Although there's no sure-fire method for creating a successful career as a freelancer, I can offer you a few strategies that have helped me to build my own business.

Like myself, you may not enjoy "selling" anything. However, if you are going to be a successful freelance writer you will have to learn how to sell your services. Now this is not as hard as it may seem.

Before you begin to market your services however, there are few things you need to determine first.

1. Do you want full-time or part-time work? The freelance market is wide open in so many different areas that you truly need to establish this before you begin. If you don’t, you may be tempted to take on too many assignments in the beginning without leaving yourself time for family and relaxation

2. You have to decide what area of freelance writing you enjoy. Then you need to determine if that is an area you want to work in or not. Sometimes an area we enjoy writing in is for ourselves and will not give us the satisfaction we are looking for if we turn it into a job.

So how do you market yourself?

There's many different methods and some may work for most writers, while others may not be appropriate or appealing to other freelancers.

One way that I prefer to promote myself to prospective clients is by sending direct mail to new businesses opening in my local area and online companies, publications or corporations that I have not worked with in the past.

You can search for such prospects in your phonebook and through your local Chamber of Commerce or by utilizing search engines, publishers websites, and and writer's resources online.

Consider who needs the type of articles, reports or services you offer.

Some possible clients for writers include:

corporations
small businesses
advertising agencies
public relations firms
publishing houses
organizations
technical industries
colleges
hospitals
politicians
individuals

You should develop a promotional package that clearly describes your services, your fees, your past clients, and perhaps references, unsolicited testimonials or letters of recommendations from past employers, professors or customers.

If you have an established client base, you may want to consider the potential for expanding your business by offering current customers a discount or something free for referring you to another company, which chooses to hire you.

Another good way to get your name out there to prospective clients online is by writing articles or reports and offering them for free publication




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