How do I make money - self-employed - without using corporate social media?
I was coasting along on an extremely minimal income and I embraced an ethical position of using only privacy-compatible technology.
I subsequently had a wonderful little person come into my life who has made me want to have more material capability & flexilibilty. And so I have turned to trying to sell my skills again.
By refusing to use to use corporate social media to promote my services, I am handicapping myself in getting work.
I also struggle to bring myself to cooperate with powers which are working to undermine my child’s opportunity to have a good life.
Would appreciate your thoughts
Do local networking the way we used to do it before social media — make up business cards with QR codes advertising what you can do, and leave the on public and semi-public bulletin boards (community centers, sports and fitness places, churches and shopping malls, parks that have boards set up, farmers markets, etc.). If you need to, try going door to door. If you can afford it, buy bulk mail and distribute a flyer locally. Let your friends and neighbors know what you can do. Take a few jobs below cost at first ifyou need to, listing your regular rate and a promotional or loyalty discount.
Personally I never made enough money to survive on doing this, but it was enough to keep me above water between contracts.
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I’m doing at the moment (haven’t quite got to door-to-door though - maybe it will come to that). Those are some good ideas for locations for placing ads - thanks. I’m out of that headspace and need to get back in it!
I can’t help noticing how much work is coming in to my peers from instagram though. I’m getting the impression that it has become the standard medium/conduit for professionals.
If trying bulk mail – explore USPS “EDDM” services for canvassing local ZIP codes for sub-letter pricing.
Instagram is the standard way to reach people in their 30s and early 40s. Anyone older or younger, traditional methods should bring more repeat business.