Freelancing in a Recessive Economy
Today, so many entrepreneurs wonder how it is possible to succeed during a recession. Undertaking any business venture in today’s economic climate feels intimidating, especially with so much emphasis on the ailing economy and astronomical costs of living. Let’s face it. For a gaping majority of Americans, these are not prosperous economic times. However, we should not concede defeat prematurely.
The truth is, as long as there are corporations and firms, there will be a demand for writing and editing services. The trick–and sometimes greatest challenge, particularly for beginners–is building a winning portfolio and marketing your expertise in such a way that you become irresistible to potential clients.
Now that you have decided to try your hand at freelance work, how do you build a body of work that you can present to clients as samples? Unfortunately, many beginners fall into the trap of writing extensively (and, unfortunately, sometimes exclusively) for content sites that pay pennies per article. While these sites certainly offer you visibility on the Internet and optimize your articles for search engine success, you may find it frustrating to generate 10 or more articles and only receive a few dollars for your work. Ultimately, you must decide whether or not it is worthwhile to write for peanuts in the name of building a body of work.
Perhaps a better solution would be to hunt down publications that involve your area of expertise. If you are looking to submit to a given site or magazine, take a few hours to familiarize yourself with the publication’s guidelines, style, and tone. Try writing some sample articles in your subject of expertise. Not only can you submit these articles to the publications themselves, but you may also be able to use them as samples when approaching other clients.
Do you have writing wisdom to share with the masses? Perhaps you should consider writing an E-book featuring various tips and ideas and offer it on your website. My own website (which, admittedly, needs work) costs $1.25 per month, and I was able to obtain free hosting from a generous friend. However, there are many hosting plans available and, depending on your bandwidth needs, you can usually find an inexpensive plan for your site. Once you have built a website highlighting your bio, services, and expertise, you are ready to promote informational products that will generate revenue and attract new clients. An E-book in particular can serve either as a profitable product or a free gift to potential clients.
Unfortunately, because the job economy has suffered in recent years, there is a lot of of competition for jobs. However, with that increased competition comes an increased demand for résumé writers and cover letter writers. These tasks, which may seem rudimentary to some of you, are a great stumbling block to thousands of job seekers. Your skills may mean the difference between a job hunter’s application ending up in the recycling bin or winning him/her the job. Create a Craigslist account (free of charge) and offer résumé writing services in the “Services” section.
Today, many companies are looking to independent contractors to complete projects. Since contractual employees do not receive traditional benefits and are often paid in a lump sum, they often prove to be an economical choice. Capitalize on this. Offer your services to publishers, magazines, and successful businesses as a freelancer. Because of this trend towards contractual labor, you will be able to cast a much wider geographic net than someone seeking conventional employment. Freelancers often work remotely; thus, they open themselves up to a client base that spans not only the country, but the entire globe! Working remotely will also save you a fortune in gasoline expenses.
Feel free to post your tips about freelancing in a recessive economy. Just remember: no matter what the economic forecast, writing is always a marketable skill.
