Today, Be a Freelance Blogger is five years old.
5 years! Bring on the “wow” emoji!
You know what was the hardest thing about starting this blog?
It wasn’t the technology, or the content strategy, or the audience-building.
The hardest part was coming up with the damn name.
Seriously. I needed a name that made it clear what my blog was about:
Freelance. Blogging.
Not freelance writing of any other kind, not personal blogging to push your own message or pro blogging for ad revenue and sponsorship money.
Plus I didn’t want it to sound like a content mill, or like a place to hire freelancers. I wanted people to know from the name alone that this is the place to learn how to be a freelance blogger.
I made a huge list of potential names, and they all sucked at least a little bit.
I’m pretty sure when I told Jon Morrow (my coach while I launched this blog) that the best name I had after two weeks of brainstorming and thesaurus abuse was “Be a Freelance Blogger”…
… yep, I’m pretty sure he was stunned into silence for a moment by my lack of originality. Would people even be able to remember a name like that?
Well, the answer is YES – most people remember it just fine, but also NO – because we still occasionally get emails addressed to “Dear Become a Freelance Blogger.” (Hey, it’s close enough; come on in. In a little while, I’m gonna tell you how you can win a prize…)
So I’ve been looking back over what we’ve done with the last five years, and I came up with a whole bunch of fun facts and accomplishments.
The glorious first 5 years of Be a Freelance Blogger, in numbers
Let’s start with who wrote what:
258 posts published
That’s one post per week on average. Not bad for a couple of part-timers who have real freelance writing jobs to do!
128 contributors
We’ve had guest bloggers from all kinds of backgrounds, including lawyers, singer/songwriters, accountants, comedians, stay-at-home parents, and free range parents.
63 posts by Sophie
[That’s me! I wrote stuff!]
13 posts by Lauren
Lauren is our fearless Managing Editor. Thank you, Lauren. (Everybody, thank Lauren. Without her, this whole place would be a mess.)
11,918 approved comments
That’s an average of 46 comments per post – plus countless spam comments that we deleted! And yes, we read every single comment, even if we don’t always manage to reply to all of them.
5,551 members
Yep, thousands of members registered for an account in BAFB’s online community, which was once an online forum – now, we use a BAFB Facebook group to chat and share ideas and advice.
More than 150,000 Ultimate Lists
By now, we’ve had at least 150,000 people request a copy of The Ultimate List of Better-Paid Blogging Gigs — plus we’ve shared it in a few other places too, where I didn’t keep a record of how many people got a copy.
More than 343 students
I can name more than a couple of hundred students who’ve taken (or are currently taking) our training course for beginners, Get Started for Freelance Blogging Success. It’s also been included in special bundle deals via other blogs once or twice, so it’s reached many more students than I know of.
Plus I can see from old emails that more than 100 students have joined my course for intermediate and experienced bloggers, The Freelance Blogger’s Client Hunting Masterclass. I’ve also given this training to some of my intensive mentoring students, so there’s probably a couple of dozen more Client Hunting students than I counted.
Am I happy that I’ve helped a few hundred people? Absolutely.
Do I want to help more this year than ever before? You fucking betcha.
At least 7 super-students
I can think of two people who did so well after taking my freelance blogger training courses that I felt kinda envious of their swift success… I wish I’d had this blog to learn from when I was getting started!
Plus I’m counting the 3 students who overcame unusually difficult personal circumstances to become freelance bloggers, and the 2 students who blew me away with their dedication to diving ultra-deep into every lesson.
You people are amazing, and I’m proud and honored to have played a part in your awesomeness.
(Is it normal to have 7 super-students in a population of a few hundred students total? I have no idea.)
At least 13 babies
2 born to members of the BAFB team, plus 11 born to BAFB students. (That I know of – there are probably many more!)
2 staff bloggers we loved and lost
Bree Brouwer and Alicia Rades both became so successful in their *other* writing gigs that they’re no longer available to work with us. (We’ll miss you, Bree and Alicia!)
1 book, How to Pitch a Blog Post
Yeah, that last one is new. Remember wayyy back when I asked people to complete a survey about what they want to learn from us? Well, one of the things everyone wanted the most was advice on how to pitch.
So *ta-da!* Lauren and I have written and published this book together, to give you all the advice you need to start pitching with confidence and style.
The exclusive PDF edition of the book just went live today, and you can get a copy here:
Get your copy of How to Pitch a Blog Post
Anyway, I promised you a chance to win a prize, and I know you’ve stuck with me through all these “fun” facts…
(slightly less fun when you’re waiting… what are the f-ing prizes Sophie and how do I get one?)
…so I’ll shut up about my bloggy birthday and tell you all about that right now. 🙂
The Be a Freelance Blogger Birthday Prize!
This year, the #1 prize is a one-hour private mentoring session with me – we’ll talk about what you’re doing, what you *want* to be doing, and how to get there.
Plus 3 runners-up will win an exclusive PDF copy of How to Pitch a Blog Post. (Now that we have a book, might as well start making it one of our contest prizes, right? But if you win and you already own the ebook, we’ll send you an alternative prize instead.)
Here’s how to enter…
Go to the comments box below this post and tell me: What do *you* want to accomplish this year, and what would you like *us* to create or do for you, to help you make that happen?
This contest closes at 11:59PM Pacific time on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
Most intelligent, well-reasoned and detailed answer wins. Bonus points for honesty and self-insight.
OK, go! We’re looking forward to reading everyone’s answers. 🙂
Bree Brouwer says
Awww, I miss you guys, too! But I still follow along with your new posts. 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
Hi, Bree! And you follow along fast, too – way to grab first comment. 🙂
Philip says
I am trying to figure what makes you a self-appointed great blogger, except for a great sales-person.
Sophie Lizard says
I’m trying to figure out how to respond to your almost-question.
1) To be a self-appointed *anything* merely requires someone to say, “I am this.”
2) Have I said I’m a great blogger? Not sure that I have. So there’s a problem I can fix right now! “I’m a great blogger.” OK, now I’m officially self-appointed. 😉
3) I’m not clear on whether you think I *am* a great salesperson, or you think I *have* a great salesperson. Either way, you’re saying something about this is great, so I’m gonna take that as a compliment and run. Thanks! 😀
Nida Sea says
My accomplishment for this year is to finally make money off my blogs (and hit $200K, but that’s tentative). I’m tired of struggling, and failing, and being tossed off as not good enough. I can’t stand that people say my ‘personality’ is too strong to work with. I get it, I’m not one to just take orders, I ask questions. I don’t think something will work, I speak up.
I see more clearly now than ever, if I’m going to make the income I want, I have to do it for myself. Fear held me back for a long while, and yeah I’m still scared shitless at times, but I’m not going to be at the bottom anymore. Don’t like my personality? Then screw you, too (Sorry, bad day).
Anyway, that’s my goal. To make the income I want, with blogging, content marketing, inbound marketing, etc. I’m going to do it this year. It’s balls out, and nothing is going to stop me.
Sophie Lizard says
Yay, Nida! Keep us updated – and all that personality stuff just means you haven’t worked with your ideal clients/team yet. When you do, they’ll appreciate you raising questions where you see questions.
Sophie Lizard says
Oh, and you didn’t say what you’d like us to do to help you reach your goal! Let us know?
Nida Sea says
Hey, Sophie!
I didn’t, did I? Oops!
I suppose what I would like from BAFB is how to find my target audience and write for them. I get tripped up on that element and often don’t write for the correct audience, which also leads me to get confused on the right content for my blog(s).
Thanks for the insight on my comment, btw! 😉
Dianna Gunn says
Congratulations on five years of Be a Freelance Blogger! Sounds like you’ve done some pretty amazing things in that time.
I want my highest paying client ($0.10/word) to become my highest paying client.
What I really need is an accountability club – some kind of group, either via email or something like a private Facebook group – that is entirely dedicated to setting pitch/submission/application goals and holding each other accountable to those goals. And of course celebrating when we succeed 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
You meant highest paying to become lowest paying, right? That’s totally doable, and always a fun goal to have!
For accountability, have you tried Stickk? You create your pledge to do something, then share it with friends and family so they can see you accomplish it.
(You can also pledge actual cash, to a person, charity, or anti-charity. Without my pledge to publish How to Pitch a Blog Post or pay $1000 to a cause I despise, I probably still wouldn’t have finished fussing with the book draft!)
Kathryn Peterson-Kristek says
I want to earn money writing. I currently write for content mills and would starve to death on my earnings.
Sophie Lizard says
What’s the best thing we can do to help, Kathryn?
Neale says
I’m serious about this: What is the maximum amount of income that is humanly possible to obtain from a single blog post? That includes advertising revenue and any other income generated by a single post. If there was a significant prize for achieving the highest income from a blog post within a few months, what strategy would you pursue?
Sophie Lizard says
I don’t think there *is* a maximum… Whatever is possible, 5 cents more is probably also possible, right?
I’ve seen people earn thousands of dollars from a single post by using it as a way to attract new customers for a product or service – and if I had to try to earn lots of money from just one post, that’s probably what I’d do, by guest posting on a site with the right audience.
But to me, part of the *point* of blogging is that there’s never just a single post. Even your very first post on a site should link to your posts elsewhere, or to other people’s posts… it’s a vast network, without which an isolated blog post would have limited impact. And so I think my best answer is “be sure you know exactly what question you want answered” – it seems to me this single-post-income concept might not be as helpful to you as you hoped.
Gail Guerrero says
I would like to be more financially secure. I find myself in a situation I never saw. Separated from my husband of 10 years. Became a single mom trying to adjust to one income. Lost my job and only foind one making $3 less than my previous job. I would like to find my writing skills and I hope that listening to your advice will help me.
Sophie Lizard says
I’m so sorry to hear that, Gail. I had to move back in with my mum for a few months when my decade-long first marriage ended, so I feel for you. (In fact, that divorce, along with being let go from two jobs and getting pregnant the following year, was what got me started on the path to freelance writing!)
You said you want to find your writing skills… Can you give me a picture in words of what life would be like after you’ve found them? What would be different?
Leah Kirira says
Being a full-time freelancer, I would like to get a client who pays well so that I can get time for my family. I currently have to write 3,000 words to be able to get $15. If only you would help me get a client who would pay at least $50 per 1,000 words….My children will not have to struggle to get my attention and my marriage would not be on the rocks.
Sophie Lizard says
Leah, have you tried some of the blogs in The Ultimate List of Better-Paid Blogging Gigs? They all pay at least $50 per post.
It sounds like you’re finding work in the wrong places, if $15 for 3000 words is normal there. Make a list of companies that you’d like to write for, and email them each a pitch or a letter of introduction. The worst that can possibly happen is they say no, but the best that could happen is you never having to work for such low rates again!
Shani Shafrir says
Why should I get the Birthday Prize?
Because after having a massive year in 2017 (including migrating to the other side of the world with my daughter, turning 40 and quitting my career of 20 years) I am ready to take my writing to the next level. I am ready to develop my writing skills, become self-employed and make money from writing . I am ready to gain financial independence for myself and my offspring and to have some fun with it!
I would love for you to take all this will and energy and point me in the right direction.
Hold my hand for a bit, push my bike from behind then let go of it only to watch me fly down the street with the wind in my hair… (I’ll start growing my hair long just in case)
There. That’s me.
With crossed fingers and warm regards,
Shani
Sophie Lizard says
Wow, MASSIVE year! And nice bike riding analogy, but what would it look like if you were actually learning freelance blogging? 😉 What can we do to help you start or progress?
Shani Shafrir says
I feel I need to be taught how to DO this blogging thing. How to write for clients, how to write for money, how to build a portfolio, approach clients, set up my own business and in the process make my own personal blog better and eventually earn money through that as well 🙂
Rebecca Chamaa says
I would like to create a revenue-generating blog (I have a personal blog already). I have several ideas that I would like to explore/develop in a mentoring session with you. I don’t need to make a six-figure income -slow, steady growth is ideal.
Sophie Lizard says
Honestly, I don’t consider that my area of expertise. But if you win, I’ll be happy to share what I know about it! 🙂
What business models are you considering?
Mandy says
I would like to make the transition from blogging for a little money to blogging full time.
Sophie Lizard says
What can we do to help you make that happen, Mandy?
Tami says
This year I want to get my blog going and write for other blogs as well (until mine is going strong). This year I want to be happy. I want to make enough money with my blogging that I can quite going to a job I hate. It is the true pit of misery. Dilly dilly. (Budweiser commercial) Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
You guys can keep up the good work. Maybe assign someone to take my hand and walk me through it, lol. Thank you all for the work you do. 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
Is your ultimate goal to write for clients who pay you, or to get paid by writing on your own blog?
Tami says
I would like to have my own blog make the money. However, I did some freelance article writing a few years ago and I enjoyed it very much (just couldn’t make any real money with it). Probably because I didn’t know how to market myself, lol.
Tami says
Also, my bad. Happy, happy Birthday!! 🎉🎈🎈🎉
Sophie Lizard says
Thanks! 🙂
Sarah Duran says
Hi! Congratulations on 5 years and your successes.
For a short while I’ve been following you. I love the idea of making money through blogging howeve I still don’t have a blog . I don’t know where to start .. which idea to with .. yes, a name! I’m really at a loss and would love to contribute more for my family in a way that could give us more freedom to live the life we are meant to live. I’d appreciate the help. Thank you 😊
Sophie Lizard says
To freelance, you don’t need your own blog (unless you really want one). It’s more important to learn how to *do* blogging, which you can do on your own blog or a public platform like Medium – or by getting your first guest or freelance posts published on someone else’s blog. 🙂
Jesslyn says
My goal for this year is to finally launch my blog! I’ve had the idea for nearly a year – I want to write a blog that’s about living with mental health problems like anxiety and depression, and write about how to crush it at life while learning how to account for potential anxiety/depression problems that come up when you’re trying to conquer your goals.
What would be the most helpful from you is if you would be able to give me feedback on post ideas, maybe proofread one? It’d be great to hear how you keep yourself on track/hold yourself accountable so you accomplish your writing goals. And of course I’d like to eventually be making some cash by my blogging!
Todd says
Time, there is not enough time, my goal is to designate a specific amount of time everyday to writing. How much time does the successful blogger spend blogging daily. I have a full time job, kids, wife, and dust on my keyboard. Help!
Tina says
I would like to take my blog and writing full time. I could use the mentoring prize to get some answers on how to possibly make that happen.
Monica Sackman says
If I could start making money from blogging and freelancing this year, I would be ecstatic! My husband and I could actually start living together again! I’ve been trying to get “things” going off and on for about two years. Did you get the off and on part? That is where I could use some serious help. When I get stumped by something (usually technology related) or overwhelmed (usually with work from my teaching job), I put my blog dream on hold. So it would be wonderful to have some kind of accountability group that was tech savvy, full of inspirational ideas and practical pointers. There are some days when I am not sure what my next step should be so I feel like I waste an awful lot of time being “productively” unproductive.
Laura Kuschel says
Happy Birthday, BAFB! I’m so glad I found you, followed you and now I get to celebrate your birthday! How exciting!
What would I like? I need inspiration or motivation or a daily dose of words of inspiration to keep me on track. I haven’t started my freelance writing career, yet, but it’s going to begin this week. I lost my job before the holidays and it’s been a challenge finding another job, but in the back of my mind I know, I mean I REALLY know, that I would be much happier as a freelance writer. I just need a push, a shove to make that final leap of faith to the other side, the self employment side of being happier at doing what I do best, writing and helping others. OK, there you have it. I’ve put it down on paper (cyberspace), so I’ve made the commitment to do this. Please hold my hand, tell me I can do it and then push me over the edge to a better life!
Here you are celebrating your 5th anniversary doing what you love to do, that in itself should be inspiration enough! Right? Right! Thank you for for being the inspiration to so many other successful freelance writers! Now it’s my turn!!
Elisse says
My husband and I have a small business- an historic inn in southern West Virginia (the Elkhorn Inn & Theatre) for the last 16 years, and I am a writer and illustrator by (first) profession, and made a living freelancing for 20+ years, mostly for magazines, and mostly from overseas (Germany and Israel). I do have a blog (“We LIve In The Country”: http://www.southernwestvirginia.blogspot.com), which I’ve had for a number of years, and I’ve posted many detailed travel pieces (Vietnam, Israel, etc.), but I honestly don’t post regularly, and I haven’t promoted it well or devoted as much time to it as I should… (Can you please give me #MondayMotivation and more TIME in the day? 🙂 ) I would LOVE to find a way to make that blog pay (which it never has, really). We have an upcoming trip through China, for example, which I will be blogging about (my husband is a Chef, and we are “railfans” with a great interest in trains, due to our having a “railfan” inn), so much of the focus of my posts & photos will be on food and trains, as well as the “touristy” things), and I would Truly like to be paid the Big Buckaroos for my travel posts, as I was when I freelanced for magazines…
Linda says
I do not make money from blogging, but love every minute of it! I had to comment because our blog birthdays are so close. Mine is 1-11-13! What are the odds right?
Since I am on your mailing list, I figured I would shoot by and say hey! If you want to give my blog a birthday shout out, here is the link: https://litebeing.com/
Congrats and happy blogiversary! Linda
Katherine Swarts says
I have two big needs: (now that I’m finally actually making a living from blogging) feeling I have enough time left for other things I love, including nonblog writing; and building a (much) better website for myself, including a regular blog people will actually read and comment on and share. Since the second point is more directly relevant to freelance blogging (and also because I’m writing a whole guest post on the first point this week), in the “what might you do for me” area I’ll just talk about the website/blog question:
1. Share resources on what people are looking for (as readers) in new-blog topics.
2. Provide an authoritative directory (believe me, I’ve TRIED to locate one on my own) of most-popular blogs in various topic categories.
3. Link me up with proven technical and design website experts.
Thanks!
Hannah Romo says
First off a very happy birthday to your freelance blogger site.
My goal this year is to work up the courage to launch a website for my blog and showcase my list of services for possible clients. I have used a free blog platform for the past two years mainly as an experiment to see if I could do it, but have been hesitant because I did not have an exact niche. It has been a mixture of art, fitness and art therapy. However, I have narrowed it to a lifestyle niche which still revolves around art, tips for self care and tips for supplies to help not only artists but people that need the positive energy that art brings.
What would be of great help is taking a look at a few of my blog posts to see if I am on the right track or if I need to switch things around. Also, assistance in how to go about finding clients in these areas to send cold pitch emails to would help immensely. Any infornation to help monetize my blog is greatly appreciated and I am open to any critiques and suggestions.
Hannah Romo says
*information I meant to say. My spell check has been off. I apologize.
Stacy says
Congrats on the bloggy birthday! Year five; wow. I’m circling in towards year one myself so I feel your excitement there!
For this year, I’d like to start earning an actual income from my blog. Not for me, for my kid. (It’s my zombie apocalypse character fiction brain-child to raise funds for my autistic son’s trust fund.) Now that it’s been out a while, I think it’s about time to start monetizing it.
I’d also love to start receiving more freelance writing and editing work without scouring Craigslist and Indeed all time. I’m looking into the writing boards, but I have reserves. Plus, as I’m a fiction writer, I think it would be amazing to stop taking work and start being asked for it! Niche writing is great, but it takes a while to be ‘heard’, or perhaps ‘understood’ would be the better term. I want companies coming to me to write that short-story around websites selling flags, specific products, brands, etc. Everything has a story. I want to write them in a way that’s profitable, not only for others, but for myself and give the readers a damn good read while doing it! People ‘be think’ I’m cray sometimes though.
If you have any advice on how to find niche creative writing assignments for marketing and advertising I’d truly appreciate it. Telling the story is the easy part. Finding the client and pitching with words off paper is rough.
Nina says
I want to earn a decent living this year, and I’d like writing to be a significant source of income for me. I’d love coaching through pitches, and more leads.
Lisa Grandchamp says
So, I’m 50 years old, I’ve been working in the same job for 14 years, my now ex-husband decided that when our son graduated in 2015 that he was done as well so I am really an empty Nester who wants to start new with me, with a new income with travel on my mind but I am nervous to get started because my new life will be alone and I don’t have the gumption to just start. What I would like the BAFB to do is to give me my start. Tell me if you like my idea for my blogging website name, tell me where to go to start, etc. I’m normally the most organized and go to person, but for some reason now that it’s just me, I’m at a loss on where to start.
Tom Koziol says
Happy 5th birthday. That’s a milestone in this business.
What would I like from you? The continued willingness to share as you have been doing. Your articles, tips and tricks always get my brain out of neutral.
What will I accomplish this year? Getting my writing career rejuvenated. Had a column in 2 CA newspapers, been published in numerous magazines, sold an ebook on how to get out of debt based on personal experience, etc. Then one day just quit writing. Got busy or at least that’s what I told myself. Soooo, your contest, for whatever reason, re-ignited my forward switch.
Here’s my thinking: There is a boundary between your subconscious and your conscious mind. You can say the mind blurs at that point if that’s more to your liking. In this state you can find creative solutions to your pressing problems. I prefer to call that state writing. If you can write about it, you probably can solve it or at least contribute to the solution.
Donna says
I would love direction on becoming a freelance writer and the best ways to succeed. I love to write but not sure what audience to inspire and what exactly thy want to read. Please help!!!
Jeff Steele says
December 2016 I was informed my Information Technologies job was going away. That happened January 3rd, 2018.
2017 was spent preparing for that moment. I completed a Freelance Writer Career School, Trained in Copywriting too. Wrote a 75300+ word Novel during NaNoWriMo 2017. Seems like I should be making some $$$ by now, but I’m not.
In December 2017 after learning of Sophie, I’ve started taking the Get Started for Freelance Blogging Course. It’s the best investment so far, as I’m launching my site tomorrow http://jsteelewrites.pub. What I desire is to make a living for my family through writing int 2018 and become more confident.
What I feel would be a great help would be for successful writers to put eyes on a couple of pitches and blogs to critique and show noobs like me where the mistakes are.
Last but definitely not least, Thank you Sophie and Happy 5th Blogging Birthday!
Lisa Millraney says
Your birthday is only a day away from mine (tomorrow)! Yay Capricorns!
I had to quit work in 2016 to care full-time for my mother with dementia, so my time to do other things is limited. BUT I started my blog last year. I’d like to learn how to make money from it (if that’s even possible for a blog full of blatherings about caregiving, not always the most uplifting of topics). I’d also like to learn how to get paid to blog for others, and how to manage my time so when I suddenly have to drop everything to spend 4 hours explaining mom’s medications to her over and over and OVER, I’m not constantly twitching worrying about whether I can get the paying stuff done.
(offers piece of slightly squashed chocolate cupcake, with pink icing and purple sprinkles)
Simon Ponder says
My goal is simply to start getting paid for writing website content externally of any writing that I do at my day job and average out to $60 a week for the year.
Roxanne Gougeon says
I’m very new to blogging….my goal this year is to blog daily. I just started a new blog and don’t have an audience yet as I’m out of work and just started putting up content.
I guess what I need most right now is to get an income so I’m not using a free site to blog on and to be accountable to blog daily. Further in the year, also an audience.
Teresa Phillips says
My goal for this year is to restart back in the freelancing business after being away for over four years. This time, I want to do better than the last time and make a profit while giving clients copy that really works for them. This also includes creative writing. With the proper guidance, I will do a lot better than before while living my dream.
Mabel Rudo Nyazika says
Congratulations on the fifth birthday of your blog Sophie.
I have been for a long time, I have to things I would like to accomplish with my blogging.
First to have technical skills to improve the out look of my blog
Second to improve the content of my posts by being able to attend writers workshops which are very few in the United Kingdom.
Constance Amatey says
I will to get clients who pay at least $0.1 per word. I will be glad if I know exactly where to look.
Congratulations on your anniversary.
Nemisha Sharma says
Congratulations Be a Freelance Blogger! You guys are amazing and provide such valuable insights about blogging, owning a business, managing your personal and professional life while staying sane and swimming with the sharks. Way to go!
My goal is to land higher-paying writing gigs. Not those $10 for 500 words or “Oh, you’re Indian, right? So let me bill you a measly $5 for 500 words. ” Um, I put in as much effort as a U.S. or European writer, so why are you being racist?
Sorry… totally diverged from the topic there!
Yes, so I’d like to know how to land higher-paying gigs and not just links to websites and agencies that pay bloggers a decent fee. I mean how to pitch, how to follow-up and most importantly, how to fight for a fair rate when you’re working in India or another non-English speaking country. Maybe give us some examples or share some inspiring stories (I’m not sure if you’ve already done this!)
Anyway, continue doing the good work and making bloggers like me happier 🙂
Kathy Giddins says
Happy Birthday! This year I want to build up my contacts, perfect my pitch and get regular work as a blogger. I currently write a few articles here and there for a pet website and a travel blog but I’d like to expand on that. My main passions in life are all things spiritual (angels, crystals, chakras etc.), playing the ukulele and creative writing so it would be great if I could write some blog posts on those subjects. I think the main thing I struggle with is perserverance and maintaining motivation in the face of rejection. Sometimes I lose faith alltogether in my abilities as a blogger and sometimes I wonder why I didn’t just choose another profession, like teaching. What I’d like to gain from Sophie and the team at BAFB are practical skills that I can put into action to achieve my goals. I need to know where to look for gigs and how to approach blog hosts. I need to have structure and a clear plan in my work life. I need to know what I’m doing wrong and how to make it right.
I wish BAFB a fantastic year ahead 🙂
Adedayo says
I want to get paid from writing (I write poems and personal development articles especially inspirational articles and relationship) and I also want to work with prominent writers in my field.
Ellie says
With this ebook I want to kick start my business with healthcare blogging (my niche) and accomplish my goal of my first $500.
I have the confidence. I’ve got the website. All I need to do is pitch.
You guys can help me achieve my goal by creating a “blog pitch effectiveness calculator”. Here we send you our pitches and you tell us what improvement it needs to ensure 100% effectiveness.
I would also like you to create a “make your testimonials” premium course where you teach us step by step to earn testimonials in exchange for free blog posts.
😊
Regards,
Ellie
Pinar says
I want to get published by more of my favorite pubs, earn high-paying regular clients that offer the kinds of gigs I’m passionate about – I suddenly become a horrible writer if I hate the topic, and stay focused. Because I also write and try to sell fiction, staying focused and income-oriented can become too much. So I’d love Sophie’s help on cutting through the noise and prioritizing. 🙂
Stephanie de geus says
I want to create a thriving freelance (blogging) business and really make this my main source of income once and for all. I want to stop feeling like ‘I can’t do it’ or that ‘I’m not good enough’ to do this – because I am.
What you guys can do to help:
1) Link us readers up with (more) paying platforms.
2) Report back on industry trends and news
3) Keep on being awesome! 😉
Cindy Semrau says
Okay, I’m 61 and nine months old. I have never set a goal for myself and although I have been on your email list for the better part of a year, I haven’t started a thing.
I’m an excellent writer with editing experience, but only with a small in-house newspaper for a company I worked for almost 30 years ago.
Not only do I not know where to start, I don’t know how to pump myself up to begin.
I need that, ‘You can do it’ in my life and we need an ‘Idea Party’ to help me decide what I want to write about; what direction I should go in and; assignments & activities that could help me and maybe others, too! (Perhaps if you give us a vague subject – just one word – we could write about.) My mind reels with possibilities and anticipation, but it’s easy to fall flat when you look at the vast amount of information provided and . . . maybe I’m just making excuses now. . . Regardless, the creative part of me seems stagnant and yet I feel like I could burst forth at any second!
Please help me, Obi-Wan! I’ll be 62 in two months and I’ve never achieved a goal. Not one.
Brenda Kammerer says
Hi Sophie!
Happy Birthday to BAFB! Five years shows staying power, not just an impulse… I like that. I need that.
So, what can you do for me? As an empty nester and a woman who is starting to feel a bit irrelevant; I want to start something for ME! And I need your help.
At 61 my knowledge of how to actually start blogging is pretty sketchy. I need one of those ‘How To Start Blogging For Dummies’ books… #1 -turn on the computer (the button is on the side)…
Seriously, I know how to use my good old Mac. But from there… Think of me as a Third grader… I know how to hold a pen, spell, and write. I know what a thesaurus is -and use one frequently. And I love to expound on subjects near and dear, and to tell stories with my written words. It’s getting them out there that frustrates me!
So what do I need?
I need a ‘How to Start your Blog for Dummies.’ I need the basics, recommendations on …. Hmmm… well, on whatever I need them for…. Yup… I need those too. Please, help me get this new season of my life started!
Thank-you!
Brenda K
….😶 how do I set up a website?
Brenda Kammerer says
I think I might need your ‘Get Started’ (supported edition) ….
Wondering if it is as ‘basic’ as I need?
Sounds like a really good Birthday prize!
Beth says
My goal is to grow viewership on my blog and make money writing/blogging. I enjoy your posts, thank you!
Veronica Gilkes says
Hi Sophie, This year I really want to get paid for my work at long last. I also would like help discovering who my audience is so that I can find out what they want and what I can do for them. Thank you. Veronica.
Sherri Ledbetter says
Hi Sophie,
I would like to double my income this year. I have one business blogging client and would like add two more. I’m very interested in information on how to present my blogging ‘wins’ (comments, likes, pageviews) to potential clients. I think the term is “social proof”(?)
P.S. Also, how do you find out/research a client’s competitors? I’ve been using Hoovers with all the numbers/categories, but it’s confusing!
Thanks, Sherri
Samantha says
I have several things I would like to accomplish this year: The biggest is gaining some financial freedom. After that comes building and boosting my Etsy shop, followed by getting into blogging to help me attain these things but also help me as a writer because some day I want to start and finish a book that stems from one of the many ideas that float around in my head all day.
For blogging and what Sophie and the crew can do to help is helping me find a starting point. I read the emails and had signed up for the little crash course email thing but for some reason I still feel even more confused on where to actually start and then how to get going and keep growing. Another thing that would help is to help me establish a time table on which to do things that will work best with a full time job because I feel like I work best with strict schedules and deadlines.
I look forward to hearing from Sophie or the team and look forward to more articles written by y’all! Happy birthday!
Suzanne Shaffer says
This year I would love to stop working for peanuts. I have two to three regular writing gigs but I need more and I need to know where to look. These editors approached me and I have never pitched to anyone before. I have an extensive portfolio and I would like to find a way to promote myself. I’ve never been good at that and without it, I’m never going to be successful.
Right now I’m blogging as a college expert and I would like to stay in that area or I can even write parenting posts as well.
Congrats on your five year birthday. I’ve had my blog since 2009 and I’m still struggling. Help!!!
Dan Korzep says
A few months ago, a woman suggested that I get a job at Home Depot and enjoy myself. Some people think all 67-year-olds are ready for retirement. I have lots of energy. So, my wife and laugh at such ideas. This year I have two writing goals. First, learn how to make an income through blogging. Second, finish my second ebook. (The first one was not all that great.) Last year I did the research. This year it is time to write and publish.Get on your mark. Get ready. And go for it!!!!!!!
Nada Jasz says
Happy Birthday BAFB!
This year, I would like to develop my creativity and intuition. I really want to challenge standard ways of doing things. I did an online quiz a few months ago and identified my main strength as persistence. Creativity did not rate too highly for me. I was pretty happy with this at the time, but on reflection, persistence has also been my greatest enemy. Through a series of major life changes beyond my control last year, I have persisted in trying to make a living the same way I have for the past 25 years. I made it work with less than half the resources required to do it, but at great personal cost. Writing was my saviour in a way. It was something suggested by a psychologist. It has revealed more about myself and my life than I have ever known before. The power of expression through writing is blowing my mind, and I am ready to explore it to the full. I love the practical application of this expression on the internet. It’s impact can be so intense because people are able to find exactly what they need at the time they need it. Wow! I feel that the best writing comes from asking yourself the right questions, so that’s what I would ask of BAFB. More questions please. Intriguing questions, difficult questions, deep questions, even bleeding obvious questions. Help me unearth that creativity I know is buried inside. Many Happy Returns.
Jennifer Chokey says
This year, I have expectations to write more. I had set myself to accomplish this awhile back, writing and drawing anytime I could. Buying sticky notes, markers, pens, journals, cleaning up my blog that I sadly abandoned. A monthly goal sheet went up on my wall this month, separating my priorities from the extra monthly intensives. This creates organization and less stress, knowing I have a plan. Stress can become too overwhelming for me, being a college student and newly living on my own.
I love all the free help offered from “Be a Freelance Blogger”, and continuing to have those resources will give opportunities for improvement in my writing and chances to turn in my work to be read and critiqued.
Lyonel C. Nichols says
Man, oh man, where do I even start?
What would I like to accomplish by the end of 2018? Well, I’d like to Be A Freelance Blogger! I’d like to *be a better writer*. I would like to make money writing. I’d like to work on my own schedule.
With a background in Project Controls and Construction Management, there has never been a better time to be laid off. The whole world is open to me! I can point almost anywhere on a map and find well paying work. But would I be happy?
I was laid off from my job as the construction manager of an Oil & Energy construction company with an office out of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The price of oil was plummeting and lay-offs were prominent. I’d already survived the first few rounds.
As always, luck runs out.
I took the rest of my savings and moved back to my hometown in Florida. I would quit traveling from job site to job site and do something that I’d always wanted to do – write!
That was my plan, anyway. Instead, I accepted a low paying job as an Operations Coordinator for a Theming Construction company.
I then proceeded to reunite with friends and family. (Read as, “Party uncontrollably.”) While I was enjoying being with friends and family again, I wasn’t happy, not really.
Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, I was laid off again. It was a real wake-up call for me. Was I laid off due to excessive hangovers and tardiness? Well, I wasn’t fired, so there was no disciplinary reasons given; however, I can’t believe that my record up until then didn’t help direct their decision-maker when looking to trim their workforce.
Little did they know, I had ditched the warmth of whiskey some months ago. Too little, too late, you know?
Regardless of the alcohol fueled moments, it was my unhappiness which was truly leading me in this downward spiral. This time, though, I am going to be happy! This time, I am going to do something that I’d always wanted to do – write! (No, seriously!)
Shit, yo, where do I even start?
Turns out, you start by cuing a few Internet searches in that infamous ol’ Google search engine. Be A Freelance Blogger, you say? Why, yes, thank you. Don’t mind if I do!
I am going to follow my dreams this time. That’s what I’m going to accomplish this year. I know I can be successful. I was ridiculously successful in my previous career. I also know where that unhappiness leads. Writing has always been something I’ve enjoyed and I want to finally make money doing something I love. Why, if that isn’t part of being happy, then I don’t know what is.
To wrap this up:
What am I going to accomplish? I’m going to pay all of my bills with my income from freelance blogging.
What do I want you to create or do to help me make that happen? I don’t have a single writing sample. I’m brand new and barely know where to begin! Could you create some writing prompts and critique the fuck out of my work? I’d really like to get some samples out there for the world to see. (Or, more aptly, for people who will pay me money to write interesting things!)
Thank you for your time, Sophie and Team! I also appreciate your consideration for this contest.
Sophie Lizard says
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED NOW.
Thanks for your comments and contest entries!
It’s going to take me another day or two to work my way through them all and choose the winners, so sit tight and I’ll announce the winners this weekend. 🙂
Daniel Rose says
Congratulations Sophie and Lauren on the 5 years. Here’s looking forward to another 5 years of insightful and helpful content. Thank you both! This site has been a huge help to me, and I don’t know if I’d have been able to go full-time without the advice here.
I know it’s too late for the contest, but I still wanted to share my goals for 2018. As I’ve just quit the day job to go full-time, my goal is to at least reach my 2017 income. I’d also like to have a lot of fun along the way and build up my network of writing buddies.
How can BAFB help? For a start, keep on putting out the top-notch advice. Other than that, more details on the processes working writers use (such as onboarding new clients, submitting drafts for approval, etc.) would be awesome.
On a side note, it’s so sad to see how many people in the comments are struggling to be paid a fair amount for their writing. It’s clear that BAFB and the work you do is still very much needed! Keep up the great work!
Sophie Lizard says
It was SO HARD to choose just a small number of winners from all these thoughtful comments!
But I have. 🙂
The winner of a one-to-one mentoring session is Jeff Steele! Congrats, Jeff – please email sophie@beafreelanceblogger.com to book your session.
And the winners of a PDF copy of How to Pitch a Blog Post are:
Lisa Grandchamp
Lisa Millraney
Cindy Semrau
Please email sophie@beafreelanceblogger.com with the subject line “How to Pitch a Blog Post” to claim your prize!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share a comment – I’ve READ them all several times, and I will be sure to reply to each of you over the next few days, either here or via email. 🙂
Yay for another year of BAFB!
Ntozakhe says
Hi Sophie why do you give chase to Lizards when crocodiles are against you? I’m interested in your Master class. I skimmed through your work and loved what i read. Infact there is a lot of you in me or vice versa. I’m a news Journalist, news is the first draft of history. Can we start the history making process together? I await your feedback
William James says
Many many Congratulation for complete 5 years,Its nice.I appreciate to share your experience.