36 Links for Getting New Business

Getting new business is a big concern for all of us. One of the big problems for those of us working by ourselves is that we’re too busy doing the work to do the long-term business development we really should be doing.

It boils down to this: you need to set aside time every week to do your networking and relationship building tasks.

Short-Term Gigs

It’s fine to take quick hit, lower-paying jobs that aren’t really up your alley as long as they don’t become the norm. Sometimes you need to take on those kinds of projects, especially when just starting out. But, over time, you should aim at having a strong network of relationships that will bring you a reasonably predictable level of steady work.

Online Resources

You can find a lot of resources on the Web to solve both problems: short-term projects and long-term networking. I’ve listed a few links below that I’ve found. Some, I’m familiar with and have used. Others, I’ve never used or never even heard of. So, caveat emptor! But, if you’ve used any of these or others that aren’t here, let me know what kind of experience you had.

Short-Term Projects

It doesn’t hurt to register on these sites and post your resume or skill set. I’ve found the ones I’ve used here are hit or miss, but that’s to be expected. I’ve had spotty, but sometimes good luck with the first three. Let me know your experiences with the rest.

Specialty Content Sites

Check out sites that specifically deal with your area of expertise. For example, if you are a web designer, blog designer, or blogger, don’t ignore individual sites that have limited, but highly-targeted job boards, such as:

ProBlogger
Performancing

Management, Marketing, and Business Consultants

For management, marketing, and other business consultants, check out consulting companies who often look for independent consultants:

Crimson Consulting
eWork Markets
Cambridge Consulting

Mainstream Job Boards

Don’t neglect the mainstream job boards. Some of them do post contract work.

Monster.com
Dice.com
CareerBuilder
HotJobs

Relationship Building and Networking

For longer-term success, you’ll need to brush up on your networking skills and relationship building. There’s really no substitute for having a good network of trusted associates. Online, the place to start is with the social networking sites. Specifically, try:

LinkedIn

Other sites where you can start your own groups for networking include:

FaceBook
Yahoo! Groups
Google Groups

Trade Groups and Associations

If you’re the introverted type, you’ll need to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Try connecting with trade associations within your subject matter area. If you specialize in biotechnology writing or programming, connect with some local biotech trade groups. If you are a web designer specializing in real estate sites, get involved with the local real estate board and try to get in on some real estate caravans that take place weekly to show off new listed properties to interested realtors. If nothing else, go to open houses and hand out your business cards to the captive realtors there.

Society for Technical Communication
General List of Web Design Organizations
BayCHI (SF Bay Area Chapter of ACM SIGCHI)
Editcetera (Freelance publishing and editing pros)
General Business Trade Group Directory
California Trade Organizations
Stanford-NIH List of Biotech Trade Organizations