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I’ve been threatening to “go local” for quite some time, but it never seems to stay a priority. It might not this time either…. Anyway, I’ve been considering doing some offline pitching of my PR writing and copywriting services to local companies (and maybe some nonprofits, since it’s been a while since I’ve played the nonprofit PR game). Should I do it?

Here are my reasons for wanting to make time for going local:

1. Connections to local media make pitching local stories easier.
2. I can meet with clients face to face for larger campaigns.
3. There’s a certain trust factor with local contractors that I’d like to take advantage of.
4. It’s just another market to reach into (I’ve worked with local artists and a few nonprofits, but haven’t pushed much into the local small business sector).

Here’s what tends to hold me back:

1. While face-to-face can be nice, frankly, I get more work done when I’m not rushing out to meetings.
2. When I work with clients in person, I tend to be “nicer.” It’s a liability oddly enough, b/c it’s my blunt, sometimes harsh, honesty that gets me my top clients and referrals. I worry I may lose my edge a little bit.
3. It can be more time-consuming to pitch services to offline clients than to online clients looking for instant gratification.
4. I kind of like specializing more in the online PR front than offline (really only talking about my marketing and PR writing… not content). Online businesses are quicker to “get it.”
5. Just try explaining the SEO benefits of press release writing to a mom and pop shop downtown.

How many of you specialize entirely in online writing? Do you take on local work from time to time? If so, how do you find and approach potential offline clients about your various writing services? What do you see as the benefits? What about any drawbacks in your particular niche or genre of writing?

Related posts:

1. It’s a Jungle in Here
2. Tips to Set Up a Referral System With Clients
3. Perks of Freelance Web Writing for Business Clients
4. Proving Your Value to Prospective Writing Clients
5. What’s the Best Way to Deal with Bossy Clients?

About the Author: Jennifer Mattern

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Jenn is a professional blogger and freelance business writer. She has worked as a freelance writer since 1999, and has been an active business and niche blogger since 2004. She owns All Freelance Writing as well as several other sites and blogs covering PR, small business, and related topic areas. She is also currently writing a nonfiction book for freelance writers called The Query-Free Freelancer, and is the author of the Web Writer's Guide e-book series.

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