A freelancer writer researches their niche for new trends, interesting stories and great ideas. She thinks of a few good ones, and pitches them to magazines.
Shouldn't all sales work like this?
I've adapted this for my own ends. First, I find a few small to medium sized companies I'd love to work for. I research who what they do and learn as much as I can about their business. Then I spend about an hour crafting together an idea I think would work brilliantly for them. I summarise this idea in no more than 200 words and e-mail it across. Sometimes I follow up with a phone call, sometimes not.
It's great fun, who doesn't enjoy brainstorming ideas for clients? Most of all, I don't feel like a pest following up. It sure beats cold-calling.
Matthew Stibbe's advice is also brilliant, pitch one idea a day. Even at a 10% success rate, you're going to have more work than you can handle.
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