In a recent post, I explained how to pinpoint your perfect client. Once you’ve worked out who this ideal person is, here are ten ways you can go about finding them:

1. Ask for introductions

My target audience is small-medium sized web design and graphic design agencies, based in London. So, when I go to networking events, I always explain who I’m looking to meet. Most people happen to know of a designer and are usually very happy to introduce them to me.

2. Send them a mailshot

I send out postcard mailshots about three times a year. Yes, old fashioned snail mail. And, because 99% of people send emails, physical mail that has arrived in the post tends to get noticed these days.

For those of us based in the UK, we have a Bank Holiday this week, two Bank Holidays next week, and one the week after.

However, public holidays don’t have the same significance for freelancers as they do for employees. As an employee, you’re given an extra day’s holiday for free. We freelancers don’t get paid if we don’t work (unless you’re on a fixed retainer – but you’ll probably have to make up the hours some other time).

And, if you’ve got lots of work on, four extra days off between April 22 and May 2 could put you well behind schedule.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m looking forward to the Bank Holidays. I’ll be taking time out to enjoy the sunshine (if it lasts), and to see family and friends. I might even watch some of the Royal Wedding on telly.

But I’ll also be taking advantage of the time out to do non-client stuff.

If you want to maximise your presence on LinkedIn, make sure you never do these five things:

1. Cut and paste your CV into your profile

Your profile should really sell you, so you need to pack it full of compelling information about yourself. You can find out how to do this on a previous post I wrote called: 10 ways to beef up your LinkedIn profile. Simply listing out your current and previous roles from your CV won’t cut the mustard.

2. Remain faceless with a silhouette

People want to see the real you – not be faced with a shadowy image of a blank head. Your photo should be a professional business shot that conveys ‘friendly and approachable’. It’s not the place to put your Facebook image of you on holiday.

A lot of freelancers I speak to say things like:

“I can’t afford to go on that training course.”

“I can’t afford to do any marketing.”

“My computer keeps breaking down but I can’t afford a new one.”

“My accounts take up so much time but I can’t afford a book keeper.”

My response is: How can you afford NOT to?

• Going on a training course will teach you a new skill that can open the door to new clients. I recently completed an SEO copywriting course and I’ve already had meetings with two potential clients who have contacted me regarding SEO web writing projects.

• Investing in marketing is the lifeblood of any freelance business. In return for £600 I spent on a classified advert that ran for six months in a trade publication, I have earned over £20,000 of business.
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If you work all day, every day on client projects, when do you have time to take a step back and take a strategic look at your freelance business?

It’s great to be busy but it’s easy to get so caught up in client work that you lose sight of where you’re going. So, set aside an hour in the next couple of days to ask yourself the following questions.

• What do I want to achieve with my freelance business?

• Where do I want to be in five years’ time?

• What do I want to be earning?

• What have been the projects I’ve worked on that I’ve enjoyed the most? Why did I enjoy them?

• Are these the kind of projects I want to concentrate on in future?

• Who is my ideal client?
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Welcome to guest writer, Alice Wood, who explains how creating a positive, memorable impression gives value to your business and sells you, as well as your products.

What’s the difference between an iPhone and a Golden Delicious? The answer is branding. One is a ‘should have’ product and the other is a ‘must have’ product!

When you run your own business, you are the brand. This is the DNA of your company. It’s the tone of voice, presentation and ultimately, the reputation of you, your products and services.

So how do you become a ‘must have’ product? And how can you use the power of your personal brand to achieve this?

Here are just three things to start you off.

1. Who are you?