Almost everyone these days has a freelance career of some sort. Whether you’re marketing your skills as a graphic designer, or building websites as an SEO professional, it’s not always easy to find work and make ends meet.
One way that many freelancers market themselves is through email marketing – but there are mistakes that we need to avoid to be successful. Check out this article about 10 mistakes you can avoid with freelance email marketing, and start making more money today.
Mistake #1. Don’t send too many emails
When you’re first starting with freelance email marketing, it’s easy to get carried away and send too many emails. This can quickly turn customers off and make them unsubscribe from your list.
Instead, try to send no more than 1-2 emails per week (unless you have something really important to share). This will help keep people interested in what you have to say and make them more likely to buy from you.
Related: Do Freelancers Have Entrepreneurial Skills?
Mistake #2. Don’t oversell your services
When you’re starting as a freelancer, it can be tempting to oversell your services to attract more business. However, this can backfire and lead to unhappy clients.
It’s important to be realistic about your abilities and what you can achieve for your clients. Otherwise, you’ll eventually end up disappointing them and damaging your reputation.
Don’t be too modest either. By selling yourself short, you could miss out on great opportunities to work with high-profile clients and build your reputation as an expert in your field.
However, you must be honest about what you can do for them so that they don’t end up wasting their time or money by hiring you.
Mistake #3. Don’t include too many links in every email you send
When you’re sending out a marketing email, you want to make sure that your readers can easily find the information they’re looking for. Including too many links in every email can have the opposite effect, and annoy your readers.
To avoid this mistake, try including just a couple of links in each email, and make sure that they’re relevant to the topic of the email. You can also make use of call-to-action buttons to help guide your readers to the information they need.
Mistake #4. Being dishonest about the time it takes to complete projects
One of the worst things you can do when you’re freelancing is to be dishonest about the time it takes to complete projects.
When you promise a client that you’ll have a project done by a certain date, and then you don’t deliver, you’re not only risking your reputation, but you’re also losing the trust of your clients.
To avoid this mistake, be honest with your clients about how long it will take to complete projects, and make sure to give yourself plenty of time so that you don’t have to rush. This will help ensure that you deliver quality work on time, every time.
Mistake #5. Use the wrong subject line for your email
When you’re sending an email to your freelance clients, it’s important to use the right subject line. If you don’t, your email may not be read or may get deleted. Here are a few tips for using the right subject line:
a). Keep it short and to the point
b). Mention the project you’re working on
c). Mention the deadline for the project
d). Mention what you’ve done so far
e). Mention what you need from your client
d). By using the right subject line, you’ll increase the chances that your email will be read and responded to.
Related: 9 Reasons Your Business Needs Invoices
Mistake #6. Not following up with clients
It’s important to follow up with clients after sending an email. This lets them know that you’re still interested in working with them and that you’re waiting for their reply. It also helps keep them updated on the progress of your project.
By following up with clients, you’ll show them that you’re professional and that you take their business seriously. This will help build trust and strengthen relationships with your clients.
Mistake #7. Don’t use all caps or exclamation points in your subject line
When you’re writing an email to your clients, avoid using all caps or exclamation points in your subject line. It will just come across as being too aggressive and may cause them to delete your email without reading it.
Instead, use a subject line that is clear and easy to understand. This will help to ensure that your email gets read.
Mistake #8. Proofread everything – typos can be embarrassing
Proofreading is essential when it comes to email marketing. Typos can be embarrassing and make you look unprofessional. Make sure to take the time to proofread your emails before sending them out.
Mistake #9. Keep it short and sweet
When it comes to email marketing, brevity is key. You want to make sure that you capture your reader’s attention and give them the information they need, without bombarding them with too much at once.
If you can’t fit everything you want to say into a single email, consider providing a link to a more detailed page on your website.
Make sure that you know the ins and outs of any relevant anti-spam legislation, as well as local regulations for your industry or location.
Mistake #10. Don’t use a generic subject line
When you send an email to your list, you want it to stand out in their inbox. That’s why you should always use a custom subject line that grabs their attention. A generic subject line, like “Newsletter” or “Update”, will just get lost in the shuffle.
Instead, try to be specific and relevant. For example, if you’re promoting a new product, use the subject line “Introducing: Product Name”. Or if you have a sale coming up, use “Sale Alert! Discounts on Your Favorite Products”.
By using a custom subject line, you’ll increase your chances of getting your email opened and read.
Make sure to avoid these other mistakes when sending out your freelance email marketing campaigns:
a). Not personalizing the message
b). Not testing the campaign before sending it out
c). Including too much or too little information
d). Sending the email at the wrong time of day
e). Failing to segment your list
d). Not including a CTA
e). Not using a catchy subject line
Related: Tips for Freelancers to Handle Invoices without a Company
