The internet provides countless avenues for advertising as a freelance architect, as well as finding jobs. Implement these internet promotional strategies, and you may be too busy working to watch your business grow.
Create a Website
The first method of internet advertising is your internet home base: your website. As a freelance architect, your website is your resume, portfolio and design catalog rolled into one. It is crucial to your success as a freelancer. As such, it should be professional in its presentation and reflect your sensibility as a designer. Furthermore, good SEO web content, registry with all major search engines and link exchange are all ways to advertise using your website.
Keep A Blog
Spend 30 minutes once a week to focus on a project you're working on, to discuss innovations in architecture or to highlight other professionals in the industry. It doesn't take long and is an excellent source of fresh content (ultimately leading back to your website). Another way to use blogs is to advertise your business on a high-profile architectural blog like Archidose.blogspot.com.
Participate in A Forum
Find a forum (or 2) that you like and contribute to discussions. You don't have to spend hours doing this, but twice a week while you're online, pick up a thread that interests you and add to the conversation (or start a new topic). Though you usually cannot advertise outright, not only are you displaying your expertise as a freelance architect, but you also get a signature line where you can include a link to your website.
Advertise Within Networking Communities
Networking communities are another way to advertise your business. Many of them provide forums for discussion, as well as opportunities to advertise your freelance architect business within the website. Find networks with a high readership to get the most for your advertising dollars.
Online Classified Ads
Take advantage of free internet advertising as much as possible. Craigslist, for example, is not only free, but it is hugely popular in most major U.S. cities. You can renew your advertisement once a week, perhaps right after you write your weekly blog post.
AIA Member Benefits
By becoming a member of the American Institute of Architects, you can take advantage of your membership with a listing on their website. Many potential clients go through the AIA looking for accredited architects, so your member listing becomes an advertisement for your business.
Utilize Freelance Websites
With more than 200 freelance websites to choose from, you have endless ways to promote yourself as a freelance architect and find jobs at the same time. Freelance bidding websites allow you to create a profile, which is essentially a resume and portfolio, and search for jobs in your niche. A few examples are ifreelance.com and contractedwork.com.
Advertising as a freelance architect is not limited to your local community. Utilize a variety of internet advertising outlets to figure out what brings you business, and refine your strategy over time.
