Freelancers can’t afford to skip marketing. It’s the number one tool for finding work and making the profits you need to make a living and escalate the business. Besides, with more people turning to freelance work full-time, the marketplace has become more competitive than ever. Implementing these freelancer marketing strategies will help you succeed in today’s highly-competitive market.
1. Content Marketing
Out of all the digital marketing strategies out there, content marketing is the most important for a freelance business. Having a personal website is fundamental today. All you need is a basic website that looks professional. Use your website to showcase your portfolio and show what you can do. Create landing pages of your services for attracting new customers.
As a bonus, consider using your website as a blogging platform as well. A blog is the most effective marketing tool for freelancers. Build a blog with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind that will attract traffic to your website and watch how customers start coming in. Use the blog posts for self-promotion, but most, add a value proposition. Ensure you spend time getting to know your customer base and write content that they’ll want to consume and that gives them some value.
Another content marketing strategy is guest blogging on industry-related websites. This is great for driving traffic towards your website, generating backlinks, and building credibility. Dedicate some time each week and send out pitches to various outlets
2. Social Media Marketing
After content, social media marketing is one of the best tools for freelancers. Social media helps you drive traffic to your content marketing strategies, it helps you build your network and brand.
Focus on Facebook Groups, LinkedIn, and Twitter. These are the main social media channels for freelancers. Of course, pay attention to those within your niche. For example, graphic designers see tremendous success in Instagram and Behance.
You don’t need to be a social media manager to make the most of these platforms. You want to be consistent, provide value, and stay active. Many freelancers working from home full-time find potential clients on Facebook Groups. Try to follow some related to your niche and be an active member of that community. Before you know it, you’ll start getting referrals through those groups.
3. Email Marketing
Once you start building an audience of new and recurring clients, you can start developing an email marketing strategy. Consider spending some time sending cold emails to potential clients. Having a couple of email proposal templates is a great way to attract new clients. These cold emails should be about your products or services. Make sure to do some light research before sending these emails to get the most return on investment (ROI).
After some time, you’ll have a large enough email list for sending newsletters, business updates, promotions, and more. If you consider the latest email marketing statistics, averaging at a 3,800% ROI, email marketing is something freelancers can’t ignore.
4. Referral Marketing
Don’t be afraid of asking current and former clients for referrals. Research indicates that almost 84% of B2B buyers start buying through referrals. Let your close friends and family members know about your business. Never leave your house without a business card. You never know who you might run into and how sharing your card can impact your business.
Another option is partnering with another freelancer. For example, copywriters often pair with graphic designers. By doing so, both are expanding their client pool and sharing work they otherwise wouldn't get. Sharing clients is an excellent way to upgrade your value proposition. Look for others in your industry and see how you can start collaborating to expand your customer base.
5. Traditional Marketing
Last but not least, you can’t forget traditional marketing. In today's online world, this means creating profiles in every freelancing platform that caters to your niche. These are great platforms to put your name out there, get testimonials, and even referrals.
Another important marketing strategy is to network. Whether you choose to network via social media, conferences, or webinars, this is a must. Building a successful freelancing business is about broadening your audience.
If you believe your business is ready to advertise, consider the type of market you’re catering to and where they look for information. Consider LinkedIn ads or running promotions on your website. These can help boost business when things slow down. Plus, they help put your name in front of potential new clients.
Freelance marketing is about self-promotion. The key is is consistency and spend your time on the right strategies to expand your base. Remember, treat your freelance persona as you would a small business. Think about strategies that work for those businesses and begin apply them today.
