Remember that little Twitter tweetup Anne Wayman and I hosted a few weeks back? Turns out there are more great ideas coming from those 140-character conversations than I ever expected.
Today’s post is no exception. Andrea Altenburg, technical writer extraordinaire, has provided a superb primer for writers new to the profession. She’s graciously agreed to share it here with us. You can find Andrea at her blog, More Specifically.
What to Do Now That You Are a Freelancer
By Andrea Altenburg
You have sat in your corporate job dreaming of what it would be like to work as a freelancer. You want to set your own hours, pick only the greatest projects to work on, and work in your pajamas. After much thought and dreaming, you have finally decided that freelancing is the life you want. Whether jumping into full time freelancing or dipping a toe in with moonlighting, the first question is, “Now what?”
Once you have officially declared yourself a freelancing professional, you have to do more than sit at home and wait for projects to come rolling in. Marketing yourself is a skill you must learn to get anywhere as a freelancer, as this task takes up more of your time than working on projects – at least as a startup. Every freelancer develops his or her own method for advertisement a freelance business. Here is a list of projects to start advertising your business.
Create a Portfolio
In this century, it is wise to have an online portfolio. Include a section to describe how you got to be great at your craft. Also include project samples that put your skills in the best light. Definitely include a way for a potential client can get in touch with you when they decide you are the best person for the job and want to hire you.
Create a Freelancing Resume
A freelancing resume is slightly different from a traditional resume. A freelance resume might look more like an advertising flyer and includes a web address to your online portfolio and any contract projects you have worked on in the past and still includes a list of skills and proficiencies.
Have a Professional Twitter Account
Learn how valuable twitter is for a freelancer. Make sure this account is separate from any personal account you might have. Use keywords in the bio to describe your business and include a link to your online portfolio. Start to follow other professionals in your field so you can gain tips from them. Follow businesses who are your potential clients. Start conversations and use every opportunity to get business.
Network
Contact your area’s Chamber of Commerce and be sure to attend events they hold. These are specifically put on for networking professionals to meet up and discuss new business. Also, make sure you tell all of your friends and family what you do and the types of business you serve. Include all of your social groups as well. You never know who will lead someone to you.
Be sure you use every opportunity as a way to get your name out. Always be on the lookout to see how you can help someone achieve their goals through your skills and service. Do not be someone with a sales pitch to try to sell them on you. Instead, be a friend and be someone they can trust with their business.
Get Testimonials
A testimonial can be anyone from your job, recent writing assignments, or references. Ask anyone you have worked with professionally to write a sentence or two regarding your work ethic and be sure to ask permission to use their quote on your resume and website. Having other people vouch for your proficiencies is an excellent way for someone new to freelancing get a foot in the door.
Andrea has been a technical writer and copy editor since 2003. She works full time writing online and print help manuals for a software company. She is in the processing of working less corporate and more freelance.
What did you do when you first started out that helped you build a business?
8 responses to “Guest Post: Now What?”
Great tips, Andrea. What worked best for me for finding new clients was (and is) LinkedIn.
Maybe because it seemed a bit more like the Corporate world I came from, I found it to be a good fit. I paid more attention to LI than any other social media platform in the beginning. And it has paid off-60% of my clients started in one form or another at LI.
Thanks for posting for me, Andrea! I appreciate your wisdom.
Cathy, good tip. I use LinkedIn forums, as well. Great way to rub shoulders with the folks you want to work for.
Nice post Andrea. I would add finding a mentor. Even if your connection is only through cyberspace it really helps to have someone to lean on. The life of a freelancer can be lonely and daunting. It's not like you can walk to the office or cube next door to get some encouragement.
Create the jobs I want where I want them. The point of freelancing, for me, is to write about whatever interests me and get paid for it.
I don't like to wait around until someone else figures out what they need — I like to convince 'em I make their lives much easier and more productive! 😉
Wade, finding a mentor is an excellent tip. I have one that has been very helpful with answering questions and giving advice.
Cathy, I also use Linked In, but have not found work that way yet, but I have heard it to be very effective for many.
I'd add get a website asap.
I'll second what Anne said.
Also, in addition to a Twitter account, I'd suggest checking out Google+. I'm the last person to tell anyone they "must" try a new tool just because it exists, but this one is actually worth it.
What I've noticed so far is that the conversations are much better than they are on Twitter — less disjointed and a better community feel. There are fewer people there, but their user base seems to be growing fairly quickly.
Great, straight forward post, Andrea. I passed the link to this post along to two newbie writers who contacted me looking for advice about getting started. :~)