🫣 Awkward but...it's time to get personal

If you are a part-time introvert like me, part of the allure of freelance writing is the ability to hide behind a computer and spend the majority of my time typing alone.

Ok, that makes me sound like a hermit, which is 100% not true. But I do love quiet writing time and primarily communicating with clients over email. 😅

That being said, there may be some missed opportunities by only searching for clients online. That’s why I was so excited for Brianne Sanchez’s guest post about growing her freelance writing biz primarily through her personal network.

💪 Leveraging your personal network for clients

Check out Brianne’s full post on how she continues to use personal relationships to build trust and land paid work. From former interview subjects to virtual coffee chats, Brianne is the queen of working that network. She also shares actionable tips on being open to new opportunities even if you’re not exactly sure where they’re headed.

🐌 Snail mail for the win?

I actually have no idea if this is an effective strategy, but it sounds like fun for someone like me who loves the tactile feel of paper stationery. I read a LinkedIn post from writer Sharon Wu, who sent out 77 direct mail pitches to local businesses. She is a beauty write so she targeted med spas and plastic surgery spas.

The results are still out, but it got me wondering if this could be fun and effective strategy to think outside the box on client acquisition. As a personal finance writer, I could potentially target local financial services providers like CFPs, CPAs, MLOs, etc. It’s definitely got me thinking!

What about you? Have you used local or personal connections to land a new client? Are there local businesses who might love to hire you for some marketing services? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Happy freelancing,

Lauren

👉 Psst…looking for some fresh reading delivered to your inbox?

Check out these newsletters from some of my buddies. Solopreneur Doorway from Erik Duncan helps you think and act like a real life business owner. And for your copywriters/marketing geniuses out there, The Subhead from Kimberly Houston shares amazing resources and case studies to stay on top of the latest trends and thought leaders.