Comments on: Ask WWD: How Do I Find Customers? http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:02:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Being the CEO of Me Inc. « A Brand Called Flea: Digital Identity http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-307653 Being the CEO of Me Inc. « A Brand Called Flea: Digital Identity Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:09:01 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-307653 [...] WebWorkerDaily (How do I find customers? - January 2007) suggests starting a blog and commenting on other people’s. Participating in online forums, particularly where you can share your knowledge, will do much to raise your profile. Fast Company also advise checking your market regularly and asking for feedback - students should take advantage of this! HOWDesign suggest writing and publishing an article that demonstrates your expertise. They also have links to articles about how to get the best traffic from search engines, getting sites to link to yours, using email for marketing, etc… Although these are directed primarily at Design companies, there is alot of useful stuff here - although probably too technical for the student resource. [...] [...] WebWorkerDaily (How do I find customers? – January 2007) suggests starting a blog and commenting on other people’s. Participating in online forums, particularly where you can share your knowledge, will do much to raise your profile. Fast Company also advise checking your market regularly and asking for feedback – students should take advantage of this! HOWDesign suggest writing and publishing an article that demonstrates your expertise. They also have links to articles about how to get the best traffic from search engines, getting sites to link to yours, using email for marketing, etc… Although these are directed primarily at Design companies, there is alot of useful stuff here – although probably too technical for the student resource. [...]

]]> By: WebWorkerDaily » Archive 5 Steps to Your Next Client « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-300637 WebWorkerDaily » Archive 5 Steps to Your Next Client « Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:00:34 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-300637 [...] Mike Gunderloy No Comments One of the perennial questions for the independent web worker is “how do I find customers?” This question has been on my mind again lately, because I’ve had a few extra hours to [...] [...] Mike Gunderloy No Comments One of the perennial questions for the independent web worker is “how do I find customers?” This question has been on my mind again lately, because I’ve had a few extra hours to [...]

]]> By: WebWorkerDaily » Archive Flexjobs: Telecommuting Resource « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-299827 WebWorkerDaily » Archive Flexjobs: Telecommuting Resource « Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:02:05 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-299827 [...] 22nd, 2008 (8:00am) Mike Gunderloy No Comments Here’s another answer to the eternal “how do you find web work?” question: Flexjobs, which claims to be the “world’s largest telecommuting job [...] [...] 22nd, 2008 (8:00am) Mike Gunderloy No Comments Here’s another answer to the eternal “how do you find web work?” question: Flexjobs, which claims to be the “world’s largest telecommuting job [...]

]]> By: chalama http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-298566 chalama Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:29:17 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-298566 that was a way helpful article. it kinda helped me out on how to think about finding clients that was a way helpful article. it kinda helped me out on how to think about finding clients

]]> By: Web Worker Daily » Archive 5 Web Ways to Recession-Proof Your Career « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-286725 Web Worker Daily » Archive 5 Web Ways to Recession-Proof Your Career « Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:29:12 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-286725 [...] Share who you are and what you’re about online — through a blog or other means. Raising your professional profile online is one of the best ways to attract new job and business opportunities your way. Don’t just [...] [...] Share who you are and what you’re about online — through a blog or other means. Raising your professional profile online is one of the best ways to attract new job and business opportunities your way. Don’t just [...]

]]> By: Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Online Self-Promotion Made Easy « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-65318 Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Online Self-Promotion Made Easy « Fri, 18 May 2007 13:12:54 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-65318 [...] Now if you do create something of value, can you just sit back and wait for the world to notice? Absolutely not. Whatever we might like to think, the web isn’t a flat meritocracy. Still, you will be left at the starting gate if you have nothing of value to offer the web world. The trick of self promotion is this: you shouldn’t simply be promoting yourself. You need to promote your work. Start with making it excellent and useful and you’ve taken the most important step towards building your professional profile online. [...] [...] Now if you do create something of value, can you just sit back and wait for the world to notice? Absolutely not. Whatever we might like to think, the web isn’t a flat meritocracy. Still, you will be left at the starting gate if you have nothing of value to offer the web world. The trick of self promotion is this: you shouldn’t simply be promoting yourself. You need to promote your work. Start with making it excellent and useful and you’ve taken the most important step towards building your professional profile online. [...]

]]> By: Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Open Thread: Would You Change Your Name for Google's Sake? « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-58917 Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Open Thread: Would You Change Your Name for Google's Sake? « Tue, 08 May 2007 22:00:32 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-58917 [...] Parents even resort to checking Google before naming their children, hoping to give their offspring a leg up in the online market of professional repute. [...] [...] Parents even resort to checking Google before naming their children, hoping to give their offspring a leg up in the online market of professional repute. [...]

]]> By: Adam http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-51073 Adam Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:56:59 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-51073 Great article. Writing and speaking are two tactics that should not be overlooked. Writing white papers that include a link to your blog or website and giving these to related content sites and portals is another way to increase your profile in a given community. I believe speaking was mentioned as well. There are plenty of organizations in every city looking for great speakers. Join Toast Masters if you have a fear of being in front of a group. As you build your speaking skills, opportunities will present themselves. Great article.

Writing and speaking are two tactics that should not be overlooked.

Writing white papers that include a link to your blog or website and giving these to related content sites and portals is another way to increase your profile in a given community. I believe speaking was mentioned as well. There are plenty of organizations in every city looking for great speakers. Join Toast Masters if you have a fear of being in front of a group. As you build your speaking skills, opportunities will present themselves.

]]> By: RobertoAlamos.com - The place to learn how to make money online » Blog Archive » 5 no-monetary things you can get with a blog http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-36969 RobertoAlamos.com - The place to learn how to make money online » Blog Archive » 5 no-monetary things you can get with a blog Sun, 08 Apr 2007 07:16:47 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-36969 [...] something of value and you can share your knowledge about that. By writing about a topic you know you will at least build a reputation of some level of expertise on your field, so although you won’t be making money with your blog, you still have hopes to get out [...] [...] something of value and you can share your knowledge about that. By writing about a topic you know you will at least build a reputation of some level of expertise on your field, so although you won’t be making money with your blog, you still have hopes to get out [...]

]]> By: Vern in Thailand http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-36839 Vern in Thailand Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:42:51 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-36839 Thanks for this incredible collection of tips in one page! I'll go create RSS feeds for craigslist in a minute. Does anyone use a resume on their blog? I'm trying this currently. Thanks for this incredible collection of tips in one page! I’ll go create RSS feeds for craigslist in a minute. Does anyone use a resume on their blog? I’m trying this currently.

]]> By: RobertoAlamos.com - The place to learn how to make money online » Blog Archive » Attract business by having a strong online presence http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-35666 RobertoAlamos.com - The place to learn how to make money online » Blog Archive » Attract business by having a strong online presence Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:44:24 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-35666 [...] Another person who thinks almost the same as me about having a strong online presence to attract business is Anne Zelenka from Web Worker Daily. Be sure to check her post about this topic here. [...] [...] Another person who thinks almost the same as me about having a strong online presence to attract business is Anne Zelenka from Web Worker Daily. Be sure to check her post about this topic here. [...]

]]> By: Rajesh http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-26540 Rajesh Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:43:36 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-26540 There is another interesting and good site that you may would like to try - http://www.webmasterprojects.com - Webmaster Projects is an online freelance marketplace that allows buyers to outsource projects and get quotes from 100s of qualified freelance professionals, web & graphics designers, programmers, content writers, SEO executives from all over the world. There is another interesting and good site that you may would like to try – http://www.webmasterprojects.com – Webmaster Projects is an online freelance marketplace that allows buyers to outsource projects and get quotes from 100s of qualified freelance professionals, web & graphics designers, programmers, content writers, SEO executives from all over the world.

]]> By: Erick http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-21393 Erick Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:43:02 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-21393 A lot of website have been named but elance.com is a very good one. One of the first ones to be launched. A lot of website have been named but elance.com is a very good one. One of the first ones to be launched.

]]> By: Peter Flaschner http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-21362 Peter Flaschner Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:52:06 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-21362 Start a blog! Today I get 100% of my business via my blog. It's allowed me to find work in a niche I'm particularly interested in. When I went solo, I used guru.com and elance.com at first. The work I was getting from those sites was ok, but it wasn't what I was passionate about. Blogging gave me a way to show my expertise, and to find a wide audience. Starting a blog will not get you business right away. But it is a very effective marketing tool. In fact, I wrote up some of my own experiences and tips and published it in a free 18 page pdf called A Guide to Business Blogging. It's directly at people who are considering using a blog in their marketing mix. I hope this isn't considered too spammy of me to include the link (edit this out if you like): http://www.theblogstudio.com/aguide/ Start a blog! Today I get 100% of my business via my blog. It’s allowed me to find work in a niche I’m particularly interested in.

When I went solo, I used guru.com and elance.com at first. The work I was getting from those sites was ok, but it wasn’t what I was passionate about. Blogging gave me a way to show my expertise, and to find a wide audience.

Starting a blog will not get you business right away. But it is a very effective marketing tool. In fact, I wrote up some of my own experiences and tips and published it in a free 18 page pdf called A Guide to Business Blogging. It’s directly at people who are considering using a blog in their marketing mix. I hope this isn’t considered too spammy of me to include the link (edit this out if you like): http://www.theblogstudio.com/aguide/

]]> By: Mark http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-21352 Mark Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:03:43 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-21352 I'm in the same position at the moment. Keeping up with a client services day job while taking steps toward working solo. What's working for me? Doing the work. I've had opportunities through former colleagues and other agencies to do freelance work to help them out of a pinch, and build a network of satisfied clients and referrals. I've also been feeling out other contacts for upcoming work and establishing relationships with associates that I can count on to exchange work with. I send design work their way, they send tech work mine. You can't truly go solo as a solo endeavor. Hedge your bets, distribute your eggs among many baskets, build up a portfolio...That process will instill confidence that you can count on staying busy. I bid on projects on Craigslist as well. Even if they don't come to fruition, oftentimes a conversation will ensue that might establish more relationships. Compete on LinkedIn. Set rules for yourself: Only people you know or worked with or have had a real conversation with should be connected to. Race to line up connections. Finally, I'd agree with developing a pet project or contributing to open source as well. Better yet, identify a goal and work on building that as a revenue stream. It doesn't have to be enough to fully sustain you (or require 100% of your time). Just something to complement the freelance income and help with the buffer. I’m in the same position at the moment. Keeping up with a client services day job while taking steps toward working solo.

What’s working for me? Doing the work. I’ve had opportunities through former colleagues and other agencies to do freelance work to help them out of a pinch, and build a network of satisfied clients and referrals.

I’ve also been feeling out other contacts for upcoming work and establishing relationships with associates that I can count on to exchange work with. I send design work their way, they send tech work mine.

You can’t truly go solo as a solo endeavor. Hedge your bets, distribute your eggs among many baskets, build up a portfolio…That process will instill confidence that you can count on staying busy.

I bid on projects on Craigslist as well. Even if they don’t come to fruition, oftentimes a conversation will ensue that might establish more relationships. Compete on LinkedIn. Set rules for yourself: Only people you know or worked with or have had a real conversation with should be connected to. Race to line up connections.

Finally, I’d agree with developing a pet project or contributing to open source as well. Better yet, identify a goal and work on building that as a revenue stream. It doesn’t have to be enough to fully sustain you (or require 100% of your time). Just something to complement the freelance income and help with the buffer.

]]> By: managetime http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-21346 managetime Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:38:58 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/01/31/ask-wwd-how-do-i-find-customers/#comment-21346 Might be a good idea to check out the outsourcing websites and post your bio/resume/portfolio there. Lots of people looking for developers. Sites such as these: http://www.elance.com http://www.rentacoder.com http://www.scriptlance.com Might be a good idea to check out the outsourcing websites and post your bio/resume/portfolio there. Lots of people looking for developers.

Sites such as these:
http://www.elance.com
http://www.rentacoder.com
http://www.scriptlance.com

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