Freelance Writing Marketing Tips

Whether you write for pleasure (and maybe make some pocket change,) or you write to make extra money to actually live on, it's always nice to get noticed for our writing. It's such a great feeling to get writing offers, and to see your work published somewhere. For me, I mostly share my work with family and friends. However, I want to branch out, and get noticed. How, exactly, does one go about doing such a thing? Here are a few helpful ideas to get freelance writers on the market, and noticed.

Invest in business cards.

To some of you, that sounds like it can be a bit pricey. However, there is one website--Vista Print--that will let you have business cards for free (all you pay is shipping.) There are 42 designs to choose from in their free business card offer. You fill in all of your information you want on the card, choose a design, and you're basically done. You get 250 business cards for free, plus shipping and handling. If you want your cards to arrive within two weeks, which is really feasible, all you pay is $8.15. Business cards are a great tool to use, to get your name put out there. Unless you're a shut-in or a hermit, chances are, you go places often, and strike up conversations with a myriad of people. Oftentimes, people are interested in what you do. Freelance writing is a creative "job," and some people may want to know more about it, and see samples. Having a business card on hand, will allow you to give one to them, and they can log on the internet at home, and look at your work. These can also be handy, because oftentimes, you get jobs because someone knows someone else in "the biz." Business cards could be a powerful tool, to help you pick up more work. Lastly, you can put your Associated Content link on the card, and get your page views up.

Make a webpage.

Don't panic! If you have basic internet knowledge, you can make a webpage. It doesn't have to be costly, or made by a professional. Some websites, like Google Sites, give you easy, step-by-step guidance on how to build your site. My site, Michelle K. Miller: Freelance Writer, only took about ten minutes to make. It doesn't have to be some long, drawn-out site. I just listed my background in writing, what I do now, and how to get in touch with me, for gigs. A webpage can be a good tool to promote yourself in the freelance world.

Advertise.

You don't have to take an ad out in the local paper every week, but there are free ways of advertising yourself for freelance work. My suggestion? Craigslist. For myself, if I wanted to advertise my services, I would put a posting under "writing/editing" under the "Jobs" tab, and "writing" under the "Gigs" tab. If you don't get a phone call or e-mail right away, don't get disheartened. Just as if you were selling something on Craigslist, sometimes these things don't happen overnight. If time passes, and you don't get a response, post again and again, to keep your services visible to the public.

Ask around.

Sometimes you can get gigs, just by asking. Oftentimes, people forget that word-of-mouth can sometimes pick up great things. If you know writers, or know someone who knows writers, help out each other by giving tips about where each of you can find work. This has worked so well for me, because my friend, Tara Meacham, and I, look out for one another, in that aspect. Also, not all newspapers, magazines, or websites have paid staffers writing for them. Sometimes, they welcome outside writiers. All you have to do is ask-- you have nothing to lose. The worst that could happen is whoever you ask, could say "no." That's it.

These are just a few tips and pointers on how to market yourself as a freelance writer, and get your name out there. The possibilities are endless; you just have to go out there, and grab opportunities as they come along. Pay it forward, and look out for your fellow writers, too. If you have any tips or ideas, let them know!

Happy writing!