mirror-magazine domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home3/lwbean/public_html/wordsonpageblog.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121If only I had some quick hacks that could improve my freelance writing business!\u00a0<\/em>said every writer everywhere.<\/p>\n Today’s your lucky day.<\/p>\n As I slow my business pace in anticipation of an eventual retirement, I’ve had some time to reflect on how arrived at this point in my career. And I’ve been happy with what I see — where I am is exactly where I wanted to be. I have money in the bank, clients are coming to me (no marketing), and I can name my price.<\/p>\n Goal accomplished.<\/p>\n How that goal was met is the topic of today’s post. We all want that for our freelance business. We want to do things that improve our lot, not set us back.<\/p>\n There were some things I did that really worked. There were plenty more that didn’t. Another post, another time. For today, I want to share the things I’ve done over the years that really made a difference. As I pondered this, I realized it boiled down to one truth:<\/p>\n [bctt tweet=”The simple #freelancewriting moves are often the most effective for growing a business.” username=”LoriWidmer”]<\/p>\n For me, that’s my truth. The small changes netted me the biggest results. Here are eight ways I was able to achieve my goal for my freelance business:<\/p>\n That sounds so bloody simple. It is. I was able to earn one hell of a good living, weed out the bad clients, attract the good ones, and maintain a constant flow of work by doing raising my price. Getting over the fear of losing clients by doing so isn’t easy. Still, ask yourself why you’re hanging on to relationships that aren’t really that rewarding. If your client loves your work, they’ll stay. If they simply can’t afford you, that’s sad, but you need to do more than live check to check. Not convinced? Read this post<\/a><\/strong> on my a-ha moment on pricing.<\/p>\n I preached it here a lot<\/a><\/strong>. A\u00a0lot<\/em><\/a><\/strong>. Any marketing you do is useless unless you keep doing it.\u00a0<\/strong>My best move was to schedule marketing. Every week I’d send out emailed letters of introduction and every week I’d follow up on the ones I’d sent out the week before. That may be too little or too much for you, but the point is to build a consistent effort, not a slapdash one that you forget about or declare useless after one try. In hockey, if you keep shooting the puck at the net, eventually you’re going to score. Same with marketing. The more you do it, the better your odds (and the better you become at it).<\/p>\n Joy Drohan is my accountability partner and my friend. Without her, I’d still be making excuses to myself about why I didn’t do better. The reason accountability partners work: You are telling them what you did right and wrong. You’re reporting in every month. We email each other, which gives me a visual reminder of what I did and what I should be doing. Accountability, for me, kept my focus on what I was doing because now I had to tell someone about the results. That’s a huge motivator. So go on, partner up.<\/p>\n The whole point of owning a freelance writing business is that it’s a\u00a0business.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/em>Businesses don’t apply for work like employees would. Businesses try to attract their clients. They research their ideal clients, and they put together a pitch that shows they’ve done their homework. I started with exhibitors at an annual conference. That kept me knee-deep in clients for a decade or better. Some I still work with, in fact. Pay attention on social media and to who’s being quoted in articles. Then find a way to attract their attention, be it through networking or asking for a phone or in-person meeting. It’s not hard. It’s just different than filling out yet another online application, attaching clips, and competing with thousands of other writers …. ugh.<\/p>\n Randy Hecht is my spirit animal (or I’m hers — either way). We started with a conversation online that moved to the phone and soon became one of those, “Hey, I have this client who needs more help” type of sharing. Through Randy, I’ve landed some very nice client projects, and I’ve hooked her up, as well. We talk shop a lot<\/strong><\/em>, which is also motivating. Having someone like Randy in your life can help you, too. You and your writing partner validate each other, talk each other through things, and boost each other’s knowledge and earnings.<\/p>\n1. Raise the rates.<\/h3>\n
2. Build consistent marketing.<\/h3>\n
3. Get an accountability partner.<\/h3>\n
4. Seek clients; don’t apply for jobs.<\/h3>\n
5. Partner with another writer.<\/h3>\n
6. Look three months ahead.<\/h3>\n