Freelancefolder

Could You, Should You, Write a Book?

Posted August 3, 2011 in Marketing

If you’re a freelancer, you’re probably already an expert in what you do. Whether it’s freelance web design, freelance writing, freelance programming, freelance translation, or some other freelancing specialty–you’re already good at it. In fact, you’re probably somewhat of an expert.

After all, if you weren’t good at your profession, you wouldn’t be succeeding as a freelancer. What better way to show off that expertise (and indirectly market your freelancing business in the process), than to write a book about your field?

Whether you’re a writer, or not, you should consider whether writing a book will help your freelancing career.

In this post, I’ll discuss some of the advantages that are derived from having a published book. I’ll also discuss some of the obstacles that keep many freelancers from creating a book.

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How to Create an Informal Editorial Calendar for Your Blog

Posted July 29, 2011 in Marketing, Writing

If you use a blog as part of your freelancing marketing strategy, then you may have already faced that common question that many bloggers eventually struggle with: What shall I write about today?

Even if you started your freelancing business blog with a ton of great ideas, eventually the day will come when those ideas will run dry. This struggle, often referred to as writer’s block, can be at least partially avoided through the use of a blog editorial calendar.

In this post, I’ll explain what an editorial calendar is and discuss how it can help you keep up with your blog on your freelancing site.

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30 of the Best Online Marketing Resources for Freelance Designers & Others

Posted June 23, 2011 in Marketing, Tools/Resources

Online marketing is an essential part of any business. It is as important as brochure and postcard printing, as television commercials, and as face-to-face networking. Most business owners know that within the realm of print marketing are a vast number of tricks, resources, and options to learn.

The same is true of online marketing.

With everything available for freelancers from banner ads to Google Adwords, affiliate marketing and SEO marketing, article marketing and online press releases, marketing on the web can set anyone’s head to spinning before they even begin the process.

Very often, freelancers are in charge of every detail of their business, including marketing. As mentioned before, marketing in and of itself can be very daunting, but when it is one of a hundred tasks that you have to accomplish every business day, it can be very tempting to just keep putting it on the back burner. Or maybe you attempt some marketing task now and again, but for the most part have let your original marketing efforts run themselves.

However, online marketing, like print marketing, needs to be monitored. This is why it is important for you as a freelancer to know about the many helpful resources that are available online. If you are just beginning an online marketing campaign, there are also plenty of excellent help at your fingertips.

In an attempt to help fellow freelancers, I’ve compiled a list of resources that you may need for your online marketing campaigns. With this list, I hope to save you time and to provide you with some of the best tools to help you succeed.

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Top 5 Website Secrets for Turning More Prospects into Clients

Posted June 17, 2011 in Getting Clients, Marketing

I don’t know how you feel about making money, but personally, I’m for it. And if you’re like me, you rely on your website for your income. You might even have several sites. So what would you say if I told you that every site you own could be turning many more prospects into clients, with just a few changes?

If you’re anything like me, you’d probably say: Wait, what? What changes?

So let me tell you. In this post I’ll share my five website secrets for turning more freelancing prospects into freelancing clients.

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Why Trade Shows Are Important

Posted June 9, 2011 in Getting Clients, Marketing

Freelancers can benefit from taking part in business trade shows and exhibitions. There is surely no better way to increase your exposure to a specific section of your target market than through your attendance at an industry-specific trade show.

Done properly, the events can provide a wealth of opportunity–new contacts, new clients and most importantly: new income.

Freelancing can be difficult when you suddenly find that you don’t have enough work coming in. Trade shows are often an ideal solution to this problem.

One of the most important aspects of freelancing is marketing yourself and your services. There are many ways to do this, but in this post we’re going to look at one that is far too often overlooked.

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How to Show Clients What Your Business Is Really All About

Posted May 23, 2011 in Marketing

As freelancers, we often have to explain exactly what it is we do.

The quality of your explanation impacts your success. For example, if you don’t communicate well, you could turn off prospective clients, attract those you don’t really want to work with, and look just like any other freelancer in your field.

On the other hand, when you talk about your freelancing business effectively, not only do you attract your Ideal Clients. You’ll also have more confidence about yourself and your business. And that confidence will show in everything you do.

The majority of freelancers don’t know how to talk about their business. Just look at the websites and other marketing materials of most freelancers, and you’ll find the common mistakes listed below.

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Are You Rude Online?

Posted May 18, 2011 in Getting Clients, Marketing

So, you’re active online. You’ve got a blog, multiple social media profiles, an online portfolio–and you keep everything updated regularly. You’re doing exactly what a freelancer should do (or so you think), but you’re not getting any new clients. What could be the problem?

There might indeed be something you’re doing wrong, even when you seem to be doing everything right. Although having an online image is very important, it’s not enough to simply be online. You have to have a good reputation as well.

If you’re active online, but aren’t attracting new business could it be because others are perceiving you as being rude?

Just as talking loudly on your cell phone in a small restaurant might be annoying and even rude to those around you, some common online behaviors can also be considered rude.

Before you dismiss this thought entirely, realize that it’s easy to accidentally offend others (without even knowing it) when you’re doing business online. In this post, I’ll identify some online actions (no no’s) that might offend others. Then, I’ll ask you what you consider to be rude

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The Three Stages of Negotiating

Posted May 16, 2011 in Managing Clients, Marketing

Negotiate!

The very word sends chills up the spine of the most confident freelancers.

You can reduce the stress of the negotiating process if you do your homework before talking money with the client. You need to come up with a negotiating strategy.

Negotiating should cover three elements:

• What you want to earn
• What you’ll accept
• What concessions you expect if you have to work for less than the ideal fee

Many freelancers don’t realize that negotiations can involve more than money.

If you and the client cannot agree on a fair fee, you might be able to alter the job description so that the client’s price is acceptable. If that fails too, you still might be able to salvage the job by asking for something that is easy and inexpensive for the client to provide and that is as valuable to you as money in the bank. I call these alternatives the three stages of negotiating.

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Why Freelancers Need a Brand and How to Create One

Posted May 15, 2011 in Marketing

We all know that large and small businesses alike benefit from great branding. Freelancers, on the other hand, may overlook this effective marketing strategy.

The truth is, however, that as a freelancer branding is just as important as it is for traditional businesses. Yet, many freelancers don’t realize how important this vital marketing tool really is.

Without branding, your freelancing efforts may never grow into anything more than a hobby. Branding is really that important.

In this post, I’ll explain why it’s important to have a brand and how to create the brand that you need for your freelancing business.

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