One of the most fascinating things about my work as a freelance writer and communication specialist is the fact that most of my business does not come from my hometown of Cleveland. So far, I've done one small newsletter project locally, while I've handled corporate communications, website content creation and extensive feature writing for publications and clients across the country. My clients can be found everywhere from the nearby Cincinnati and Pennsylvania to Boston and Colorado.
This preponderance of distant clients seems highly unlikely at first glance. Why so many out-of-town clients? It goes back to my work for Proforma, a large North American Franchise with 650 offices in the US and Canada. I think the more important question here is: why have I not found more local clients to work for? I suppose my business development efforts have not been focused on local prospects, but on referrals from my current clients. Still, I have attended a fair amount of local networking meet-ups and handed out a number of business cards.
Any tips out there for getting local business? Are some networking events better than others for meeting potential clients? I've heard that joining the local chamber of commerce is a good idea, and I already have a few professional memberships. If any of you have tips to share, please do. Once I've mastered the art of business development networking, I promise I'll be the first to share my secrets!
In the meantime, I'm an affordable, high-quality writer in good old Cleveland (well, closer to Akron to be more accurate). If anyone out here is looking for writing, editing or freelance public relations, I'd be happy to stop by and meet with you! And if you're someone from across the country (or the world) reading this, of course I'd be happy to add a new face to my out-of-town client roster.
Signing off from Northeast Ohio... have a wonderful weekend everyone!
I am in the Akron / Cleveland area as well and my big clients are not around here. It makes it almost pointless to go out and network locally.
Better to go to a conference in another city!
Posted by: Ron McDanel | December 30, 2008 at 03:18 PM