As this pursuit is still young, I’m constantly exploring new ways to pick up more freelancing gigs. There is one ideal, absolute best way to do it:
1. Make use of contacts in the business: people you know who work in publishing, the media, or small businesses that use freelance writers. For me personally, this avenue is currently limited. I haven’t spent enough time working and networking to create a strong number of these contacts.
I think the second best method also relies on using your contacts, but they don’t necessarily have to work in publishing:
2. Make use of all your contacts. In fact, most of these people probably can’t directly get you a gig. But let’s say you know 50 people (an extremely low estimate, considering your family, friends, co-workers, former classmates, etc.) whom you feel comfortable contacting on a regular basis. Keep them in the loop of what you’re doing and what you’re looking for. Chances are one or two “knows a guy” who will help you out.
I started a semi-weekly e-mail to friends and family who I think would like to keep up with what’s going on in my life. You do have to make the assumption that these people like you (a farther stretch for some than others.) Go ahead and make the assumption – just mention at the end of the e-mail that if they want to be taken off your list, all they have to do is ask.
I also started using job listing portals, though the results haven’t been great. I’m still tinkering with my approach, trying to create a streamlined process. In a few months, I hope to determine which portals are the most cost/time effective, and will begin cutting inefficiencies:
Methodology: I check job postings in “New York City” and “NJ” (north, south, and central.) My search words are: “freelance writing,” “freelance,” “writing,” “editing,” and “blogging.” I focus solely on jobs that would allow me to telecommute, using Google Notebook to “clip” these postings. When I’ve finished, I take all the clippings, and apply to each one, from the ones I feel most qualified to the least.
Time: I use craigslist.com about twice a week. Searching for jobs requires about 45 minutes, applying for the jobs can take an hour or two.
Below are more freelancng portals I’ve found. I plan on exploring one by one after I meet the following two conditions:
- I feel my craigslist.com methodology is as effective as I can make it.
- The time I currently spend on marketing frees up enough to allot more time to prospecting.
Here are the portals:
4. http://www.gofreelance.com/
5. http://www.mediabistro.com/
6. http://freelancewriting.com/
7. http://guru.com/pro/index.aspx
8. http://www.elance.com/p/landing/buyer.html
9. http://freelancesuccess.com/
All these portals also offer advice on how to create a successful freelance career – so check them out even if you don’t have time to peruse for open gigs.
If you know effective ways to prospect, feel free to share!
