Do you have enough irons in the fire?

The Gainfully Unemployed and freelancers know the importance of keeping as many irons in the fire as possible. Given the state of the economy, this practice becomes even more important. Incoming leads and projects may taper off as budgets are cut. So we need to have more "outgo." We need to consider provide additional services and step up self-marketing to maintain and increase our contacts, clients and earnings.

I and the actor/freelancer friend I work with are taking this to heart. Here are just some of the things we're doing to get our names out there and grow our businesses.

Marketing:

• Make sure Web site(s) are current and promote you and your services as best they can.
• Enhance marketing materials--resumes, demos, stationery, fliers, etc. Now you can send them out again.
• Use social networking sites to expand your contacts: Facebook, LinkedIn. You never know when a friend of a friend will have a project. But don't overdo! We probably all have at least one person whose statuses we've chosen to hide because they update too many times a day or complete too many quizzes. I suppose I'll have to start Twittering at some point, but there is a limit to how much time one can/should spend online.
• Add additional agents or agents for additional media, such as print.

Increase outgoing submissions:

• Frequently troll the Internet for projects.
• Apply for at least 3 jobs/projects/auditions each work day. These combined with any incoming auditions/opportunities should yield 20+ new irons in the fire every week.

Offer additional services and save on services you need:
We've assessed other things we can do that we haven't been offering or promoting and are defining those services and rates we'll charge.

For example, I'm expanding my freelance writing/editing business (need any documents written or edited, faithful readers?), and already had a new client thanks to an author friend who extolled my talents at a writing workshop. I've gotten quotes/testimonials from other clients but still need to get my marketing materials in order.

• If you're a computer whiz, can you start designing Web sites? Offer classes/training on how to use a computer or certain programs? What makes your approach unique?
• If you need a new site or changes to a current one, can you design your own via sites like Weebly.com (my friend can, I'm still trying to figure it out)?
• Barter with friends to save time and/or money.

Stretch the $ you have: Small savings add up fast. These examples may seem obvious, but I know people who don't take advantage of them:

• Gas prices in my area currently range from $2.89 to $3.11. That's .22 saved a gallon.
• Use coupons and buy things on sale. I recently saved $22 on one trip to Jewel.
• Learn what's cheaper where, and shop those stores when you're in the vicinity.
• Eat leftovers. Many restaurants serve huge portions, with many more calories/fat grams than we should consume in one sitting . Why overeat or waste food?

What can you do?