, just let them know you’re out there and what you do.
- Comment on their blogs where applicable – again keep it constructive and insightful, and some will allow links back to your site.
- Reconnect with past people in your industry – If you’ve previously worked in an industry you’re now writing about, there’s nothing to stop you from contacting them and saying, “Hey, remember me? I no longer work in the industry but have repositioned myself as an industry-related writer. If you need content, I’d be happy to help”
There’s a lot to be said for word-of-mouth. Essentially, putting your name out there allows ex-colleagues, peers and current clients to do your marketing for you even when you’re on vacation, so it’s well worth taking the time to spread the word.
Tip #6 – Pin your ad on social media
The last and final tip is something pretty simple but can be equally as powerful and that’s pinning your ad to your social media feed. Doing so, allows it to stay at the top of your feed so anyone visiting won’t miss the information.
It could be that you’ve been given a glowing testimonial and want to show it off, or you want to casually market your website and services. Either way, a few carefully crafted words can make a difference. So say it and pin it up there for all to see.
So there you have it, 6 smart marketing tips for freelancer writers that work, even when you don’t.
Ultimately, being a good freelance writer is more than knowing how to write and marketing plays a big part in landing new business. The good news is that these savvy marketing tips take very little time to implement but will stand you in good stead when you want to escape the confines of your office or laptop for a few days and take a well-deserved break.
If you’re ready to earn a living writing dental content but haven’t yet taken the plunge, feel free to visit the Dental Writer’s Club website. Here, you can download my free guide on how to start a dental content writing business from scratch. It walks you through the exact steps you need to land your first client. In addition, I also have a ton of useful blogs just like this to help you through your first few months. So do check it out.
Thanks and here’s to your success!