Freelance Employment The Hands Down Best Way to Find it Quickly
Author : Yuwanda Black
One of the stumbling blocks many new independent contractors have is that they don’t know how to market for freelance jobs. So the first rule of thumb in finding freelance employment is to learn how to market — and make it a habit.
Following is, hands down, the best way to find freelance work (and a step-by-step plan for doing so) — no matter what type of business you want to start.
To Find Freelance Employment Go Directly to the Source
And, what I mean by this is, contact prospects directly. “But,” you may be thinking, “how do I find the people to contact?” Following is a step-by-step plan for doing just that.
Step 1 to Finding Freelance Employment: Think before You Act. As in, write down all of the types of people who you think can use your services.
For example, I’m a freelance writer. Who can use my services? Well, I could start with web designers, small businesses, graphic designers, other freelance writers (who outsource), etc. So compose this list. Once you have this in hand, think niche, which brings us to the second step.
Step 2 to Finding Freelance Employment: Niche It. Continuing to use myself as an example, I’m a freelance writer, but I also have several niches, eg, real estate/mortgages and SEO (search engine optimization writing).
So, given that these are my specialties, who might be able to use my services. Some prospects that come to mind are realtors, real estate website design firms, mortgage brokers and internet marketing firms (SEO content) to name a few. With these lists of prospects in hand, I can now proceed to the next step.
Step 3 to Finding Freelance Employment: Build a Marketing Database. This is where marketing gets time consuming, and where so many fall down on their sword and give up.
Don’t! You can do this.
All you have to do is go to the internet and find the contact information of prospects. This can be email, a phone number and/or even physical addresses. It all depends on how you plan to market, eg, via email, via cold calling and/or via direct mail (eg, postcards, sales letters).
Step 4 to Finding Freelance Employment: Make Contact. Once you’ve done the above, all you have to do is make contact — consistently — and you will start landing jobs.
Finding freelance jobs really is just this easy. But, you have to do it consistently, and this is where many falter.
The Main Mistake Many Make When Looking for Freelance Work
The number one mistake most make is simply not “staying on it;” not marketing consistently. Then, they get frustrated and eventually quit, taking “comfort” in a job they may hate — all because they don’t have the fortitude to stay the course until their freelance career takes off.
Don’t let this happen to you and keep you stuck in a job you hate; and most importantly, away from a career you love.
Yuwanda Black is a long-time freelancer who lives internationally and has made her living completely online since 2007. Learn more about how to freelance successfully, and get the free ebook, Living the Freelance Life! when you subscribe at InkwellEditorial.com.