29 September 2009
by 
From novice to experienced, writers all need certain items to market themselves more efficiently. It is a digital age, but there is much more than email and websites to sell yourself and your abilities. The following items cover some basics when you are out around town.
- Dedicated Phone Line
- A continuous means to be reached by editors is important. For new clients as well. Emails are quick and impersonal. A phone conversation to clarify one or two facts can mean the difference between an acceptance and a rejection. When working with new clients, clarifying a bid or story idea makes the difference in continued work or sending out more query letters.
- Business Cards
- I’ve heard (and read) about writers who feel there is no use in business cards. I disagree. The ability to professionally pass on your contact information leaves a better impression than someone who scribbles down a phone number on a piece of paper. If you feel you won’t use many cards, simply having your name, phone number, website address and position will suffice. They will also last many years!
- Portfolio
- As I stated before, it is a digital world, but a physical portfolio can be carried in a small bag or in the car. It’s quickly accessible and a great reference for anyone interested in your writing. Going out to lunch with friends or family is a great opportunity to discuss your writing projects. People in restaurants naturally eavesdrop and their interest is piqued. Having a quality portfolio to show can lead to more writing gigs.
- References
- Letters of recommendation are an amazing asset to include with a portfolio both online and off. Placing them after an article sells you with very little effort. All you need to do is ask. Most editors will gladly pass on a letter for your portfolio.
If you are just starting out and question your ability to build a portfolio, take the opportunity to invest in non-paying gigs. You can build a rapport in the writing market this way. Pitch a blogger! If you find that there is a blog that your idea will contribute, send off an email with word count, story idea and ask for a recommendation once the piece is published with credit given. Include the article and letter in your portfolio. Keep in mind that most blogs maintain a 300-700 word post count. If your piece would be much longer, trim it down or break it into multiple posts for a series.
Working through the nervousness of asking is the first step. You can do it and if you know you can write, you can accomplish anything!
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This is a great piece, Mysti! I’m HUGE on business cards, ya know?!
The one thing here that I DON’T have is the dedicated phone line. Nope, I don’t. I (personally) do quite well with e-mail contact only. Well, that, and Social Media!
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Thanks Michele!! I do know a few writers (yourself included!) that are able to work without a dedicated phone line.
With the way that I work and schedule I keep, I actually have a cell phone that I utilize for business calls. It makes sense for me – and has kept me busy!
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I just ordered more business cards. The ones I currently have focus more on my freelance writing so I’ve ordered ones that are specifically for me web design and technology.
I have to admit, I’m fairly slack when it comes to most of these. While I do have a dedicated home phone and even mobile (cellphone) I rarely use these when I can use email instead. I’m not keen on talking but rock at typing and the rule is to play to your strengths.
But can you believe I don’t have a physical portfolio yet? That is something I really MUST jump onto, AND go around gathering letters of recommendation because I don’t usually think to do that either.
Thanks so much for a great article, Mysti!
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You’re welcome!
I do, however, agree that having a dedicated phone line IS a (really) good idea. I’m considering it as something I’ll add sometime in the future.
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl shares: Zevia Review: Natural Cola
I once dated a guy who was an engineer. He could whip his way around technical programs that would leave me confused. As he decided to look for a better paying position with a new firm, he asked that I review his resume. What he handed me was a stack of papers, twenty deep.
I thought long and hard over the resume he maintained over the years and as I branched into freelance writing, I reflected back often to how easily he sold himself through those papers.
Of course he and I went separate ways after he made his first half-million in a year, but I took something of great value from that relationship. Too bad it was only a resume.
The point is, it doesn’t matter how thick the portfolio is, just so long as you are able to effectively show your work and offer selling points from those you’ve worked with. You will find yourself staring at the perfect folder to house your professional experience and when you see it, you will build it!
Mysti shares: Oscar Joseph Offers Green Style and Giveaway!
That’s an AWESOME story, Mysti–almost an article in itself, really! Very valuable lesson!!!
I did have a print portfolio, but I gave it to an editor. Time to build a new one! ROFL
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl shares: Zevia Review: Natural Cola
Wow, see, and that contradicts what all the “job hunting” sites say about keeping your resume short and concise. For years I’ve tried to wheedle my resume down to a single page. It sounds like I’d do better to give myself the space to express my experience more fully.
I have a portfolio of sorts online where I have screen shots of websites I’ve build etc. I’ve been thinking of printing those screen shots and writing case studies for each of the major projects. But of course, it’s one of those things that are on my list to-do but doesn’t get prioritized since I have enough work to be going on with for the moment.
Thanks for the reassurance that more detail can be good in a professional portfolio/resume.
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As I’m updating and rebuilding my resume between flipping back here to converse more, I chuckled at your comment.
You definitely should contemplate a longer resume, especially where Web design and management comes into play.
I’ll delve further into this soon… But not until my resume is updated.
Mysti shares: Oscar Joseph Offers Green Style and Giveaway!
Great list! I agree, business cards are important. But I’ve gone back to making my own, since I have two boxes of professionally done cards mulching on the shelf after various bits of info are obsolete. Now I have both niches covered, my horoscope site on one side, my writing site on the other.
Hubby had business cards with both sides advertising different aspects of his business.
That worked for him.
Cheers Stephanie
Cool, that’s a clever idea. I’ve found the offer at VistaPrint is awesome because you can get 250 cards for free and that’s a great price for me. lol
Oh, when I went looking for that offer to share with you all with that link above I found another!
So if you don’t already have business cards now might be the perfect time to get some professionally printed.
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[...] forget the Writer Must-Have’s when you venture outside your own writing [...]
Excellent study, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing just a little research on that. And he really bought me lunch simply because I discovered it for him smile So allow me rephrase that: Many thanks for lunch!