Sometime during my first phone call with a potential client, I always ask how they found me, and have been surprised at the variety of ways I have gotten work. And when I am talking with other writers, I try to turn the conversation to how they land their clients. I have learned a tremendous amount this way and have also been able to give other businesses ideas on how to find writers.

When I work with businesses, I often get asked the million-dollar question: “How do we find quality writers?” So this week, I am part of a panel at Content Marketing World on “5 Ways to Rope in Highly Qualified Freelancers.” For those who aren’t attending, I want to share a few of my favorite ways that we will be talking about more in-depth during that panel discussion on Wednesday. And for those who are attending Content Marketing World, hopefully this will encourage you to show up for our session.

While on the surface, it may seem that this post is geared for businesses, writers can get a tremendous amount of information from this as well. If you know where businesses are looking for writers, then you can make sure to be found.

Note that I purposely did not include posting a job ad on a public site. Clients have told me that this is one of the hardest ways to find a great writer, because you are overwhelmed with hundreds of emails and it’s very hard to weed through them to find the gems. You are also likely to get writers with little experience this way as opposed to posting ads with organizations geared toward experienced writers.

Here are five ways to find great freelance writers:

1. Ask other freelance writers for recommendations. This is the absolute best way to find great writers. If you already have a freelancer writer that you work with, ask them if they know other writers who would be a fit for your project. Writers know other writers. And even more importantly, we realize that when we refer someone to a client we are putting our reputations on the line, so you know you are getting a great referral.
2. Find content and articles from other publications and brands that you like. Then find the writer. Some of my best clients have found me this way. And I have had many clients tell me that this is their favorite way to find good writers for their specific brand. The trick is to find a publication or brand that has content similar to what you are looking for, especially in terms of audience, tone, and industry knowledge. Then find articles you like and see who wrote them. A quick Google search will tell you if they are a freelancer; if so, drop them a line and go from there.
3. Search LinkedIn. This can be a great way to find writers or a total waste of time, depending on how you approach it. Instead of simply searching for Content Marketing Writer or Freelance Writer, be as specific as possible in your search. If you need a writer who specializes in neurology or data analytics or teeth whitening products, use those terms in the search. Yes, I actually do know a writer who specializes in teeth whitening products. You will get a much better result than if you simply look for a health, technology, or business writer.
4. Contact writers’ groups and associations. This is a fabulous way to find writers since only professional and serious writers spend the time and money to belong to organizations. I highly recommend contacting or the American Society of Journalists & Authors when looking for writers. Freelance Success has a database you can search and will also either run an ad in the weekly newsletter for your job or write a market report on your publication. ASJA has a variety of programs to help clients find writers: Freelance Writer Search (a job board accessible only by members), Virtual Client Connections (Skype calls between clients and writers), Virtual Pitch Slam (telephone pitch sessions with multiple writers and an editor) and in-person Client Connections at ASJA conferences.
5. Review writers’ websites. Just as with LinkedIn, the success of this tactic depends on how you approach it. If you are very specific in your Google search, then you are likely to find what you are looking for. Look for sites that are professional and display clips similar to the writing you are looking for.

What is your favorite way to find freelancers? If you are a writer, how do most of your clients find you?