Inexpensive Website Promotion for Freelancers
Tips for Successfully Marketing Services Online
Jul 9, 2009
Freelancers don't often have large marketing budgets. It is also challenging to find the time to plan and execute a successful marketing campaign while trying to juggle customer service, bookkeeping, providing a service, and all of the other duties required to operate a freelance business.
Freelance developers, writers and others must learn to maximize their marketing efforts. The following strategies help freelancers leverage their unique talents and the experience of others to get more exposure.
Cross Marketing- Freelance Developers, Writers, and Designers Join Forces
Freelancers can enlist the help of other freelance professionals in marketing their services online. Network with other self-employed professionals and offer to promote those with complementary skills, in exchange for the same courtesy in return.
This type of arrangement can take many forms. Each participant could place a banner ad on the others' sites. Freelancers can also exchange services; for example, a cartoon artist and freelance writer agree to promote each other on their websites. The writer displays the artist's work on their website, with the images and captions linking back to the artist's website. The writer contributes keyword-rich content to the artist's website, with a byline linking back to their website.
Freelancers can work recommendations and backlinks into many facets of their own marketing campaign, including social media profiles, blogs, direct mail emails, and newsletters.
Marketing a Website Offline
While freelancing online opens doors to an international client base, don't forget about local prospects and the importance of promoting the business to existing clients. Update all letterhead, business cards, and fax covers to include the freelance website address.
Encourage clients who make contact by phone to visit the website by recording the address on the business line voicemail message. Since freelance professionals often offer B2B services, network locally as well as online, to meet other businesspeople in the area who may outsource duties to freelancers.
Even if the freelance business is based in a home office, install a dedicated phone line under the business name. It will appear in online searches, in the phone book, and leaves open the possibility of purchasing a Yellow Pages ad.
Web Based Marketing Strategies That Don't Cost a Penny
Pay-per-click or banner advertising may be out of the freelance professional's marketing budget. Use the following tips to build a web presence and strengthen a branded image:
- Include a signature block in every email, listing the name, address, phone number and web address of the freelance business.
- Search for business websites and other freelance professionals offering complementary services and find contact information using a WhoIs service. Contact other webmasters to request reciprocal links.
- Write articles based on the type of business being promoted. Submit them to article marketing sites such as EzineArticles.com, to establish credibility and get free publicity.
- Submit the freelance website to directories such as Yahoo Directory, to build backlinks and attract traffic.
- Use video and images on the website, ensuring the file names and captions are search engine optimized, to help the page rank higher and attract more traffic.
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