www.inkthinkerblog.com — by Erin Blakemore
Let’s face it – with the expenses of a home office, time spent trying to find well-paying markets, and the million and one other speed bumps on the road to a professional writing career, it’s hard to justify much time and expense for marketing your writing business. Luckily, low-key marketing doesn’t take big bucks or huge time commitments. In fact, sometimes marketing on a nonexistent budget is as easy as A to Z:
Always give contacts two business cards – one to keep and one to pass along to a friend.
Blog your way to exposure and new clients – with free and cheap online options, there’s no excuse not to learn more about blogging.
Charity can work two ways – what else allows you to get karma points while flexing your marketing muscle? Try allying with a local charity for effective cross-promotional opportunities.
Distribute your press release online – there are several free options and you’ll get search engine exposure.
E-newsletters are quick and simple to write and allow you to keep your name in front of clients’ eyes!
Friends are forever – and a great media contact can get you unexpected coverage.
Good clients are the best advertising – consider leveraging existing clientele with a referral bonus.
How about a concise, impressive, and attractive voice mail greeting?
It isn’t easy being seen – a quick course on public speaking can give you the poise you need to greet clients with polish and ease.
Join an online forum or five. Don’t forget to link back to your website!
Killer business cards don’t always need fancified graphics. A simple, memorable design can cost less to print and leave the right impression with clients.
Leverage professional affiliations. Membership in a professional society can offer perks such as free online listings, newsletter distribution and chances to meet the public in a professional context.
Many a referral or sale has been made from a great e-mail signature. Go for something brief, impactful and clear, and don’t forget to include pertinent contact information.
Network, network, network. Never appear in public without being prepared to promote your business.
Online classifieds are your friends. Some selective Googling can yield many free options.
Prepare yourself – putting a few hours of deep thought into your 30-second business pitch can help refine your goals and help to hone your marketing efforts.
Question your marketing tactics on a regular basis – don’t be afraid to reassess and ditch what isn’t working for your company.
Remember that adage “ask and you shall receive”? It rings truer than you might think. Take that risk – ask a vendor for a discount or a friend for a referral. You might be surprised at the results.
Search engine optimization is simple – if you know the right tricks. The right key words can make or break your home page on the search engines, so handle with care!
Thank your customers. Whether it’s a holiday card, a quick note or a full-out celebration, client contact keeps you on the radar (and might just fill up your calendar!).
Unsolicited contact can make clients nervous. Allow them to opt in via your website or comment cards.
Vying for customers in a crowded industry? Do some reading on branding and prepare to stand out from the crowd.
Work trades can help you gain essential services and increase your referral base.
eXcitement sells products – so remain connected to the inspiration behind your business goals.
Your time is valuable – and so is your clients’. Aim for marketing strategies that deliver immediate impact.
Zap your clients’ qualms and your own fears with the best marketing tool of all – a smile ?
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Erin M. Blakemore is a freelance writer based in Boulder, Colorado. Her work has appeared in numerous trade and consumer publications in print and online, and she provides business and marketing services to a variety of clients. In her spare time, she skates as a blocker for the Denver Roller Dolls, Denver’s premier roller derby league. You can learn more about her work at www.erinblakemore.com.
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
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Hi!
I liked the post, and the info is very useful for my freelance writing career. Thank you!