Market your writing services for free
Are you a provider of professional writing and editing services? To reach more potential customers, you need to market your services, but you don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive campaigns. By putting in a little time and effort several times a month, you can promote yourself absolutely free.
Get a Craigslist account. Follow the rules and Craigslist can be a great avenue for promoting your writing services. The online classifieds network has been around since Craig Newmark launched it in 1995. Still a free service after all these years, Craigslist is an often-overlooked vehicle for connecting writers with customers. Just as you can sell your sofa or piano here, you can promote your business.
Get started by creating a free Craigslist account. Having an account allows you to post more often and in multiple cities. Starting with a city of your choice, click on the “write/ed/tr8” link under “services”. This will take you to the “writing/editing/translating” category. Click “publish” at the top right and follow the instructions. Be sure to use the “anonymize” option for your email address to reduce the chance of receiving spam. For “specific location,” type “Anywhere.” Keep your post short and include your website or blog address.
With a Craigslist account, you can create numerous listings, one for each city of your choice. You don’t have to limit yourself to your own city or state. Make your ads unique. Always keep them appropriate and never misrepresent yourself. By following the rules, you will avoid being flagged and you will be able to take full advantage of this excellent free marketing option.
Create your online presence with a blog. Launching your own blog is easy and can be accomplished in a day. A blog is especially useful if you don’t have your own website. In fact, you should treat it like a website even if you already have another site. Keep the presentation and content of your blog professional. This is not your personal journal, it is your professional online presence.
Blogs can be created through WordPress or Blogger. Other blog publishing systems include Movable Type and Drupal. I use WordPress and, at the moment, I really like it. Setting up my blog was simple, and adding posts is quick and easy.
Your blog posts should be informative, with content that someone who might be interested in writing services (or some aspect of writing) might find useful. Self-promotional material may be included on an “About Me” or “Services” page. Once your blog is up and running, include the link in your email signature, in your Craigslist ads, with your article signatures, and anywhere else you can insert it.
Start a fan page on Facebook. More and more people use Facebook for professional purposes. A fan page allows people to join by liking your page. When you create a fan page to promote your writing services, keep it tasteful, professional, and informative. You’ll draw people in with the helpful tips you share; personal invitations via email or Facebook will increase the number of people who like your page. Make sure your page isn’t just one big commercial. It has to contain the right mix of relevant information with occasional promotional content.
Feel free to use other social networks for marketing purposes. If you’re comfortable with LinkedIn, Twitter, or any other network, discover a way to tastefully and legitimately use it for your promotions.
In addition to doing online marketing, keep it word of mouth. This ancient method still works today. The more you spread the word about your business, the better your chances of finding great new customers.