Getting well-paying jobs when you are a beginner in freelance writing might seem impossible, as most employers are hesitant to hire you if you lack prior experience and a good profile. You can increase your chances of landing your dream writing gigs by marketing yourself directly to potential clients.
What is Cold Pitching?
Cold pitching is the process of contacting prospective clients directly through email or messaging them through social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook in an attempt to get them to hire you for a job that they have not advertised for.
The strategy requires you to be proactive in finding and reaching out to target clients, find out the nature of their business, the existing gaps that your skills will help them address, and the contact details that you will use to reach them.
To help you succeed in marketing yourself through cold pitching, we share with you tips to help you craft a compelling message that will persuade a potential client to offer you the job without making yourself sound desperate and pushy.
How to be Successful in Cold Pitching
1. Select potential clients and do not be afraid to reach out
Do thorough research to identify clients in your niche and make a list of clients you would like to contact, bearing in mind that the more pitches you send, the higher your chances of getting responsive clients who can finally give you the job.
Use social media platforms or email finder programs to help you get the email address of your potential employer. Ensure your message gets to the right person in charge of hiring freelancers as not everyone within the organization is tasked to make this decision.
2. Write short, personalized, and targeted emails or messages to each client
Your email needs to be short and clear, explaining what you do objectively without taking too much of your potential client’s time. Clearly state your value proposition and how you want to help your client improve their business without criticizing them. Even though you may use a template to develop your pitch email, ensure it is personalized for every client and shows your familiarity with their businesses. Avoid sending generic emails as they usually don’t work and instead take your time to write an email for each client that shows your interest in helping them in their business. Using an email address that matches your domain name or a professional Gmail account that reflects your business name is a great way to show the seriousness of your business to your target client.
3. Share links to your work and have a clear call to action
To maximize the golden minute your potential client takes to read through your pitch email, include links to your work relevant to the job you are looking for prospects to know more about you. If you don’t have a ready freelance writing portfolio, ensure you prepare one before you begin cold pitching. Be clear on what you want them to do after reading through your pitch if it is to give you a call, write back, visit your website, or schedule a meeting. If you don’t get a response on the first attempt, you can write a follow-up email, but be careful not to send so many follow-ups as this can make you appear unprofessional.
Conclusion
Cold pitching has the potential to get you high-quality, high-paying clients once you master the art. Having a positive mentality, not giving up, and remaining consistent will help you begin your writing journey without feeling misused by content mills and writing platforms that take advantage of freelance writers.