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How to Really Use Your Blog to Find Freelancing Jobs

Posted May 2, 2011 in Marketing, Social Media

An important part of my marketing strategy is my freelance writing blog. It serves as kind of an online home base for me. No matter what type of work I’m doing, wherever else I might be blogging, or how busy my workload is, I strive to keep my freelance writing blog updated with a new post every week.

As a result of my efforts, I’ve received a number of inquiries from prospective clients (several of whom eventually gave me repeat business). I think, with the right approach, you could do it too.

We’ve already explained some of the benefits of having a freelance blog as well as some of the challenges. So, we won’t go into detail about those here. Instead, we’ll focus on how to really use your blog to get freelancing jobs.


Part Is Not All

Notice that I stated that having a freelance blog is PART of my marketing strategy. It’s very important to note that a freelancing blog should not be ALL of your marketing strategy.

One of the biggest mistakes freelancers make is sticking a blog out there and doing little else to get your name out there. While a few clients may wander in, simply having a freelancing blog doesn’t automatically guarantee that your prospective clients will ever see it.

If you’re expecting to use blogging as the only marketing strategy for your freelancing business, you’re probably setting yourself up for failure.

Getting Your Name Out There

Having a blog AND a strong social media strategy can be a great marketing combination for a freelancer. Prospective clients get to know a little bit about you through social media and can click through to your freelancing blog to learn more.

Naturally, you’ve already updated all of your social media profiles to include a link to your blog, right? If you engage in guest posting, make sure that your profile there includes a link to your own blog.

Another way to get your name out there is to make sure to include your blog address in any comments that you leave on other blogs. While the other blogger may not actually comment on your blog, chances are good that he or she will click through to make sure that you are a legitimate commenter.

You’re in Control

One of the best things about having your own freelancing blog is that you are totally in control of what gets posted there. There’s no 140 character limit like on Twitter. Your mother can’t come by and post embarrassing baby pictures of you on your wall like she can on Facebook.

Having total control of your blog means that you can make your freelancing blog a really powerful representation of what you can do.

Creating a Good Home Base

While it’s important to update your freelancing blog regularly (several times a month) to show that you are still actively in business, you don’t need to worry about posting daily (or multiple times a day) unless you are actually operating your blog as a business. So, don’t worry about competing with the TechCrunch blogs of the world.

Instead, focus on making your blog as professional as possible. If you are a freelance writer, this is your chance to show that you can create compelling content. If you are a designer, this is your chance to really show off your talent. If you are a freelance photographer, make sure to feature your own images.

Remember that clients will judge your expertise based partially on your freelancing blog, so it’s more important to create quality content than frequent content. Avoid posting to your freelancing blog just for the sake of getting something published (another common mistake that freelancers make).

Also, make sure that your freelancing blog includes a way to contact you. Too many freelance bloggers, even bloggers who are supposedly using their blog as a marketing strategy, leave out their contact information. Then, they wonder why they get no business through their blog.

Long-term Strategy

Of course, having a freelancing blog is a long-term strategy. Many freelancers get frustrated or think they are doing wrong if a prospective client doesn’t contact them the day after their first blog post.

Sadly, blogging doesn’t usually work that quickly for most freelancers–but, that doesn’t mean that you’re doing anything wrong. It may take a prospective client several visits before they feel comfortable enough with what they see to contact you. Blogging is definitely a marketing strategy where persistence pays off.

Blogging Makes Financial Sense

While most of us do pay something for our freelancing blogs (web hosting services, premium themes, etc.), in general, having a freelancing blog is a smart use of your marketing dollar. Even after you take into account the time that you invest in your blog, in the long-term running a freelancing blog is cheaper and more effective than many other forms of advertising.

What About You?

How do you use your freelancing blog to get clients? What tips would you add?

Leave your answers in the comments.
Image by Brett L.

Related posts:

  1. How to Find Freelance Jobs through Effective Forum Networking
  2. Graphic Design Jobs, How To Find Them Online
  3. 5 Sneaky Ways to Get Free Traffic to Your Freelancing Blog
  4. Five Ways to Better Engage Readers on Your Blog
  5. 3 Reasons Why Every Freelancer Should Blog

About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts. Laura is also on Google+.



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18 Comments
  • User Gravatar
    Melissa
    May 2nd, 2011 at 9:23 am

    Being a writer, I can see how having a blog would work for you in finding new clients. But what about those of us who aren’t writers but who are instead looking for graphic design clients? Any tips for us?

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    May 2nd, 2011 at 9:34 am

    Hi Melissa!

    The blog should work for you just as well. However, you should pay extra special attention to your graphic design elements since clients will assume you did it yourself. You can also share images–your posts don’t have to always be words.

    Naturally, the topics you write about will showcase your graphic design knowledge. Otherwise, nearly everything should be the same–get involved in social media, consider your blog a long-term strategy, post regularly.

    I know plenty of graphic designers who blog. In fact, there seems to be a rather large design community online.

  • User Gravatar
    Sue
    May 2nd, 2011 at 9:54 am

    I’ve only ever had one client contact me through my blog so perhaps I need to change my blogging strategy – helpful post by the way.

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    May 2nd, 2011 at 10:02 am

    Hi Sue,

    Thanks for your comment. :) I clicked through to your blog (see, people really do that). I noticed that it’s about two years old–so getting one client isn’t an awful track record. (That’s one client you might not have had otherwise.)

    I do believe that blogging should only be a PART of your marketing strategy. As I mentioned above, social media should be another PART. Blogging and social media go hand in hand.

    Best wishes for your freelance writing business…

  • User Gravatar
    Sharon Hurley Hall
    May 2nd, 2011 at 10:09 am

    I’ve had quite a few clients through my writer-focused blog, Laura. One of the best things I ever did was include a ‘hire me’ page – and that gave clients a way to reach me. I also included links to me resume and portfolio. There’s nothing to lose by doing it – and everything to gain.

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    May 2nd, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    Thanks Sharon!

    I agree with using a Hire Me page and your other tips. :) I’ve also discovered it helps to put a photo on that page. People like to see who will be working for them.

  • User Gravatar
    Stephanie
    May 2nd, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    Thanks Laura for the useful tips! I actually took down my old freelancing website and blog a couple of months back because of how slow my choice of web hosting has been, so once I transfer my domains to a better service I’ll build my site and blog up from scratch.

    I have a question though on the choice of topics of your blog. As a freelance writer, do you really have to focus on topics that teach clients and other writers how to write or freelance as a writer? Are there other topics that can be covered in a freelance writing blog?

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    May 2nd, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    Hi Stephanie,

    Excellent question!

    I actually think that freelance writers have more freedom in this arena than other freelancers simply because any writing that they do showcases their writing ability.

    I’ve known of other freelance writers with blogs on topics other than writing, but I’m not certain how well that works for them. I’d love to get some reader’s comments on the topic. :)

    Readers, what do you say? Are you a freelancer who uses their blog to bring in clients, and yet your blog is on something other than your specialty?

  • User Gravatar
    Issa @ Ajeva
    May 3rd, 2011 at 3:28 am

    You’re definitely right about blogging to attract prospects – and sometimes, it can be a post way back.. you can barely remember. I’ve got a query a few months back that someone wants to hire my services because of what I’ve posted on this online freelance forum.

  • User Gravatar
    KC Canlas
    May 4th, 2011 at 1:53 am

    Hi Guys!

    Great advices for freelancers!

    In my case, I maintain 2 blogs under my portfolio. One is a travel and food blog in the Philippines (www.spreadsomeawesome.wordpress.com) while the other one is like what other freelancers do, talk about freelancing, online jobs, and the like. I think writing a blog to bring in clients does not need to be limited to such. You can talk about other things as long as it interests you like what I do.

    Moreover, I don’t simply use my blogs so that clients may see them. Actually, my main goal is to share what I know to other people. Lots of my friends are asking what I do now after quitting my fulltime job and now it’s easier to tell them what by leading them in my blogs.

    I hope this helps. :)

  • User Gravatar
    Brandy Q
    May 4th, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    I just wanted to say that I completely agree with you, Laura! When I decided to develop my new website, I centered the entire template around a blog. I’m a marketer, NOT a writer. In fact, when I send my print materials into my freelance editor she makes me feel like a money with a keyboard and a head wound. I can’t afford to get every blog post edited, but I know just placing original content that is geared towards my target audience will bring in more traffic. Even if you’re not a writer, creating posts that your readers will be interested in will get you noticed.

  • User Gravatar
    Stephanie
    May 10th, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    That was very helpful and encouraging! I have a website and am doing a separate blog to educate my audience and showcase my writing.

  • User Gravatar
    Jenine Kracker
    May 29th, 2011 at 7:16 am

    Google’s recent change to its search algorithm has dramatically shaken up the businesses of websites that moved up or down its search rankings. Sites whose rankings rose to the top found that their traffic and revenue soared — but the adjustment had an equally devastating effect on those that were dropped.The reason behind the drop in positions of some websites is hidden in their total website structure,not only the backlink structure,but also the content of the website,the placing of ads,etc.Now,it is more than ever important to include high quality,original content in your websites.With that said,the game is getting tougher and tougher and few will survive to rank their websites for the competitive terms they are after.Use high quality original content,high quality link wheel/pyramid structures and quality backlinks for your site in order outrank your competitors.

  • User Gravatar
    Nayem
    October 14th, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Naturally, the topics you write about will showcase your graphic design knowledge. Otherwise, nearly everything should be the same–get involved in social media, consider your blog a long-term strategy, post regularly.

    Thanks.

  • User Gravatar
    Lakhiraj Ramdass
    October 19th, 2011 at 11:44 am

    Raj

    I read most of what was said on blogging. I worked in the telemarketing industry for 3 yrs at a top call centre in the Caribbean for US clients. We were trained by professionals, boy they were really good. WeI sold almost anything you can think about (only to US customers). I have all my scripts and training manuals and i believe i can make a killing in this industry!
    I am thinking of getting back into it after so many years: i believe i am still good at it. I was one of 5 top sale rep on most campaigns, with awards for noted skills, sales and achievements
    Could you direct me as to where i might find blogs, advise etc. on telemarketing
    I have not yet posted of even sign up with a platform, but i must as money is tight
    Right now i am just hunting for preparation material

    Many Thanks

  • User Gravatar
    sayed sabrin
    November 26th, 2012 at 11:19 am

    long term strategy yes that’s sound perfect also apart from that the client will not contact with your first blog post…..Blogging is all about patience & break is all about strategy
    thanks
    Sabrin

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