Many freelance writers have diverse expertise and experience. If you’re a writer who loves writing about different subjects, you’ll need to take some additional steps to get the best jobs. This article will cover a list of tricks for helping writers who have many interests get the best projects.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Leverage Your Expertise: Showcase your diverse skills and knowledge in your portfolio to attract a wide range of high-paying freelance writing opportunities. |
| 2. Network and Collaborate: Build connections with other professionals in various industries to broaden your freelance opportunities and collaborate on unique projects. |
| 3. Specialize and Differentiate: Identify a niche or specialty where your expertise shines, allowing you to stand out among other freelance writers in the market. |
| 4. Stay Updated on Trends: Keep yourself informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and market demands to tailor your writing to the current needs of clients. |
| 5. Provide Value to Clients: Focus on delivering high-quality, valuable content that addresses the specific needs of your clients, ensuring repeat business and positive referrals. |
Develop a Unique Selling Point (USP) for Yourself
If you want to get the best jobs, then you have to have something that sets you apart from other freelancers. Your USP is what makes your resume stand out and gets employers interested in hiring you.
First of all, what is a USP? It stands for Unique Selling Point and it’s an aspect of your work that makes it unique and distinguishable from anything else out there.
Let’s say that another writer has experience writing blog posts about social media marketing strategies and knows how to market them effectively; they may be able to write better than some others but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll get more jobs because everyone else has those same skills too!
To truly stand out among the competition (and land yourself more freelance writing gigs), all writers should develop their own personal USPs so that employers will be drawn towards hiring them instead of someone else who might seem less value for money based on their resume alone.”
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Work On Your Brand
When you think of your brand, you may be tempted to think first about the actual work you do. This is a mistake. Your brand is more about how people see and perceive you than what it is that you do.
Consider this: if someone were to describe your company in one sentence, what would they say? If someone were to describe your blog/newsletter/podcast in one sentence, what would they say? If someone were to describe yourself in one sentence, what would they say?
You want all three answers to be the same or mirror each other closely enough that people know what they’re getting when they hire or associate with you (or subscribe).
Build A Personal Website Or Blog
Do you know that the average recruiter spends less than 15 seconds scanning your resume before they decide whether or not they want to contact you? I’m sure that doesn’t come as a surprise to you. So, everything on your resume must be clear, concise, and well organized.
However, if there’s one thing most job seekers overlook when preparing their resumes, it’s their website or blog. Many people do not have an online presence at all (which is also something recruiters look for).
If you’re serious about landing freelance writing gigs this year then it’s time for you to build yourself a brand new shiny website/blog today!
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Build Your Social Media Presence
As a freelance writer, you need to build your brand. This is especially true if you have diverse expertise and want to have a foot in several different niches. If that’s the case, then you might consider building an online presence on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Social media offers several benefits for freelance writers:
It helps you connect with people in your niche; This can be extremely useful for finding new clients (and even employers). Check out who is following influencers in your niche or industry on Twitter or see who else has shared content about similar topics as yours on Facebook.
It gives you the chance to become an influencer yourself; After building up relationships with other influencers over time, it may be possible for them to recommend you as someone worth hiring (and vice versa). This type of recommendation could get your name out there quickly!
Create Samples That Reflect Your Expertise
When you are applying for a position, your samples must reflect your expertise. For example, if you are applying for a job where the main requirement is SEO writing and content development, then it would be wise to create samples that reflect this. This will ensure that you stand out as someone with relevant experience who can do the job required by the client.
Narrow Down Your Niche And Define Your Target Client
Your niche is the type of writing you do. It’s important to define your niche and then narrow down that definition even further by identifying who your ideal client is. When thinking about your target client, ask yourself these questions:
- What problem does my target client have?
- How much budget are they willing to spend on solving this problem? (If they don’t have a budget, what kind of timeline are they working under?)
- What outcome do they want at the end of their project/project phase? (What would make them feel like it was worth it?)
- How would they prefer me to communicate with them in person, over email or phone calls, Skype, or instant messaging platforms like Slack?
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7. Prospects For Jobs Via Search Engines And Online Job Boards
It’s not enough to just create an account with a job board. You need to actively search for jobs that fit your skills, experience, and interests. There is no shortage of online resources that can help you find the right freelance writing job. Here is a suggestion:
Use general search engines like Google or Bing as you would normally do when looking up something on the web only this time, type in relevant keywords related to your field of expertise and location (e.g., “freelance writers” or “writers Boston MA”).
If you’re targeting a specific niche such as SEO or copywriting, add those terms as well (e.g., “SEO freelance writers Boston MA”). The results will show all kinds of websites where companies post their openings so don’t be afraid to browse through them.
This is also where job boards come into play since they’ll provide more targeted results compared with generic search engines like Google which may list thousands upon thousands of links leading nowhere useful.
Because they aren’t curated based on relevance factors like location requirements or skill set matching requirements which makes finding relevant postings easier than ever before thanks to technology allowing us access virtually anywhere anytime within minutes!
Create A List Of Client Targets
It’s time to create a list of client targets. Your first step is to create a spreadsheet, where you’ll keep track of your clients and their projects in different tabs. This way, when you’re ready to prospect for jobs, all the information will be easily accessible in one place.
In addition to keeping track of existing clients and their current projects, create a separate sheet specifically for prospective ones either by creating a new tab or adding another column in the existing tab. You’ll want an easy way to see which prospects are more important than others; this will help ensure that you don’t lose focus on the most profitable opportunities.
Directly Contact Clients In Your Niche
Directly contacting clients in your niche is a crucial step in getting the best jobs. You can use a simple Google search to find the right contact information, then email them directly with a short introduction of yourself and what you do.
When contacting clients, it’s important to remember that they are busy people and don’t want to spend much time on each message they receive. Therefore, make sure that you keep your initial message short but professional.
Don’t write something like: “Hello! I’m an expert writer who can write anything! Please hire me!” Instead, try writing something like: “I saw that you posted this job listing on FreelanceWritingGigs.com as well as some other sites; I specialize in writing about X topic and would love working with you.”
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Pitch Perfectly And Persistently
Your pitch is similar to a first date. It’s when you meet the company for the first time and make an impression. You want them to remember you, so you must be authentic and professional!
When it comes to pitching, quality trumps quantity. Don’t bombard them with 10 emails; pick your best one and send it once or twice at most. You want them to know that you’re persistent but not annoying a fine line, but an important one!
Attend Conferences And Network With B2b Clients In Your Niche
Attending conferences, events, and other networking opportunities is one of the best ways to meet potential clients (and learn about new ones).
You should also be looking out for other freelancers who work in your niche these people can help you find jobs, refer you to their clients, and teach you what they know about their industry so that you can become more confident in your abilities.
Build Relationships With Editors And Publishers In Your Niche
To get the best jobs, you need to do more than just submit your resume. You need to build relationships with editors and publishers. How? Here are a few ways you can do this:
- Connect with them on LinkedIn
- Connect with them in person (at events)
- Connect with them via email
- Connect with them via phone (or leave voicemails) if they don’t have time or resources for a face-to-face meeting right now
- Try connecting via fax, snail mail, or even carrier pigeon if it comes down to it!
Connect With Clients On Linkedin
With LinkedIn’s user base of 467 million, it is one of the best platforms for freelancers to build their brands and find clients.
LinkedIn allows you to connect with the people who matter in your industry, so it’s an excellent resource for finding leads on new jobs or even just getting advice from other professionals in your field. What’s more, connecting with clients on LinkedIn demonstrates that you are serious about doing business with them not just looking for a quick gig.
Acknowledge More Than Just Money As Payment (Resource Barter)
You can also barter for goods, services, or expertise. For example, if you’re trying to get a business started and have no money but have a lot of experience in the field you want to work in, it can be useful to find someone who wants their business started and has some capital available but doesn’t know where to get it. You could help them start their business by offering your skills as payment for the funding they give.
Similarly, if there is something specific that you need that others might be willing to pay money for (such as an article writing service), then offer this product or service as payment instead of cash. If any other skills would make your work more valuable such as advising Skype calls then include these too when negotiating with potential clients so they see how valuable your time is!
Pay Attention To The Details In A Project Specification
The project specification is the document that spells out your client’s project requirements, including any specific themes and topics. If you can request this in advance, it will give you time to research what they need and how best to write it.
If you’re given a written contract, read it thoroughly before signing anything. I’ve seen writers get caught out by clauses that don’t play well with their contracts!. It’s also important to confirm whether the contract has been signed off by both parties’ legal teams if not, ask who else needs to approve it before proceeding with work on this job.
Ask For Testimonials From Every Client You Work For
Testimonials are a great way to show off your expertise and gain credibility as a writer. They’re also useful for providing leads for new clients or job opportunities, so it’s important to get them whenever possible.
You can ask for testimonials from your current clients by simply asking them at the end of the project if they have time to write one for you which is usually easy if you’ve completed the project successfully and on time and then sent it over when they do finish writing it.
When you get these testimonials, send them back along with an email thanking them again and letting them know how much it means to you that they took the time out of their day to do this (which will encourage more people in general), then store those emails somewhere safe like Google Drive or Dropbox so that you’ll be able to access them later when needed.
Work Collaboratively To Develop A Reputation As An Expert
Collaborating with people who have experience and knowledge in the same topics you are knowledgeable about will help you build your reputation as an expert in that topic, which is important if you want to get paid more for your writing.
Collaboration also helps you learn new things and connect with new people, which is equally as important, especially if those connections lead to more freelance opportunities down the line.
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Use Testimonials In Your Content Marketing Efforts To Position Yourself As An Expert
Testimonials are a great way to convince a potential customer that you’re an expert in your field. If someone who has used your services or products says it works, it’s more likely that others will be convinced as well.
Testimonials can also be used in content marketing efforts because they’re useful for building trust and credibility with readers.
Testimonials should be relevant to the topic of the content piece being written, but don’t feel like you have to only write about what you’ve done for clients; personal stories are also effective at gaining trust from readers.
Participate In Forums, Guest Blogging Sites, And Webinars To Establish Authority
To get the best freelance writing jobs, you need to become an expert in your field. This can be done by participating in online forums, guest blogging sites, and webinars. When you do so, people will notice that you are an expert at what you do and they will want to hire you for their project.
Participate in Forums: Participating in forums allows you to establish yourself as a subject matter expert. You should post threads related to the topic that your writing covers so people know about your expertise on the topic.
Guest Blogging Sites: Guest blogging is another way for freelancers like us who are looking for work-from-home opportunities through freelance writing services.
By guest blogging at reputable websites (like Huffington Post), we can position ourselves as experts within our industry niche because these sites have high authority rankings which make them trustworthy sources when it comes time for someone looking for content written by experts who understand their needs well enough.
Not just because they’re qualified but also because they’ve been doing research beforehand using other resources available online like Google Scholar or other academic journals where relevant info might be found such as those published by Nobel Prize Winners etc., etc…
Final Thoughts
The freelance job market is competitive and getting more so every day. New freelancers are entering the marketplace, and many are excited to find new opportunities that are better suited for them than their previous office jobs.
If you’re one of these people, then congratulations! Being a writer means having the freedom to do what you love while making an impact on others’ lives by sharing your knowledge with them and that’s something worth celebrating. Hopefully, these tips have helped you get started on the right foot in your new career path as a freelance writer.
Further Reading
Freelance Writing Skills by Rock Content: Enhance your freelance writing skills and create compelling content that stands out from the crowd.
Tips for a Successful Freelance Writing Career by MasterClass: Gain valuable insights and practical tips to build a successful career as a freelance writer.
Freelance Writing Guide by Reliablesoft: A comprehensive guide to kickstart your freelance writing journey and excel in the competitive market.
People Also Ask
How Can I Get The Best Freelance Writing Jobs?
Freelance writers with diverse experience will always have more job opportunities than those with just one or two areas of expertise. If you want to be a successful freelance writer, you need to be able to write in multiple fields, including fiction and non-fiction, as well as in different styles.
You may not know what you’re good at yet, but you’ll learn quickly if you start working with clients right away.
What Can I Do If I’m Not Sure What Kind Of Freelance Writing To Pursue?
If you don’t know which path to take when it comes to freelance writing, try starting with something small like editing or proofreading.
These are great ways for freelancers to make money without having to worry about whether their content will sell well or not because these types of jobs tend to be fairly simple and easy for most people no matter where they live! Plus it’ll give you some time off from writing anything else so that when someone does hire you later on down the road for something more complex (like ghostwriting), then it won’t feel overwhelming at all!
What Is The Best Way To Find A Job As A Freelance Writer?
You can do it in two ways. First, you can look for jobs on freelance websites, such as Upwork or Freelancer. Second, you can search for opportunities on social media sites (Facebook groups, Twitter groups) and forums where freelancers meet online.
What Kind Of Writing Experience Should I Have Before Applying For A Job?
Answer: You don’t need any specific experience to apply for a job as a freelance writer. But if you have some experience in that field and it’s relevant to the type of writing you do (i.e., if you have an English degree but want to write about IT), then it will increase your chances of getting hired by clients who are looking for someone with expertise in their field.
How Do I Get Hired As A Freelance Writer?
To get hired as a freelance writer, you need to create an account on one of the freelance websites mentioned above (Upwork or Freelancer). Then submit your profile and wait until someone contacts you with an offer!
What Makes A Freelance Writer The Best?
The best freelance writers are those who can write about a wide range of topics and in different styles, from technical writing to creative writing to persuasive writing. They can also adapt to the needs of their clients, whether it’s helping a client create an effective internal communications plan or creating content for a website that needs to be accessible to people with disabilities.
How Do I Get Started As A Freelancer?
You’ll need to start by building up your portfolio of work samples and getting recommendations from past employers, colleagues, and clients. Then you can start posting your portfolio online and contacting companies directly to see if they’re looking for writers with experience in your area of expertise or interest area.
How Do I Find My First Client?
You can go to websites such as Upwork or Freelancer.com and start applying for jobs there. Some of them may even pay you a small amount of money just for applying! This is a great way to get your feet wet and practice writing without having to spend any of your own money on fees or supplies.
How Much Should I Charge?
It depends on how much experience you have and what kind of writing services they want from you. I would recommend charging around $10 per page at first, but that amount will go up with time as you gain more experience and build a reputation for yourself as being good at what you do!
What If Someone Doesn’t Pay Me After I’ve Done Their Project?
Don’t worry about it too much! There are plenty of other people out there who will pay for your services, so just move on to the next person who wants something done, and remember: always put down a deposit before starting any work so that you’re sure not
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.