There I was, staring at the computer screen, growling.
Once again, someone on social media was talking about how incredibly hard marketing is.
Know what’s hard? Cement. Rocks. Building a rocket launcher using straws and kindergarten paste. Heads hitting desks when people say uninformed things like “marketing is hard.”
Marketing is not hard.
Please, can we stop spreading the false notion that marketing is hard?
What’s hard is starting marketing. And even that can be simplified if you do one crucial thing:
Stop thinking it’s so damned hard.
Let’s pretend for a minute that you just convinced yourself that marketing is just a scary word, but really a simple process. Are you there yet?
Good. You’ve just conquered the absolute toughest part of marketing — getting out of your own damn head.
Now, are you ready to start marketing? Here is the easiest method for marketing to your intended client crowd, and it’s one you can start right now:
1. Find people you want to work with.
Please don’t make this hard. It doesn’t have to be. Ask yourself these questions:
- What projects interest me most?
- What kinds of things do I think I’d like to try doing that might not be too taxing first time out of the gate?
- What kinds of people/companies might have these kinds of projects? (Open your browser, type in the search term, browse the results)
2. Reach out.
Letter. Email. Phone call. Social media. Or a mix of a few/all of them. Just find a way that you prefer introducing yourself to your potential clients. (Learn how to write a solid letter of introduction HERE) Find the head of marketing, sales, or operations and get in touch.
3. Follow up.
Didn’t hear anything back yet? If it’s been two weeks, reach out again. Forward your note, leave another message, however you want to reach out cordially to see if they wanted to discuss further how you might help them. Just a quick, one- or two-line note ought to do.
4. Repeat.
Tomorrow (or next week, whatever schedule you decide on), do it again. If you’re new to freelance writing, I suggest you market every day. You need both the practice and the name recognition, and the more people you get your name in front of, the better.
That’s it. That’s the big, scary marketing plan that will net you results. Don’t like it? Think it’s too simple? Good. Then you’re ready to tweak it to fit your own needs.
Writers, what does your marketing plan look like?