In the first part of this blog series on finding freelance work, we talked about things you should do before you begin your marketing and sales pitches. Now we’ll look at concrete actions you can take to find work.
Be Prepared for Work
The first step before you being is to get in the right mindset. This means getting focused and ready for work. Netflix isn’t going to bring you work. So get off the couch and get to work. It also means setting your alarm and office hours. There are a lot of freelance writers out there. Be the one who responds first and is available during business hours.
Staying organized is also key. Make sure your website, samples and marketing materials are ready to go. Do a final proof of your bio and resume. Update your client list and testimonials. Do a final pass on your contact letters, emails and pitches.
Then begin:
Finding Work
Reach out to old clients to check on them and ask if they need help. You can do this on LinkedIn or via email, text or phone call—whatever is most comfortable for you. The point is to reach out and see how they are faring in this difficult time and to offer help if they need it. Be sensitive. It’s never a great idea to beg for work or be so wrapped up in wanting work that you neglect common courtesy and compassion. They may be struggling too. Ask how business is doing. Listen. Then offer help if it makes sense.
Let people in your network know you are looking for opportunities. You never know who they might know. Networking is always a sound strategy when applied properly. Be specific about what type of work you are seeking and considerate of their time.
Don’t keep it to yourself. Tell whoever you meet that you are currently seeking freelance opportunities. Keep it light, but talk about it. Tell your delivery person, the guy at the gas station, your neighbors. It doesn’t have to be someone you know personally. Just put it out there. It’s a long shot, sure, but you never know.
Ask for referrals or introductions from past and present clients, as well as everyone in your network. Be clear about what you are seeking and provide an easy way to accomplish this, such as through an email introduction.
Contact businesses and services you support and use to pitch them the idea of having you do their marketing. Since you are already a customer, you know who they are and what they have to offer. If they don’t have a budget for a writer, consider offering them a barter agreement, say free lawn care for some marketing or a free haircut for some web content. Get creative. Sometimes the best way to make money is to cut expenses.
Consider checking agency listings. Sure job boards are fine (though most often lower in pay), but agencies attract clients who have work. Check what jobs they have open on their websites and see if they are a fit for your writing style. PR firms, advertising agencies, web development companies, production houses are all great ways to find work.
Or pitch your services to them directly. Large corporations and some nonprofit organizations hire freelance writers too. It’s worth your time to check in with key stakeholders to see if they have any opportunities. You can do this one-by-one or by checking LinkedIn or Facebook Groups.
Speaking of Nonprofits—It’s not a bad idea to check into organizations for organizations. Yup, you read that right. I’m talking about nonprofit organizations that represent other entities, like the American Society of Association Executives or Women in Film. These organizations represent many companies and nonprofit organizations that may be seeking writing help.
Or skip the middle person and go to the source yourself. There are millions of organizations out there that need writers. Find the ones that make sense for your style of writing, your expertise and your samples, then reach out with an introduction or pitch. This is the modern version of pounding the pavement, only in this case your pounding will be done on the keyboard.
Professional organizations are another great way to network. There are many writing-related organizations, as well as industry-specific organizations. Local Chambers of Commerce warrant a look too. The idea is to find new and broader groups of people to meet and greet. It’s a bit harder with COVID-19, but most organizations are still holding events or meetings in some form or fashion and have community boards for chatting. Learn the rules though. Some prohibit or limit sales pitches or self-promotion.
Look at blogs that produce a lot of content and offer to help ease their burden. As someone who publishes a blog a week (which is not often in the blogging world), I can tell you how difficult it can be sometimes. Position yourself as the solution to their problem. Or offer to ghostwrite the blog for them. It won’t get you a sample, but it will pay. [A note: ghostwriting is not a dirty word. It is a legitimate way to build your business and earn a living. But be sure to read your contract carefully. Not all deals are fair to the ghostwriter.]
Approach busy writers and ask for advice or to partner with them. Most writers run one-person shops. They have finite room in their schedule and there are often times when there is too much work for a specific time frame. In those cases, they need a list of great writers to share the overflow with or refer clients to when they cannot do the work. But understand most writers won’t refer someone until they have vetted them thoroughly and feel confident they can do the job well. This is important because whoever a writer refers to will reflect back on them. So do your best if you get an overflow job. Be on time. Be under or at budget. Be professional and polite. Don’t make a fellow writer look bad, no matter what the client does.
Look at the want ads and see what companies are seeking writers. Approach them with an offer to fill in during the interim. It might be what they need to clear projects off their desk, and who knows, they might decide your work is what they really needed all along.
Don’t forget about job boards. They are everywhere. LinkedIn carries tens of thousands of postings for writers. Most of the jobs you will find are low-paying and not worth your time, but there are opportunities there. For one, the list shows you what companies are seeking writers.
Temp Agencies often hire writers or marketing assistants by the hour. This is a great way to gain entrance to companies and get to market from the inside. Or you could look for an editorial placement company. There is one where I live that hires out editors and proofreaders. This is a great way to show off your skills.
Finally, turn to Social Media—
Social media is a great place to find work, even if the company or publisher isn’t directly advertising. Search for keywords like “writer wanted” or “need writer” to see who’s talking about a potential opening. Follow through on the leads you find, but do your due diligence. Some of the jobs might not be legitimate.
Join groups or lists. Get involved in conversations about writing and/or your specialty.
Connect with people and join conversations about finding work during a pandemic.
These are all great ways to find potential work. The other tried-and-true way is to send queries to publishers of all kinds—magazines, journals, trades, blogs, newspapers, community papers.
The best way to ensure a paycheck is to diversify. Don’t rely only on publications for your salary. Pick up a few good clients too. Even better, try to sign some clients up for a monthly contract—x number of newsletter articles for a flat rate each month.
Good luck! Next week, we’ll talk about what to do while you are waiting for responses and work. Hint: it’s not sit on the couch.