Related Posts
Can I get a commercial loan without 25% down?
Bain & Company Hello Fishes.
What is the average CTC offered for a Research Associate with 1 year of experience in Healthcare consulting?
I'm looking forward for opportunities, hence would be great to know the current CTC trends to effectively negotiate with the employer.
Thanks in advance!
Novartis Eli Lilly and Company EY WNS Global Services ZS Associates Clarivate Analytics Bain & Company Prescient Healthcare Group Axtria Sg analytics pvt ltd Course5i Trinity Consulting
Additional Posts in Creatives
Has anyone just filmsupply for pitches?
What makes a bro?
Community Builder
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Build your network as much as possible, so the it’s there when you need it. Always be generous with what/who you know and people will be nice to you in return. Contracts are negotiable, even net terms.
started freelancing in 2024 after working in agency fulltime for 15 years and have mainly gotten work through referrals. I say that because I built a strong network during that time and built up a reputation for having a knack doing certain things really well. So my experience getting into this might be a little different but here’s what comes to mind.
1. work to get your name out there, reach out to people and be curious about what they’re doing or what they have to say. Stay in touch even if it feels weird. Tell them what you’re working on even if it feels unfinished and unclear.
2. Have a book and resume ready. Referrals want something to pass around. Make it easy for them.
3. Stand out in your book and resume. Have a pov. Show you give a damn about something. Just don’t be an asshole about it.
4. When you get freelance projects, try to talk to everyone. Not just do the work. Be helpful. Make suggestions.
5. Don’t take things personally when things go awry. Sometimes it’s not you. Sometimes it is. Who cares? As long as you feel you’ve done the best work you can, all the other stuff out your control doesn’t matter.
6. Keep learning. Full stop.
7. Learn about taxes.
Preciate this! Taxes are a big one– thanks
Mentor
1m
Focus on a niche: Automotive, dental, restaurants, gyms, etc. Then make a list of each company in that chosen niche that you want to contact.
Review their current marketing and see if you can improve it.
Contact those companies and introduce yourself. Explain that they're missing out on business due to under-optimized marketing copy. But you can help and have great ideas you'd like to show them.
If they agree, do a quick comp of what your rewritten ad/website copy would look like and present it.
I've done this so many times I've lost count. It works great, and I love small business owners, so that helps.
There are many successful agencies that focus on niche clients. Dental, medical, and automotive are huge. Just make sure the businesses aren't competitors in the same city.
You'll need to provide numbers of how much you've increased business for prior clients and their reviews/recommendations of your services.
Research the niche you choose so you can speak their language and know what's ahead for upcoming events, if possible. They want to see you as an expert in marketing for their industry.
Be aware that many businesses are using AI to write their copy now. You'll want to provide more than just copy to be able to compete with AI. I learned how to build a WordPress website, and I have a design background to go with my marketing and journalism backgrounds.
You want to be able to solve all of their marketing needs. Anything that I couldn't do myself, I subcontracted to a list of creatives in my city who were happy to be part of my team. You will also be competing with people who have 20+ years of experience, so you may need to offer bargain prices to get the ball rolling. Once I established myself, word of mouth took over, and I never had to contact companies for work again; they sought me out.
If I can do it, so can you! Best of luck in your journey 👍🏻
This is dope advice. Would you be willing to share how you price? For example, do you look at their revenue or pricing and then do a value based type of model off of that?
There’s a bowl for freelancing here.
It’s incredibly hard right now.
Mentor
@Creative Director 1 - In response to your question: "Would you be willing to share how you price? For example, do you look at their revenue or pricing and then do a value-based type of model off of that?" ...Yes, that's exactly what I did. I would present hard costs for things like publications they want to run ads in, or brochure printing, etc. Then do a value-based model off of that. I had deals with local printers that would quote me lower prices, so I could add a markup. I worked with great vendors who appreciated my business, so it was a win-win arrangement. I made sure my clients got the best quality and pricing for their budgets. I also reviewed what similar businesses were doing, so they could decide if they wanted to expand their marketing in new directions.
Have an eye on your book. It’s your future. Personally, I want a few more years / campaigns under my belt…
It’s all about niche. People who understand certain niches are hard to come by and you’ll have less competition. You’ll also be able to make a bigger difference in that industry. Personally, I’ve done well in the Catholic nonprofit space and the medical school space. Those are worlds you can’t fake your way through. What are you interested in? What do you know more about than most people?