You know that feeling when there’s a big old pandemic that’s ground everything from airlines to client work? What am I saying? Of course you know. You too are living through the train wreck that is 2020.<\/p>\n

While airlines being grounded is frustrating for a lot of us (I’m missing two trips to Scotland this year), the worst is watching work dwindle or get yanked suddenly as clients move everything in house indefinitely. Some industries have been hit harder than others. Restaurants, travel, hospitality, retail, entertainment … Okay, almost everything has been hit.<\/p>\n

Did you catch that word? It was “Almost,” as in “There’s still hope.”<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”Let me tell you, #freelance writer — there’s still hope. Plenty of it, if you know where to look.” username=”LoriWidmer”]<\/p>\n

Take for example the industry I’m working in — insurance. Right now, I’m staring at three more months of a nonstop, heavy workload. And I’m not bitching one iota. There are other industries that are still working like mad. A few I know of (by no means an exhaustive list) are:<\/p>\n

\n
• Healthcare<\/li>\n
• Legal<\/li>\n
• Finance<\/li>\n
• Education (think online learning in particular)<\/li>\n
• Cybersecurity<\/li>\n
• Cannabis (what else are we gonna do?)<\/li>\n
• Technology companies supporting all of the above<\/li>\n
• Construction<\/li>\n
• Real estate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Even if you generalize (and maybe especially if you do), now is a good time to consider shifting your marketing to target one ore more of those industries that are working overtime due to demand.<\/p>\n

  If it were me (and it could be next year if insurance is hit with COVID claims), I’d be approaching these industries like so:<\/p>\n

  Look for cross-over potential.<\/h3>\n

  Right now, I’m writing for a consumer medical site. I’ve next-to-no experience in consumer medical topics (those few clips I do have are a decade old). But I have insurance experience. Right now, consumers are facing a lot of questions regarding insurance. Health insurance. There you go. Look for those connections.<\/p>\n

  Look for transitional opportunities.<\/h3>\n

  We’ve all taken one project and built it into sales opportunities, right? Do that times ten. I took one case study and turned it into a gig that amounted to 10 case studies and three e-books. Then I had e-book clips (on healthcare management), so they turned into a long-term client relationship with a healthcare management group, which in turn translated to another client who was in the workers’ compensation world…. and you, my writerly friend, can create that same chain reaction. And you can do it in those same now-hot industries.<\/p>\n

  Look for the clues.<\/h3>\n

  The companies in these industries are jumping over each other to talk to their customers. They’re on Twitter and LinkedIn, posting like crazy, announcing expanded services or offerings, releasing quarterly results, you name it. They’re talking and I’m listening. So should you be. Those are the companies that still have marketing dollars and are attracting new business. They’re also attracting you, freelancer, for you’re about to put them on your client prospect list, aren’t you?<\/p>\n

  Look for solid trade publications.<\/h3>\n

  Every industry has trade groups and associations. Most of them have publications attached to those organizations. Why that matters: Those organizations still have membership dues and revenue from education and training sessions. They want to keep their members. They’re going to do so by giving them really good content that makes them feel their money is well spent. For my money, I’d start my search at the association level. Most of them are on solid financial footing because their industry peers are looking to them for answers or as a resource.<\/p>\n

  Look for contacts.<\/h3>\n

  Yea, network. Right now especially, networking is the fast track to making long-term connections. Ask around in your current client circles: “I’m looking to expand my portfolio into your industry. Do you know of anyone who is looking for a writer who’s been writing case studies for five years?” You’re not asking outright. You’re simply asking if they know of anyone. Plus, remember to network not for the sale, but for the relationship. Why I love this particular ask is that it’s bringing that contact to your side, asking them to help you in a small way.<\/p>\n

  Look confident, not desperate.<\/h3>\n

  Here are ways that some writers think are great marketing moves that are killing their chances:<\/p>\n

  \n
  • The “I noticed you looked at my profile” stalker message. Stop it. If someone did that to you, you’d feel hounded and a little creeped out.<\/li>\n
  • The weekly “Hire me” tweet or message that never changes. Give them a reason to hire you; just telling them to is a waste of time and looks really desperate.<\/li>\n
  • Selling on the first date: Please. You hate it when they do it to you. Don’t be that person.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    I approach every interaction right now in much the same way as I did before a pandemic sent everyone running for home. The conversation has a purpose — to see if we are going to be a good match. That has to work for me, too. That thought is in my head each time I’m in that initial conversation with a new client prospect. You’ll be surprised how much that creates a sense of confidence on your part.<\/p>\n

    Writers, how have you transitioned your freelance writing career amid a pandemic?<\/strong><\/em>
    \nWhat advice would you give to writers trying to locate new revenue streams?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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