12 Easy Ways for Freelancers to Make More Money

Finding sources of work is the biggest challenge most freelancers face. Especially since the skill sets of most creative types do not include sales. Here are a dozen easy but often overlooked sources of additional freelance work.

Advertising Agencies are probably the best source of ongoing freelance work for writers and designers. Some agencies farm out art and copy regularly, others only when they get in a crunch. Either way there's work to be had.

To make a list of all the advertising agencies in your area just Google "Advertising Agencies, your city and state". Check out each agency's web site to see the kinds of accounts they have and the creative director's contact info. Be sure to include Associate Creative Directors and Art and Copy Supervisors who very often assign freelance jobs as well. If the web site doesn't supply names or contact information, just call the agency to get those details.

Try emailing the creative director a few killer samples of work you've done for clients similar to those on the agency's list. Be sure to ask for an appointment to show your book at the agency. If you don't ask for one, you're not going to get one. Even if you're told the agency doesn't need freelancers now, keep in touch with them, because sooner or later they will.

Another good source of freelance work is from Internet or Interactive Agencies. With so much money flowing into Search Engine Advertising, agencies that specialize in Internet Advertising are popping up all over the place.

Interactive agencies usually can use copy help writing banner and search page ads, landing page copy and providing content for web sites. Art directors and designers are always needed to layout banners, landing pages and of course, design web sites.

Once again, simply google "Internet Advertising Agencies, your city and stage" to create a list and get contact information. If you're weak on your internet advertising skills, better brush up. There's a lot of freelance money to be made here.

Printers can provide art and copy freelance assignments too. Most printers usually have a production/design person on staff who handles small routine jobs like letterheads, business cards and simple brochures for the printer's clients. Anything more complicated they freelance out to an art director. Printers who do a lot of direct mail and lettershop work, frequently need writers as well to create direct mail packages for their clients. They need writers an designers to create the brochures they need to sell their printing capabilities too.

Once again, do a Google search for printers in your area. Phone the printer to set up an appointment with their production manager to show your portfolio. When you do be sure to leave some business cards and CDs of your work and ask the manager to distribute them to the sales people. It's good to get friendly with printing sales people. They've got a lot of contacts.

Getting to know the managers at your local Kinko's, PIP, Office Max, Office Depot or any shop that smaller businesses use for printing, and photocopying. Many of these, Kinko's most notably, offer design services to their customers as well. The simple work like business cards, letterheads and flyers they usually do at the store. Anything more complicated, they give to freelancers. Be sure to drop some of your business cards off at the shop, along with some CDs of your portfolio.

Most towns have weekly newspapers and local magazines that also use freelance artists and writers to create both editorial and advertising. It's low paying but generally very steady work. Just call the publication and schedule an appointment to meet the editor and show your portfolio.

Another way to get more freelance work is to team up. Very often a freelance writer has a job that requires a designer and a designer has an assignment that needs copy written. Sometimes it even pays to pitch the client together and offer a single "package price". As the saying goes 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing. The best place to meet other freelance writers and art directors is at the local advertising club or art directors club. Join the club attend some meetings and exchange business cards. You usually get a few extra assignments a year using this technique.

Networking is another way to get freelance work. Rather than waste your time and money at random networkers, join your local chamber of commerce, convention and visitors bureau, tourism board, concierge association or other civic or trade groups you think will produce business. Attend their meetings regularly, get involved in their activities and you'll meet people who need freelance art or copy. Just use Google to compile a list of organizations and select the one you think would work best.

A growing number of small companies are using outsourcing websites to find freelance writers and designers. These sites like O Desk match companies with freelancers who make competitive bids for art and copy assignments.

Most sites offer free memberships to freelancers and charge a small percentage of the price you're paid. Payments are usually made through Pay Pal, so it's safe and secure. New jobs are posted daily. The jobs are usually low priced, but the work is steady.

Another way to get some great freelance gigs is to sign up with a temp creative agency or creative headhunter. Most large cities have several of these temporary employment agencies that specialize in freelance artists and copywriters. Their clients usually pay well and most of these agencies generally give you a weekly paycheck. If you live in an area that doesn't have a specialized creative temp agency or creative headhunter, sign up with a few general temporary employment agencies. Freelancers have told me that every now and then they've gotten calls looking for a writer or designer to fill in for a vacationing staff member or to handle a special project.

Doing Pro Bono Work for A Charitable or Civic Organization is an easy way to make contacts that could be future sources of freelance work. The trick here is to pick the right group to work with. Find a group that has does high profile events and marketing and also gives you the opportunity to work on committees with influential business people who can be a source of future freelance work.

Finally, visit a corporate park and check the lobby listings for companies who could be possible sources of freelance work. The corporate parks generally have small companies involved in lower profile business services, industrial sales, manufacturing or technical industries that all need art and copy. Make a list from the building directory, Google them to get more details and follow-up with your best shot.

These techniques are simple, proven and work for freelance art directors and copywriters alike. There are sources you can try too, but these are good starting points, especially if you're new to freelancing.