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Writing for Businesses
By Aline Lechaye
Nowadays, businesses need writers, especially small businesses
which usually work with only one or two (mostly freelance)
employees on the side. One of those freelance employees is
very often a writer, because small businesses need writing
for so many areas.
Writing for businesses may seem somewhat intimidating at
first, but don’t worry just yet; we’re not asking you to
draft serious looking business letters that start off “Dear
Sir”. There are plenty of other types of writing that businesses
need. Most businesses need material that is relatively straight-
forward, product reviews, for instance.
How do you get in touch with potential clients?
Keep Your Eyes Open
Take a walk around your neighborhood and stop by the new stores
you see: cafés, bookstores, restaurants, small boutiques…ask
them if they’d like someone to write content for them: for their
website, or brochures introducing new products. If the store is
a restaurant, you could ask them if they’d like someone to help
them write up the menu: detailed descriptions of the food can
help reluctant customers make up their minds. Also suggest helping
them to edit or write for their newsletter if they happen to
have one.
Note: alternatively, you could seek out new stores and write up
reviews for local newspapers and magazines.
Go To Trade Shows
Any trade shows coming to your town? Take some time to stop by
and mingle. Often, small business owners will go to trade shows
to take stock of the competition and look at new trends. You
should go equipped with business cards (with your name, website,
and contact info), and samples of your writing, preferably related
to the industry in question. Try also to put together a “sales
pitch”: a brief introduction of yourself and why you’re a good
writer that takes no more than a minute. Seriously, everyone at
the trade show will be busy with their own agendas; one minute
is about all you have!
Attend Business Seminars
A lot of schools host business seminars run by local business
successes. Most of the people who go to these seminars are local
business owners, so they’re good places to find potential clients.
Again, go with a “writing pack” with your card and writing samples
so that clients can get a quick preview of your work. A bonus of
attending business seminars is that you can get some business
knowledge as well.
Alternative Businesses
When the word “business” comes to mind, most people stop at the
usual (profit-making) businesses. But the truth is, there are other
businesses out there: non-profits, for example. Because, yes, they
need writers as well, for such things as promotion materials and
business plans. Scoop out local charities or similar institutions
to find one that might need your help.
Non-profits aside, you should also consider stopping by local art
galleries and museums, which are almost always in need of
promotion writing (let’s face it, people really don’t go to these
places that much!)
In short, opportunities to write for businesses are everywhere.
Keep your eyes open, and you never know what you may end up with!
BIO:
Aline Lechaye is a writer, translator, and interpreter who
resides in Asia. She can be reached at
alinelechaye@gmail.com
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