Comments on: Quick-start Guide to Finding Clients

By: 6 Habits of $100K Freelancers | Words on the Page

6 Habits of $100K Freelancers | Words on the Page — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 10:15:19 +0000

[…] It’s not hard. Plenty of successful freelancers have done it and do so every day. Here are one, two, three, four links to get your started. Stop thinking that you have to be immediately […]

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:14:05 +0000

You learned from one of the best, Wade. She's amazing. :)

I don't keep records, no. I just know in my head what's working and what's not. I do keep track of every LOI and query I send out, but that's as far as I organize it.

Anne, maybe today will be better. :)

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:20:50 +0000

I'm becoming a big fan of Linkedin. It has the right mix of social and business. I can send an editor a message and not feel like I'm stalking him/her. LOI's work well. I first learned how to write one from Linda Formichelli and I get the best response from a LOI. However, they take some upfront work with research and finding the correct contact. Does anyone keep precise records on which form of marketing works best for them? I don't have a marketing schedule and do this sort of random. I might have identified a problem with my business plan. 🙂

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:35:17 +0000

Tickles me how well you teach marketing to writers – and get well, Lady, we need you.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:29:01 +0000

Maybe that's a missed opportunity for you, Paula. LOL!!!

I'm getting a lot of traction off the LOI right now. I just had three potential clients in the last two weeks get in touch. They work well for me in the specialty I'm in. Would they work the same for someone writing for consumer mags? Don't know.

I'm still a believer in announcing I'm going to be out of the office. They fly out of the woodwork (not literally) the second I think about getting away.

I've had an opposite reaction to announcing what I'm doing. I have had inquiries from people asking if I'd be able to handle their projects since they're similar.

You're right, FCW. They're super ways to get in touch and get acquainted with clients.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:38:07 +0000

Make that a good LOI. Never sent one to the Lord himself.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:37:22 +0000

You know I love a god LOI, Lori, but the crossovers are one of my favorite strategies. It can take a little creative thinking to make subject A fit magazine Z, but that's also the kind of pitch that's likely to catch an editor's eye.

Re: LinkedIn status updates. Another writer and I debated it the other day. My friend said she lists all of her projects to show how in demand her services are. I said I don't so that because I don't want clients to think I'm too busy to accept work from them, too.

Conversely, I'll occasionally change my LinkedIn status to say I'm finally caught up and am open for new assignments - sometimes tossing in a "hint, hint" to keep it light. My friend thinks that's a mistake, and she wouldn't want to give the impression she's in a lull. It's worked for me a couple of times, so I'm sticking with it when appropriate.

As Lori's noted before, there are no absolutes, but I'd like to hear how other writers feel about these kinds of status updates. Which works for you, which doesn't?

By: Freelance Content Writer

Freelance Content Writer — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:09:18 +0000

i feel social media is good way to find some clients..and others are good too!