When freelancers ask me what type of marketing is the easiest, costs the least, and yields the best results, I don't hesitate to recommend networking. Networking satisfies two primary prerequisites to secure clients. These two prerequisites are:

• Creating rapport. Networking has the ability to create strong rapport. When you have rapport you and the prospect feel at ease with each other, and conversation flows. Rapport creates feelings of trust and honesty. Prospects who trust you usually do not have second thoughts about outsourcing work to you.

• Establishing a relationship. When you establish a relationship, the prospect develops an awareness as to who you are, what you do, and what your intentions are. Relationships keep your name fresh in the prospect's mind; relationships create feelings of intimacy, trust, and rapport. Relationships have the secret power to turn prospects into paying clients, because the prospect knows you on a first name basis, knows what your intentions are, knows how your skills and services can benefit him and his business. He connects strongly with you.

Networking builds effective relationships faster than any other type of marketing. Many beginning freelancers acquire their first paying clients via networking or through people whom they know (the rapport and relationship already exist). And professional freelancers often expand their existing client-base via networking