Freelance writers can often overlook some great ways to market their writing skills in other places than magazines, newspapers, websites and other publications. One of these is writing for your local businesses. Even if you are a beginner, you can start here!
Did you know that most business owners are not usually skilled writers since it is running their business that is their expertise. They have numerous daily tasks to attend to, and worrying about well-written material is probably at the bottom of their list, or not even given a thought at all. That's where you, the writer, comes in and reminds them that great writing can help them with marketing, advertising, selling, and can even increase their sales.
Before you open up your phone book, or start cruising around making a list of all the local businesses (possible clients) in the yellow pages, let's first stop and think about what kind of businesses can benefit from a good writer.
Here's a list to get you brainstorming:
Restaurants
Cafes
Attorneys
Doctors
Dentists
Libraries
Banks
Pharmacies
Eye Doctors
Other Specialists
Tax Agencies
Churches
Gyms
Craft Stores
Movie Rental Stores
Automotive Parts Stores
Dealerships
Car Sellers
Bookstores
Salons
Kid?s Entertainment Places
Zoos
Parks
Museums
Circuses
Grocery Stores
Knick-Knack Stores
Clothing Stores
Antique Stores
Bars and Pubs
Clubs
Music Stores
Spas and Resorts
Hotels
And more…
That should get you started! Now you can make a list of every one of these businesses in your area. Remember, the more businesses that you propose your writing services to, the more possible clients you will have!
You can contact them by phone if you are extraordinarily great at selling with your voice. Most writers are better at written communications, and that's why I suggest sending an email proposal. It's convenient, free and fast. If the business, and some won't be, isn't online, a print up of the same proposal will do via snail mail. Make sure either correspondence is directed towards a decision maker of the business, such as the store manager or owner. Whether it is sent via email or snail mail, the letter should be the same. It should be written in standard letter format with your name and contact information at the top left with the businesses' name and contact information with 'attention to' the owner, below yours, and then the date. You can call ahead of time to get the name of the store manager or owner so you can properly address the letter, such as "Dear Mrs. Business Owner", etc.
The body of the proposal should include summaries of your best and relevant work and life experiences, and why you would be the best writer for this work. Explain in detail exactly what services you can provide for them such as newsletters, advertisement copy, web content, articles (newspaper, magazine, etc.), sales material, marketing material, press releases, reviews, email correspondence, etc.
Sell yourself and your work! Tell them why they need you and how you can increase their sales. Tell them exactly what a freelance writer can do for them, and explain that you would be working on contract-not as an employee, saving them cash on benefits and more.
Send out all of the proposals, however needed you think they may or may not be. Now comes the waiting time. Give it at the least 3 weeks. If you don't hear anything by then, call or email them to remind them of your proposal. A phone call might suit better in this situation, or you could take a drive to the business in the morning and speak with them face-to-face. At the least you could get an interview with them. It's much more difficult for someone to turn you down when you are standing right in front of them. Chances are you will get at least a few businesses interested in your services who will become clients with regular work!
Resources:
http://copywriter.typepad.com/
http://web.mit.edu/uaa/www/writing/links/
http://www.aweber.com/
July 27, 2008
