If you’re like most marketers, you probably sense there’s something else you could be doing or should be doing. This is an idea-generating business, after all, and who doesn’t have more ideas than you can handle?
On any given morning, you could step into your day with an array of inspiration to build your influence, promote your business or make an impact. Then you reach your desk and start checking items off your list.
The day closes in around you as requests pile up and pop-up fires start to flame. Sure, the productivity gives you a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of a job well done. Who doesn’t love that?
Still, the next day, those ideas greet you again. There’s this missing thing that could be done, but isn’t getting done. If only you had the time and space to develop the project.
Somewhere out there – there’s help for that. With more than 57 million freelancers in the workforce, there are plenty of willing hands to help you pursue your project. But how do you make a decision on an independent contractor when you consider the risk to your time, your budget and your reputation (at least with your boss)?
When marketers identify a possible vendor, they likely ask a series of questions: Is this someone I can trust to do a good job? Will this person meet my deadline, or am I going to be scrambling if this thing goes south? Will this person understand my company’s voice and mission? Will the fee be a good value? Is there any way this person will embarrass me in front of my boss, or waste my time or our money if I make this choice?
For independent workers, this is why word-of-mouth referrals are far more valuable that even the best SEO strategies and paid posts. Marketers want someone they can trust, and little bits of trust are transferred when they identify someone who knows someone who can help.
Minnie Lamberth is a marketing copywriter and author of Story Shaping, a creative encouragement platform.