The theme for this Pitchfest is: Audience. More on that — and the chance to earn $150 — to come, but first, here’s a quick tip to help you get to know a site’s audience quickly and how it’ll improve your pitches.
Every editor offering pitching advice will tell you, “Let me know you understand my audience and why your pitch is a good fit for them.”
The best way to gain that understanding is to become part of the audience. Read the blog, and engage with other readers. You’ll become familiar with the topics and voice of the site, and understand what readers look for in content.
But…
That takes time. And, frankly, if you write on the subject, you’re probably already reading 800 other blogs about it. Do you really want to add another to your reading list?
Most pitchers approach this conundrum wrong. They want to pitch a lot of blogs, so they Google their topic and send a generic pitch every site on the first page of results — whether it’s relevant or not. When I ran a blog called DIY Writing, you wouldn’t believe how many pitches I got that started with something like, “Since you write about DIY and crafting…” Nope. No, I do not.
You can do better than that… without committing to reading a novel’s worth of blog posts every day before you pitch.
How to Get to Know a Site’s Audience Quickly
Here are a few places to check out so you can learn about a site’s audience in less than 10 minutes of exploring:
About page: A blog’s about page usually tells you exactly who it’s targeting, because its purpose is to let that reader know immediately they’re in the right place.
For example, Be A Freelance Blogger’s about page is literally titled “About You and Me” and is packed with useful nuggets about the audience, like “you like to write” and a list of exactly which goals the site helps them achieve.
Recent articles: Just perusing the headlines can tell you a bit about the audience. Straightforward, how-to titles probably suggest a no-nonsense audience with a clear goal. More catchy, elusive titles could mean a more general-interest audience.
A quick glance at the headlines gracing BAFB’s homepage (not to mention the name of the site…) shows almost all of them mention “freelance blogging.” Guess what the audience might do for a living?
Comments: Click into a few articles, and read the comments. How does this audience engage with content? Are they skeptical or forgiving? Passersby or die-hard fans? Social or focused on their own needs? You can do the same on the site’s social media accounts.
Advertising page: If you’re on a site with advertising info, you’ve hit the jackpot. This is more common for legacy newspapers or magazines, but some blogs or niche sites have them, too. To convince advertisers to part with dollars, these pages will break down reader demographics quite conveniently.
Contributor page: Don’t pitch a site without looking for its contributor page. If it’s not linked obviously, just Google “[sitename]” plus terms like “write for us,” “how to contribute” and “contributor guidelines.” Blog editors are usually generous with audience details, because they want to avoid irrelevant pitches.
The Easy Way to Define an Audience
My simple trick for defining an audience once you’ve done some recon is to create what I call a reader story. It’s a simple way to note who your readers are, what they want and why.
To create a reader story, fill in this statement about the typical person you expect to read the site you’re targeting:
As a [type of person], they want [some goal] so that [some reason].
You should do this for every site you pitch. Don’t include it explicitly in your pitch, but use it as a guide to demonstrate to the editor that you understand their audience. Here’s an example:
This post will help the stay-at-home moms in your audience learn to set up a blog for free so they can start building an audience for their parenting advice.
The type of person here is “stay-at-home moms”; their some goal is “start a blog”; and their some reason is “share parenting advice.” This sentence quickly lets the editor know you understand their site’s audience, while summarizing your article idea.
Also return to the reader story while you write to ensure you focus on what the reader needs — and what the editor, therefore, will love to see from you!
Alright, Let’s Get to the Pitching
In case this is your first, Pitchfest is a blog post pitching contest run on BAFB every six months.
I have the honor of standing in as guest editor this time around, so I’ll review and respond to your pitches and pick the winners.
In case you’re wondering who I am: I’ve been writing and editing for digital media for eight years, and I got my start as a freelance blogger (with help from sites like this one!). Now I’m an editor at The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance site, where I edit and coach writers from pitch through publication, and I write for sites including Inc., the New York Times and Slate.
How does Pitchfest work? You’ll pitch guest post ideas for this blog on the theme I chose — Audience — and we’ll select a few winners for actual publication and cash prizes.
How to Enter the Contest (contest closed now)
To participate for a chance to earn up to $150 and be published on Be A Freelance Blogger:
Step 1. Read BAFB’s guest blogging guidelines, and study the pitches and responses in previous Pitchfests to see what we’re looking for.
Step 2. Tell us your blog post idea in the comments below by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday, March 23, 2019. Anyone can enter; just remember two important rules:
- Your pitch should align with the theme “Audience,” however you interpret it.
- Your pitch should be relevant to freelance bloggers — help them increase income, build an expert reputation and regain freedom by blogging for hire. (‘hem, see above.)
What to include in your pitch:
- At least one headline designed to make freelance bloggers want to read your post.
- Between 30 and 60 words you’d use to open the post. You DON’T need to write a whole draft before pitching; we’d prefer to give you feedback first.
- Up to six key points you’ll make in the post, with a one- or two-sentence summary of each.
- Up to three sentences about why this is a great fit for Be a Freelance Blogger and why you’re the right person to write it.
Only ONE PITCH per person, please.
Technical details: Put your pitch in the comment box at the bottom of this page, and check the little box that says “Notify me of follow-up comments” so you’ll know when you receive feedback. Your comment might get held for moderation, especially if it contains links. Don’t worry if that happens; we’ll get to it and reply!
Step 3. I’ll respond to every pitch to offer feedback to help you optimize your idea and improve your pitching skills. You could also get feedback from other blog readers.
Step 4. You can revise (or completely re-do) your pitch with our feedback if you’d like. Just re-submit it by pasting it into a follow-up comment by the contest deadline.
Step 5. I’ll choose three winners and up to three runners up. If you’re chosen, we’ll ask you to send a draft of at least 1,500 words, so keep that length in mind when crafting your pitch.
I’ll announce the winners via comment on this post on March 30, 2019.
If I choose your pitch, plan to deliver your first draft to Sophie by end of April.
The Prizes
I’ll choose three winners and up to three runners up. Upon acceptance of your final draft for publication on BAFB, winners will receive:
- 1st prize: $150.
- 2nd prize: $75.
- 3rd prize: Kindle copy of “How to Pitch a Blog Post.”
- Up to three runners up: Unpaid guest post spot on BAFB.
The contest starts today… pitch away!
This contest is closed now.
Grace Malinoski says
Hello! My name is Grace Malinoski and I’m a freelance blogger and writer who is very excited for PitchFest!
I’ve inserted my pitch below in a simple, list format so that you can easily scan it and see what I offer. I look forward to hearing your feedback and I’m excited to see the results, whatever they may be.
Thank you very much!
Grace Malinoski
http://www.gracemalinoski.com
-Topic: How to Get More Work
-Suggested Headline: When Opening Night is a Flop, or: How to Get More Work
-30-60 word opening
Picture a dressing room backstage at the venue of your dreams. You’re climbing up the cutthroat ladder to fame, fortune and everything else that others only imagine. Then you get out onto the stage…and it’s an empty house. Isn’t that how we’ve all felt when we don’t have enough clients?
-The six key points
Don’t panic. That is, don’t panic long-term. Panicking doesn’t pay the bills, which is what we are all worried about on some level.
Create a plan with what you have. Do you have half the income you need, what are your savings, what else can you be doing to pay those bills and feed the audience
something, as you get back on your feet, are some of the questions I’ll answer.
Then start pitching again. The reason this is third is that you need to get past the first two points before you can reasonably pitch. Also would include a list of places to check out again and innovative ways to pitch–lots of backlinking potential here!
Push yourself in new ways/learn new skills. Learn some design work, video editing, or other high-paying skill. Focus on branching out and expanding your professional skill set.
Don’t be afraid to get another job. Ideally, it’s only for a short period of time, but it will empower you to take a fresh start in your freelancing career without burning out and/or crashing along the way.
Never give up. We all face ups and downs along our way. They are hard and difficult, but we can and will push through them.
-I believe that this is a great post for Be A Freelance Blogger because every freelance blogger who wants to make money is going to struggle with these exact same problems again and again over the years. It’s also one of the major reasons people leave freelancing in general. A post that addresses how to get more work–with a checklist of actionable items–will only add to the arsenal of help that is the BAFB site.
Sophie Lizard says
I like this, but I’m not seeing the connection to the “Audience” theme…
Dana Sitar says
Hi Grace. I like these tips. They’re practical and realistic. The tie to audience (in the venue) is clever, but I think the connection is a little loose to draw the reader in. Something more straightforward — How to Get More Work When You Don’t Have Enough Clients — could work, if you can find another way to tie it to the theme.
ken mwanzia says
BAFB pitch fest entry 2019
Dear Sophie,
I’m Ken, a freelance writer and a reader of your blog for a couple of months. I am writing this pitch as my entry to the BAFB pitch fest 2019.
In line with the theme of this contest (audience), this is what I have in mind.
Concept: Many bloggers don’t make money through blogging because nobody reads their blog posts. These individuals have totally lost touch with their audience or don’t even understand their target clientele. Many other freelance writers face rejection by editors and clients frequently because they write non-descript and irrelevant pitches or excellent articles which are not in sync with the expectations of the editor’s or client’s target audience.
My proposal is to write a post to help freelance writers solve this problem with the following proposed headline: “7 things to do when nobody is reading your blog posts”
Opening paragraph: 84 percent of bloggers have never made 100 dollars from blogging because nobody reads their blog posts. These bloggers don’t touch base with their targeted audience. Fortunately, there are several remedial measures that can solve this problem…….
The points that I intend to cover include:
1. “Stop bragging about your boyfriend, wife, new car, apartment or your latest accomplishment in your blog posts”. This point will urge freelance writers to establish rapport with their clientele and abstain from chest-thumping about their achievements.
2. “Create a sense of urgency among your readers”. Here, the idea is to teach writers to urge their blog visitors to read their posts now! As an example, writers should avoid posting in March an article about “ 5 things to do next Christmas”
3. “Image is everything” This point will show the need for having neat and appealing web pages and properly written stuff. Targeted clients will avoid clumsy blogs with incoherent blog posts.
4. “Help, educate, entertain, excite, or inspire your readers” This point will discourage freelance writers against rambling or posting about “nothing” with the vain hope of reaching and converting their target clients. A blog post should contain useful stuff.
5. “Use appropriate headlines” The emphasis here is that a writer’s targeted audience should see clearly what the article is all about even before reading it. For instance, a freelance writer should never use a headline like this “All you need to know about AMP” simply because the abbreviation AMP (accelerated mobile pages) is not common.
6. “Edit ruthlessly” A freelance writer should never underestimate her ability to makes mistakes. Consequently, freelance writers should go through all blog posts meticulously and whenever possible, enlist the services of a competent proofreader and editor.
Why this post is a good fit for the BAFB blog
This blog post will be useful to the BAFB blog because:
a) It will help freelance writers and bloggers to
b) Make money through blogging and assist them to avoid rejection by blog editors
c) This article will show freelance writers and bloggers about how to reach out to and convert their targeted audience.
I am the right person to guest post here because I can assist fellow freelancers to avoid the mistakes that I have made by sending blind pitches to blog editors and writing blog posts for “nobody in particular”
I hope that you will grant a positive consideration to my earnest pitch and oblige me with the satisfaction of appearing in your esteemed blog.
Regards.
Sophie Lizard says
This is another pretty good pitch, but the theme feels kinda retrofitted – does that make sense? It’s like I’m reading a general blogging tips pitch with the word “audience” plugged in here and there. Almost on-target, but the theme isn’t interwoven through the pitch quite enough. 🙂
Dana Sitar says
Hi Ken. I agree with Sophie. I’d also like to have you better define who is the “audience” you’re helping bloggers appeal to — is it the reader or the client? And I’d like to see some more novelty in the tips. Many of these are tips you could see on any site for bloggers; can you show us more about what’s unique about your expertise or experience? What can you advise that no one else would?
Angela says
Headline: Are you relatable? Five tips to help connect with your target audience
Being a “newbie” in the freelancing world can be a little intimidating. You’ve found your niche and you want your readers to connect with you in such a way that they feel like they know you. Your writing style is your blogging personality. As a freelance blogger, what does your personality say about you? Can your audience relate to you? Do you write in a way that makes you seem distant and detached? Do your words touch hearts, or do you just write about topics you can’t connect with?
1) Write from experience
How can you connect with your target audience on a deeper level if you have no experience in the topic you’re pitching? As much as I love watching HGTV, I know not to write a blog on how to remodel a bathroom because I have no experience. Your target audience will know that you are an impostor. Write with passion.
2) Write from the heart
Don’t be afraid to share your personal experiences. Build a bond with your readers. People will relate to shared experiences. Get excited, show your emotional side. Don’t write with such vagueness that the reader can’t invest in your piece. Speaking for myself, when I write, I leave a little piece of me in each article.
3) Don’t be afraid to research
You may have knowledge of your niche, but you can never have too much information on a subject. This don’t mean you just throw out facts until everyone is blue in the face, but always be willing to be informed on new techniques, technology and the new buzz. Your audience will be grateful to your growth and understanding and be more engaged. And always use jargon related to your niche. That’s how your audience know that you can relate to them.
4) Be honest
Don’t pretend to know everything. Your audience will see right through you. Don’t study a topic to a point that you are writing based solely on information. How can you write honestly about what you’re not familiar with? Readers want the real no matter how ugly it is. And don’t make up facts to sound smarter…your readers will know and be instantly turned off.
5) Allow room for feedback
Be ready for the comments. Well first make sure your comment section is turned on if you have a blog. If you don’t, provide your readers with an email address to provide feedback. Know what your audience want and give it to them. Don’t forget to reply. Respond to all comments in a positive way; even the ones you don’t like. Engage and connect. Remember your frequent visitors. Ask open ended questions.
I write about what I am passionate about. I’m still new to freelance blogging and currently a contributor to a local mom blog in my city. I decided to start blogging because I have a story to tell, I have experiences to share and I have information that could help someone else…why keep all that valuable knowledge to myself, right?
BAFB readers can relate this article. We all need to make sure we are building relationships with our intended audience. I am all about the person behind the words and knowing how your words affect others. Be intentional is my motto. I look forward to your feedback!
I do want to add that I’m so grateful to find your blog and I thank you for always providing your readers with a wealth of information to move forward and grow as a blogger. I am learning so much being somewhat of a newbie.
Sophie Lizard says
I really want to like this, because it’s well pitched in general. My sticking point is the idea that you can’t write a blog post without experience of the topic, and that your audience will view you as an impostor.
Although most writers have some kind of niche, a good freelance writer can research and interview to source the expert insights needed to write on almost any topic. (More like a journalist than a book author.) And unless it’s for a highly experienced audience, it’s unlikely the reader will know a well-researched post from one based on the writer’s personal experience.
I think this pitch would be great for a blogging site, but isn’t quite on target for a *freelance* blogging site. 🙂
Angela says
Thank you for the feedback. This is my 2nd time doing this so I’m still learning. I will re-write from a different perspective.
Dana Sitar says
Agreed — well-written pitch! To Sophie’s point, I’d love to see a pitch re-worked to focus on just tip No. 1. New writers can often break into blogging by targeting niche sites based on their life experience (rather than their writing experience), as you mentioned with the mom blog. Can you suggest some advice based on your experience to help new freelancers break in and get their first few clips?
Angela says
Thank you! I will take point #1 and break it down. Love this feedback.
Elisa says
Hi Sophie,
As a freelance blogger, it’s easy to believe we have to be perfect, and I’ve been no exception. But I’m finding out that being authentic and open about your flaws can not only allow you to overcome them, it can also help you find your purpose and passion. With a background in technical writing it was tough for me to be real in blogging, but I am learning to, a little more each day.
Find Your Audience. Love Your Mess.
Some freelancer bloggers fail to succeed simply because they convince themselves that they have nothing special, original, or insightful to say. Here’s the key you need to remember: “your mess is your message”. We all have “messes”, secrets that we don’t like to talk about. What can happen when you open up to your audience to be your authentic, messy self? You can meet them where they are at – and where YOU are at.
1. Recognition – the internet and social media can be isolating and shallow. Being who you are, mess and all, will make you stand out from all the other bloggers who aren’t saying anything real.
2. Engagement – when your target audience sees that you are genuine and flawed, they’ll identify with you. They won’t feel so alone. They’ll learn from you. And they’ll engage with you.
3. Conversation – The conversation has to begin somewhere, and usually that means a few brave individuals coming forward with their stories. Would this conversation even be happening in our society if they hadn’t shared their “messes”?
4. Identity – If you’re struggling with what your message is, there’s a high likelihood that you’re struggling with who you are – and it could be because you’re hiding it. As the saying goes: let your freak flag fly!
5. Fulfillment – Most of us are looking for our purpose, our destiny, or at least a life we look forward to waking up to each day. When you’re able to own your messes, struggles, and flaws, you’ll have the chance to overcome them and find that fulfillment and freedom.
6. Healing – Owning your mess is therapeutic, because pain can lead to progress. Supporting others with similar messes is healing. Being the person to help others heal? Incredibly gratifying.
Thanks Sophie!
Dana Sitar says
Hi Elisa. Can you add a few sentences about why you think this is particularly a fit for BAFB readers? I’d also like to see a stronger tie to the theme of “audience.” This feels more focused on the author; how can you draw the connection to the audience?
Elisa Meyer says
Hi Dana,
I believe the connection to the audience IS what happens when we can be honest about our struggles. The reason I think it’s important for bloggers is that I suspect some of us aren’t writing about what we know because we’re afraid to put ourselves out there.
Often the message we think we need to promote is “success!”, but projecting an image of a perfect or problem free life doesn’t engage readers. It’s important for bloggers to know that readers are drawn to imperfections, flaws, and mistakes that they battle, too – not artificial perfection.
And it’s important to know how to turn those problems into a compelling, engaging narratives in our blogs!
Erin Andes says
Hi Sophie,
I’ve been quietly reading your blog for a long time and I finally feel ready to put myself out there. Here is my pitch:
Headline: 3 Strategies for Captivating your Audience
Opener: You’ve researched your topic, created a clear outline, and optimized your post for SEO. But something is missing… It just falls flat and you don’t know why. It’s every freelancers’ nightmare… but how can you fix it before sending it to your client? In this post I’ll share 3 strategies for captivating your audience with just a few small tweaks.
Key points:
1) Focus on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of your audience. Echo these emotions back to your audience to you help build empathy and gain their trust.
2) Use “You” more than “I”. Your reader doesn’t want to hear about how great you are. Allow your audience to be the hero and they will love you.
3) Give your audience a glimpse of the rosy future they can have if they follow your advice. This will make them want to take action, share your content with their friends, and come back for more.
Why this is a great fit: One of the topics on Be a Freelance Blogger is “Blog Better” and these tips for connecting with your audience can help any freelance blogger improve their work immediately. I think I’m the right person to write this post because this is something I have struggled with on my own blogging journey. I’m very analytical and can research and write technical content with ease, but connecting with my audience has been a challenge.
Thanks!
Dana Sitar says
Hi Erin — Kudos on finally putting yourself out there! Well-written pitch, and solid tips for blog writers.
Erin Andes says
Thanks Dana!
Sophie Lizard says
Yep, well done and nicely pitched! I would love to see you add a couple *more* tips to this, if you have time before the deadline. 🙂
Erin Andes says
Thanks for the feedback Sophie!
Here is my updated post:
Key points:
1) Focus on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of your audience. Echo these emotions back to your audience to you help build empathy and gain their trust.
2) Use “You” more than “I”. Your reader doesn’t want to hear about how great you are. Allow your audience to be the hero and they will love you.
3) Use subheadings that create curiosity. This will keep your audience engaged in your post. Most online readers are really skimmers and they need a hook to get them to actively read the body of your post.
4) To connect with your audience on a deeper level, help to to feel something by using emotional language. Even when you are discussing something technical, you don’t want your post to read like a text book-so draw them in with language that evokes a strong emotion.
5) Give your audience a glimpse of the rosy future they can have if they follow your advice. This will make them want to take action, share your content with their friends, and come back for more.
Hope you like additional these ideas!
Erin
Dana Sitar says
I like the additions!
Haneef Davenport says
Headline: Low Engagement? How to Deliver The Content That Your Client’s Audience Wants to See
Overview: As bloggers, it’s easy to get caught up in two things: traffic and leads. For a while, it can seem like a hard time getting either, for yourself or your clients.
We get so caught up in our personal attachment to our work that we don’t want to admit when something’s just not working, resulting in low traffic, little to no email sign ups, and next to no sales.
I’m sharing five tips on how freelance bloggers can reach their client’s tribe, avoid missing the mark, and convince customers to engage, interact, and eventually make a purchase.
Key Points :
1. Make it a mission to constantly solve problems
Go observe where your client’s customers go to ask questions: forums, Quora, Facebook groups. Take note of their concerns and problems, and then create content for your client centered around answering those same questions!
2. Don’t beat a dead horse
Sometimes we want a specific result so badly that we’ll keep trying something even if it’s just not resonating. Don’t wait around for something that’s not converting to magically become a winner; instead come up with something that will.
3. Ask them outright, duh!
Reach out to the client’s email list with a short survey asking them what they like, what they want, and how your client’s business can solve their problems. Analyze the kind of content your client’s audience shares, what strikes up the most conversation, and what gets engagement from them. Then, incorporate more of these things into your client’s content.
4. Stick with what works and omit what doesn’t
If something in particular isn’t resonating well at all, then leave it alone. Keep up with whatever your client’s audience gives the most positive feedback on and leave the rest behind.
5. Ditch the places that their audience ignores them
Double down on wherever places that your client’s potential clients are actively and consistently responding to you on. Don’t bother trying to force a different platform to work that just isn’t offering any return on investment. Example: Twitter may bring traffic faster than Google, but Google is where majority of their audience is coming from, and who actively engages with the business. Solution: drop twitter and keep improving on Google!
I believe these are excellent tips for freelance bloggers who work closely with clients who are interested in encouraging real interaction and engagement, and building long term relationships with their customers. After all, there’s no point in putting out content if it’s not yielding any results. These five steps will help freelance bloggers create content that intrigues, inspires and encourages their client’s audience to become loyal customers and keep coming back for more! These are simple tips I’ve used personally to help my clients establish trust with their audience, becoming the go-to for their concerns, and increasing their brand awareness with referrals and word of mouth instead of having to utilize paid ads!
Dana Sitar says
Hi Haneef,
Strong pitch! Good focus on what freelance bloggers need, thinking about the client’s audience, instead of just their personal brand.
A few notes on what I think could make this a strong piece: No. 1 and No. 5 are similar tips, so could probably be combined to make this a list of four. There’s a lot of opportunity in this topic to share specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you’ve found success with these steps and to establish your expertise as a freelance blogger. I’d also want to make sure each point ties directly to the problem you promise to solve: higher engagement, and increased sales or leads.
Hayley says
Hey Dana, Sophie and all,
Always look forward to the Pitchfest. Here’s my pitch –
Possible title – Writing a blockbuster post to capture the hearts of your audience (clients and readers alike).
Opening sentences –
The best movies stay with us long after we’ve watched them. Charming and delightful, or shocking and insightful, they capture our hearts and our loyalty. And that’s what we want, as freelance bloggers, to captivate and enchant a loyal fan base of clients and their readers, avidly awaiting our repeat performance.
6 points in brief –
1. You had me at hello – Jerry Maguire and The Lego Batman Movie
There’s no hope of winning over an audience if they never read our work. This section will offer suggestions and examples of how our titles and opening lines can work just like those flashy trailers and get those all-important eyes on our pitches and our posts.
2. Chewie, we’re home – Star Wars : The Force Awakens
Making your client and their audience feel just like Han and Chewie when they return to the Falcon, back home. Exploring the importance of a clear, strong and relevant message delivered in a way that leaves your client in no doubt that you understand what they and their readers want. That you understand their challenges and their values, and that you’re able to provide just what they need.
3. Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads – Back to the Future.
Marty and Doc might not have needed roads but we need to make sure our audience has a clear road-map. Exploring the essential elements of a well-designed pitch and post ensuring that our audience has a good sense of where our post is going and is so swept along by our story-telling that they lose track of time, just like at the best movies.
4. What do I care how he looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Just like top movie producers, we know our clients and their readers deserve the highest production values. And as most of us won’t be able to rely on our Veela heritage to seduce our way to the best freelance blogging jobs, we need to make sure we pay close attention to some crucial details, this section will look at the process and importance of effective editing and consider how we can offer our clients even more, think stunning imagery, Pin-worthy quotes and quality visuals.
5. I’ll be back – The Terminator
The importance of making sure our pitches and posts end strong, ensuring we get asked back for a sequel. The lowdown on effective calls to action and taking inspiration from all the big movie franchises – how high quality content upgrades can enhance our posts and give our clients and their readers even more.
6. I’m glad to be with you Samwise Gamgee…here at the end of all things – The Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King.
Spoiler alert – Like Frodo and Sam, this isn’t really the end. Once the post goes live, our job carries on – looking at what we need to do next to make sure we maximise the opportunities that come with each new assignment. The importance of post promotion and engaging with audiences in the comments and on social media.
This post will offer practical tips to help freelance bloggers engage and connect with their audience – the clients they pitch to and their readers. As a freelance blogger myself, I want to meet the needs of my audience, to be asked back and secure as many repeat performances with my clients as I can. I understand how important it is to respect and serve our audience ‘cos without them… ‘You’re going nowhere’ and I don’t want that 🙂 So here’s hoping I get the chance to share my ideas with all you lovely people. Happy day all.
Dana Sitar says
Hi Hayley,
You’ve packed a lot of good ideas into this pitch, but I think you’re trying to do too much in one post: intriguing clients and engaging an audience are two distinct topics. I’d love to see a pitch focused just on the client side, because a lot of your points are great tips for getting a (potential) client’s attention and being asked back for repeat work.
While I appreciate the creativity of the movie references, some of the details are over my head because I haven’t seen all the movies, so making them the backbone of the post distracts from your main points, which are strong. I recommend writing more straightforward tips, and maybe throwing in the movie references for color, so you don’t lose readers who don’t get the references.
Hayley says
Thanks for the feedback Dana. Appreciate your thoughts. And am very happy to write a post focusing on the client as audience and taming down the movie references, if I get the chance of course 🙂
Mayuri says
Headline: The one factor that can rock or sail a writer’s ship- Ability to connect with the audience
Introduction: Back in 2018, when I gave up my full time job and stepped into the intimidating world of blog post writing, the biggest thing working against me was my background- English was my second language. While my writing career isn’t the major success yet, as I would like it to be, I am certainly on the right path. And only two things have helped me so far- connecting with the audience I write for and the honesty with which I write. These are the two factors that are crucial in making your writing matter, even if you’re novice or a ‘newbie’ in the industry. Personality packed articles, written keeping the audience in mind, can be a big game changer.
What I would like to cover in the article:
1. Take a look at the most shared articles of the website, audience preference is right there.
2. Research and find relevant latest updates on the niche the website runs in. For example, if the website theme is around pets, find the latest trends in the pet world, such as talk about why people are keeping exotic miniature cows as pet. Audience wants to learn new stuff; topics that have been done and dusted thousand times over are like stale food. Nobody wants to be near it, unless of course you can give a really interesting spin to it.
3. There’s no substitute for honesty. Always write on topics you believe in or have hands on experience of working on them previously.
4. Social media pages of the website, you are writing for, can give valuable insight into the audience temperament.
5. Don’t be afraid to be a little extra. If you’re writing on anxiety, you can share your personal experience concisely. Giving a personal touch to your blog post is like leaving your imprint. Audience connects better with a writer they can identify with or at least understand him/her.
6. Engage in the comments section. This might be the door to several other opportunities. You never know with whom you might connect.
Why this would be a great fit for BAFB
I know there are bloggers out there who are skeptical about making the shift, from full time job to full time freelancing. I was at the cross roads a year back and would like to share my story of how knowing my audience changed my career for better.
Dana Sitar says
Hi Mayuri,
I like the idea of sharing your personal experience, but I’d like to see a clearer tie in your pitch. I think this piece could be stronger if it focuses on the single idea that knowing your audience has been a crucial factor in your budding career as a freelance writer. How did you come to realize this? What difference has focusing on audience made in your writing and career? Why do you believe this factor is so significant?
The list of tips for connecting with your audience are actionable, but they’re not novel. By focusing on what you’ve learned and how others can apply it, you can share a message and lesson that readers can’t get anywhere else.
Marla Szwast says
Writing for the Right Audience
Many writers stunt their own growth by limiting how many audience’s they write for. We second-guess our own ability and close doors by believing many audiences are out of our grasp. Freelance blogging is not like having your own blog in that if you want to open more streams of revenue you do not want to niche down to far. You can and should widen your reach and abilities as a freelance blogger by learning to write for any audience.
1. Like any skill, learning to write for different audiences can be practiced and learned. You don’t have to be born with an innate ability to write to every audience.
2. Start where you are, begin by expanding to areas where you are the audience, you are probably an audience to more topics than you realize.
3. Don’t be afraid to move completely out of your comfort zone. A little research and pretending you are the audience are all you need to grasp the voice needed to reach a new audience.
4. It will get easier. You may find internal resistance the first several times you try your hand at writing for a new audience.
5. As writers, we read a lot about finding your own voice. As freelance bloggers, we need to find and develop many different writing voices.
6. Don’t forget to practice writing for the audience that hires you, editors and blog owners. This is a separate audience and a skill that can make a big impact on your bottom line.
I think this is a great fit for BAFB because increasing the number of audiences you write for can increase the number of jobs you are assigned and the amount of money you make. Although I am a newbie in the freelance blogging world I have experience writing for many audiences.
Dana Sitar says
Hi Marla,
Your main point is important for freelancers, re: writing for many audiences. I’d like to see more specifics, though. What do you mean when you talk about multiple audiences and writing in “many different writing voices”? What specific steps can you offer to support the points you listed here (i.e. you listed the “what”; I’d like to see the “how.”)?
Some specifics from your own experience of writing for multiple audiences would make for a strong piece, as well. Even if you don’t have space to share those anecdotes in the pitch, letting the editor know that you’ll be able to illustrate the piece with those examples can bolster your pitch and demonstrate why you’re the best person to write this.
Tari J Davis says
Greetings, Dana, Sophie and the BAFB Family;
I am excited for my first foray into the blogosphere and discovering the contributions I can make. Even more exciting is the prospect of what I can learn! Thank you for this opportunity to add my entry for PitchFest. 🙂
We’re Engaged!
5 essential elements for audience attraction
Maybe you’ve been admiring your audience from afar, trying to muster the courage for an introduction. Perhaps you’ve been flirting coyly for a while from your blog site balcony. But now you are ready to take the plunge! Here are five tips to attract the audience you want to share the rest of your blogs with:
1. Make it understandable.
No matter how complex, in-depth or technical your subject may be, it is important to present it in a clear and logical way. Avoid a lot of specialized jargon and obtuse analogies.
2. Make it relatable.
Drill down to the core of your topic/idea on a human experience level. Your readers need to understand the concepts as well as the words.
3. Make it informative.
If you can’t provide your audience with new information, provide a fresh perspective on a familiar topic.
4. Make it evocative.
Along with the facts, provide the feels. I try to foster positive emotions like strength, joy, compassion, encouragement, motivation and wonder.
5. Make it actionable.
Give your readers something to do. It may be a call for volunteerism, how-to steps for a project, or a “be kind” reminder; but at the very least you want them to share your insights (ie: blog) with others.
More than 90% of people who share online content do so for the purpose of enriching people’s lives.* Audience engagement is essential to a freelance blogger’s success, and an engaged reader is a sharing reader. BAFB readers are a savvy, creative group looking to begin or advance their blogging journeys, and forge audience relationships. These common sense tips are a reminder to be mindful of the essence of connecting with readers for maximum engagement. I am the right person to write this post because communication is my superpower and I choose to use it for good!
* https://foundationinc.co/lab/psychology-sharing-content-online/
Dana Sitar says
Hi Tari,
I love a lot of things about your pitch, but would like to see a stronger introduction. Your five tips are clear and concise, but the introduction feels like a detour between the headline and those strong ideas. How can you rework it to tie the headline promise — five essential elements — to the list of those essentials?
Here’s what I love about the pitch:
– It’s well-written. I can tell you’re a strong writer who will turn in clean copy.
– You included a stat to back up the need for your advice and cited a source, which lets me know you understand how to build trust with an audience.
– You defined the BAFB audience clearly (with a compliment!), so I know you understand and respect who you’d write this piece for.
– The tips are good. While your advice isn’t new, you framed the tips in a new way that make them easy to remember and apply (I could use this as a checklist for writing any piece).
Tari J Davis says
Hi Dana,
Thank you for the inspiring feedback. Upon your advice, I might try something more like this for the intro:
Keeping an audience engaged with your writing provides the strong foundation upon which that writer/reader relationship is built. It takes consistent commitment to deliver on your promise of engaging content, ensuring that your readers can comprehend it, relate to it, learn from it, feel something about it, and do something with it. Here are five tips to keep in mind:
T
Dana M Sitar says
Thanks, Tari! I like this; there’s a much clearer connection to the topic, and the intro feels like a good lead into the tips now.
Jennifer Wyatt says
Dear Sophie, Lauren and Dana,
Hello, ladies. First of all, I want to express how excited I am to have this experience. I am a freelance blogger and own/operate my own website. I signed up from e-mails from Sophie back in August 2018. I have heard about the Pitchfest contest but never had the guts to enter until now. Also I would like to quickly add that I especially enjoyed Lauren’s post “How to Keep Freelance Blogging When You’re Mentally Ill. It hit very close to home for me. I found it very inspiring and it motivated me to move forward with my freelance blogging career.
It is my honor to pitch to you IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME. If you can build a reputable blogging career, business will surely boom. My six key points of building a blogging reputation are as follows:
1) DON’T TELL YOUR AUDIENCE IT’S EASY TO BECOME A FREELANCE BLOGGER. That has been a flat-out lie for me right from the start.
2) STUDY, STUDY AND STUDY MORE. Push yourself to continue learning the freelance blogging business.
3) TAKE NOTES. Honestly, any notes will do. Haven’t you seen that meme on social media about “The biggest lie I tell myself is I don’t need to write that down. I’ll remember that.”
4) INTERACT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE. Whether it’s on your own website or through social media, engage in conversations as much as you can.
5) DON’T GIVE UP. Becoming a freelance blogger is definitely not something that will bring you overnight success. But you must not give up.
6) BE YOURSELF. “When you have the courage to be yourself, you’ll feel a freedom like no other. To be yourself is to be free.” Quote from alexandani.com Be Yourself Charm Bangle/PeaceLove Foundation.
I feel that I would be a good candidate for BAFB because of my passion for encouraging others. I have discovered that becoming a freelance blogger has been very therapeutic and would like to encourage others to learn something new. I would also like to have the opportunity to broaden my skills as a writer and help others do the same. Thank you for this opportunity.
Dana Sitar says
Hi Jennifer,
Kudos for finally joining the contest!
Can you add a stronger tie to the “audience” theme in your pitch? This is also missing 30 to 60 words you’d use to open the post. I’d love to take a look at a re-worked pitch if you can share it before deadline.
Jennifer Wyatt says
I’m sorry I missed the deadline. I had something personal come up last minute. Thank you for your reply.
Stephen Kirk Mcgregor says
Hello ladies,
My name is Stephen Kirk an aspiring blogger, i enlisted for Sophie’s emails and luckily that’s how i am here. I’ve pasted my pitch below ,hope u guys love it.
THE IMPATIENT READER,A CONUNDRUM FOR MODERN DAY WRITERS
The audience, irrespective of what genre of art is being performed , they are the soul of the artist, the other half of the performer, akin to the head and tails of a coin, the Yin and Yang. The audience completes the writer. Every performer strives to capture the imagination of their audiences, imagine singing in an empty auditorium or performing in an empty stadium. In blogging this relationship is put under more pressure since they are not physically together. To aide this relationship the following can be done:
Use appropriate jargon. Most bloggers do not specialise in a single field but rather they diversify into a range of topics and subjects. These different subjects may differ widely, when writing on professional topics like law and economics obviously will be more complex than writing about topics like fashion and sports it is therefore critical to use appropriate language characteristic. The appropriate jargon connects the writer and reader.
Stick to your subject. This point is really underrated but in reality it is very important ,this is probably because through the internet there may be hundreds of articles like yours this means that when the audience begins to notice that you are going out of topic they will not be reluctant to “ press back” and look for a more helpful site.
Make it short .People’s concentration levels wander alot so it is key to have and maintain their attention .What online readers dread the most is the idea of a long post which is usually difficult to wholly read.Instead the readers opt to scheme or they can move on to more entertaining things.
Avoid divisive remarks. You must know that through the internet we are able to get audiences across the world with different diversities, be it ; cultural, ethnical, racial. A country’s culture may be another one’s taboo it is therefore crucial for every blogger to put this into consideration. Airing one’s opinion however innocent it is will surely drive a wedge between the blogger and audience. Truth be told the aim of every blogger it to get readers irrespective of their beliefs. E.g Imagine a writer expressing his preference to a certain divide,(s)he will lose audience of the other side.
Publish regularly .One of the most important duties of the writer is to publish many articles so as to become relevant becoming relevant creates a fanbase the fanbase will most likely subscribe to your future articles.This in turn will greatly increase the size of your audience.
Engage your audience. It is important for the writer to make the reader feel important, since the relationship between the writer and the audience is intangible but through engaging the relationship becomes tangible.The writer usually engages in the comments section below the article, this shows the readers that their views are important thus maintaining them.
We are living in a world that fewer and fewer people want to read ,it is therefore upto us to find the solution to this problem and try to effect change but through the above points you will be able to effectively present your views to the audience.
By:Stephen Kirk Mcgregor.
Stephen K. Mcgregor is a marketing major and independent writer
who is passionate about writing and football. My icon is Nelson Mandela
he chose not to use power when most people would.
This is a great fit for a freelance blogger since it focusses only on “the audience” which is a universal subject irrespective of specialisation. I on the other hand am the right person for the blog since i know most of the challenges experienced by bloggers and i also know the gaps existing between what is provided by the writers and what is desired by the readers.
Stephen Kirk Mcgregor says
THE IMPATIENT READER,A CONUNDRUM FOR MODERN DAY WRITERS
The audience, irrespective of what genre of art is being performed , they are the soul of the artist, the other half of the performer, akin to the head and tails of a coin, the Yin and Yang. The audience completes the writer. Every performer strives to capture the imagination of their audiences, imagine singing in an empty auditorium or performing in an empty stadium. In blogging this relationship is put under more pressure since they are not physically together. To aide this relationship the following can be done:
Use appropriate jargon. Most bloggers do not specialise in a single field but rather they diversify into a range of topics and subjects. These different subjects may differ widely, when writing on professional topics like law and economics obviously will be more complex than writing about topics like fashion and sports it is therefore critical to use appropriate language characteristic. The appropriate jargon connects the writer and reader.
Stick to your subject. This point is really underrated but in reality it is very important ,this is probably because through the internet there may be hundreds of articles like yours this means that when the audience begins to notice that you are going out of topic they will not be reluctant to “ press back” and look for a more helpful site.
Make it short .People’s concentration levels wander alot so it is key to have and maintain their attention .What online readers dread the most is the idea of a long post which is usually difficult to wholly read.Instead the readers opt to scheme or they can move on to more entertaining things.
Avoid divisive remarks. You must know that through the internet we are able to get audiences across the world with different diversities, be it ; cultural, ethnical, racial. A country’s culture may be another one’s taboo it is therefore crucial for every blogger to put this into consideration. Airing one’s opinion however innocent it is will surely drive a wedge between the blogger and audience. Truth be told the aim of every blogger it to get readers irrespective of their beliefs. E.g Imagine a writer expressing his preference to a certain divide,(s)he will lose audience of the other side.
Publish regularly .One of the most important duties of the writer is to publish many articles so as to become relevant becoming relevant creates a fanbase the fanbase will most likely subscribe to your future articles.This in turn will greatly increase the size of your audience.
Engage your audience. It is important for the writer to make the reader feel important, since the relationship between the writer and the audience is intangible but through engaging the relationship becomes tangible.The writer usually engages in the comments section below the article, this shows the readers that their views are important thus maintaining them.
We are living in a world that fewer and fewer people want to read ,it is therefore upto us to find the solution to this problem and try to effect change but through the above points you will be able to effectively present your views to the audience.
By:Stephen Kirk Mcgregor.
Stephen K. Mcgregor is a marketing major and independent writer
who is passionate about writing and football. My icon is Nelson Mandela
he chose not to use power when most people would.
This is a great fit for a freelance blogger since it focusses only on “the audience” which is a universal subject irrespective of specialisation. I on the other hand am the right person for the blog since i know most of the challenges experienced by bloggers and i also know the gaps existing between what is provided by the writers and what is desired by the readers.
Dana Sitar says
Hi Stephen,
I was intrigued by your headline; the concept of an “impatient reader” is indeed a conundrum for blog writers. But your points don’t all clearly address that topic. I’d like to see this pitch more clearly hone in on the problem of writing for an impatient digital audience and offer solutions to help writers engage them.
Ca Stough says
Pitch fest You are my Audience I react to your reaction. If you are sad I feel sad for you. If you are excited I may get that way too once I have heard your story. Interaction can bring many question. With many different answers by the way we each view the situation depicted by the story teller. What the story teller may leave out can effect the reaction of the Audience. So make the story something I just have to hear and will remember and want to share.
” Guest Post Pitch”
Dana Sitar says
Hi Ca — Your pitch looks incomplete. Is there a piece you forgot to paste into the comment?
Ca Stough says
Hi First timer so not really 100 % sure what you are looking for? But I will add on to this.
I am both the Audience and the Storyteller I hear the words first and must decide. If what I write or say is worth putting into print or saying. Then passing on my thoughts to others to judge. The worth of my words and there meanings as I share myself with others.
Derick says
Many people underrate a writer’s role. Many also assumed every person who owns a blog know how to write (well). While the latter should be true; a blogger needs to be a word master. Not all bloggers boast a talent for writing…
Hello Dana.
Hope you are doing fine.
My name is Derick, a Saas B2B writer.
Love your article on ThePennyHoarder on how the company HealthWage rewards contestants up to $10,000 in cash for good fitness. WOW! $10,000! For maintaining your fitness mojo! For a minute I almost entered my weight loss goals on the prizing calculator but remembered weight loss isn’t in my bucket list other than being a professional B2B – Saas writer.
Anyway. Today am reaching out to enter Pitchfests contest. My (raw) idea on the title from the above intro goes like How freelance bloggers can improve the experience of their audiences if they are dead down on writing.
Key points I’ll include as subtitles are:
– Re-targeting an audience.
Of course, the reason for writing text and publishing is to solve your audience pains. But there are times you can improve the lives of your audience with less writing.
– Incorporate other copies of online media
There is a reason social media platform offers stories and lives. Content is not always about written text!
– Take advantage of social media
Blogs and website are not the only places your audience exist, but social media too! If your audience is largely on social media, you can conquer their attention by connecting on these platforms. The advantage of social media is it doesn’t demand you write a lot.
– Teach your audience something useful
Online user love to learn something fresh. Teach them a new trick from a professional.
– Use different marketing tools
Conduct split testing to know which type of media works best with your audience.
– Use of lead magnets
This can be through sharing with your audience downloadable content, free ebooks, and reports for personal information.
– Hire content writers or encourage guest posting
Hiring writers are usually for large websites with a budget. You too can achieve this either by encouraging guest posts or outsourcing writer for your content needs.
OK. That’s a short recap on the points I’ll examine. But what motivates me to write this article for your audience?
Many freelancers, including bloggers struggle with writing and content production for their audience not knowing there exist different ways to connect with an audience. This article seeks to target BAFB audience seeking to improve their online reputation but not innate writers.
Sincerely,
Derick Okech
Dana Sitar says
Hi Derick,
Your pitch topic seems more targeted to blog owners, rather than freelance bloggers, so isn’t a fit for BAFB as is. I’m also having trouble following all of your tips; the summaries you included don’t all tie clearly to their main points. Would be happy to look at a new pitch if you can submit before deadline.
Rochel Maday says
What to Do When Your Client Doesn’t Understand Their Audience
You’ve just landed a gig writing for your favorite industry. You’ve been discussing potential blog topics with your new client but you’re struggling to find common ground. It soon becomes blatantly obvious that your client has no idea who their audience is. Your dream job is quickly turning into a nightmare.
1. Realize you’re on a sinking ship.
If your client has you writing content for the wrong audience, no one is going to come out on top. Before you write a single blog, you need to show them why their target audience is wrong, the consequences of continuing, and how to find their ideal audience.
2. Describe their typical reader.
Use your instincts, experience, and research skills to determine who their typical reader is. Be as descriptive as you can, including sex, age, location, education level, financial class, hobbies, interests, and the problem they’re trying to solve by visiting your client’s blog.
3. Gather data
Back up your description of a typical reader with clear data from the competition. Your client needs to see that their competition is growing their email list, increasing traffic, or closing more sales simply because they’re writing the right type of content for the right type of readers.
4. Present professionally
Approach this conversation with professionalism. Be prepared to back up your suggestions with study cases, testimonials, or credentials that prove your expertise.
5. Act sooner than later
Don’t allow the project to fail. This means you either swoop in and save your client from disaster or walk away if they don’t agree with your content plan.
6. Provide analytics
Should a client put their trust in you, make sure you provide them with updates on how their content is performing. You’ll be able to prove yourself professionally and come out as more than just a fluff blogger.
This blog post is ideal for Be A Freelance Blogger because it will help freelance bloggers spot this common and important content mistake before it hurts their wallets and reputations. A perfectly written blog is useless if it’s not being put in front of the right people. As a freelance blogger who routinely works with successful business owners with less than successful blogs, I believe I’m the perfect blogger to contribute on this topic.
Sophie Lizard says
This got my “fresh idea” radar twitching. 🙂
I’m curious to know why you would recommend choosing a new audience, rather than showing the client how to get to know the audience they already have. Will that be covered in your post if you win?
Rochel Maday says
Hmmm…looks like my desktop will only make a new comment rather than a reply. Sorry about that! Please see below. ☺️
Dana Sitar says
Hi Rochel,
Very intrigued by your headline! (Agreed with Sophie’s “fresh idea” take.) Have you had this experience in your work? Examples of times you’ve encountered this issue and how you’ve used these strategies to help clients find success would strengthen the piece. Showing in your pitch that you have this personal experience to share could bolster the pitch, as well.
Rochel Maday says
Hi, Dana!
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I definitely have examples. I just didn’t want to go over the two sentence summary listed in the guidelines when submitting my pitch. I’ll leave you with this one though that just happened this month. I connected with a new client who owned a small manufacturing company. They cut out custom parts with lasers. These parts were used in competitive robot designs, motorcycle engines, invention prototypes, etc. They had pages of blog posts but they were focused on strictly laser cutting. I suggested focusing on their top industries they work with, like competitive robots. Blog posts on upcoming competitions, robot news, how to design your first robot, etc. would bring in new traffic that could eventually become new customers. They were writing their blog posts for an audience with an interest in laser cutting instead of an audience who needed laser cutting. Instead, they wanted a blog about their shop. I knew they didn’t understand their audience.
Rochel Maday says
Hi, Sophie!
That is also a common issue when blogging for a client. If a blog has the right audience, but the content just isn’t engaging enough or there’s too much inconsistency in how the blog is ran, then yes, finding a better way to connect with the audience is the best path to take. This blog topic would focus more on what to do if you’re working with a client who just doesn’t understand who they should be writing for and that’s why they’re not seeing the results a business blog should bring.
I could definitely include a section on how to tell when a blog just needs to be tweaked for an existing audience or when an overhaul is in need, and then go into the steps listed in my pitch.
Antoan says
Hello, I hope you are doing well! It’s a pleasure to participate in a great contest like this.
Pitching is a key point not only in writing but in every aspect of life. So thank you for learning us how to do it!
My pitch idea is “How to contribute with your talent the most”
I think that many people lack confidence in their ability to bring value to the world. They don’t know how to monetize their talents and many of them even refuse to take action. I think that there is a lot to say about this particular topic.
Starting point:
Are you feeling stuck in your daily life thinking that you just don’t do enough? Do you want to bring value to others using your natural abilities? Well, you are not alone. Many young people are stuck in the rat race without using any of their talents. They focus only on building careers that they actually don’t make them happy. It’s time to change that. Let’s find out the reasons and the solutions of this common problem.
The key points:
1. What is the core of the problem?
How are the young people being so unconfident and unable to use their talents as a secret weapon? I will explain how the educational system kills our ability to go beyond the limits and how it discourages us from doing the things in our own way.
2. What are the first steps people can take?
What to do if you want to begin your finally do something valuable using your talents? I will explain the simple steps like writing down your goals, connecting with others that share the same interests and goals, books relevant to the topic, etc.
3. How to start actually doing something after being confident enough?
I will explain some principles of taking action that are absolutely valid in every initiative. I will also introduce in a few words how some of the great people have succeeded through their talents.
4. Monetizing achievements
After a long and hard work, it’s time to get some cash as a reward. There are many ways to monetize your talents. It depends on what you want to be. A freelancer, a person who sales his product (software, music, paintings), or just a man seeking for a side hustle.
5. Increasing the effort
The last step is bringing an enormous value not only for thousands but for millions and even billions of people. This is only for people who are ready to sacrifice everything in the name of change. The actors, the owners of top companies, the most famous musicians, these people are the ones who are achieving big thanks to their talents. But it’s important to say that without hard and smart work the talent is nothing but wasted potential.
This reminds me of one fable: One-day St. Peter was asked by a man who is the best general in the world. St. Peter pointed one poor shoemaker. The man answered, “but this is just a shoemaker, I asked you who is the best general the world has seen”. Then St. Peter said that if this shoemaker unlocked his potential to rule armies, he would’ve been a proficient and unbreakable general.
This perfectly describes how much power people have and how much lives are wasted only because the system doesn’t show us the right path (at least to most of us).
This publication fill fit to “Be a freelance blogger” because many people are failing to use their talent in writing. I’ve researched a lot about the art being productive, especially as a content creator. So I think that your audience will enjoy to find out what have I learned about this topic.
I hope you find my pitch as something that will help your readers. I truly love the content in your blog and it will be a privilege to have a publication here. Keep blogging and have an awesome day!
Dana Sitar says
Hi Antoan,
Thanks for your pitch. This doesn’t sound like it’s targeted to freelance bloggers but rather creatives in general. I would have liked to see a pitch better targeted for the BAFB audience. I’m also missing the “audience” theme.
Antoan says
Hello, thank you for the reply. I think that the pitch can be targeted directly to the freelance writers community. I just wanted to stand out with something different. I understood the “audience” theme in this way. The writers need an audience and I decided to talk about how they can get it. If you want to edit my pitch, I will do it with pleasure!
Gabriel Onyango says
Hi, for my pitch I’m interpreting ‘Audience’, as the clients that freelance bloggers would be pitching to, i.e. small businesses who are looking to outsource their writing to freelancers.
Topic: Want to Pitch Businesses for Business? Follow These Steps to Understand Them Better Before Pitching
Intro
Picture this, you’ve finally psyched up yourself enough to start pitching to businesses for writing jobs. You’ve done your research, crafted the perfect pitch and shot them an email laced with hope. However, when they finally reply it’s that they just don’t see the need for your services (yeah I know it sucks). Ask yourself though, did you really understand their business enough, and what if there was a way to improve on this?
Key Points in the Post
• Become a customer
If the business sells a product that is relatively affordable then consider becoming a customer to understand them better. Analyze the buying process you went through, what did you enjoy? What were the pain points? Review it.
• Breakdown their website
Use tools like Similar Web to decipher the nitty-gritty of the business’s site (traffic-does it need lots of work? What are the sources of that traffic, site ranking etc.) Use this data in your pitch to show how much they need you, they may not know it (will show how). For example, I know for BAFB approximately 80 % of their web traffic comes here by directly entering the web address and not from search. What this tells me is that the articles have to be memorable, the ‘I want to bookmark this’ type of article.
• Crack the competition
Enhance your understanding of them by identifying their competitors, what keywords they are ranking for, what does this tell you about their needs and what can you do to help their business rise above competition. Use tools like SEM Rush to achieve this (will show how).
• Actively stalk them on social
Engage them on social don’t just read their posts. Ask questions, make suggestions, and create a profile of the people liking their posts, who are they? Engage like you are a customer, study how they try to sell to you.
• Ask them for a trail
Sometimes it’s easy, just ask them. Maybe they would like a short trial with you first, what other reservations do they have? Perhaps they can only afford one article or they just don’t need a writer. Can they refer you?
This would be a great fit for Be a Freelance Blogger as it caters to your readership who are freelancers pitching to or thinking of pitching to businesses. I am the right person for this because for one…I’m finally putting my freelance business website up and willing to document myself pitch (with screenshots) using the above tips-put my money where my mouth is.
Dana Sitar says
Hi Gabriel,
I like that you interpreted “audience” as the client — a very important audience for freelancers! I also like the you demonstrate in your pitch some ways you could get super-specific in a post by sharing specific tools and letting us get a peak into your experience. I’d like to see the copy in your pitch cleaned up for grammar and punctuation; it feels hastily written. Always put your best foot forward in the pitch, because it shows an editor what to expect in your first draft.
Dana Sitar says
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Big thanks to everyone who entered!
If you haven’t gotten a reply to your pitch yet: Hang tight! I will give you feedback before I announce the winners on March 30.
Dana Sitar says
Thank you all for your thoughtful pitches! Lots of great ideas here. I enjoyed joining BAFB as a guest editor for this contest. I hope my feedback has been helpful and that you’ll bring your pitching skills back for the next Pitchfest.
THE WINNERS ARE:
1st prize ($150*):
Tari J. Davis: “5 essential elements for audience attraction” — Read the winning pitch at http://beafreelanceblogger.com/blog-audience/#comment-240746
2nd prize ($75):
Rochel Maday: “What to Do When Your Client Doesn’t Understand Their Audience” http://beafreelanceblogger.com/blog-audience/#comment-240786
3rd prize (Kindle copy of “How to Pitch a Blog Post”):
Erin Andes: “3 Strategies for Captivating Your Audience” http://beafreelanceblogger.com/blog-audience/#comment-240686
Runner up (unpaid guest post on BAFB):
Haneef Davenport: “Low Engagement? How to Deliver The Content That Your Client’s Audience Wants to See” http://beafreelanceblogger.com/blog-audience/#comment-240698
*Reminder, prizes are awarded upon acceptance of your final draft for publication on BAFB. Please work with Sophie toward publication, and plan to deliver your first draft by end of April.
Jennifer Wyatt says
Congratulations to all the winners. I’m looking forward to the next Pitchfest. See you then!
Angela says
Congratulations!!! I am looking forward to reading these articles.
Rochel Maday says
Yay!! Thanks, Dana. I’m looking forward to getting started!