Editor’s note: This post was written by Kim, a freelance writer and blogger. She helps new freelance writers on their journey with her blog, Kim The Writer. You can connect with her on Twitter.
As a freelance writer, you may already have your own strategies to find writing jobs that fit your profile.
These strategies may include pitching editors, answering job ads and attending networking events.
But what do you do when nothing seems to be working? What’s next when you don’t hear anything back from your pitches, job applications or your new contacts?
The good news is there’s always more than one way to do something and that includes looking for your next writing gig.
Here are seven other ways you might not have tried.
Ways to get freelance writing jobs
1. Find a new, local business to offer marketing copy
New businesses will always need marketing in one form or another, and that involves written content for a website, a brochure or blog.
Take note of new shops around town and check their contact information. If you’re brave, you can walk up to the store owner and make your pitch on the spot.
If you prefer email or a phone call, politely ask for this information first and strike a casual conversation to learn more about the business.
Be sure to make a strong pitch they can’t say no to.
2. Offer blogging services to websites
Companies with an online presence are not always updated with ways to promote their products and services. Use Google search or business directory sites like Manta to find companies in your niche and spot the ones without blogs.
Find their contact information and send an email offering your service, and explain how a blog will benefit their business.
3. Contact your previous employers or your college/university
If you are freelancing full time, reach out to your previous day job employers or even your college or university and see if they need any content for their newsletters, website or social media pages.
Your past relationship with them makes you a shoo-in for the job, and they would probably be happy to hire a former employee or alumni.
4. Do promotion for online entrepreneurs
There are dozens of experts who offer their services online. Productivity coaches, marketing gurus and finance advisors actively promote their products and services through their website or blog.
These people have a lot of work to do, and they’d probably be happy to hire someone to do marketing for them while they focus on their next big project.
These people are easy to find online, so it shouldn’t be hard to reach them through email or social media.
Before you make a pitch, establish a relationship with them first by being a part of their online community and having a genuine interest for their cause.
5. Write for a big blog
This can be intimidating, and most popular blogs don’t offer compensation for guest posts, but it’s worth a shot.
While you may not get paid for this gig, having your name on a big blog in your niche can get clients coming to you for work.
To do this, you need to spend time getting to know what type of content is popular on the blog and what topic might resonate with its audience.
It’s also important to have a solid pitching strategy to get the blog owner’s attention and get your article idea approved.
Once you do get the go signal, you have to write the post extremely well, bearing in mind that thousands of readers will read it once it goes live.
6. Start or write regularly on your own blog
Having your own blog is the best marketing investment you can make. If you publish great and helpful content on your blog, engage your readers and grow a community, then prospective clients will see you as an authority in your niche.
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This is what clients would want you to do for their own audience, and having a blog helps you showcase your ability to do just that.
A blog is not that complicated to set up and tools like WordPress makes it easy to manage a blog on your own.
7. Partner with other freelancers
If you have friends who are web designers, content marketers or social media managers, chances are they also need writers for their projects. Don’t hesitate to ask for a referral and be ready with content ideas.
Remember that it should be a two-way street and that you should also refer them to your clients who might need their services.
To be a successful freelancer, you have to be flexible with your job hunting strategies.
Don’t be limited to doing one or two things when there are so many other ways to do it.
In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”
Do you have a unique way to get freelance writing jobs? Share in the comments below!
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