You don’t need to be Amazon or Macy’s to market your freelance writing business online. In fact, you don’t even need a large budget.
Gone are the days of marketing requiring a big budget and major advertising dollars. Now, thanks to the wonders of the internet, marketing is much more affordable…
And sometimes, it is FREE!
So if you’re wondering how to market your freelance writing business, and you are worried you don’t have enough cash, don’t fret. I can show you how to get more prospects, more projects and more money – without spending a dime (or at least not many of them).
Here’s what I do:
1. Go Social 
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn…
There are so many social channels you can take advantage of to connect with potential clients. Promote your latest work, connect with other writers and brand yourself without spending any money whatsoever.
Talk about your experience, post some samples, and share content you think potential clients and readers would find relevant. You not only want to look experienced, but also knowledgeable in your area of expertise, too.
Social platforms also offer super affordable advertising options. You can pay mere dollars for hundreds and hundreds of clicks on your work. If there’s a piece you really want the world to see, try this route and reap the benefits.
I talk, in detail, about creating and marketing your social profiles in my Free eBook, The Freelance Writer’s Complete Strategy Guide to Winning High-Quality Clients. This is a great resource for any freelance writer who wants to learn how to use their online presence to attract, find and win high-quality clients. Download it instantly here.
2. Use SEO
When I bring up the term “SEO” to many freelance writers, they cringe. It’s sounds too high tech.
Does it require knowledge of web development and programming?
Will it be hard to learn or put into action?
The answers are “no” and “no.”
A few nods to SEO on your portfolio site, on your blog and even on your social media pages, and you could increase your number of clients and projects exponentially. Just check out the primer I did on beginning SEO for bloggers. It’s not an exhaustive guide on SEO by any means (that would take days), but it’s a great way to learn how basic SEO can boost your career and your client base.
3. Work Your Connections 
Whether you’re wondering how to market your freelance writing business or you’re hoping to get more buyers for another product or service, this tried-and-true method is always free – and effective.
Your professional and personal connections can take you far – especially if you take time to cultivate them and care for them.
Tools like LinkedIn can make staying connected with your professional network easy, as can other social platforms and in-person events. Pay close attention to where your connections work, and the updates they post.
Is anyone changing jobs?
Moving?
Getting a promotion?
Check in once in a while to see if there’s some way you can be of service. Maybe they don’t need a writer at the moment, but one of their colleagues does? Sometimes, a simple reach-out via email can be enough to snag you a new client in minutes.
You can also attend in-person networking events around your city. Even if their theme isn’t exactly in your wheelhouse, you never know when someone might be in need of content, so attend all sorts of events.
Remember, every business needs copy for their websites, as well as marketing materials, blogs and other promotional items, so your services can come in handy for just about anyone and everyone at some point.
4. Make it Shareable 
Really want to get your business out there?
Then create content that gets shared, reposted and retweeted. Write articles that people clip out of magazines and post on their office wall. Create blog posts that get emailed throughout the office on Monday morning. Make a splash with your copy, and offer content people can really use, enjoy or learn from. And make sure your name is on it whenever possible!
Creating great content is key to pleasing our customers, but when our bylines are on that content, it can impact our professional exposure, too. And the more your content is shared and sent out, the more people (potential clients!) will see it. That’s good for you – and your pocketbook.
5. Partner Up
Most of the time, when a client needs content, they also have other needs, too – needs you probably can’t meet.
Maybe they need a new website programmed or a brochure designed, and for that, they will need to find yet another freelancer. Take advantage of these opportunities by teaming up with other, complementary freelancers who can add value to your business.
Find a graphic designer who can recommend you when their clients need copy. In exchange, you can refer clients to them when in need of design. This is convenient for your customers, but also a huge benefit to you and your professional partners.
Web developers, online marketers and SEO pros also offer services that go hand in hand with content, so find a few of those to partner up with, too. Choose your partners wisely though. You want someone who has a solid track record and who is bringing in a good number of quality clients and leads. What’s the point of a partner who only takes, but doesn’t give?
Start Marketing Your Business Today 
There are hundreds of ways you can go about marketing, and these are just a few of my favorites.
Have other methods you use? Share them in the comments.
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Great tips. Thanks Maggie!
Glad you enjoyed them Katie. You are very welcome!
Thanks,
Maggie
Hi Maggie,
Another great piece. I always love stopping by and reading your articles.
If I could just add my two cents for a moment under this topic….
Most beginning freelance writers are always worried about not having the marketing budget or financial leverage that other more salty freelance writers may have, but here’s thing: even though brands and marketing are important, to me, they are not as important as just being you and getting out there and making personal connections.
People (and that means editors and publishers as well) just want to do business with people, not brands or companies. So, with that said, I am a big believer that one of the best ways (if not, the best way) to market your freelance writing business on a budget is to get out and start talking to as many people as you can.
Now, that doesn’t mean go to everyone around you and start pushing your writing services on them. What I am talking about is finding common ground, making connections, and being friendly. In other words, don’t go out looking for clients right off the bat, go out and be friendly. Start making friends.
Once you start building that friendship around trust and start showing that person that you truly care about them and what they are going through, then start pitching your services.
You know, there is this thing that pretty much all business and marketing people like to quote, and that is: “Know, Like, and Trust”. The thing is: these kinds of people always like to talk as if this idea of “know, like and trust” is some kind formula, and try and talk as if it is something that can be done overnight, but it can’t.
There is no such thing as a mathematical formula to follow when working with human beings. You may be able to do that kind of thing if you are working with machines, but humans are not machines. Getting someone to know you, like you, and trust you does not happen overnight. It could take longer for some and not so long for others, but the important thing to do is remain a friend regardless of how long it takes.
I will close with this: One thing that I do notice about the “Know, Like, and Trust” factor is this: Nobody can like you until they know you, and they won’t trust you until they like you. So it starts with getting people to know you. How do you get them to know you? By being where they are at, and by getting their attention by trying to connect with them and establish a friendship.