Flexible Working Life

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Part of being a freelancer, in fact a large part of being a freelancer, is generating work and getting new clients.
Even if you have a bank of steady clients, you still need to be on the lookout for new business, because you never know when one of those regular gigs you have might just disappear.

There are a million ways to get new gigs, but these five tips that I’ve listed here have worked for me.

1. Get testimonials
Whenever you have a satisfied client, ask for a testimonial and if they know of anyone they could refer you to.  This is a huge way to get more work - people often take up the services of someone that’s recommended so don’t be afraid to remind your client that you’re still available for work, even though the job is done for them.

2.  Get an email signature and use it as a marketing tool.
Put your web address and telephone number on everything you send out, even if it’s to your friends and family.  Get into the habit of putting it on everything.  It’s also a good  idea to send out an email to everyone in your address book, just telling them what you do and what your services are, especially if you have a new product/service/offer to promote.

3.  Make friends with other freelancers.
Join freelance forums and become a part of a community.  These are great pools of information, contacts, work offers and ideas are often shared between members.  And there’s also the possibility of other freelancers offering you work on joint projects, or supplying you with any work that they’re too busy to complete.

4.  Write about what you do.
Even if you hate writing, it’s worth becoming an expert in your field and making sure people know about it.  Submit an expert feature to the free article sites and link it back to your web site.  Offer to do guest posts for blogs in your field, answer questions and complete how-to’s.  Remembering all the time to make it clear who you are and how you can be contacted.

5. Be an expert.
This is a great way to get free publicity.  If you have an area of expertise that you are knowledgeable about then list yourself as an expert.  Put yourself on expert sources so the media can contact you, let your local radio station and paper know that you’re available for quotes on the subject and visit journalist forums to post advice if someone asks about your topic.

Try out these five and see what they bring in.  They work for me, let’s hope they work for you.