Freelance Marketing - Freelance UK Forums

Jo Papworth · 02-02-2008, 04:00 PM

Hi,
I'm thinking of becoming a freelance marketer and wondered if anyone is/or has done the same and could possibly give me some advice on starting out and whether its worth it.

Thank you

GTFC · 02-06-2008, 02:20 PM

Hiya,

I've been running my own successful freelance marketing business for five years, although I've now specialised in copywriting. What would you like to know!

Cheers,

Gill

Jo Papworth · 02-06-2008, 04:33 PM

Hi Gill, thanks for your reply.
How did you start up really. Did you put together a business plan or did you just get your name out into the market (sending our letters to local businesses with examples of work etc). I will be leaving my job shortly and not sure whether to dedicate all my time to freelance or whether I would need to get a new job until the freelance thing kicks off.

GTFC · 02-06-2008, 09:55 PM

Hiya,

That's a tough one. In reality it is hard to just 'go for it' if you have to support yourself entirely, but on the other hand, if you take a job as well, you never really get the chance to go for the freelancing 100% as you can get distracted very easily. Plus, clients like you to be businesslike and do expect you to be able to answer calls and emails during the business day. The first thing is to assess your finances and see how long (or if at all) you could survive on less, or no, income. That will make the decision for you. Ideally you need a three month stop-gap at least.

I never really did a business plan, I just worked out how much money I needed a month, how much I could reasonably charge for what I did, and then how many hours I needed to work to support myself. Once I realised that was viable (as in, there were actually enough hours in the week!) I knew it was worth a shot

From there, it's about getting as many people as possible to know you are out there. Business contacts from your past life and friends/relatives/colleagues are a great palce to start. Have a look at http://www.freelancecopywriting.biz/...eMarketing.pdf which is an article I wrote for this site about how to get started, and some things to think about. There is also a version of the article on here under the 'freelance marketing' section.

Feel free to ask some more questions after you've had a look!

Cheers,

Gill

Jo Papworth · 02-07-2008, 07:21 PM

Many thanks for the advice Gill, much appreciated.

02-02-2008, 04:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jo Papworth New Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3	Freelance Marketing Hi, I'm thinking of becoming a freelance marketer and wondered if anyone is/or has done the same and could possibly give me some advice on starting out and whether its worth it. Thank you

02-06-2008, 02:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
GTFC Regular Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 55	Freelance Marketing Hiya, I've been running my own successful freelance marketing business for five years, although I've now specialised in copywriting. What would you like to know! Cheers, Gill

02-06-2008, 04:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jo Papworth New Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3	Freelance Marketing Hi Gill, thanks for your reply. How did you start up really. Did you put together a business plan or did you just get your name out into the market (sending our letters to local businesses with examples of work etc). I will be leaving my job shortly and not sure whether to dedicate all my time to freelance or whether I would need to get a new job until the freelance thing kicks off.

02-07-2008, 07:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jo Papworth New Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3	Freelance marketer Many thanks for the advice Gill, much appreciated.

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02-06-2008, 09:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
GTFC Regular Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 55	Hiya, That's a tough one. In reality it is hard to just 'go for it' if you have to support yourself entirely, but on the other hand, if you take a job as well, you never really get the chance to go for the freelancing 100% as you can get distracted very easily. Plus, clients like you to be businesslike and do expect you to be able to answer calls and emails during the business day. The first thing is to assess your finances and see how long (or if at all) you could survive on less, or no, income. That will make the decision for you. Ideally you need a three month stop-gap at least. I never really did a business plan, I just worked out how much money I needed a month, how much I could reasonably charge for what I did, and then how many hours I needed to work to support myself. Once I realised that was viable (as in, there were actually enough hours in the week!) I knew it was worth a shot From there, it's about getting as many people as possible to know you are out there. Business contacts from your past life and friends/relatives/colleagues are a great palce to start. Have a look at http://www.freelancecopywriting.biz/...eMarketing.pdf which is an article I wrote for this site about how to get started, and some things to think about. There is also a version of the article on here under the 'freelance marketing' section. Feel free to ask some more questions after you've had a look! Cheers, Gill