What
Let your network know you’re in business - communicate you’re now available to work, what you’re offering, and start to build relationships with your potential customers.
Why
Based upon conversations with our community, the majority of your initial work will often come from your existing professional network.
Letting your contacts know that you’re in business, and communicating what you’re offering is the first step to finding work, and signing that first contract.
How
1/ Build a list of people you want to connect with - this can be people you know, people you’ve worked with in the past, or people who you think might be interested in working with you.
2/ Think about what you might want to communicate in your first contact - are you selling something, letting them know you’re available, or simply reaching out to start a conversation?
3/ Consider building a simple “CRM” system to keep track of who you’re having conversations with.
4/ Use platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to connect with people, or start reaching out via email, phonecall or arranging meetings.
5/ Consider creating a business email adddress, distinct from your personal email, so you can keep communications seperate.
6/ Consider building a simple website or social presence where people can find you and your services, so should your contacts want to know more, you can point them in the right direction.
Remember
Marketing and new business is a significant part of building a successful self-employed career. This task is just the start, and you should treat this as an ongoing process, rather than a one-off job.
We don’t pretend to have a comprehensive guide to marketing your services or finding work as a freelancer - there are many great resources out there, which you can find in our “Finding Work” portal.
