As a beginning writer, one of the hardest things you face is getting your foot in the door. You want to start freelancing and working with various clients, but how do you get those clients to give you a chance? How do you get those clients to trust you with their precious projects? There are actually several ways in which you can begin to gain the trust of potential clients. One of the most important things you can do is, implement a creative marketing plan, listen to your potential client’s needs, and use testimonials of former readers. Let’s examine each of these methods in some detail.
- Implement a creative marketing plan
A creative marketing plan will potential clients to have access to the services you provide. The more original you can make your marketing materials, the better! Potential clients are more likely to remember an original flyer or business card than a standard email. Try to make your marketing materials stand out, ideally they would symbolize the quality of the product you can provide. For example, if you are a fiction writer, perhaps think about sending a postcard with a picture of one of your fiction characters to your potential clients. These actions will help you stand out from the crowd and make it more likely that potential clients will contact you.
- Listen to your potential client’s needs
If clients do contact you, listening to their needs will make a big difference. Listening to your client’s needs is important for several reasons. For one, people in general enjoy being heard. If you provide a truly empathetic ear for your clients, they will feel like you are more invested in their projects and their overall success. The more they feel like you care, the more likely they will be to trust you with one of their projects. In addition, listening carefully to your client’s needs will allow you to gain a greater idea of what a particular project will entail. The more information you have about the nature of a specific project; the better job you can do with it. So do not be afraid to ask questions, clients generally like (and feel more secure) when freelancer writers ask them questions about how they would like their particular projects to be done.
- Use testimonials of former readers
If you just getting started as a freelance writer, you may not have any past clients that would be able to provide a written testimonial of your great work. But it is possible that you may be able to use a testimonial from a friend or former teacher. Although these people are not clients, they can still attest to the quality of work you can produce. Start with these people and grow your written testimonials over time. Potential clients are more likely to work with freelancers that have written testimonials that speak to the quality of their work.
Searching for sources of experience can be challenging when you are just entering the freelancer business. However, you will find that there are several ways to gain experience if you use your creativity. Continue writing and ask others to read your work. In addition, reach out to potential clients and let them know the services you offer. When you combine quality writing, a sound marketing plan, and empathetic listening you will find that more people are willing to give you a chance. Before you know it, you will be well on your way to a successful writing career.
