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Freelance In 40 Days [Day 35]: Special Offers: The Tried And True Method To Drum Up Business

Johnny
Posted: December 6th, 2009

Photo by InspirationDC (Flickr)

Photo by InspirationDC (Flickr)

This is Day 35 of the Freelance in 40 Days series where you’ll learn to freelance just by taking it one day and one task at a time. Today you’ll learn ways to throw a sale to generate immediate business.

Ever thought about how often you are drawn to sales or special offers? Does “Black Friday” or, hell, even a  Subway $5 sub sandwich ring a bell for you?

It’s obviously not news to you but people are drawn to good deals. It’s in our nature to want to save money and, on the flip side, will generate some business to the seller.

Guess what… this works in freelancing, too.

When just starting out in freelance or trying to bring about new business, there’s nothing better than promoting a special offer to pick things up. For example:

Opening Day Offers

You have to be careful here since you don’t want to specify that you as the freelancer are new but, instead, you as the business are new. On your website home page or anywhere you have an online portfolio, mention that you are a new company and post special rates or offers for a limited time.

Then, of course, back this up with a good portfolio so you aren’t seen as that new freelancer.

Special Occasions

Take a cue from your local businesses and throw a sale on your services. It could be a special dedicated to an upcoming holiday, a local sports team winning an important game or anything that people look forward to. The point is to find an occasion that people are excited about and associate your services and specials along with it.

In other words, try an old psychological trick in selling.

Now To Spread The Word

An offer is no good without getting the word out.

The best place to start is locally. Don’t forget that, wherever you live, you have a bountiful supply of potential clients who don’t necessarily look to the internet for help. Place ads for your offers in your local newspaper want ads or local magazines. Include a link to a page on your website with more details on the offers.

You can even go as far as having flyers made with your special offers and hand a few out to everyone you know.

Your best bet to take you up on offers, though, are your clients, present and past. Send each one of them a newsletter email on a regular basis with your offers at the moment. Change up your offers and wording in the newsletter each time, too, so it doesn’t look like the same repeat email that eventually gets discarded with familiarity.

One other added benefit of a newsletter is that it reminds clients that you are always there.

One Last Trick… Referral Discounts

Clients are always willing to refer new business to you but, dangle a carrot in front of them, and it gives them an extra reason to do it sooner rather than later. Try a 10% discount on a project for each new client referred or suggest a list of upgrades or additions they could receive for each referral.

Category: Freelance In 40 Days
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Freelance In 40 Days [Day 18]: The Grand Opening To Your Career

Johnny
Posted: September 29th, 2009

Photo by love not fear (Flickr)

Photo by Love not fear (Flickr)

This is Day 18 of the Freelance in 40 Days series where you’ll learn to freelance just by taking it one day and one task at a time. Today will be the grand opening for your freelance business and you’ll see easy ways to spread the word.

Open For Business

Everybody’s excited… your business has officially begun. Rather than sit there as an anonymous freelancer, though, its time to get the word out and get people talking about you. We’re not talking about big expensive advertising campaigns and relentless marketing either.

There are several easy ways you can generate a buzz about your new freelance business and possibly attract a new client or two in the process.

Do You Have Promotional Materials?

Its difficult to promote yourself if you don’t have at least business cards to distribute and a website. How else are other people going to remember you? Have business cards made and hand out one to each new person you meet. Also, review Day 10 for simple ways to promote your business.

Many people save those business cards and you never know when a good referral might come out of it.

Throw an Inauguration Party

There’s nothing like free food and drinks to help others remember who you are. So a party is a no-brainer for business promotion. Don’t just stop at inviting friends either. Invite other freelancers and business contacts to come as well and encourage them to bring other friends. This is a great way to network with others while being in a casual atmosphere.

Spam (well not really) Your Contact List

For each persona in your Outlook or Gmail contacts, craft an email (personalized “Dear [So and So]…”) with a logo, a simple message of what you do and that you are open for business. Personalizing each email will take longer but will nearly insure that it will get read and get past spam filters.

Contact Relatives, Friends and Co-workers

For those you see on a regular basis, let them know about your freelance business and give them four or five business cards. If your friends and family happen to know of someone that can use your services, you will always be their first referral and they won’t hesitate to dish out that extra card.

Have An Opening Day Special

Everybody loves a sale, especially in these tough economic times. So offer, for example, a 25% sale discount on your services or come up with a special package at a discounted price. Then have these printed on flyers and give one to everyone you know and meet.

Your Homework For Today

Get going and spread the good news! Get that keg for that inauguration party, send out those emails and be sure to tell everyone what you do and that your are open for business. This will likley take more than a day to plan and do one or more of these but it may be worth a brand new client in the end.

Be sure to review Day 10, too, and have those promotional materials handy. Promotion is hard without them.

Category: Freelance In 40 Days
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