Freelancing is a form of business, and as businesses need a marketing strategy, you need a marketing strategy too. Here are the top 10 freelancer marketing tips.
1. Friends and Family
Even if your friends and family are not involved in your market, they are likely to know other people who are in business, or who might be interested in your services. You need to utilize every relationship that you have as a freelancer – at least with friends and family, they already know you.
2. On Your Website
Your website is a powerful marketing tool, but only if you use it properly. You need to clearly outline your services and your contact details. But, should you go further than this – you also need to establish your credentials as an expert in your field, and you should collect email addresses through a sign-up form. This will allow you to start email marketing.
3. On Social Media
Social media is a cost-effective form of marketing, but it takes time and effort. Your strategy should include blogging and also connecting with your audience on relevant platforms. This might be Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, among others.
4. In-Person Networking Events
Going to networking events in your local community is also a good way to meet potential clients. These sorts of events are much better than events in your own industry as you are more likely to find customers, as opposed to other people trying to hawk the same services as you.
5. Through Referrals
It is easier to convert a client who has been referred to you than one that has not. This is because people trust the recommendations of their friends and colleagues in business. So, ask your existing clients for referrals.
6. Use Online Platforms
You should also spend time each day browsing through the online freelancer platforms and listing sites for new job postings. Make sure any profiles you have are up-to-date, and apply for the jobs that interest you.
7. Your Email Signature
Make sure your email signature includes your phone number and links to your website and social media accounts.
8. Measure Results
Measure the results of your marketing efforts so you can fix or abandon the things that don't work, and improve the things that do. This will ensure you spend your time as efficiently as possible.
9. Look After Your Clients
There is an often repeated truism in business that it is easier and cheaper to retain a customer than it is to find a new one. This is as true for a freelancer as it is for business. Your marketing strategy, therefore, should have elements that focus on customer retention.
10. Upsell
Continuing from the theme of the previous point, getting new business does not always have to mean getting new customers. You need to do this, but you should also look for ways that you can upsell to your existing customers, like offering an extra task for a fee.
The tips on this list don’t have to take over your life, and you don’t have to bring in outside help. Instead they involve getting into a mindset of marketing as a freelancer (see the first tip), being smart about it, and keeping at it.
