Resources for Young Entrepreneurs
Self-promotion
“Developing confidence in your abilities is an absolute must,” advises Career counsellor Esther Sweetman, herself a contract worker.
“Confidence is key to getting contracts.”
Sweetman says learning new skills, building versatility, upgrading existing skills and doing research so that we know our market are all on the map to building confidence and qualifications.
Pat Leidl, an illustrator and designer new to freelancing since leaving her full-time job at a major newspaper, says that when she went solo she read-up on self-promotion. After investing in the computer equipment she needed to work from home, she reviewed lists of ad agencies, publishing houses, publications and magazines, and did mail-outs and cold calls to those she wanted to target for working opportunities. Her mail package included a query letter, a colour portfolio sheet of her best illustrations, an eye-catching resume, and a letter of recommendation. She followed up every mail-out with a personal phone call or e-mail.
As an artist, Leidl has a portfolio she can bring to potential clients. It’s an idea that could be adapted to most work. Once just a showcase for artists and writers, people in a range of fields are creating portfolios. People who have run programs can include course outlines, event planners could include a listing of clients and the invitations from past events and builders may include photos of their best creations to demonstrate those construction skills. With the goal of going global, Leidl has taken the portfolio a step further, putting it online. “I’m targeting an international clientele, so I need an online portfolio clients can refer to anywhere in the world.”
