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Freelance Writer Formula: How Simple Addition Lands Great Clients
When you’re a freelance writer trying to break into a new niche, how do you solve the problem of not having the right samples?
Cry? Roll around on the floor? Host a personal pity party? Or maybe you think lamenting on social media could be the solution.
Don’t do that, OK? Those things won’t solve the problem.
Maybe you’re thinking about working for free to get a clip. That can be a calculated way to get a solid writing sample, a referral, and some additional work.
But let’s be honest, as a freelance writer you’d like to get paid for your work. Yes?
If you’ve already got some writing samples, you can totally score a gig, even if you don’t have that niche-specific experience or a similar project in your portfolio.
Seriously, you can do this. If you’re doubting yourself right now, you’re probably infected with Imposter Syndrome. And it doesn’t have to be that way.
There’s an easy way to get around the problem. I like to call it the Simple Addition Method. Here’s how it works:
Guest Post Lab: Follow This Blogger’s Experiment to Get Bylines
Here’s the brutal truth about looking for guest post opportunities:
There are WAY too many freelance writers who think dashing off an email pitch is enough to get bylines on well-known authority sites.
You know…All you have to do is find blogs that accept guest posts and send your pitch.
Well, that might sound like a good idea, but it doesn’t work in the real world.
If you’re serious about getting bylines on authority sites in your niche, you need to be very strategic, almost scientific, with how you find and pitch your guest post ideas.
Otherwise, your pitch will only be deleted and rejected.
Well, today I will be showing you the step-by-step experiment I used to get my first guest post published in one of the most competitive niches on the Interwebs.
Let’s get started.
Content Writing for the Clueless: A Butt-Saving Downloadable Guide
You read about it everywhere, see tons of online ads for writing jobs doing it, and it’s all the buzz of the online-marketing world. But what is content writing, anyway?
If you’re new to freelance writing, you may be baffled by all the talk about ‘content marketing.’
You hear there’s lots of opportunity for content writers, but you hesitate to pitch or apply for content writing jobs, because you’re not sure you know exactly what people mean. That makes you worry you could get a content writing assignment, and then you won’t be able to pull it off.
Well, good news: This post is your content-writing primer. You should be able to go out and get content writing gigs — and confidently complete them — once you’ve read this post.
More good news: Content writing is easy, enjoyable, and can pay great. It can also be a good source of regular, ongoing writing jobs. So it’s well worth learning about the world of content marketing, and where you fit into it as a freelance writer.
Ready to learn all about it? Great!
I’m going to pull this term apart — content marketing — and train you up on each piece. So we’ll talk about content creation first, and then about the marketing side. (P.S. this post contains NO affiliate links.)
Writing Headlines: 16 Wicked-Smart Ways to Attract More Readers
What’s the secret to writing headlines that engage readers, drive traffic, and get more clicks, likes, and shares?
It’s part art. It’s part science. It requires great writing skills. And if you have the ability to look inside the human psyche to figure out what keeps your readers up at night, even better.
Writing great headlines doesn’t happen by accident.
In fact, the smartest blogger in the world typically spends 2 to 3 hours writing a single headline, crafting up to 50 variations to get it right.
Ever struggle with writing headlines and just slap something together? Don’t do that, OK.
Learning to write better headlines is a valuable skill that can help you move up and earn more…a lot more.
For example: Smart Blogger CEO Jon Morrow can command $5,000 per blog post, because he knows how to write irresistible headlines that generate millions of views.
Want to learn how to write better headlines? Check out these 15 tips from the most wicked-smart blogger in the world:
How to Write a Blog Post Like a Boss: 100+ Insider Writing Tips
What if you knew how to write a blog post like a Boss?
You know…you write blog posts that drive traffic and get results. And clients are more than happy to pay you pro rates for your blogging skills.
Not those $25 and $50 assignments, either. When you know how to write a blog post like a Boss, clients are ready and willing to pay $100, $300, $500, or more per assignment.
Sound good? Shut the door. Hold your phone calls. Grab an extra cup of coffee. And tell your people you’re busy.
If you want to learn how to write better blog posts, solid writing skills get your foot in the door. But that’s not enough.
You’ll also need some behind-the-scenes knowledge about things like keywords, SEO, headline writing, social media, and more to craft better blog posts.
In this post, you’ll find pro tips about how to write a blog post, engage readers, generate traffic, make your clients happy, and make more money.
It’s go-time. Check out this list 100-plus insider tips to get started.
Blog Post Power: 4 Electrifying Tips to Write Fascinating Intros
You’re doing it again, aren’t you? You’re procrastinating because you haven’t figured out the best way to write your blog post introduction.
You’ve probably already heard the usual tips…Open a blog post with a question, statistic, or quotation. Wait until you’ve drafted the post body before writing the intro. Start in the middle of the action.
But that doesn’t help you to get the actual words out and get your blog post introduction DONE — let alone done RIGHT.
It’s OK. Let the tension out of your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and take a moment to clear your mind. (A short moment. I’m still right here, and we have work to do on your blog post intros!)
Now it’s time to shock your system with some major volts of creativity to write blog post intros that fascinate readers.
By the end of this post, you’ll be ready to write an electrifying intro for your next blog post. I’ll even give you a straightforward 3-step template to follow.
Freelance Writing Rates: What Hard-Working Writers Earn in 2020
It’s the biggest question many freelance writers have: What should I charge? More specifically, what are going freelance writing rates for the type of project I’m doing?
After all, we don’t want to leave money on the table… or price too high and lose the gig.
If you struggle with pricing your work, it’s no surprise. Writing rates are all over the place, as there are so many variables that affect appropriate pay for a particular writing job. Those variables can include:
- Size, age and reputation of the client
- How important the writing is to client’s income
- The level of competition in their industry
- Complexity of the subject matter
- How well you know the subject matter
- Country and language used
- Deadline
- Volume of work on offer
- Usefulness of these clips in your portfolio
- How badly you need money right now
And more. See why the whole concept of ‘going rates’ is problematic? There’s also the question of your personal income goals, time available, living costs… all may factor into what you seek to charge.
What we can learn is what real writers are charging, for roughly similar work. I began investigating what writers earn last year, with the 2019 Writer Pay Survey.
It was a good start. But I only asked about rates on a couple of types of writing in last year’s survey — articles and blog posts, mainly. Writers asked for more.
So this year’s survey of nearly 600 writers asks more questions, about case studies, white papers, email marketing, and more. You can grab a downloadable version of all the data and my takeaways at the bottom of this post.
What are freelance writing rates these days? Are rates getting better or worse? Short answer: Some of each.
But I see lots of reasons for optimism in this year’s survey. In reviewing it, I decided it would be most useful to spotlight data from writers who earn primarily from freelancing — it represents 60%-100% of their income.
All the stats shown below are for writers in this more full-time freelancing category. Let’s dig into the data:
Writing Jobs That Pay $100+: Hunt Through These 75 Options
Wondering if any well-paying freelance writing jobs are actually out there?
It might seem like those writing jobs are about as elusive as Bigfoot.
You know…you hear about other freelancers landing writing jobs that pay pro rates, but you’ve never seen anything like that.
Sound familiar?
You may not be a Bigfoot believer. But the truth is, there are plenty of writing jobs out there that pay well in almost every niche (business, travel, science, health, technology, finance, and more).
If you’ve been struggling to find writing jobs that pay well, chances are you haven’t been looking in the right places.
FYI…almost no sightings have ever been reported from places like content mills and bid sites.
If you’re on the hunt for better-paying writing jobs, it’s time to steer clear of those places and seek out assignments that will help you move up and earn more.
How about a little help to point you in the right direction? Check out these 75 markets that pay $100 or more.
Freelance Writing Forecast 2020 — 12 Experts’ Top Predictions
Will it be fair weather in freelance writing in 2020, or foul? Inquiring writers want to know. Which is why it’s time for my annual Freelance Writing Forecast.
(Wondering how we did with last year’s predictions? Check that out here.)
To find out the top trends that will impact how we pursue our craft next year, I reached out to stakeholders around our industry, including experts, coaches, freelancers, agency owners, and more. My rule is to not use the same experts year-to-year, so these are all new faces to the forecast.
I’m particularly proud that this year’s forecast includes two coaches I mentored — my Freelance Writers Den 2X Income Accelerator mastermind co-leader Angie Mansfield, and 2X grad Mandy Ellis, a high-earning freelancer who now coaches newbies for ASJA. So — get ready for some homegrown advice you won’t find anywhere else!
What do the experts see in store for us in 2020? Here are their predictions:
Let’s DO This: My 4 Video Tips for Fed-Up Freelance Writers
As the New Year dawns, are you getting super-serious about living your dream life? Freelance writers, I’m hearing a lot of this lately:
“I’m fed up with earning peanuts… and with being afraid of rejection. Fed up with listening to naysayers who say I can’t make a living as a freelance writer.”
“This is the year I go all-in on freelance writing, and earn a living at it. I’ve got to make it happen!”
Is this you? Or maybe you’re more in this boat:
“The world seems to be falling apart — and so does my personal life. Meanwhile, how can I make a career out of this, despite all the uncertainty? Writing is my dream…”
If you’re serious about claiming the freelance life of your dreams — in the coming year, not someday-maybe — I’ve got help for you.
In my traditional year-end message to my blog readers, I’ve got four big tips that should help you avoid wasted time and achieve your freelance goals.
Scroll down to view the video or take in my ‘show notes’:
Freelance Writing Tips: Your Top 10 Posts of 2019 + All-Time Faves
Looking for freelance writing tips to help you move up and earn more in 2020?
If you’re feeling stuck, just starting out, or want to advance your freelance writing career, you’re in the right place.
In 2019, we published 120 blog posts to help freelance writers get better-paying gigs, self publish, find clients, write better pitches, and more.
Hopefully, some of these writing tips motivated you to take action and move your freelance writing career forward.
With just a few days left of this year, we decided to dig into the data and take a look at the most popular posts of the year about the business and craft of freelance writing.
We also uncovered your most favorite writing tips and resources of all time from over 1,000 blog posts and 10 years of publishing.
Check out the top 10 posts of 2019 and the all-time favorites.
Writing Inspiration: What’s Your Best Holiday Gig as a Freelancer?
Need some writing inspiration during the holidays?
It’s a crazy time of year for a lot of freelance writers.
You’re hustling to work ahead. You’re thinking about how to move up and earn more in 2020. Maybe you’re feeling a little worn out since the holiday march began last month.
Sound familiar? How about a little writing inspiration to give you a boost during the holidays?
Believe it or not, you can still connect with clients and prospects during the holidays, land assignments, get paid well, and enjoy your work.
It happens all the time.
Right now, while most of us are celebrating, some editor is stressing about hiring a freelancer for a story assignment or project. The editor stumbles across a pitch or letter of introduction you sent, and voilà , you just scored a new client and assignment.
What’s your best or most unusual gig as a freelance writer during the holidays?
We asked writers to share their stories. Ready for a little writing inspiration and reminder of what’s possible? Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and enjoy…
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).
