Happy Monday! You’re hearing from me today because I’m starting a new weekly thread for us to chat, discuss, opine, vent, share, etc. I’ll pose a topic or question that we can then hash out in the comments. I often feel quite lonely and isolated in my little freelancing corner, and I wish I had somewhere to share and learn from other creative people like you—a void that Facebook groups once filled.
For this to be a rich community resource, however, it’s going to require your participation. I know that so many of you have brilliant thoughts to add, so I’d love for you to show up in the comments. Please don’t be shy! Your experience and wisdom is worth sharing! All ideas are welcome! (Though I will not tolerate any hate and it will be shut down immediately.)
For this first thread, I’m feeling a bit stuck in my old strategies for finding new business. The start of the year is usually slow for me. I’m left feeling bored but fearful that things may never pick up.
What are your strategies for drumming up new business?
Love this, Amelia! When I feel stuck or overwhelmed or unsure of which direction to go, I often go flip though magazines at an indie mag shop near me, MagCulture. They stock hundreds of English-language titles from all over the world, and I love flipping through to see how they approach storytelling differently. Sometimes it inspires me to pitch a new publication, and sometimes it inspires me to find a totally different—and perhaps more fun!—angle for a story I've been struggling to pitch.
Hey all! I love this topic! Ty for posting it, Amelia. I struggle a bit with self-promotion too, but a helpful way to reframe those thoughts are, to echo Julie, no one knows you exist or are looking for work if you don't tell them!
My go-tos are also:
- Reconnecting with editors
- Checking calls for pitches on Twitter, newsletters, and substacks
- A little social media promo once in a while
- Asking other freelance friends for connections (this has worked so well and helps me feel connected! And it is so nice to get to return the favor)
- Local networking events! A new one for me, but just the other night I attended an outdoor industry event and got a new gig! Instant gratification lol.
Last but not least, my husband has been successfully freelancing for almost 7 years too and always says that you have to keep a positive mindset and know that the work will come. It might sound esoteric but I really think it helps manage stress and stay in a good headspace. Peaks and valleys, right?!
Congrats on the new gig! I didn't realize I would miss in-person events so much moving away from Boulder, where there are TONS. But I'm making more and more industry connections in Portland to bring some of that community back.
This is such a lovely comment section! With a content marketing day job and my freelance clients on the side, I sometimes forget to check in on myself to see how I can get my work out to more people. I think I’ve been embracing winter and moving really slow through a website redesign. Hoping (and panicking) that spring will bring some organic growth!
I’m really struggling with this right now. My goal is to double Lume Six online sales this year, but looking at what that looks like, im overwhelmed by not being sure how to do it. The base answer is simple - I have to get the word out there to a bunch more people, and get them to trust in the brand enough to give it a try. But how to do that is feeling overwhelming and it seems like I have to do it all - social media, content marketing, events, PR, etc etc.
Short term I’m trying to focus on the things that seem achievable and get little wins, and try to grow from there. I know a product brand is different from your freelance space but probably some shared struggles and strategies…
This is absolutely related, and I'm so glad you shared. Hoping for this space to be a mix of freelancers/entrepreneurs/artists/etc. What an exciting milestone ahead! But I hear ya...it feels overwhelming to get from here to there. Are you looking in markets and at audiences that are unfamiliar? Like different spaces that would be interested the brand? I'm sure someone else in this group has some solid advice so I'm hoping they chime in :)
Talk more about what you've done in the past, aka self promotion. I know it's challenging, but I've found that's the best way to get leads who reach out to me, so I'm not always pitching. Figure out who your clients are (mag editors? marketing directors? brand managers?) and where they're spending time online, then go there and share projects that you're proud of you want to do more of. Passion projects, commercial, editorial, whatever.
Posting my work on LinkedIn with little blog posts about creative process, inspiration, career stuff, is one thing, and I do a newsletter every other month that goes straight to a list of past clients and potential future clients. The goal is to stay top of mind so that when the person in your network does need to hire someone, they'll think of you!
Every single brand out there is focusing on content marketing, and what's cool about being a writer/photographer/filmmaker is that we have loads of "content" we can share since creating it is our job! Your work is great and deserves to be talked about more, so go shout it from the rooftops!
She’s absolutely right! I just heard a social media manager talk about this yesterday. You have to show people your work and communicate your availability! If you let people know that you can take on more work, they’ll feel more welcomed (then, are more likely) to reach out. If you say you’re fully booked, people know to not reach out to you for new projects AND it shows that your service is successful, which generates interest and awareness. The message was specifically for photographers, but this can apply to other freelance services too.
Julie, hi! So good to see you in here. I love your wisdom and encouragement on this topic. Especially love this bit: "goal is to stay top of mind so...they'll think of you!"
Such a good question for this time of the year! Something I do is reach out and chat with an old friend—someone who knows me and my work, but with whom I haven't connected creatively or professionally for a while. They'll often have good ideas for me as we catch up about our lives and current interests and professional questions. Hearing what they are working on can spark new ideas, too—asking them what work they've enjoyed lately, swapping contacts, etc.
Oh, I love this, Emma! Such a good reminder that relationships are at the core of our work. And that creativity doesn't always have to come from within.
Love this topic, and an area where I continue to struggle!
My three main methods:
I don't know if this is cheating, but I look at fellow colleague's bylines!
Browse the Barnes & Noble magazine racks
Bounce ideas off other writers
Admiring, not cheating! I love these! Kassie also said she browses magazine racks :)
Love this, Amelia! When I feel stuck or overwhelmed or unsure of which direction to go, I often go flip though magazines at an indie mag shop near me, MagCulture. They stock hundreds of English-language titles from all over the world, and I love flipping through to see how they approach storytelling differently. Sometimes it inspires me to pitch a new publication, and sometimes it inspires me to find a totally different—and perhaps more fun!—angle for a story I've been struggling to pitch.
How quintessentially London of you :)
I used to do it at Barnes & Noble, too! And sometimes I do it online at Magzter
Hey all! I love this topic! Ty for posting it, Amelia. I struggle a bit with self-promotion too, but a helpful way to reframe those thoughts are, to echo Julie, no one knows you exist or are looking for work if you don't tell them!
My go-tos are also:
- Reconnecting with editors
- Checking calls for pitches on Twitter, newsletters, and substacks
- A little social media promo once in a while
- Asking other freelance friends for connections (this has worked so well and helps me feel connected! And it is so nice to get to return the favor)
- Local networking events! A new one for me, but just the other night I attended an outdoor industry event and got a new gig! Instant gratification lol.
Last but not least, my husband has been successfully freelancing for almost 7 years too and always says that you have to keep a positive mindset and know that the work will come. It might sound esoteric but I really think it helps manage stress and stay in a good headspace. Peaks and valleys, right?!
Congrats on the new gig! I didn't realize I would miss in-person events so much moving away from Boulder, where there are TONS. But I'm making more and more industry connections in Portland to bring some of that community back.
This is such a lovely comment section! With a content marketing day job and my freelance clients on the side, I sometimes forget to check in on myself to see how I can get my work out to more people. I think I’ve been embracing winter and moving really slow through a website redesign. Hoping (and panicking) that spring will bring some organic growth!
Oh how we love organic growth. Wishing that for you!
I’m really struggling with this right now. My goal is to double Lume Six online sales this year, but looking at what that looks like, im overwhelmed by not being sure how to do it. The base answer is simple - I have to get the word out there to a bunch more people, and get them to trust in the brand enough to give it a try. But how to do that is feeling overwhelming and it seems like I have to do it all - social media, content marketing, events, PR, etc etc.
Short term I’m trying to focus on the things that seem achievable and get little wins, and try to grow from there. I know a product brand is different from your freelance space but probably some shared struggles and strategies…
This is absolutely related, and I'm so glad you shared. Hoping for this space to be a mix of freelancers/entrepreneurs/artists/etc. What an exciting milestone ahead! But I hear ya...it feels overwhelming to get from here to there. Are you looking in markets and at audiences that are unfamiliar? Like different spaces that would be interested the brand? I'm sure someone else in this group has some solid advice so I'm hoping they chime in :)
Talk more about what you've done in the past, aka self promotion. I know it's challenging, but I've found that's the best way to get leads who reach out to me, so I'm not always pitching. Figure out who your clients are (mag editors? marketing directors? brand managers?) and where they're spending time online, then go there and share projects that you're proud of you want to do more of. Passion projects, commercial, editorial, whatever.
Posting my work on LinkedIn with little blog posts about creative process, inspiration, career stuff, is one thing, and I do a newsletter every other month that goes straight to a list of past clients and potential future clients. The goal is to stay top of mind so that when the person in your network does need to hire someone, they'll think of you!
Every single brand out there is focusing on content marketing, and what's cool about being a writer/photographer/filmmaker is that we have loads of "content" we can share since creating it is our job! Your work is great and deserves to be talked about more, so go shout it from the rooftops!
She’s absolutely right! I just heard a social media manager talk about this yesterday. You have to show people your work and communicate your availability! If you let people know that you can take on more work, they’ll feel more welcomed (then, are more likely) to reach out. If you say you’re fully booked, people know to not reach out to you for new projects AND it shows that your service is successful, which generates interest and awareness. The message was specifically for photographers, but this can apply to other freelance services too.
So key! And I love the point about sharing your availability, including when you're fully booked, to stimulate some demand for your services.
Julie, hi! So good to see you in here. I love your wisdom and encouragement on this topic. Especially love this bit: "goal is to stay top of mind so...they'll think of you!"
Such a good question for this time of the year! Something I do is reach out and chat with an old friend—someone who knows me and my work, but with whom I haven't connected creatively or professionally for a while. They'll often have good ideas for me as we catch up about our lives and current interests and professional questions. Hearing what they are working on can spark new ideas, too—asking them what work they've enjoyed lately, swapping contacts, etc.
Oh, I love this, Emma! Such a good reminder that relationships are at the core of our work. And that creativity doesn't always have to come from within.
My strategies include:
-Reach out to editors to ask if they need a writer or pitches
-Scan submission emails and guidelines for opportunities
-Sometimes post on LinkedIn saying I'm looking for a copywriting gig
-Use the free time to workshop evergreen pitches
-Panic!
I often feel like I'm left waiting instead of being proactive...