There comes a time when most freelance writers panic. They start to wonder when the next project is coming down the pike. This time is usually when your bank account is depleted, the mortgage payment is almost due and you have no projects lined up.
Don't panic. Even though things seem slow and you're wishing with all your heart that you had a full-time paycheck to rely on, if you've been doing the following, work will flow -- trust me.
How to Tell If Freelance Writing Projects Will Soon Start to Materialize
Marketing: If you've been consistently marketing, freelance writing projects will start to materialize "out of the blue." The reason out of the blue is in quotation marks is because it's not out of the blue, it's because of your consistent marketing efforts.
One thing many freelance writers overlook is that clients contact you when they need work done, not when you need money. They have to need what you have to offer -- and that doesn't come on a schedule. This is why you must, must, must market consistently, even when you are busier than you've ever been. Consistent marketing makes the slow spells easier to weather because they usually don't last long.
Follow-up: When marketing, one thing many freelance writers overlook are old clients. Most of us are so focused on bringing in new business that we forget to stay in contact with old clients. Usually, we sit back and wait for them to contact us.
To be successful as a freelance writer, you have to be proactive -- if you haven't heard from a client in a while, call or e-mail them.
How to Shake New Work Out of Old Freelance Writing Clients
New Service Offerings: One of the best reasons to contact old clients is when you add new services. When I added meta tag writing and article submission to my list of SEO writing services, one of the first things I did was send out an e-blast to all of my old clients.
The meta tag writing really took off, and is now one of the easiest and quickest ways I make money as a freelance writer.
Deals & Discounts: Just because you offer a service does not mean you can't offer deals and discounts. As a freelance writer, you can package services and offer them to clients, e.g., order a month of blog posts and receive 15% off individual posting rates.
Implementation: Many clients have projects that they've been meaning to get around to but just never seem to. Offer to start that blog, newsletter or drip article marketing campaign for them.
Word your query so that they see the benefit in NOT continuing to delay. Phrases like, "how long have you been meaning to ___," and "when do you think you'll be able to ___."
These phrases are "aha moments" for clients, as in you make them realize that without help (i.e., a professional freelance writer), they'll never get around to a certain project. So yeah, why not use you?
A Surefire Tactic That Never Fails to Bring in Freelance Writing Work
If you're marketing consistently and staying in constant contact with old customers, your freelance writing dry spell won't last long. And, if all else fails, do a blitz campaign. What do I mean by these? Send out, for example, 100 queries a day until things start to pick up. What marketing consistency won't shake loose, volume will -- especially if you're a skilled freelance writer.
Yuwanda Black is a freelance SEO writer and the author of "How to Make $250+/Day Writing Simple, 500-Word Articles." Ms. Black says, "You can work from home as a freelance writer in your PJs, getting assignments via the Internet. I do it every day." Learn more about how to start a successful freelance writing career.
