7 Ways to Promote Yourself and Get Hired
Once you decide you want to make money as a sex writer or any kind of content creator, the biggest question is usually, “How?” How do I get someone to hire me? Where do I find the jobs? When will the money begin rolling in?
Well, I don’t know what other people have experienced but as a sex writer, the money has never just rolled in for me. It came in drips and drabs at first. But with time and patience, the money you earn builds on itself.
Before you can make the first paycheck, you have to promote yourself and let businesses and brands know you’re “Open!”
Promote Yourself On Your Website
Need another reason to have a vibrant, consistently updated blog or website? It’s the perfect place to promote yourself “For Hire.” I’ve tried a variety of ways over the years and right now, my favorite way is a “Work With Me” page. (Although I have thoughts on portfolios that I’m exploring.) In that one space, I list all the ways a brand or company can hire me. Maybe it’s sponsored posts and sex toy reviews. Maybe they need content for their own website. Whatever I’m capable of doing and willing to do goes on that page.
Talk About It On Social Media
This one is a delicate balance because of your audience. Pimp yourself on Twitter or anywhere else too much, and your core followers will lose interest, mute you, or unfollow. Don’t do it at all, and no one will know you’re available for hire. In amongst your promotional messages for affiliate links, ICYMI blog posts, and whatever else you’re selling, throw in the “Hire Me” message. Not every tweet or IG post is going to get attention but you never know who’s paying attention.
Include Your Job Title In Your Bio
If you’re pitching websites and getting published, make sure to include “freelance writer” or “professional content creator” or whatever title you want to give yourself in your bio. Every time. The first time I included “professional writer” in a bio, I waited for someone to point and laugh. Instead, over time, with enough pieces published on different websites, I received inquiries about my rates instead.
Share Your Work
When your name is attached to something you’ve created – especially for pay – share the hell out of it. First you earn good will with the publication which can establish a better working relationship. But at the same time, you make it clear that you create content for other places. Plenty of websites have reached out by saying, “I saw your piece on…”
Reach Out to Companies
I’ll be the first to admit I am awful at this, so don’t feel bad if it makes your stomach churn, too. Reaching out directly to a brand or company you want to work with is a great way to get on their radar. Just like pitching your ideas for articles, you’re going to get “No” more than yes – or be completely ignored. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Do you love a website that needs help with product descriptions? Would you love to make their graphics better? Make the offer, share your rates, and see where it takes you.
Keep Creating
For all the ways I have to promote myself, plenty of companies have reached out because they did a Google search and there I was. They didn’t know I was for hire, and they didn’t know I’d written for other outlets. One of my biggest promotional tools is my own blog. Showing up. Doing my thing. Getting better at it all over time. Part of it, though, is that I blog with intention. Yes, I have something to say and that I want to share but I also know it’s the best promotional tool I have. My decisions tend to be strategic and I pay attention to my search engine results and how I’m found. Not just because I’m trying to build an audience but because I know it’s gotten me hired, too.
Earn Referrals
I’m taking this example from the vanilla world because I know it happens, I just don’t have proof of it for my work as a sex writer. The sex industry feels (someone please tell me I’m wrong) more closed off and less willing to share good resources with each other. Not bloggers but the brands and companies like the writer or artist they hire is their secret (ugh!).
Referrals and word of mouth truly are the best ways to get hired, no matter what kind of content you create (vanilla or sexual). By doing a good job, meeting all deadlines, going above and beyond, and doing your best, you come to a new client with a personal recommendation. You promoted yourself long before they promoted you to someone they know. The job is, usually, yours to lose once you’ve been given a referral by a satisfied client.
Working for a company takes effort and so does being hired. Promotion isn’t always as simple as a tweet, and it’s not always as difficult as publishing content nearly every day. It takes multiple methods to create a solid income from your creative work. You’re going to have to be patient, and you’re going to have to show up, but it is possible to get hired if you’re willing to promote yourself.
