Happy Friday!
I cannot even begin to describe how hectic the past two weeks have been. I got my first private client just over a week ago, writing blog posts for a nearby real estate agent. I found the ad through Freelance Writing Gigs. Seeing that the guy was local, I gave it a shot. I told him that I lived nearby, and understood the local market and what matters to local homeowners (all true). I got the job.
A few days later, I found another real estate agent looking for a blogger and content writer. This position was listed over at __. I emailed the poster, mentioned that I was already blogging for the other guy. He emailed me back a few hours later.Within a day, I had that position too. Since then, I have gotten one other client, and I made a contact with another man (a friend of client #2) who may know of some people who could use my services.
In two weeks, I went from no private clients to having a full workload. (I also write for WiseGeek and Demand Studios). I didn’t use any special formulas. But here is what I did do:
- Check for new jobs often. Some sites, like Online Writing Jobs, add new postings several times a day. The sooner you apply, the better your chances are of getting the position. Very few clients want to wait a few days to see who the best applicant is. If you are early, and you look promising, you’ll probably get the job.
- Apply to at least 3 jobs a day. This is a numbers game. You will only get so many “nos” or “maybes” before you get you a “yes.” Try to find jobs that you are qualified for, but don’t be afraid to try for positions that look fun, even if you don’t know much about the topic.
- Get up a website. And use it. Post information about what you offer, how much you charge, and convince readers about why they should hire you. Be sure to put up your portfolio- with a wide variety of work samples.
- Write a winning resume. Or, at least one that showcases your previous experience and your skills. It should be well written, but it doesn’t have to be fancy.
- Learn to craft a great query/cover letter. The email you send in response to a job ad is going to be the first impression that the potential client will have of you. Highlight any relevant experience you have, any special skills you have that will help you do the job, and any other unique reason that you should be hired. I used my nearby location to help me win the first client.
Persistence is key. I have been applying to private positions on and off for months. It wasn’t until I got serious, and started applying to a lot of openings (sometimes up to 10 a day) that I had any luck.
What methods have you used to find private clients?
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