Getting your name ‘out there’ is one of the biggest challenges a budding freelancer has to face. This all falls under the category of planning and strategising, which you should carry out before you attempt to launch your business.

Get your ducks in a row

As with any enterprise, the early days as a freelancer are all about defining your niche, carving out a brand, and working out a business persona. Never forget: as a freelancer, you are your brand, so you need to establish an authentic, approachable, but professional image that prospective clients will trust.

There are countless ways in which you can do this online; from setting up a blog full of exciting, dynamic content, to utilising social media to engage in conversations about relevant topics. However, as retail becomes an increasingly online field, the effectiveness of offline marketing techniques should not be underestimated.

Zero in on your target audience

If done right, brochures, business cards, and flyers are a very worthwhile investment. Distributing adverts in this way is generally considered a ‘blanket’ marketing method, but it’s also possible to zero in on a target audience by distributing your adverts in specific establishments and postcode areas. Of course, to a modern audience, aesthetics are everything, so if you want as many people as possible to pick up your leaflets, a good idea is to check out a place such as Saxoprint and have them professionally printed (with an attractive format, font, and colour scheme). Pique the readers’ interest with an eye-catching headline -- perhaps using a topical event -- and don’t forget to include the all-important ‘call to action.’

People power

Networking is another vital tool for broadening awareness of your freelance business. Track down industry events in your community with social media and local publications, and use them as an opportunity to make contacts and hand out those business cards and leaflets.

But you don’t have to wait for the events to come to you; reach out to companies and other freelancers in your industry to arrange interviews or casual meetups -- it’s a great way to get your name out there. If the idea of introducing yourself to new people has you working up a cold sweat check out these top networking tips for freelancers to calm those nerves.

Lastly, but often very effectively, referrals can be generated through word-of-mouth. This is yet another tried and tested offline marketing method. While this primarily relies on your clients to do most of the legwork, there are a number of ways to encourage them to promote your services for you. Earn prospective clients’ trust by demonstrating that you understand their needs in both your online and offline content.

This will help establish your reputation as a reliable service, and one that potential clients are more likely to remember. Maintaining your professional relationships is also crucial for gaining more referrals. If you do this, it’s then far easier to use the contacts within your network to spread the word about your business for you.

If you don't ask...

Oh, and don’t feel awkward about asking your clients and acquaintances for help -- that’s what networking is all about! If you need more help, here’s a handy guide that provides comprehensive tips for generating referrals and boosting your confidence.

So what are you waiting for?! Go on -- get practicing these offline marketing strategies!

Editor’s Note: Related –

How to create your elevator pitch

FreelanceUK’s Sales & Marketing Index

Effective Telephone Selling: how to do it