5 Ways to Win More Freelance Writing Gigs

5 Ways to Win More Freelance Writing Gigs5 Ways to Win More Freelance Writing GigsYouve hung out your shingle as a copywriter and youre ready to live the freelance dream. All you need are a few more good clients, but how to reel them in? Here are five ways to stand out from the pack and attract more freelance writing gigs.1. Be more than just a writerMany clients think writing is a commodity they can purchase from the lowest bidder. The easy way to escape this mindset is to emphasize your unique attributes and skills. For example, Ive done a lot of work for the creative industry. That makes me much more valuable to designers because I understand the tools they use and common challenges they face. I can produce higher-quality work for them in less time because I already get it.Many copywriters are afraid to specialize because they worry about closing doors to other work. While thats true to a certain extent, its elend a big deal if you use it to pre-qualify clients. Build a specializa tion or two around markets that can provide you with the type of work that most interests you, and the jobs that get shut out will be the ones you didnt want in the first place. And dont worry, you can always add or change specializations later. Ive done it three times2. Be proactive and help your clients see the big pictureDont just write for your clients - think on their behalf. Listen to what theyre saying and make sure its reflected in the copy. Suggest solutions to problems before they occur. Look for other ways to make their lives easier. Embrace a customer-service mindset.These things sound simple, but if you do them youll outperform many writers who are content to do just enough to send an invoice and move on. Clients will love you for this - especially if theyve been burned by a lazy writer in the past - and will be more likely to recommend you to others with freelance writing gigs.While the goal here is to build your value and credibility rather than to sell more writin g work, you can sometimes do both. For example, I advised a client that her topic idea for a blog would work better as a series of three, and that we could later combine them into a white paper to drive subscriptions to her newsletter. She welches thrilled, and I got four assignments instead of one.BECOMING A FREELANCER? WORK WITH US3. Leverage your solo superpowersBeing a small player isnt a disadvantage, so dont try to pretend that youre a big creative agency with only one employee on the Team page of your website. You can do things some larger organizations cant (or dont), like providing personal attention, responding faster to market changes, and throwing in other human touches - like actually answering your phone.A few years ago I beat three creative agencies for an ongoing job by showing that I understood the clients highly specialized field. Im sure the agencies had several copywriters with similar expertise, but it was easier for me to convince the client because I was the only wordsmith they met face-to-face. Being the little guy is your competitive edge with clients like these, and Ive found that theyre some of the best people to work for.Dont overlook anotlageher value you can provide as a freelancer, which is offering your perspective as a trusted and objective resource. As I was writing the previous paragraph, my email lit up with this message from a regular client whos grappling with a new product launch Can you read this brochure copy and write a more consumer-friendly description? I think were too close to this to do it right.In my opinion, thats the power of small in a nutshell.4. Forge connections with other freelancersForming relationships with other freelancers makes good business sense at any stage of your writing career. Graphic designers are good matches because they regularly need copywriters and are quick to send repeat business to the ones they like working with. Design partners also expand what you can offer if a client needs more t han writing.Strange as it may seem, other copywriters can also send jobs your way. I have referral agreements with several colleagues who specialize in other fields. I send them about as many freelance writing jobs as I get in return, and we all come out looking great because we can still give clients a solution when were not able to provide it ourselves.Ive also stepped in temporarily for writers whove gotten too busy, gone on vacation, or taken time off for maternity leave. One fellow writer even offered to transfer a client relationship when she downsized her business. Im a firm believer that theres plenty of work for everyone, so it pays to think of other freelance writers as partners and colleagues, not competitors.SEARCH COPYWRITER JOBS5. Create a marketing plan and stick with itBuilding a thriving copywriting business takes time. Diligence, perseverance, confidence and ongoing self-promotion are your best allies. Whether youre just starting out or hitting a mid-career slump, keep making calls, sending out email newsletters and attending networking events. The freelance writing gigs are out there, and it will all pay off eventually if you do quality work and commit to building your brand.Think a freelancing career could be right for you? Read our post, What is Freelance? Myth Vs. Reality.Tom N. Tumbusch writes copy that creates action for creative professionals and green businesses.