I’ve been reading the “The Wealthy Freelancer” for over a year and have learned some great tips to improve my business. Ed Gandia was one of the founders of this site and is a freelance copywriter, wanting to help others break free of the corporate world and become a freelancer. Definitely a thought leader in his field, Ed’s educated many writers and freelancers on how to market themselves in the new economy. I got the opportunity to ask him a few questions about how he uses social media and how it’s affect his businesses.

Please tell us about yourself and your business

I’m a full-time freelance copywriter based out of Marietta, Ga. In a nutshell, I was a successful corporate sales professional in the high-tech and industrial arenas. Even though I was earning a comfortable six-figure income, I had had enough of the sales treadmill. I was also tired of having someone else dictate my future and my compensation level. I was moonlighting as a copywriter for non-competing software companies, and I realized I could turn that passion into a full-time business. A little over two years later I quit my job and went completely on my own. That was June 2006. I haven’t looked back since!

Today, I work with enterprise software companies, helping them craft persuasive content to drive more leads and to speed up sales cycles. I write a lot of white papers, case studies, direct response pieces, web copy, press releases and other marketing materials. It’s a lot of fun. I love my clients, and I make a great living. I also love the fact that I have a flexible schedule and I make all of my own decisions, including what clients to take on, what type of work to pursue and where I’ll take my business.

How long have you been using social media tools to help promote your blogs, newsletters, etc.

I’ve mainly used social media to promote my blog and newsletter (TheWealthyFreelancer.com), which are both geared toward helping other freelancers—not potential copywriting clients—and which I publish with my two business partners, Pete Savage and Steve Slaunwhite.

Specifically, I’ve used Twitter and to a small extent, LinkedIn. Twitter has enabled me to develop relationships with key influencers in the freelancing community, as well as freelancers across all professions. These relationships have been instrumental in shaping our content and in giving us more exposure in freelance circles.

As far as my core copywriting business, within two months of opening a Twitter account, I was contacted by three potential clients (and I wasn’t really trying to solicit business!). Although none of them turned into clients (they weren’t quite the right fit), I quickly saw how a smart, concerted Twitter effort can pay off quickly. Plus, it’s a fun way to connect with others and develop what could turn out to be very profitable long-term relationships!

What are some of the more interesting results/feedback have you gotten, tell a story if you can

With Twitter, I’ve been able to connect with influential authors and thought leaders. These individuals have provided me with great ideas, invaluable feedback and great exposure. Also, as I co-wrote my book this summer (The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle), which will be published by Penguin this March, I was able to connect with dozens of  freelancers to get their success stories and tips for successful freelancing. Being able to tap into the ideas and insights of so many wonderful people has been a blast!

How do you feel social media is changing how business market themselves?

Over the last few years, consumers have clearly shifted much of their leisure time away from traditional media, such as TV and radio, and into social media. Email still works. And when done well, it’s still a critical part of a marketer’s promotional mix. But as these consumers flock to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and other social media platforms, you’ll HAVE to move promotional dollars into these tools if you want to compete. Or heck, if you want to SURVIVE!

It’s no longer hype. This is where consumers are “hanging out” now. That’s where you have to meet them. And because these platforms are still emerging, they have a “newness” to them that makes consumers pay more attention and be more receptive to marketing messages. It’s like email marketing was back in the mid and late 1990’s…but better!

What are you excited to see change in the future of marketing online?

That for the first time in quite a while, marketers are having to get very creative. They’re having to reinvent themselves—to experiment like they haven’t done so in a long time. Better yet, their brands and messages are no longer under their control. The consumer is in the driver’s seat now. As a marketer, that’s a bit scary…but it’s also exciting, because it means that the most innovative and transparent marketers will do better than ever.

It’s a great time to be in marketing!

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