How to Market Yourself as a Freelancer
It’s no longer enough to remind people that you exist with your marketing. You need to remind them why, and how, and where, and when you exist.
To be meaningful in any industry, you need to bring immense value to specific kind of person who has a specific kind of need. So when you market yourself (which you should, often) don’t just say “I’m a graphic designer.” Say “I’m a graphic designer for startup brands in Atlanta who love sustainability.”
A sentence like that might make you feel like you’re losing opportunities other clients. Of course you’d love to work for established brands too, even though startups are your favorite, and when it came down to it, you’ve done work for brands that aren’t sustainable, too. But guess what? Saying, “I’m a graphic designer for everyone” is a sentence that will always lose to “I’m a graphic designer for huge corporations in NYC that don’t care about sustainability.”
You see what I’m saying? There are others who have cornered other niches. So if you don’t pick one and double down on it, you’ll lose out to everyone. Zig Ziglar says, “You cannot make it as a wandering generality, you must become a meaningful specific.” Of course, opportunities with other companies not in your wheelhouse may arise. And if you need to take them, take them. Money pays rent and buys food.
But picking a niche ensures that you have a shot at winning the project when a client like that comes knocking.
Don’t know where to start? Fill in the blanks of this sentence for yourself.
I’m a _____________(creative discipline) based in ____________(where you live) for _____________(ideal client / industry) who love ______________(passion of yours).
Read more posts for freelancers here.
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