Ask practically any freelance marketer working anywhere and they will tell you that they have the greatest job in the world. Most of them have been around the corporate world for a while, got tired, then decided to do the same thing they were doing as a job, just working for themselves. There are, however, several good tips for getting started and giving yourself every possible advantage on becoming successful.
Find Your Niche
There aren’t too many calls for “freelance marketers” out there. As a result you need to change your title to something that will make it clear to clients what you do and how you can benefit them. If your business is publicity, for example, say it. Better yet, create your pitch for how you are going to help your client be successful.
Create Your Brand
This step might seem very obvious, but in actual practice it’s not. It’s a mindset. Who are you? You need to keep that firmly in mind so that when clients and potential clients think of you they think of what you do, and vice versa.
Build a Marketing Plan
Those immortal words, “Those who fail to plan are planning to fail” really are true. Without a specific plan that you can implement and give yourself direction in your marketing efforts, you are spinning your wheels. Without a marketing plan, you will spend your days working–probably very hard–with little or nothing to show for it.
Create Your Pitch
When many freelance marketers get started, if they successfully complete all of the previous steps, they usually fall on this one. They fail to practice their pitch. Instead, they assemble all of the parts of their presentation and hope things go well. Unfortunately, it’s at this point that Murphey’s Law strikes. You can eliminate a lot of problems if you practice your pitch to anyone who will listen–friends, neighbors, family members, or even to yourself in a mirror–and make your refinements on what you see and hear.
Recruit Your Clients
This is the fun part, especially if you do it right. At this point you might consider the world your oyster. And if you do, you’re off to a good start, because it is. This part can be frustrating, too, but if you have done your homework you will have convinced yourself that you are what businesses need to succeed and as a result nothing can stop you.
Promote Yourself
Tell everyone what you are about and that you are there to help them. Carry your business cards and other promotional items with you and give them out wherever and whenever you can. Even if someone who receives your material can’t use you chances are good that someone who they know does. Don’t pass up a chance to tell someone about you.
If you are gathering at this point that becoming a freelance marketer is a lot of work, you’re right. On the bright side, it’s also a lot of fun. Besides that, if you stick with it, you will make a lot of money and friends on your road to success.
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