As a freelance business owner, one of the challenges you face is marketing your business.
I know. I have a hard time marketing my own business on a regular basis. However, it’s vital to market yourself and get out there — otherwise you end up watching your business eventually wither and die.
If you’re having trouble figuring out how to best market your business, here are six tips that can help you take your marketing to the next level:
1. Make the Time for Marketing
Set aside time each day to market your freelance business in some way. This can be getting a Facebook ad set up, putting together copy for a landing page, or even just putting out a tweet.
If you are to the point where you outsource some of your marketing, you might not need to do this on your own. However, you should still make time once a week or twice a month, or when it makes sense, to touch base and see that everything’s going as it should.
2. Market Even When You’re Busy
It’s tempting to stop your freelance business marketing efforts when you have a lot of work. However, you still need to market. Even if you cut back a little bit, make still you’re still marketing yourself.
You have a chance to get new gigs (and replace the lower-paying efforts) and you’ll be positioned to take care of opportunities if something doesn’t pan out. So keep marketing, even if you think you’re too busy.
3. Find a Niche
One of the most effective ways to market your freelance business is to specialize. As a utilitarian writer, you can do reasonably well, but it’s hard to pinpoint your exact value. With a niche, you can be one of the best in a particular area — and charge extra for that expertise.
Plus, presenting yourself as an expert allows you to narrow your market and concentrate on high-value leads.
4. Upsell
Recently, I was approached by a company about writing a one-off article. I sent my rates and then upsold the company to a different deal, pointing to some of my other services and those rates. They were intrigued. The company loved the idea and went forward. I made 10 times the amount because I upsold as part of my marketing.
5. Have a Home on the Web
As a freelancer, you’re so often writing for everyone else that you don’t write for yourself. You need a home on the web that can attract people to you and your work.
It might not get a lot of traffic, but it is a place with information others can use to find out more about who you are and what you offer. Set up a website and keep it updated. You might be surprised at what a helpful marketing tool it is for your freelance business.
6. Try Different Ideas
Finally, don’t get stuck in a marketing rut. Instead, try different ideas. If there’s a new platform, give it a try. Also look at what works for your audience and what doesn’t. Maybe you find that hosting webinars works really well for your business. Or perhaps email marketing is still your best bet.
