When I joined [company name] as a freelance writer, I was never told that much of the work would be done from my phone.
They didn’t even tell me that in the job description! It was only once I started working for them that it became clear: to get freelance writing clients and make some money on the side, it’s going to take a lot of dexterity with your iPhone. That’s why I’m going to share my tips for getting freelance writing gigs from your mobile device.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Utilize Mobile Apps: Leverage various mobile apps specifically designed for freelancers to manage tasks, communicate with clients, and stay organized on the go. |
| 2. Network Online: Engage in online communities, forums, and social media platforms to connect with potential clients, showcase your writing skills, and build a strong professional network. |
| 3. Optimize Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is mobile-friendly and showcases your best work. A visually appealing and accessible portfolio can attract more clients and demonstrate your expertise. |
| 4. Master Mobile Communication: Be prompt and professional in your communication with clients through email, messaging apps, or video calls on your iPhone. Effective communication is key to building trust and lasting client relationships. |
| 5. Stay Productive On the Go: Embrace time management techniques, set realistic goals, and use productivity tools to make the most of your freelance writing time while using your iPhone. |
Get A Virtual Assistant To Help
A virtual assistant is a remote employee who can help you with a variety of tasks, including finding clients and social media management. Virtual assistants are usually only available to hire if you have a dedicated budget for them.
Here’s an example of what my virtual assistant does for me:
- Finding clients on Twitter
- Creating content for Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts
- Editing blog posts in WordPress (this is especially helpful when I’m traveling)
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Use It To Create Automated Systems
If you’re not familiar with IFTTT, it’s a tool that allows you to create automated workflows. So, if you want to be notified when someone leaves a comment on your blog post, for example, then all you have to do is set up an IFTTT recipe and it will send an alert straight to your phone.
There are endless possibilities for using this sort of automation in freelance writing; here are some of the most useful:
Automate your writing workflow: Use IFTTT recipes to manage tasks like sending out invoices and keeping track of payments without having to remember what needs to be done each day. For example, every time someone leaves a comment on my blog posts (I use Quick Sprout),
I automatically email them back with a link so they can download the PDF version (.PDFs are easier than Word docs because they don’t take as long). Now that I’ve put these automatic processes in place (using [IFTTT](https://ifttt.com/) connections), writing is much more manageable!
Schedule Emails With Boomerang
Boomerang is a tool that can help you schedule emails to be sent at a later date and time. You can also set reminders in Boomerang so that you remember to follow up with clients.
This is great for making sure that you don’t forget about an important email! When I’m working with a client, I usually send them an initial email explaining how things work and what they should expect from me, along with some information about my background and what I specialize in.
Then, after about a week or two has passed (or whenever the client seems happy), I’ll send another email asking if everything is going well on their end and reminding them that they are welcome to contact me if they have any questions or concerns while working together.
If they haven’t responded by then which doesn’t happen often I’ll try contacting them again via a phone call instead of email so there’s no confusion about who should reach out next time around!
Be Available But Not Creepy. Check People Out On Linkedin, But Don’t Do This Every Day
You should check people out on LinkedIn. Just don’t do it every day!
Look, the first rule of freelance writing is that you want to land new clients and make money. That’s why you’re reading this right now. The second rule of freelance writing is that you want your clients to trust and respect you as a professional writer this means that it’s important not to appear obsessive or creepy when checking out potential clients on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook.
So, how do we reconcile these two seemingly opposing needs? Well, there are three things I recommend:
1) Don’t take advantage of your friend’s wide open profile settings by clicking through all their connections;
2) Be careful when looking up potential customers and making sure they have shared enough information so that they can be contacted easily by email;
3) Don’t stalk them!
Follow Up With Clients On Twitter (And Answer Their Questions!)
If your clients have a Twitter account, you can follow them and engage with them there. You can also ask questions, share news about your work, and keep in touch with clients via social media.
Twitter is one of the most effective ways to turn audiences into paying customers. It’s also a great tool for building relationships with potential clients.
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Link To Your Work In Your Email Signature
Another great way to showcase your work is to add links to your blog, portfolio, and other, relevant sites in the signature of your email. This can include a link to your LinkedIn profile and Twitter account as well.
Think about how many times people send emails that include links daily. It’s easy for someone to scan over them so make sure yours stand out by being interesting or unique!
Set Reminders For Yourself
Reminders are a great way to ensure you don’t forget about an event or task. If you’re using your phone to get freelance writing clients, it’s important to set reminders in your calendar.
Or, if you have an iPhone with Siri capabilities, you can use the voice assistant feature to set reminders for yourself.
There are many apps on the market that allow users to set reminders in their calendars and on their phones. Some of these include Timepage ($2), Reminders ($1), Todoist ($3), and Google Keep (free).
Schedule Personal Tasks And Appointments Separately (So You Don’t Mix Them Up)
The iPhone Calendar app is a great tool for keeping track of your schedule, but it can be easy to get confused about which events and appointments are personal and which ones are business.
To avoid this problem, try creating two separate calendars: one for your tasks, and another for business-related appointments. That way, you can rest assured that you’ll never mix up a lunch date with a client meeting when making plans with friends.
But how do I keep track of all these different calendars? If you have an Android device, use Google Calendar instead it automatically syncs between all your devices so that you don’t have to worry about managing multiple calendars yourself (the downside is that some apps don’t let you add events directly from the App Store).
Don’t Just Like Your Client’s Facebook Page, Comment And Engage With The Content They Post
As you’re browsing your client’s Facebook page, don’t just like their posts. Engage with them! Comment on an article they posted or share it on your page. A comment should be more than just a thumbs-up; try to add something of value to the conversation.
Don’t be spammy and don’t overdo it (no more than one comment per day). Don’t be creepy either you don’t want your client to think you’re stalking them! And deficit ever acts like a stalker or creep.
Make sure that when you’re out there interacting with clients’ Facebook pages, they know they can trust you as a writer before going any further in building their online presence through social media marketing services.
Network In Facebook Groups
If you’re looking for freelance writing clients, join Facebook groups.
I know that sounds obvious, but it’s not as simple as just joining as many groups as possible. There is a right way to do this and a wrong way.
There are two main categories of Facebook groups: niche-focused and general interest. If you’re writing about travel and adventure, join a group related to those topics if you write about dog training, find an appropriate group on dogs (Dogs 101).
But what if your niche isn’t represented by any existing group? No problem! Join some general interest ones anyway! What do these look like? Any topic could have an offshoot (or three) dedicated to it, so try searching for something broad like “travel” or “dogs.” You’ll find lots of options there too!
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Connect With Clients Using Nuzzel
Nuzzel is a news app that allows you to stay in the loop with what your friends are reading. You can follow them and see what they’re reading, which will give you a better understanding of their interests.
You can also connect with clients on Nuzzel by following their accounts and seeing what they’re reading, as well as sharing articles from your feed. This will help establish a personal connection with potential clients, making it easier for you to reach out when the time comes!
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Keep Track Of Emails From Clients Using Evernote Or An Evernote Add-On Called Postach.Io
Evernote is a great tool for keeping track of all the things that you need to know about your client, including:
- The client’s name and contact information. (Email address and phone number)
- Brief notes about the project or job you are working on with them.
- Any deadlines that might exist for completing the project or job in question.
Pistachio is another useful tool that can be used in conjunction with Evernote to help make sure your freelance writing business stays organized and on schedule without having to spend hours every day trying to keep up with everything going on around it! Using Pistachio allows you to:
Keep track of emails from clients using Evernote or an Evernote add-on called Pistachio Send reminders via email at certain dates/times Schedule emails so they are sent automatically according to Schedule reminders so they are sent automatically depending on when something needs to be done
Take Notes About Clients When You Meet Them In Person
Another use for Notebook is taking notes during interviews. You can use Evernote to take notes, but the formatting will be different than it is in Notebook, so it will look like you have two sets of notes when it’s all said and done.
The notebook has an offline mode (the app saves your data when you are not connected to the internet) and uses iOS’s storage system instead of iCloud or Dropbox, which means that your data won’t disappear if your iPhone gets lost or stolen.
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Conclusion
By using apps like Slack and Instagram to connect with others in your field, you can build a professional network right from your phone no computer required. You’ll also be able to use your phone as a portfolio that lets potential clients see how skilled you are at writing and communicating.
As we discussed earlier, you’re always going to have your phone on hand, so why not use it as much as possible? Like anything else in life, getting freelance writing clients from your iPhone takes time. But if you stay committed and keep working at it, the process will eventually pay off!
Further Reading
Ways to Source Clients as a Freelance Writer: Explore effective strategies and platforms for finding and attracting clients as a freelance writer.
How to Become a Freelance Writer: A Step-by-Step Guide: Follow a comprehensive guide that takes you through the process of becoming a successful freelance writer.
Apps for Freelance Writers: Discover useful mobile apps designed to streamline your freelance writing process and enhance productivity.
FAQs
How do I start my freelance writing journey?
Starting as a freelance writer requires passion for writing and a willingness to build a portfolio. Begin by creating writing samples and exploring online platforms for freelancers.
Where can I find freelance writing opportunities?
There are various platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr where you can find freelance writing gigs. Networking with other writers and utilizing social media can also lead to potential clients.
How much should I charge for my freelance writing services?
Determining your rates can be challenging. Research industry standards, consider your experience, and assess the complexity of the project before setting your freelance writing fees.
How do I handle multiple freelance writing projects?
Time management is crucial. Prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and create a schedule to ensure each project receives the attention it deserves.
How can I improve my writing skills as a freelance writer?
Continuously hone your writing skills by reading extensively, seeking feedback, and taking writing courses or workshops. Practice writing regularly to refine your craft.
How Do I Get Freelance Writing Clients From My iPhone?
You can set up a client-finding schedule that automatically sends you a message when you’re in the range of a client. The message will contain their contact information and any other data you’ve collected about them. You can then call the client to set up an appointment, or send them an email or text message.
How Do I Find Clients?
There are tons of places where people post job listings for writers like yourself. You can search on Google for “freelance writer jobs” or use one of the many freelance websites out there that specialize in connecting people who need writers with writers who have skills they want to use (like [website name]). You should also ask friends if they know anyone who needs help with writing projects!
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.