Tag Archives: marketing

resources

Guerilla Marketing for Writers

guerilla marketing for writers

Will you be able to use all the tactics in this book? No. Will you get inspired to modify them in ways that best suit your circumstances? Definitely. Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman and Michael Larsen hit the marketing nail squarely on the head with this one. Guerilla Marketing For Writers is a valuable tool if nothing else than for it’s inspirational effects. There is always something more we can be doing to promote our work, another idea to try, another tactic to put yourself ahead of the competition. With Guerilla Marketing for Writers, you might just come up with an approach nobody’s beaten to death yet.

advice, lifestyle

John Pareles on Music Marketing: Insert the Word “Writer” Here

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freelance-writing-advice-3Interesting reading over at the New York Times. This article by John Pareles is interesting enough to me as a very part-time musician and goofy music creator (ask Cath about her addiction to “Psychadelic Beige Orangutangs” available on CD Baby and iTunes).

But if you can read between the lines and insert the phrase “freelance writer” everywhere you read “musician” or “band” you get an idea of how this article could generate LOADS of great marketing ideas. What on earth does David Bowie shilling for Lincolns have to do with writers getting ahead of the game in a recession?

For a start, writers need to think more like musicians when it comes to plugging their work and talents. Writing isn’t as sexy as being in a band, but the marketing needs are the same–get your material in front of as many people as humanly possible. Could writers start pimping themselves out like rockers, doing endorsements and trying to create a bigger brand for themselves?

Why, I do believe the answer is a great big YES.

advice

Freelancer-to-Freelancer Marketing

See all those empty office chairs? Offices like these could get even more empty if freelancers take my new bright idea and run with it. Let me state for the record that I should NOT be telling you this right now, I SHOULD be developing it MYSELF and making a cottage industry out of it. But I’m obviously not as smart as I should be, since I’m going to spill it now… Continue reading Freelancer-to-Freelancer Marketing →

resources

Jennifer Mattern on Freelance Marketing

Jennifer Mattern has some excellent advice for freelancers in this recent post on freelance marketing. One great point she makes about holiday marketing is not to overlook sending Christmas  cards or other holiday-themed communications, even if you don’t personally celebrate that holiday. It’s easy to get tunnel vision about that sort of thing, and this advice is well-timed.

Another great bit of advice in this article; take stock of your accomplishments this year and start thinking ahead to next year. I’ve always started doing this round the end of the year, but earlier is definitely better when it comes to making plans for next year. What I would add to Jennifer’s advice is to start thinking ahead in terms of your budget, especially if you need to get new business cards and other promotional items.

Are you launching any new ventures in 2009? Will you start teaching writing classes or doing seminars? You’re going to need money for promotional materials and supplies. Do you need some extra tax write-offs for 2008? Get those supplies early and count it towards this year’s taxes where it’s legal to do so. A little extra thinking time never hurts. Great advice and food for thought all around in Jennifer’s article, Evaluation Time – Monthly Marketing Mix.

advice, editorial

Ten Ways to Diversify Your Freelance Writing

Freelance writing as a full-time occupation currently faces some scary times; will our current economic problems start affecting how much work is available? If magazines and online publishers start cutting back their budgets, what does a poor freelancer do? Here are ten ways to diversify your freelance career to keep those checks rolling in even when times are tough:

10. Branch Out. Have you been toying with adding digital photography to your skill set? Graphic design? Newsletter writing? Any of these additional skills make you more marketable AND give you great source material for opening up new freelance writing markets in trade mags and industry-specific websites.

9. Volunteer. That’s right, I am suggestion you work for free. As well as the altruistic side of things, you might discover another untapped resource for articles and advice pieces. You might even get plugged in to the for-pay part of a non-profit or charity group once they find out you are a professional writer–especially if you are willing to be flexible with your rates to help out.

8. Teach Classes. Does your local community center need a guru who can teach people how to write better cover letters and resumes? You don’t have to set yourself up as a freelance writing teacher–just show people how to write better in vital areas such as job seeking, employee evaluations, even the art of “romantic communication” might be a fun community center class you can teach. The key to these types of classes is knowing how to market your class properly to interest the people in your neighborhood.

7. Hook Up With A Temp Agency. Call your nearest temp service and explain about your writing business. Find out what you need to do in order to be listed as a writer/proofreader/editor and give it a try. Continue reading Ten Ways to Diversify Your Freelance Writing →

gear, resources

A Great Gimmick

Sometimes the right kind of calling card or gimmicky merchandise is all you need to leave a lasting impression. Check out this great idea from Says-It.com. Go to Says-It and fill in the blanks at the Vinyl Record Generator and you’ll get your own custom vinyl album graphic for free. Choose between a full-length album, 45 single or even an old-fashioned 78! Best of all, you can buy merchandise with your custom image printed on it, including three inch stickers, coffee cups, travel mugs, keychains and more. It’s a cool idea sure to keep ’em talking wherever you hand your personalized trinkets out…I wish I had thought of this one first.