In my post about offline writing opportunities I promised to explore some offline methods for finding work. Without actually suggesting that you hang out a neon sign, I managed to come up with a few ideas.
In no particular order, here are some offline marketing suggestions:
- Join a writing society for your specialty. By networking face-too-face, you will meet others in your specialty. There are quite a few writing societies available. I actually blogged about writing societies in this post, What Kind of Writer Are You?
- Use business cards. Pass them out to family, friends, and former colleagues. Make sure all of your acquaintances know about your business.
- Use the telephone directory to find the addresses and phone numbers of small to medium businesses in your area. Create a letter detailing your services. Follow-through with a cold call.
- Contact small, regional publications in your area. Let them know that you are a freelance writer who is willing to provide content from time to time.
- Don’t forget to check the classified ads in the local newspaper for writing jobs.
I know that I must have left at least a few ideas out of this list. I’d love to hear your suggestions for offline marketing of writing services. Why don’t you leave a comment and share what they are?
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
13 responses so far ↓
1 Lillie Ammann // Nov 6, 2007 at
Laura,
These are good tips.
Two more I thought of:
1) Join a local chamber of commerce or other business organization to network with business owners and leaders who are good prospects for your services.
2) Get involved with a charity or other nonprofit agency – contribute articles for the newsletter or help with a brochure. Although I don’t generally recommend writers do work for free, donating your services to a charity can give you a way to support a cause you believe in AND showcase your talents to leaders and supporters. Just be sure you are given credit for the work.
2 Laura // Nov 6, 2007 at
Lillie,
Great tips! I knew that I’d forget something. Thanks so much for sharing these.
3 Mary Emma Allen // Nov 6, 2007 at
Some great ideas, Laura. In this Internet age, business owners sometimes forget many of the offline promotional opportunities out there. Lillie, you have some good recommendations, too.
Thanks for linking to my Home Biz Notes post about business cards.
4 Nath // Nov 7, 2007 at
As ever, some super tips there, Laura – thank you. Right, I guess I’d better spend the immediate future reading through the new blogs you’ve highlighted lol!
Cheers
5 Tammi // Nov 7, 2007 at
So many wonderful ideas and resources! I’m starting a plan of action. Lillie’s additions are inspiring, too. There are so many opportunities all around us:)
6 Matt Keegan // Nov 7, 2007 at
Step #4 is what I’ve been working on lately and I am beginning to see a pay off.
Joining the Chamber of Commerce is a good idea, but their fees are steep. Probably something a well established writer might be able to afford or someone who is awash in cash. I’m not!
7 Jeanne Dininni // Nov 7, 2007 at
Good advice, Laura! In fact, I just ordered some business cards yesterday. A friend recently suggested that I contact the editor of one of our local magazines, which she used to write for, telling me that I would be able to pick up one article assignment each month that way; so, I’m seriously considering doing it. It will involve interviewing article subjects, though, which will be new to me.
She also recommended that I join a local writers’ group that she used to belong to. I’ll definitely have to consider that, though I always tend to feel that the time spent at meetings would be time that I should be using for writing instead!
Thanks for a great post!
Jeanne
8 Laura // Nov 7, 2007 at
Wow! Thanks for all the comments!
Hi Mary Emma, Nath, Tammi, Matt, and Jeanne…
I went without business cards when I first started working from home because I thought it was a waste of money. Well, it turns out that I was wrong… You can get business cards very inexpensively (or print your own). They’re great to have to hand out to acquaintances, mail in letters to prospective clients, or even to hand out at the kid’s school.
9 Five Offline Writing Gigs that You Can Get WITHOUT Writing a Query Letter // Nov 7, 2007 at
[…] Edited to Add: Here is my post about marketing your writing offline. […]
10 Alta // Nov 12, 2007 at
If I could just write. I have more thoughts and ideas in my head than the law allows. LOL I can’t seem to get them organized enough to write. Maybe I should read your advice more often. Thank you for the great and informative post.
11 Vivienne Quek // Nov 13, 2007 at
Hi Laura
Your #4 works. Editors are always looking for new stories, fresh angle and anything that’s newsworthy. Because of my blog, “Marketing” magazine (published in Hong Kong & Singapore) called me to recently contribute an article. I was also told to contact them whenever I have something newsworthy to offer.
12 Laura // Nov 13, 2007 at
Hi Alta and Vivienne!
Alta – just give it a try. You may surprise yourself.
Vivienne – congratulations! I think that, more and more, blogging is being looked at as a legitimate form of journalism.
13 Solomon // Nov 23, 2007 at
Hi Laura!
Your post came in time when I’m seriously thinking of expanding my profile to other forms of writing. Copywriting seems to be something which rarely comes in my way except those retail advertisng of small time clients; which often doen’t excite me.
Recently I did one copytest for an agency; after seeing those write ups they gave me work after a gap of one month.
In one incident long time back when I never had any visiting card one guy from a printer dropped in. I just told him refer my name if someone looks out for copy.
He saved my life when I needed some dough for christmans dress to my wife and children.
you never know where a deal lurks, so I keep my eyes and ears open to strangers( marketing or anyone) and unknown people too. just like this case. Just feel free to ask for reference.
I lookforward for your kind goodwill too!!!
Thanks fo your great post.
Solomon