| Want
an edge on the competition? Need to find prospects and clients
to carry you through the lean times? Then do yourself a big
favor and think "local."
Sometimes
freelance professionals focus so much on searching the world,
via the Internet, that some prime markets for most freelance
businesses are forgotten. Those markets are right in your
own backyard. In times like this, it's very wise to diversify--to
have at least three different sources of income. One of my
friends, a freelance writer, calls this "always having
three legs on her stool so it doesn't fall over". For
most freelancers this is just good common sense.
Here
are some ideas to help you activate your "local"
mindset:
·
Renew those old contacts. It's so easy to let relationships
slip away when you start a new venture. When you begin to
cultivate local resources, start with your past business contacts.
Even former bosses are likely sources of new projects. In
addition, many of your new clients will come from referrals,
but your old contacts need to be reminded that you can still
provide solutions to their needs. In addition to telephone
calls, just drop by to say hello and leave some of your marketing
materials.
·
Market yourself to potential local clients/customers.
Take full advantage of all available marketing strategies,
including direct marketing through mail and email.
·
Dust off your cold-call skills. Allocate some time each
week for making cold calls. This will eventually pay off,
as you make your calls, then do aggressive follow-up. Just
one or two calls converted to prospects, then to clients,
can add substantially to your income base.
·
Check your local newspaper classifieds, new business articles
and advertisements. Check with every new business that
falls within your parameters for possible work. Even ads for
full-time employees may be possibilities for freelance work.
·
Search the Internet for your city's web site, local organizations,
or local job posting sites. Yes, you can use the Internet
to find local resources for freelance jobs.
Make
thinking "local" an on-going part of your marketing
plan and job search. You and those local business will benefit
from this focus. But, remember while you're cultivating these
contacts, don't neglect the other "legs of your stool."
It all has to fit together into one integrated effort.
=======================
Marilyn
Crain is a freelance writer with an extensive background
in human resources, information systems and performance improvement.
Most of her writing has been in these business fields, but
she is now expanding her horizons into other areas.
She
has had a lifelong love of reading and writing. Among her
many passions is sharing history with children through her
developing series of children's historical fiction soon to
be out on www.ezetta.com.
She
is a partner in the e-newsletter/e-marketing site http://www.evoicenewsletters.com/,
as well as, the soon to be launched eZetta.com,
author's site devoted to e-book publishing and decodiva.com,
a site filled with beautiful living resources. She is co-publisher
of two newsletters, The eVoice and The Freelance Life. You
may contact her: marilyn@smartwriters.com.
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