Marketing Yourself Tip #1

Ask your first client for the contact information for your second.

 

Fantastic information. However to get this information you have to provide your first client with outstanding service and quality, or they won't recommend you. Don't give them an article full of errors and then expect them to recommend you!

 

Alternative - Don't ask them at all. Instead look around for new clients. Build a client base. Then the networking and recommendations happen almost automatically, provided that you submit stellar work and continue to improve. Sometimes, loaded statements help to nudge them in the right direction if you are really look for work. But you have to figure that one out. It is has to be really, really subtle and never direct (obviously!).

 

I would also highly recommend getting a testimonial from every client that you work with. You want to build up proof that you are the best at what you do.

 

make yourself hard to forget, for when a client will need you in the future

will they remember you ? how?

will the client remember your name, your website address, your email, telephone?

how will they find you?

they will probably go to the first one they can remember without having to go to the trouble of searching for your contact info. They will most likely google you, as the first step to finding you
what will they type in? Does your name come up on top of the search results?


These are important questions you need to ask yourself, when you're creating a marketing plan....

 

LOL - Imagine asking every client to refer you to another client. Unless the work is exceptional, I wouldn't recommend someone just because they asked me to recommend them...

 

Well, at least you can ask if there's anyone else they know that might need something from you. Don't ask for a straight-on recommendation, but plant the seed.

 

Yeah, a lot of people are like that.

A better strategy (by far) is to contact people who do business with your client or are in the same field.

For instance, let's say I do a Web site for a local dentist. My next move would be to start contacting other dentists in the area and name dropping my client. They all look at what their colleagues are doing.

That's an easy way to hit home runs without needing your current client to do anything.

Another example would be writing content for an affiliate-based site about some health issue. Your content makes that client money (requires you to ask or develop a better relationship). The next part is easy. Just go to all the people you can find promoting the same or similar programs and tell them about YOUR success for a client.