Ask FreelanceSwitch: Blogging and Coworking

Credit: kennymatic on flickr

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at blogging and coworking. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about freelancing that you want answered, send an email to askfreelanceswitch@gmail.com. Let’s get to the questions!

Question 1

I recently developed a new blog and I want to make it a legit blog and hopefully develop some income from advertising. What is the best way to approach the development of a blog? How do I market it without any budget and what is the necessary information that designers and developers enjoy reading about? In general, how do I get readers?

Tyler

Blogging has become a very popular opportunity for graphic designers and other freelancers lately — it’s easy to set up a blog and there are several really successful blogs out there to look up to. But there is a very important question that you have to ask yourself before you even begin: who are you writing for?

As a freelancer, there are two ways that you can hope to make money from a blog — either by using it to market your freelance business or by selling something through the blog. If you’re hoping to use it as a marketing tool, it’s crucial that you write for prospective clients, not other designers or freelancers. If you’re looking to sell something through your blog, writing for other freelancers is back on the table. I have to tell you, though, it’s a tough niche. There are a lot of graphic design, writing and freelancing blogs out there and you have to have something special to offer if you want to move into that space.

Marketing a blog without a budget requires a significant time commitment. At the most basic level, you want to go to where your ideal readers are already hanging out. That can mean guest posting on existing blogs, commenting on forums and generally connecting with as many people as possible. Once again, you have to have something worth your readers’ while to lure them into your blog, as well as great posts to convince them to stay.

It’s important to focus in on a specific audience so that you can choose topics and marketing strategies effectively. There are very few articles that — for instance — every graphic designer wants to read. The guy who does just magazine layouts needs different information (even about billing clients) than the gal who is doing CD covers. The more information you can gather about your target audience, the better.

Question 2

Hello! I have been making my living as a freelancer for about five years. Recently, I attended a business conference for a client and met the founder of IndyHall in Philadelphia. What he has done is created a work space for freelancers. You still work alone, but you get colleagues, people to lunch with, friends. You have a place to go every day. A big advantage is that a writer like me could hook up with an artist and bid together on a website – stuff like that. You also meet people and can discuss how much to charge. I am wondering if there is such a thing in Tucson!

Jane

There are some phenomenal coworking spaces out there, providing a lot of opportunities for freelancers — especially those of us used to a solitary working existence. Prices can vary, but most coworking spaces have daily rates, as well as a monthly rate that allows you to use the space a certain number of days.

They are popping up all over the place and the easiest way to find what’s available in your area is the Coworking Wiki. Just about every coworking space has a website, as well, so a search for your city and the word ‘coworking’ can turn up some great locations.

In the worst case scenario, an informal coworking space is relatively easy to start — in my area, we simply chose a local Starbucks and met up there on a regular basis.

Photo credit: Some rights reserved by kennymatic