How to Market Your Freelance Skills

An informational site can help your freelance business by:

Helping you establish your expertise
Building trust by providing useful content as opposed to offering a sales pitch
Attracting potential customers who are looking for information rather than a product or a service

Create a website related to your area of expertise. If you're a web designer, for example, include design tips or an HTML tutorial.

Don't be afraid you'll lose potential customers by showing them how to do it themselves. If they don't find the information they're looking for on your site, they'll go elsewhere.

You can build traffic to your website with pay-per-click advertising and ezine ads.

When advertising in an ezine, find out what content will be included in that issue. Then, tailor your ad copy to that content.

To promote your site for free, participate in online forums whose members are likely prospects for your services. Helpful answers to questions can brand you as an expert in your field.

Choose forums that allow you to include your website URL at the end of your messages. You'll not only build your reputation, but also traffic to your website.

Network with others in your field using email discussion lists and message board forums. It's a great way to stay up-to-date in your field as well as to build contacts that can result in referrals.

Offline marketing can make a big difference to your success, even if you conduct your freelance business exclusively online.

Always carry business cards with your website URL prominently displayed.

Imprinted pens are very inexpensive. They can easily include your URL and enough information to indicate what you offer.

Set a goal to market your business every day. Give out a business card. Make an informative post on a forum. Ask someone for a referral.

Nancy Richardson
CreateYourMarket.com publisher

Need a writer?

Quick Tips:

Enclose a business card promoting your website with each piece of outgoing mail.

Ask customers who frequently do business with you for a testimonial.

Promote your website URL offline on everything from bumper stickers to your answering machine message.

Want to reach the highest percentage of your target market?

Advertise in specialty publications including newspaper supplements devoted to a specific topic.

Marketing is crucial, but it doesn't always have to be serious.

Some of the most effective advertising campaigns rely on humor. Don't be afraid to make your customers laugh!

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