How Can I Go Faster?
By Pam Foster

It has been my honor this week to help you think of exciting new ways to ramp up your marketing, attract more clients, and get closer to living the writer’s life.

I leave you with the final ingredient: ACTION — how to take the fastest approach to growing your writing business.

Question #5: How Can I Get Going Faster?

No matter where you are in your writing business … these tips are for you. But before I dive in with my 5 Actions for Accelerating Your Business Growth, I need to be clear.

In my experience, the #1 fastest way to get more clients — as quickly as possible — is to focus on a single niche market.

It’s just plain easier to do everything with a laser focus on WHO you’re talking to and WHY you’re uniquely qualified as the best writer for that market.

So if you haven’t decided on a niche market yet, my first recommendation is to clear away some time this weekend to identify the best niche market for you. (Check out our P.S. to find tools that help you tackle this mission.)

OK, ready for the 5 Actions that can give your writing business a big shot in the arm?

Here we go.

1. Make a list of all the reasons you’re the best writer for your niche market clients.

   List every single thing you’ve done related to writing, especially for the niche market of your choice.

   Let’s pick the eco-friendly home goods market, for example. You’ll want to include ANYTHING you can think of to show you “get” this market … such as:

   • Wrote articles for Eco Lifestyle Magazine
   • Helped three companies in the eco-green market with website updates
   • Completed the DMA’s Green Marketing Professional Development Program
   • Helped organize a sustainable fashion show in my community
   • Used to work for an organic farmer and I’m part of an organic community garden
   • Family lives an eco-friendly/green lifestyle
   • Member of an eco-products association

   You get the idea.

2. Make a list of people you know: everyone you can think of in the niche market from past jobs, college days, local business groups, anything. (If you don’t know anyone in the niche market yet, follow my tips in step #5.)

   Consider anyone and everyone a possible source of referrals or even a potential client. Hopefully, you have email addresses for these folks … or you’re connected to them through Facebook and/or LinkedIn.com.

   In fact, go to LinkedIn.com this weekend and connect with as many known contacts as you can. Some of my best projects in the past year have come through LinkedIn.

3. Take a fresh look at your website and marketing materials.

   Can you adjust the existing copy to be niche market–focused? Or would it be better to start from scratch?

   If you start from scratch, make it easy on yourself. Start with a simple five-page website (Home, About Me, Services, Samples, and Contact) with messages that tell prospective clients how you can solve their specific communications challenges. Your site should be very specific to your niche.

4. Make a plan to announce your niche market to the world.

   Pick a date for your launch and tell people. Making your plan public will help you stick with it.

   It’s easy to announce your niche market website. Email your friends, post an announcement on LinkedIn, Facebook, etc., and let everyone know what you’re doing. Ask your contacts to spread the word and refer others to your business.

5. Immerse yourself in the niche market.

   Join niche groups in LinkedIn and find fan pages to “like” in Facebook. Answer questions, share tips and ideas … join in the conversation.

   Find business associations in your niche and become a member. Attend their conferences. You’ll find a lot of great business contacts there. Plus, read their trade magazines, post comments on their blogs, etc. These days, it’s easy to connect with people who may be quite interested in what you offer.

   Make the most of every opportunity to be a helpful contributor. Volunteer with your local business networking group or volunteer to write articles for a national marketing association in your industry.

With the five action steps – and the niche marketing advice I’ve offered this week – you’ll be able to grow your writing business faster and easier.

I’m living proof that niche marketing works, and I know of at least a dozen copywriters who’ve stepped up their success this way.

I’d love to hear how you make out. Please comment below when you’ve identified your niche market. I’ll be happy to check out your website and spread the word to any marketer I know in that industry.

Good luck! Have a great weekend.