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Content Strategy: A Vital 6-Point Quiz from a Six-Figure Freelancer
Are you staying up into the wee hours of the morning trying to finish projects? Or wide awake worrying about money, content strategy, deadlines, or your empty client calendar?
That was me. And I realized pretty quickly that focusing on finding the perfect number of clients (Is six the perfect number? Or is it eight?) wasn’t the answer.
Maybe you know the feeling. Or maybe you struggle with getting even one good-paying client.
I’ve been there. I know what it’s like. But five years ago, I broke the six-figure mark for the first time by landing some better anchor clients. And I’ve earned over $100K every year since then.
But it was still a hustle. I was working too much, and I wasn’t sure how to change that. And then out of the blue one of my clients asked me a question:
“Jennifer, can you help us with content strategy?” What happened next changed everything…my income…my work hours…and my happiness with being a full-time freelancer.
What’s content strategy, and can you do this type of freelance work? Take the quiz to find out.
Freelance Writing Jobs: 11 Digital Marketing Sites That Pay $100+
Looking for freelance writing jobs? If you have digital marketing experience to share, or know people you can interview, there’s a market for that.
What exactly is digital marketing or marketing automation?
Think of all the stuff that happens behind the scenes online that drives traffic, increases engagement, gets readers to sign up or make a purchase.
FYI: It’s a big list of things like SEO, key phrases, funnels, email campaigns, and retargeting ads. Even blog posts, web page pop-ups, and social media juicing fall into this category.
If it can be automated, chances are pretty good there’s an app or piece of software for that. And if there’s not, you need to connect with freelance writer, journalist, and entrepreneur Damon Brown to find out how to turn that idea into a cash cow.
If you’re looking for freelance writing jobs, there’s no shortage of agencies, software companies, and niche-industry sites that publish content about the latest trends in digital marketing and automation.
Check out this list of websites and magazines that pay $100+ for highly-skilled and well-researched work about digital marketing. Study the guidelines and start pitching.
A Blog Editor’s Wish List: Avoid These 4 Gaffes to Pitch a Popular Blog
If you want to write for a popular blog, you might be quick to second guess your chances of getting published. Don’t do that, OK.
Why? There’s an estimated 500 million blogs on the internet, and many of those pay freelancers $100 to $500+ to write blog posts to engage readers, drive traffic, and generate sales.
Right now popular blog editors in every niche need freelance writers. And they’re flooded with pitches. Only most are bang-your-head-against-the-wall terrible.
For example: “I like to read and I’m passionate about writing. Will you hire me?” It’s like spraying my eyes with toxic chemicals. Never…Ever…Ever…send a blog editor a pitch like this.
So how do yo pitch editors for popular blogs and get noticed? Study the guidelines and read the blog before you pitch an editor. That’s a good place to start. Duh!
Most editors also have a wish list of what they’re looking for when they review a pitch, along with a trigger finger for certain types of gaffes and mistakes.
Want to write for a popular blog? Avoid these mistakes to get an editor’s attention.
Writer Beware: How to Fight Back When Your Content is Stolen
Writing and publishing your thoughts online can be exciting and fun. But once you publish online, it’s writer beware — because plagiarism of our content is common.
Fighting scams and ripoffs of freelance writers is one of my super-passions. So when I recently discovered two instances where my blog posts were ripped off and republished in their entirety, without payment or permission… you know I was steamed.
Agggghhhhh!
At first there was a lot of shock and awe. Is this really happening? But when that wore off, I realized I needed to figure out an action plan to claim what’s rightfully mine.
Fortunately, there are actions you can take when you discover plagiarism. Here’s the story of what recently happened to me, and what steps you can take if you discover you’ve been ripped off.
Content Marketing or Just Blogging? 10 Big Ways They’re Different
Content marketing is such a buzzphrase these days. And I meet a lot of bloggers who say, “Yeah, I’m doing content marketing.”
But often, when I look at their blog, I can tell right away that they’re not.
There’s a reason bloggers get asked to write posts for $20, while content marketing agencies pull down contracts worth tens of thousands of dollars. It’s because there’s a lot more that goes into effective content marketing than simply writing a blog post.
Wondering what makes the difference? Here are 10 things content marketers do that most bloggers don’t bother with:
Blog Writing Workout: 10 Expert-Blogger Tips for Rock-Solid Success
If you’re chasing blog writing clients or you’re trying to manage a lot of work at the same time, you might be feeling a little out of breath.
You know…maybe you’ve got blog writing gigs with multiple clients in different niches. Or maybe you’re trying to get more freelance work writing blog posts, and pitching a ton of prospects.
There’s a lot to think about when you take that route.
You’ve got to keep track of things like editorial calendars and deadlines, come up with ideas, write great headlines, and know enough about SEO to go the distance.
It can be a fast-paced, publish-often challenge. And it can pay well. But if you’re not in shape, you might be sucking wind, along with your hourly rate for blog writing.
So how do you boost your blog writing skills to climb the path to freelance success?
You could wander around and probably find your way eventually. But you’ll get there faster if you follow someone who knows the way.
Check out these pro-blogger tips for rock-solid success.
Freelance Writing Funk? 3 Mindless Productivity Hacks from a Pro
In a freelance writing funk? When your blank screen looks like a yawning abyss, it’s a telltale sign.
You don’t even want to approach the edge of that first line. All that emptiness reminds you of how far you have to go to get to the other side.
Despair sets in. Your mind reels. Productivity tanks. And your freelance writing well goes dry.
Sound familiar? It doesn’t have to be like that.
There’s a way to get any freelance writing project to go from bud to blossom to bouquet.
For years, I’ve used three unique productivity hacks to blunt the fangs of writer’s block, get more work done, and make a living writing.
It’s how I’ve published a novel and landed assignments for magazines like Forbes, the Los Angeles Times, Vox, Popular Mechanics, WIRED, and many others.
If you’re in a freelance writing funk, feel like you don’t have any good ideas, or it’s taking you eons to write content, it’s time to let your mind go.
Here are three ways to become a more productive writer.
Freelance Work: Use This Writer’s Gut-Check Method to Earn More
Have a gut feeling about the freelance work you’re pursuing?
Maybe your stomach is in knots about a project. Maybe it’s chill and happy about a new client.
Or maybe you’re talking with a prospect, but something’s telling you to charge higher rates, move on to find better freelance work, or sign a contract.
Been there, done that?
When you’re hungry to land freelance work, it’s easy to want to gobble up any client willing to throw you a bone. But that’s bound to cause some bank-account indigestion at some point.
So what happens when you’re offered an assignment where the rate is too low but your enthusiasm for the job and the client is high? You could walk away, try and negotiate the rate, or even accept the assignment.
But before you make any hangry-for-freelance-work decisions, give yourself a gut check. When I started doing this, I turned a one-off assignment into a long-term client, grew my network, and scored referrals for more freelance work.
Should you take that freelance job? Use the gut-check method to help you decide:
Book Marketing Playbook: 6 Winning Moves from a Self-Publishing Pro
Need a book marketing playbook?
You know…a game plan to help you attract more readers, build authority, and generate book sales.
Ever thought about writing a book?
It’s never been easier to be an author. Write a book, self-publish, put it on Amazon and your writer website.
Sounds simple, right?
Here’s the problem. With books being published every day, it’s difficult for a new author to stand out.
The basics aren’t enough to get your book out there. And that means it’s up to you to create book marketing opportunities to boost exposure.
It’s the kind of problem I’ve helped thousands of writers and authors tackle over the last five-plus years.
Want to get your book in front of more readers?
Check out these winning moves from my book-marketing playbook.
Government Contracts for Writers: 11 Red-Tape Cuts to Get Hired
Ever thought about getting freelance work through government contracts?
You’re probably thinking something like:
- There’s a lot of red tape to cut through
- It’s too hard
- It’s not my niche
- I don’t know enough about government
Sound familiar?
FYI, those are just excuses. Maybe this will change your mind about pursuing this kind of freelance work.
Take the time to cut through the red tape, and you can find government contracts that pay writers $100 to $200 an hour.
Bill $5,000 to $25,000 in a month writing for one client? This is happening for writers hired to create content for government contracts at the federal, state, and local level.
Can you see past the red tape now?
Sure, finding clients and writing content for government contracts is a little different than writing for magazines and businesses.
But there’s lots of work. It pays well. And if you’re willing to cut through the red tape, some of it can be yours.
Here’s what you need to know to get government contracts for freelance work:
Blog Writing Fails: 5 Brain-Dead Zombie Mistakes That Sicken Editors
Do your blog writing pitches stink?
There’s an easy way to tell…you’re not getting ANY responses from editors or marketing directors.
That ever happen to you?
When you send an editor a rotten pitch for a blog post, there’s a good chance your approach makes you sound like a brain-dead zombie.
And there’s protocol for that in the Editor’s Universal Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse:
Hit delete. Writer may be infected. Quarantine inbox immediately. Warning, freelancer appears to be devoid of creativity, brain dead, unable to communicate with words. Do not engage.
If your blog writing pitch is so bad it makes an editor sick or triggers their zombie-response training to avoid you at all costs, it’s going to be tough to make a living writing.
So what are the telltale signs of a brain-dead pitch for a blog post? These mistakes will sicken an editor faster than the smell of rotting flesh.
How U.S. Writers Can Fight AB5 and Save Independent Contractor Jobs
Do new laws spell the end of independent contractor jobs in America — including our freelance-writing jobs?
This is the most frequently asked question I’ve had in the past few months, ever since California’s AB5 bill was passed, followed by similar proposed laws in other states.
If you’ve heard about new freelancer laws, but don’t know quite what’s going on — or wonder what you can do to protect your career and income — this post lays it out for you.
Quick version: New laws are coming online that place restrictions on who can freelance for what sort of company or organization. You need to understand what’s happening, so that you can thrive as a freelance writer.
I’ve got some action items that will help you move forward and stay in control of your freelance future. But first, let’s review what’s happened and why, so you understand the changes, and where your freelance writing biz fits into the picture.
Looking for writing courses & community support?
Our online community, Freelance Writers Den, was founded in 2011. Since then, we’ve helped 14,000+ writers connect with peers, improve their skills, and grow their freelance writing income.
Our lively community is stuffed with useful tools and career-building resources. Use our 24/7 forums to get your questions answered by pros. Tap our 300+ hours of self-study trainings to learn new skills.
The Den has live events and multi-week bootcamps where you can tap experts’ knowledge, an exclusive job board, accountability buddies, live chats, and more. Also, if you want feedback on your writer website, LinkedIn profile, or article draft, we’ve got you.
Visit the Freelance Writers Den site to see if we’re open for new members right now. Sign up on the waiting list if we’re not, and you’ll be first to join when we reopen (plus, you’ll get useful free resources in the meanwhile).
