Are You a Reluctant Marketer? How to Be a Mighty Marketer Instead
How I moved from being a reluctant AI user to an AI pragmatist will help you move from being a reluctant marketer to being a Mighty Marketer.
Let me start with a confession. I’m a marketing geek. But I know that marketing is really hard for most freelancers because you never have a chance to learn about it. So you become reluctant marketers.
What Reluctant Marketers and Reluctant AI Users Share
Until I had to learn how to use AI in writing, I didn’t really understand why so many freelancers were reluctant marketers. To learn about AI in writing I started out by following discussions on LinkedIn. Then I found some experts to learn more from. I listened to podcasts and read reports.
That’s when I realized that if I wanted to be able to continue to serve my clients and get new freelance work in the era of AI, I needed to learn how to use it. While I have never been a reluctant marketer, I was definitely a reluctant AI user, or as Gordan Graham calls this, an AI resister. Graham is a freelance writer and an early innovator in the use of AI in writing.
Listen to the High-Income Business Writing podcast with Graham Gordon
So I procrastinated for a while. I made excuses, like “I don’t have time to learn AI” and “I need to focus on client work.” But the truth is, I just didn’t want to do it.
The problem is that technology is and always has been a struggle for me. As a freelancer, I’ve had to learn how to use a lot of technology over the years. While I’ve always been able to do this, it’s been hard for me. And like you, I’m really busy.
How You Can Move from Reluctant Marketer to Mighty Marketer
How you probably feel about marketing your freelance business is how I used to feel about AI.
But learning how to market a freelance business and learning how to use AI in writing come down to two essential things: (1) knowledge and (2) hard work.
Knowledge is fairly easy to come by. I’ve given you some ways to learn about marketing your freelance business below.
The hard part—for me in learning AI and you in learning marketing—is actually doing the work.
If I wanted to continue to succeed as a freelance medical writer, then I knew that I had to learn how to use AI. I might not have a business in a few years if I didn’t do this. So I was really motivated.
Just like you should be really motivated to do the work to market your freelance business. Because if you don’t, getting the steady, high-paying clients you deserve and building a stable, successful freelance business will be a struggle.
4 Ways to Learn How to Market Your Freelance Business
Here are 4 ways to learn about marketing and do the work to learn how to use it.
Since I’m comparing learning AI to learning marketing, I used AI to generate content for this parts of the post. I asked ChatGPT “How can people learn to do new things for work?,” then prompted it with “Revise as a blog post on 10 ways to learn new things.”
Some of the information from ChatGPT includes advice I would have provided on my own. But the content wasn’t engaging and it didn’t use my writing style or tone.
If you’re curious about how I humanized what ChatGPT gave me and what I added on my own, then see the ChatGPT transcript at the end of this post. As you’ll see, I didn’t use most of that information.
1. Just Get Started
Did you ever stand at the edge of a pool, afraid to jump in because the water would be too cold? Jumping in is much easier than lowering yourself slowly down the ladder.
When you jump in, the worst part is over quickly. You don’t spend time worrying about how cold the water is, or talking yourself out of going in at all.
Once you get started on your marketing, it’s much easier to keep going.
Start slowly with some general learning, like I did with AI. This will give you some knowledge about marketing a freelance business. Hopefully, that knowledge will help you become more comfortable with the idea of marketing your freelance business and more confident that you can do it.
And starting with general learning is much easier than trying to immediately develop client-focused marketing. If you do that, you’ll probably get frustrated because you don’t know enough yet and give up.
Reading this blog post is a good start. Finishing this post is an achievement. And each action you achieve motivates you to keep going. Do a little more each week until you build the marketing habit.
2. Follow the Right Marketing Experts
Learn from experts who use a proven process, deliver realistic results, and care about your success. Experts in freelance marketing include:
- The Mighty Marketer (me)
- High-Income Business Writing
- Marketing Mentor.
Ed Gandia’s High-Income Business Writing has a podcast and a blog, along with courses and coaching. Ilise Benun’s Marketing Mentor has a podcast, a blog, and Quick Tips, along with lot of on-demand content you can buy.
Start with One of my Free Ebooks
Get your free copy of one of my ebooks on getting the clients you deserve. Both ebooks cover:
- A proven, 10-step process for building a stable, successful freelance business
- How to develop the mindset for freelance success
- The best marketing tools for freelancers and how to use them
The ebook for medical writers and editors also includes freelance opportunities in medical communications.
For medical writers and editors:
For other freelancers:
Get the Clients You Deserve: The Proven Process for Building a Stable, Successful Freelance Business
If you download one of my ebooks, I’ll add you to my email list so you can read my Freelance Success blog. Also, I’ll send you information about more ways to learn.
Subscribe to Lists and Follow Experts
Subscribing to email lists is an easy way to learn about marketing. The emails will prompt you to work on your marketing and give you ideas and inspiration for doing this. You can also follow me, Ed, and Ilise on LinkedIn so you’ll see our posts.
Get High-Income Business Writing’s free ebook Earn More in Less Time: The Proven Mindset, Strategies and Actions to Prosper as a Freelance Writer and subscribe to Ed’s email list.
Get Marketing Mentor’s “Magic Money Formula” worksheet and subscribe to Ilise’s Quick Tips.
If you find other experts, then make sure you evaluate them carefully. Fake and instant experts are growing in number. Fake experts are con artists who don’t have the expertise they’re selling. Instant experts don’t have the experience or expertise to teach other people.
Learn how to evaluate experts
4 Easy Ways to Find Real Experts to Help You Grow Your Freelance Business
3. Network through Professional Associations and on LinkedIn
Learn from other freelancers through professional associations and on LinkedIn. In-person meetings, online forums of professional associations, and LinkedIn are all great ways to learn how other freelancers market their businesses and to get answers to your questions.
As I learn about AI, I participate in discussions on LinkedIn. I’m learning about how other people, mostly freelancers, are using AI and their challenges in doing this.
But when you’re learning about freelance marketing, be very careful. Many freelancers do bad marketing. So you need to evaluate what they say and do. You can use the content of my ebook to do this.
Professional associations are also likely to have content on marketing or marketing a freelance business, and maybe educational programs such as webinars, tutorials, or courses.
4. Take an Online Course
As a shortcut to learning how to use AI in writing, I took a course: Introduction to Medical Writing and Artificial Intelligence from Michelle Guillemard at Health Writer Hub. I didn’t want to waste time trying to figure out how to use it on my own. And I wanted expert guidance on best practices.
The course was fabulous! I learned more about AI in medical writing than I expected to and got lots of great resources for learning more later.
Best of all, taking the course forced me to start using ChatGPT. Before that, I hadn’t even tried ChatGPT, which is currently the most commonly used AI writing tool. I wanted to use it, but was procrastinating because, frankly, I was a bit afraid of AI and didn’t know if I could learn how to use it.
A Shortcut from Reluctant Marketer to Mighty Marketer
If you want a shortcut to learning how to market your freelance business, then consider my 7-week online course, Finding the Freelance Clients You Deserve.
Based on what works best for freelancer, the course explains my proven process in detail. You get assignments to help you apply what you’re learning and develop your marketing tools. And you get lots of handouts with templates, checklists, examples, and more.
In the coaching version, you get personal guidance from me, based on your business goals and challenges. I review your marketing and key course assignments. My students tell me that coaching helps them build their confidence and succeed faster.
The course is also available as self-study. This is best if you’re an experienced freelancer who is doing okay but you know you could be doing better.
Learn more about Finding the Freelance Client You Deserve
Watch the course video: Build Your Freelance Business
Read how the course is helping freelancers achieve success
How I Moved from Reluctant AI User to AI Pragmatist
Now I’m an AI pragmatist, someone “who sometimes uses AI,” according to Graham.
Soon, I hope to be an AI enthusiast, someone “who often uses AI.”
Just as I moved from a reluctant AI user to an AI pragmatist, you too can move from being a reluctant marketer to a marketing pragmatist. And as I practice using AI and you practice marketing, I can become an AI enthusiast and you can become a Mighty Marketer.
Learn More About How to Be a Mighty Marketer, Not a Reluctant Marketer
Content from The Mighty Marketer
Free ebook for medical writers and editors:
Free ebook for other freelancers:
Get the Clients You Deserve: The Proven Process for Building a Stable, Successful Freelance Business
Online course
Finding the Freelance Clients You Deserve
Course video: Build Your Freelance Business
Blog posts
7 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Start Getting the Clients You Deserve
8 Ways to Do Hard Things—Like Marketing Your Freelance Business
The Habit that Will Make You a Freelance Success
Other Content About Marketing
Ed Gandia, High-Income Business Writing
Ilise Benun, Marketing Mentor
Other Content About AI
#323: Gordon Graham on Writing a White Paper with ChatGPT, Predictions for AI’s Impact on Writers, and How to Pivot as the Technology Improves, High-Income Business Writing
#325: Rob Marsh on Leveraging AI to Grow Your Freelance Business, High-Income Business Writing
Health Writer Hub, Introduction to Medical Writing and Artificial Intelligence
ChatGPT Transcript
Title: 10 Effective Strategies to Embrace Lifelong Learning
Introduction:
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, staying competitive and relevant requires a commitment to continuous learning. Embracing a growth mindset and actively seeking opportunities to learn new things is not only crucial for professional growth but also enriching for personal development. Whether you’re aiming to advance your career, enhance your skillset, or explore new passions, here are 10 effective strategies to help you embark on a fulfilling journey of lifelong learning.
Set Clear Learning Goals:
Start by defining your learning objectives. What skills or knowledge do you want to acquire? Establishing clear goals will guide you in choosing the right learning path and measure your progress along the way.
Online Courses and Tutorials:
The digital age has brought an abundance of online learning platforms at your fingertips. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and more offer a vast array of courses on various subjects. Take advantage of these platforms to learn at your own pace and convenience.
Attend Workshops and Seminars:
Look for workshops, seminars, and conferences in your field. These events not only provide valuable insights but also present excellent networking opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
On-the-Job Training:
Learn from experienced colleagues or mentors at your workplace. Shadowing, job rotations, or collaborative projects can offer practical knowledge and hands-on experience.
Seek Feedback:
Request feedback from supervisors or coworkers to identify areas for improvement. Constructive criticism helps you pinpoint specific skills that need development.
Join Professional Associations:
Participate in professional associations or industry groups related to your field. These organizations often offer webinars, resources, and networking events to enhance your knowledge.
Read Books and Publications:
Delve into books, industry journals, and articles related to your profession. These resources provide in-depth insights and expert perspectives to expand your understanding.
Engage in Online Forums and Communities:
Participate in online forums, discussion groups, and social media communities where professionals in your industry share knowledge and best practices.
Embrace Technology and Apps:
Utilize learning apps and technology tools that offer interactive and gamified learning experiences. These engaging resources can make the learning process enjoyable and effective.
Teach Others:
Sharing your knowledge with others can deepen your understanding of a subject. Engage in mentoring, coaching, or start a blog to share your expertise and connect with like-minded learners.
Conclusion:
Learning is a lifelong journey that knows no boundaries. Embrace the spirit of continuous learning and invest in yourself by exploring new interests and honing valuable skills. With the abundance of resources available today, from online courses to networking opportunities, there has never been a better time to embark on your journey of self-improvement. Stay curious, stay committed, and let the pursuit of knowledge lead you to new heights of personal and professional success.