By: Fiona White is a freelance journalist based in Waterford.

Freelance Guide Series: Finding Work

To find freelance work you need to be proactive, no one is going to come to you if they are not aware that you exist.

Start by making a list of possible clients in your geographical area, call them and tell them about your services. While in contact with these potential clients swap details so that you can build up a contacts book and so that they will be able to contact you easily should they need to.

Follow the phone call a few days later with an email thanking them for their time and reiterating what was discussed on the call with a short summary of your services and your contact details. You could contact them again every few months so that you are foremost in their minds, but don’t be too persistent as you do not want to bother them.

Depending on the type of service you are providing you could drop in to local businesses and introduce yourself, if you are a freelance cupcake maker for example then bring along some samples for them to try.

Another great way to find work is to go online. Find potential clients and contact them in the same way as mentioned above. Some freelancers use email marketing too, which can be effective but does require a bit more effort and a bigger budget.

Some other online options include creating your own website, starting a business blog, joining forums, signing up to Twitter and to a business page on Facebook. Once you sign up to Twitter and Facebook you can start following or adding potential clients and they may return the favour and follow you also. This is a good way to advertise your services on an ongoing basis and to let people know what you are up to. Keep your online business transactions separate from your personal ones, potential clients don’t want to see/hear about what you got
up to on your night out last weekend!

Having a website of your own is a great way to showcase your work and gives potential clients somewhere to go to find out more if they hear about you through word of mouth.

Break down any communication barriers and make yourself accessible to all potential clients by providing landline and mobile telephone numbers, an email address, website, postal address, skype contact etc. If you feel that you may get a lot of calls from potential clients you may want to use a separate business telephone number.

You can also get your name out there by printing some business cards or leaflets advertising your services and drop them door-to-door or ask if you can leave some in local shops and business. Make them look bright and interesting so as to catch people’s attention. Advertising your services in the local newspaper or free sheet might also help to drum up some business.

Always ensure to follow up any enquiries you get about your services as reminding potential clients of your business may cause them to spring into action and book you right away. It also shows that you care about them and that customer service is important to you in your business. If potential clients feel that you care then they will be more willing to hire you.

In finding freelance work the most important thing is to get your name out there so that people know that you exist. The second most important is to make sure that you provide a decent outlet for them to get further information and to contact you. So get started…

About the Author

Fiona White  is a freelance journalist based in Waterford Specialising in all aspects of radio production and print services. She has worked at Today FM, 98FM and has written for online and print publications.