The Independent Contract: What's In, What's Out

Many years ago I was asked to develop a marketing package for the environmental practice group of a large, Washington-based law firm. When I submitted the draft I got exclamations of delight and a promise to provide quick feedback from all the principals. It never came, and my phone queries went unanswered. So I waited, and waited, and waited—and then waited some more.

Steigman, Daria. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Careers>Freelance>Marketing>Environmental

Marketing Your Business

This month's column doesn't focus on business strategy per se, but rather on how independents market themselves once they identify their markets and know what it is they want to convey.

Steigman, Daria. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Careers>Freelance>Marketing

Marketing Yourself

Marketing yourself is an attitude, not an activity. It is learning to think of yourself and your skills as a product that someone can use.

West, Elizabeth. Editorial Freelancers Association (1990). Careers>Freelance>Marketing

Whither Your Business? In Pursuit of Policy and Procedure Assignments  

If work coming in the door is not bringing in enough income or is just not satisfying, it may be time to cultivate new clients. However, moving into an unfamiliar field presents a new set of challenges. How do you navigate your way into that field? How do you demonstrate your credentials? A step-by-step method does exist. It requires research to identify the right niche and more research to focus on the right customers. Only after sufficient information has been gathered is action appropriate.

Smith, Gem. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>Freelance>Marketing

Your Own Best Ad: Promoting Yourself as a Contractor

Most contractors can't afford the time or money to advertise. If they can, there probably aren't many places where an ad would reach potential clients anyway. By default, then, your reputation as a contractor rests on your behavior at each job. Leave a happy client behind at the end of each job, and you'll soon start a word-of-mouth campaign that will keep you employed the rest of your working life.

Byfield, Bruce. TECHWR-L (2008). Careers>Consulting>Freelance>Marketing

Stepping into the Freelance World, Part 3: Marketing

So, you’ve hung out your virtual shingle and even have a couple of contract gigs under your belt. You’ve decided that the freelance life is for you. Now what? Obviously, expand your business to gain more and varied clients. The way to do that is by marketing.

DMN Communications (2009). Careers>Freelance>Marketing