Freelancer - how do you market your business?

[Sonia2016@]

Hey Guys

I am planning on going freelance shortly but would love some advice on how to market my business to get new clients.

What mode do you guys use? Just word of mouth or are there any companies that will do the marketing for me? Also, how do you manage your appointments and bookings?

Cheers
Sonia

 

[Toridnl]

I do a lot of my own marketing via social media and leaflet dropping it's always going to be hit or miss.
I run a refer a friend offer all the time so hopefully that will get some new clients
I use an app called SetMore for my appointments and bookings are taken via which ever method the client has contacted me on
Hope this helps xx

 

[jemma890]

I also use setmore as it's free and it does everything I need it to do you can even set it to email reminders to clients about their appointments. I advertise mostly on facebook and get quite a few clients from there. I've also recently started a loyalty card system to try and keep clients coming back xx

 

[Shanti]

I also use setmore as it's free and it does everything I need it to do you can even set it to email reminders to clients about their appointments. I advertise mostly on facebook and get quite a few clients from there. I've also recently started a loyalty card system to try and keep clients coming back xx

Thanks so much for the information! This is so valuable. I looked at the SetMore website but it looks like it costs $25 a month so not sure if its a new cost in line

 

[Shanti]

I do a lot of my own marketing via social media and leaflet dropping it's always going to be hit or miss.
I run a refer a friend offer all the time so hopefully that will get some new clients
I use an app called SetMore for my appointments and bookings are taken via which ever method the client has contacted me on
Hope this helps xx

Thank you! This is great! Getting new customers is what I am most worried about - I hope it goes ok

 

[UK Beauty]

I run my own PR agency and there are a lot of avenues you can go down, and not all of them cost the earth.

Social media is your friend but you need to work hard at it. Make sure that you post regularly and make good use of images and videos as these get a greater reach. You can boost posts for just a few pounds which can get you some great results.

Pay Per Click marketing is pretty cost-effective. This is an advert on relevant pages of Google and the beauty is that you only pay when someone clicks on your ad and this can just be pennies.

Sending press releases and invitations to local newspapers and magazines might also get you some free publicity.

Try visiting a few community groups and offering demonstrations. These could be women's groups or mother and toddler sessions - it's a great way to get your name out there.

I do this stuff everyday so if you want any more help please feel free ask!

 

[Toridnl]

I'd invite any other help or advice you might have to give UK Beauty.
All the above sounds great and some things I'm yet to try so I'll be putting them into gear.

 

[Cesar]

I use a salon soft that has marketing features, which send automatic messages to my clients For appointments and bookings I use the same software as well try them out for free (they're called Versum)

 

[UK Beauty]

Focus on your USP. What do you do differently or better to those around you? This has to be the biggest thing that you market, and understanding this can really help you to decide how to promote it.

For example, if you specialise in slimming treatments then you need to focus your attentions on gyms and slimming groups. If it's wedding make-up, try doing referral deals with local florists, venues and car hire companies.

In this country we are always reluctant to blow our own trumpets, but when it comes to business, no-one is going to do it for you. You have to be prepared to shout from the rooftops about how good you are and why. If you don't believe in yourself no-one else is going to, so take to social media and public demonstrations and let the world know how amazing you are.