Our parents and grandparents sometimes worked for the same company for decades, got a nice pension, and rode happily off into the retirement sunset like John Wayne. But as Bob Dylan told us, “the times they are a-changin'.” Now, people change jobs much more frequently, and because inflation continues rising and many companies have cut pensions and benefits back, they need to do something else outside their daily 9 to 5 to make ends meet. Whether you're trying to score some writing assignments, graphic design projects, or some other additional creative work to make a little extra scratch, here are some proven techniques for reaching out to folks who need those services (without going through the Upwork or Fiverr rigmarole).
Make Better Use of Your Network
Sometimes when you’re struggling, it’s tempting to bury your head in the sand because you’re scared to admit weakness. But in fact, showing vulnerability and admitting that you need help can break you out of a funk and find new opportunities. So become a bit more proactive with your connections, whether that’s via a wider network on LinkedIn or doubling down with your inner circle via coffee meetups, texts messages, or phone messages. You can’t always be in ask mode because such relationships need to be reciprocal and you don’t want to become a burden. But simply starting a conversation and asking questions can lead you to chances to ply your creative trade. And these will be coming from a trusted source, so you’ll need less legwork than if you were generating leads from scratch.
You can pursue a similar approach when it comes to creating and sustaining a fanbase. Rather than trying to go all Kim Kardashian and garner millions of followers, you’d be better off getting together a smaller group of like-minded individuals who will provide an ongoing financial bedrock for you to build your side hustle foundation on. To do so, make sure you’re giving away a lot of free content. Rather than having to rely on constant social media updates, follow the lead of Atomic Habits author James Clear and encourage people to sign up to a weekly newsletter, dangling a free PDF of tips and tricks or something similar that provides value. He’s amassed over 2,000,000 readers by combining this simple tactic with killer content.
“With my first book, I wrote about the concept of recruiting a small army of remarkable people,” said Chris Guillebeau, creator of the inspiring blog The Art of Non-Conformity and author of Gonzo Capitalism, in an interview with Net Influencer. “It’s kind of like the 1,000 true fans model. If you’re cultivating this loyalty and relationship with people, then, when the time comes to launch your book or whatever it is you’re trying to do, then you ask for help.”
Get in Community
Chase Jarvis has done a few things as a creator, to put it mildly. He founded the CreativeLive platform that offers affordable online courses, won multiple photography and filmmaking awards, and wrote the bestselling book Creative Calling: Establish a Daily Practice, Infuse Your World with Meaning, and Succeed in Work + Life. One of his passions is helping like minds push past self-defeating fallacies like “print is dead so nobody needs writers” and “I can’t be a photographer because now everyone has a phone in their pocket” that creators use to justify not trying.
To overcome these barriers to making it in any creative endeavor, Jarvis suggests jumping into creative communities. Yes, this does mean joining Reddit threads, sharing your portfolio on sites like Clippings.me, and engaging with a global audience on social media platforms. But what many people are missing, Jarvis believes, is face-to-face connections with like-minded peers. Whether it’s attending film festivals, becoming part of writers’ groups, or joining local chapters of professional photography organizations, getting in front of more people will advance your skillset, offer encouragement, and – if you’re willing to stick with it – even generate warm leads for your side hustle. You never know when one handshake might lead to a collaboration or referral. And you’ll also be able to help and serve others by doing likewise.
“The word networking is overrated,” Jarvis stated in a blog post about the importance of community to creators. “It’s just people and relationships. If you strive to build meaningful and valuable relationships –online and offline – you’ll be well on your way.”
Improve Your Cold Pitches
One of the most terrifying parts of being a freelance journalist and author is pitching. Sure, it’s great when an editor reaches out and asks me to pen a piece for them, or – better yet – to become a regular contributor to their publication or company. But reaching out cold and trying to convince a stranger that they need my services could strike fear into even the boldest heart. Yet it’s a necessary part of the gig, and I’ve learned over the years that while it might never feel comfortable, there is at least a system that’s proved to be pretty effective.
This starts with succinctly stating who you are and why they should care. The latter includes a well-crafted signature block that links to major projects and also links to two or three pieces that are relevant to the recipient and what they do. For example, if it’s an outdoor magazine, then gear reviews or features about paddleboarding or hiking would be appropriate. Concision is another key component. The person you’re reaching out to might receive hundreds of inquiries a week and will likely only give you a few seconds to make your case, so you need to do so quickly.
If you’re just starting out, you might be under-confident because you haven’t worked with any major entities. Get past that right now! You will just have to use whatever portfolio pieces you have and make it clear that you believe in your talents. Balance this with the humility of being willing to help out. Many editors get frustrated when freelancers fail them by missing deadlines, which leaves a gap they might have to fill themselves.
By offering to pitch in as needed, you will establish a good rapport and show that you’re more dependable than your peers. The animator Tim Allen, who has worked with Wes Anderson on Isle of Dogs and Fantastic Mr. Fox, Tim Burton on Corpse Bride, and Guillermo del Toro on the Oscar-winning Pinocchio once moved furniture for a film studio because that’s all a director could offer him. Later he was called back to offer a career-changing job. And all because he was brave enough to offer his services to someone he didn’t know.