When freelancers ask me what type of marketing is the easiest, costs the least, and yields the best results, I don't hesitate to recommend networking. Networking satisfies two primary prerequisites to secure clients. These two prerequisites are:
Networking builds effective relationships faster than any other type of marketing. Many beginning freelancers acquire their first paying clients via networking or through people whom they know (the rapport and relationship already exist). And professional freelancers often expand their existing client-base via networking - asking clients, friends, other freelancers, etc. if they know people who can use their freelance services.
Where to Network Effectively
Professionals suggest you join two types of associations: The first type is a local association that attracts freelancers of your discipline. If you do commercial copywriting work, join a local writer's association. Many local writers' associations offer referral systems and job banks to help you receive work. The other benefit is that you will meet other freelancers who'll ask you to assist on their projects or refer their clients to you for freelance or supplementary services.
The second type of association to join is one where your type of clients congregate. Why spend hundreds of dollars targeting your audience with expensive marketing, when joining a local association that attracts your type of clients lets you sell directly to them via networking.
How to Network Effectively
Networking is only as effective as you are: the more visible you make yourself, the better networking works. Always arrive ten to fifteen minutes early for each meeting or social gathering and mingle with people. Let everyone know who you are and what you do. Most importantly, make an effort to establish relationships with people. When people know who you are and what you do, they'll know more about your business, how your freelance services can help them, and that you're available for hire.
Nurture a habit to network on a consistent, repetitious basis. You'll want people to become familiar with your face and recognize your presence at each gathering. Because many people seem passive at gatherings, try to make an effort to become active. Strike up conversations with people; pretend you're interested in what they're saying, even if you're not. Be a good, active listener.
Remember: conversations are the crux of effective networking. Simple one-on-one chatter allows the prospect to uncover more about you, and you're able to find out more about him, his hidden needs, and his hidden problems.
Networking should not be used for personal gain. You should not blatantly promote yourself to people, otherwise they'll begin to ignore you. Instead, strike up conversations with people and subtly sell yourself. When people begin to take an interest in you as a person, then they'll begin to take an interest as to how you can help them.
What You Need to Network Effectively
Business cards are often synonymous with networking: don't leave home without them. Pass your business cards out to any person who seems interested in your services. Business cards give prospects contact information and they keep your name and business fresh in their minds. If prospects are not interested in outsourcing work to you now, they'll at least have your business card on file to contact you in the future.
Networking Essentials
Editor: You may reprint this article online or offline as long as no text is altered and it is reprinted in its entirety.
About The Author
Brian Konradt is a former freelance copywriter and graphic designer, and founder of FreelanceWriting.com (http://www.freelancewriting.com), a free web site to help writers master the business and creative sides of freelance writing.
If you have a website but not making a lot... Read More
The business principle of continued contact and online relationship building... Read More
-- Internet Marketing Determines Web Success --Internet marketing is essential... Read More
Former U.S. president, George Bush Senior told the following story... Read More
Being successful at Internet marketing does require doing the right... Read More
I've recently begun working with individuals one-on-one who are truly... Read More
Just this week, a member of my audience asked me... Read More
I have been working on the Internet since 1998 and... Read More
1. Most people like surprises because it's a change of... Read More
Automatic RespondersWhether your e-business is planning to launch an email... Read More
This is a little tip I got from Alex Sampson,... Read More
Had I known in 1985 what I know now about... Read More
Once your site is up and running, the best method... Read More
A landing page is used to capture people's details when... Read More
It was supposed to happen in thirty days. Buy the... Read More
Leads are the Life Blood of any Online Home Based... Read More
What does the internet owe me for all my hard... Read More
Analyzing your web traffic statistics can be an invaluable tool... Read More
If you're looking for Internet marketing help you've come to... Read More
Welcome,Over the past five years I have learnt many tricks... Read More
1. Utilize holidays to increase your visitors or sales. You... Read More
Are you having a tough time selling that ebook or... Read More
Many people want to achieve financial freedom and they know... Read More
Often times on message boards you'll see several reps from... Read More
NO matter what business you are trying to build online,... Read More
Welcome,Over the past five years I have learnt many tricks... Read More
What the heck am I talking about?Let me tell you... Read More
Cross promotion is, without doubt, a powerful technique used by... Read More
Building an Internet business based on a specific niche is... Read More
So you've been thinking of doing some internet marketing or... Read More
Major marketers in the United States have recognized the importance... Read More
During your search, you may encounter free demographic data. If... Read More
There are thousands of web sites, books, CD-ROM's, cassette tapes... Read More
Hold a discount sale on your web site. Use the... Read More
Starting an internet based business when you have zero marketing... Read More
If you're just getting started in Internet Marketing, you may... Read More
"Here's A Quick and Simple Way To Find Hot... Read More
Since the internet happened, and everybody went for the gold... Read More
I. Summary of a marketing planThe marketing planning (concretized in... Read More
I am a great admirer of businesses that serve and... Read More
If you're a fan of Western movies I'm sure you've... Read More
Dear Internet marketers: After going through a couple... Read More
1.Why give away what you could sell?That's a fair enough... Read More
For several years now, enterprising individuals like you have been... Read More
Marketing would appear to be the great buzz word of... Read More
Billionaire Richard Branson, the entrepreneur behind the Virgin brand, is... Read More
If you haven't heard the word 'niche' being batted around... Read More
When you offer your products via an email campaign to... Read More
Database Marketing is the gathering and storing of specific information... Read More
Google is at least as interested as you are in... Read More
Internet Marketing |