Land Digital-Copywriting Clients Faster With Niche Connections

This approach to landing clients is so easy. You have to give it a try.

First, whenever one of our many members announces on Facebook or during a live event that they landed their first client — we ask HOW? How did you connect with that first client?

The answer is overwhelmingly this: “I told someone I already know that I’m offering digital-content services. That person hired me!” or “That person referred me to a business that needs my help!”

AHA! Someone they already know.

So, who do you already know? And, could those contacts be potential clients or referral sources?

Your existing circle of contacts just may be the ticket to landing freelance digital-copywriting clients in the fastest way possible.

What I mean is this…

Your connections — folks who represent different niche areas in your life — will instantly know you’re the perfect fit, when they need a skilled writer.

Now, you may be asking, “How do I make a list of niche contacts or connections?”

Start with a personal inventory of possible niches.

What have you done in your life up to this point, when it comes to the following?

• Different jobs you’ve held to this point
• Interests and hobbies you’ve pursued in your life
• Local groups you’ve been involved with (church, Little League, charities)
• Lifestyle, such as being a new mom, vegan, retiree, etc.
• Local businesses where you’re a regular customer or client

Take a moment to jot down anything in your life that relates to these categories.

Here are some random examples for inspiration:

• Jobs: prep cook at a seafood restaurant, bookkeeper, legal assistant, summer camp counselor, truck driver 
• Interests and hobbies: archery, making craft beer or bread at home, reading science fiction, playing pickleball, traveling to art museums
• Local groups: my child’s dance studio/classes, volunteering at the local dog park, meeting new moms for coffee every Thursday
• Lifestyle: downsizing my home and living “minimally,” following the no-mow movement to support bees and butterflies and limit water use, spending summers in an RV at oceanside parks
• Local businesses: my hair salon, accountant, bakery, yoga studio, paintball club, restaurants, clothing boutique

What’s on your list?

Whatever you listed as professional and personal experiences can help you quickly connect with people you already know… and tell them what you’re doing as a professional writer.

Take a moment to start making a list of people you know from your personal inventory.

Why? Because these connections can lead to freelance-writing projects. They either need you or they may know someone who needs you. And they have the context of knowing you through a particular niche.

Let’s explore an example to see what I mean.

Let’s say you’ve worked in restaurants and bakeries in your career. Perhaps you also make your own bread at home. And you’re a regular customer at your local bakery.

How many food-related connections have you made along the way? Consider these possibilities:

• Fellow restaurant workers, including former bosses and former owners, as well as restaurant-related suppliers you may have met along the way.
• Fellow bakery workers and suppliers to the bakery industry.
• Companies you’ve bought from, for your home-baking needs. Perhaps you’ve met some of them in person. But, even if you’re a customer who never met the staff — you know their business.
• Finally, the owner and staff at local bakery(ies) where you do business.

Once you start jotting down names, you may realize you have dozens of food/restaurant/bakery connections. Plus, you have niche industry knowledge that’s super valuable as a writer. (Hint: Clients love finding writers who already understand their industry.)

Here’s another example.

Let’s say you’ve been a truck driver, and you’re a fan of trucks.

How many trucking-related connections have you made along the way? All kinds:

• Fellow truckers you’ve met along your journey. You never know, some of them may have started businesses since your time together.
• People at the trucking company(ies) you’ve worked for.
• Companies you delivered goods to — regular customers.
• Perhaps suppliers to the trucking industry, such as logistics companies, shipping companies, trucker-safety companies, fleet-management companies, etc.
• Maybe even a trucking school, where you got your professional training.

Again, you may have dozens of trucking-industry connections, along with industry knowledge that’s super-valuable to you as a writer.

See where this is headed for you?

Also, you’re not limited to ONE niche, when you go through this exercise. Based on your personal inventory, you may also discover connections in several niches, where you have a background through your jobs, hobbies, groups, lifestyle, and local businesses.

When considering how to find clients, why not start with these niche connections who already know you?

Keeping in mind that most of our members find their first clients through existing connections, it’s a no-brainer to give it a try.

Here’s how to make the most of your niche connections.

1. Tell them what you’re doing now!

   Reach out with a friendly hello and check-in, such as, “Hi Jim, it’s been a while since we [whatever your last interaction was]. I hope things are going well for you. I’m now a digital writer helping [common niche industry] businesses with their online marketing, such as websites, videos, e-newsletters, etc. Here’s a link to my business profile — I’d love your opinion on it! All the best.”

2. Link them to your LinkedIn profile or freelance website, if you have one. You don’t need to ask for work or a referral at this point. But, since they already know you, they’ll likely be very curious about what you’re doing. You’ve just asked them for feedback, as well, which sets the stage for a response from them.
3. Take the best next step based on their response. You never know, your friend Jim may get right back to you, wanting to know more… for his own business or for a colleague. Or, he may say, “That’s awesome! I’ll keep you in mind.” And this is also a great response.

You never know when the next outreach may lead to a YES. So, keep going on steps 1-3 with your niche connections. Reach out with personal, heartfelt check-ins. Remind them of their connection with you. Stay in touch. Keep track of when you reach out and the responses you receive. Rinse and repeat.

This “niche connection” approach has worked wonders for many of our members. Give it a try and see if it works for you!