Comments on: The Low-paying Rut

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:57:40 +0000

Julie, you rock. Thanks for bringing awareness to other writers. 🙂

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:19:29 +0000

All,

Thanks again for all your advice!! I was inspired to write a post about this…
http://www.inspiredtowrite.com/2011/03/what-are-you-worth-as-a-freelance-writer.html

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:24:46 +0000

Glad to hear what you're doing is working, Lisa! And that's your process – what works for me may not be your thing. It's about finding what you like doing that works, and it sounds like you've found it!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:07:10 +0000

What a great conversation. I agree that direct mail is one of the best ways to reach the clients you want to work with. I am right in the middle of pitching local businesses and already my phone is ringing and meetings are in the works with new clients.

I would have loved to do Eileen's method for direct mail, but working on a tight budget I went with the sales letter and business card only as my enclosure. This is my first attempt at direct mail marketing but it seems to be yielding positive results and increasing traffic to my website so I see only good things coming from it so far!

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:54:25 +0000

I know, Kathy! I may not survive through it! LOL

Julie, glad you made it! If anyone can help you, these guys can. These are some of the hardest working freelancers out there, and they know what they're doing.

Paula, Eileen's lumpy mail IS intriguing. :) Amen to the stepping stones. Good clients can help you secure more good clients.

Hi, LC! Haven't seen you in a while, but I was thinking about you the other day. You still tweeting on Twitter?

That's it, Eileen - I'm investing in some "lump" for my mail, too. :)

By: Admin

Admin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:46:56 +0000

Wow-not only is this post awesome in and of itself, but the comments are the icing on the cake! Such great, actionable advice! Lori, you're a sweetheart - you've helped me out before too and I'm so greatful. :)

I second the fact that you cannot exist by job boards alone. It took a minute for me to get it through my thick skull, but actively seeking opportunities is what freelancing is all about.

You guys have given me even more great marketing ideas to work with - LOVE the tip about adding clients to LinkedIn, Irreverent Freelancer!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:14:10 +0000

@Paula - yes, you have that exactly right. To be more specific, use a 6 X 9 Kraft (manilla type) envelope. In it, place your pitch letter that you have slaved over. The headline on that pitch letter will tie into the lumpy promotion item you enclose. The size envelope, the fact that it is hand-addressed, and the lumpiness will get it opened. I used Pete Savage's ebook, "The Freelance Copywriter's $64,000 Direct Mail Self Promotion Package" as my model.

Lumpy mail example: Headline on your letter would say something like "Is Your Website 'Sticky' Enough"? Lumpy item would be those gooey sticky hands that kids get as party favors. Your pitch letter would offer a free website checklist to see if it has "sticky" elements that will keep web users on the site. The prospect has to contact you to get the checklist. Some skip asking for the freebie and just engage your services right away.

By: L.C. Gant

L.C. Gant — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:48:12 +0000

Julie and I are in similar positions, I think. I have about the same level of experience and have had the same kind of trouble finding work in the industry.

I will be transitioning from a full-time job into freelancing over the next few months, and I'm still learning what it means to take an "active" approach to marketing.

Anyway, I'd like to echo what Julie said: God bless all of you veterans for sharing your wisdom with us newbies! You may never know how many people you're really helping, but know that we're out here learning from you and being inspired. Thanks for all you do :)

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:19:01 +0000

Eileen often mentioned "lumpy" mail, and I still am wondering what that means. Lumpy as in snail mail that needs more than one first class stamp? The image that always jumps to mind is the lumpy mail I sometimes get with promotional pens, key chains (or better yet thumb drive key chains!) enclosed.

Amen to all the tips above, but I'd add two things:

1) While continuing a relationship with good clients, also use those samples as stepping stones to get you to the next level. Have some great personality profiles in a local women's magazine? Use those clips to try to break into a national women's magazine.

2) Build relationships with helpful sources. Tangential things come up in most interviews, perhaps you can spin a different article on that source to a different publication. Helpful publicists are a great source for future article ideas. Bear in mind that you can help your sources as much as they can help you.

By: Julie, the underpaid freelancer

Julie, the underpaid freelancer — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:12:20 +0000

Lori - thanks for posting this and reaching out! God Bless you!! It means a lot!!

And Devon - wow, great advice and things I did not necessarily think of!

Eileen and Irreverent Freelancer, I appreciate these ideas!

This has spurred me to write a blog post - stay tuned! :)

One question: should I create a whole new website just for my writing and clients? Or add a section in my current blog which gets a decent amount of traffic? Thanks again!