Guest Posts | Be a Freelance Blogger

By Linda Formichelli 8 Comments — Last updated March 4, 2017

Freelance Blogging IS a Numbers Game: The Throwdown

Gary Korisko, you’re going DOWN! You too, Sophie Lizard.*

In May 2014, Sophie collaborated with Gary on a post and video called “Why Freelance Blogging is NOT a Numbers Game” that contains this tidbit:

Dashing off sloppy pitches to every blog in the universe is not the most profitable use of your time.”

Since my pet saying is “Freelance writing is a numbers game,” I’m taking this very, very personally. What, Gary and Sophie, you lookin’ at me?

Wanna see me get mad? Just watch this video: [Read more…]

By Oleg Starko 11 Comments — Last updated February 4, 2017

Going from $75 to $250 per Post… with the Same Freelance Blogging Client (A Step-by-Step Case Study)

Your freelance blogging dream was a trap.

And you never saw it coming.

“Get as many clients as you can,” they said. “You’ll always have steady work!”

And you did! Now your calendar is full, and you churn out blog posts like nobody’s business.

So… how is that bad?

I’m glad you asked!

For your freelance blogging business to thrive, getting steady work at a steady rate isn’t enough. I mean, if “steady” were all you wanted, you might as well have stayed at your day job!

You need room for growth. For raising your rates to reflect the growing value of your work. For landing new high-paying clients. You can’t afford to be stuck on a hamster wheel of writing blog posts, day in and day out.

For most freelance bloggers, solving this problem boils down to three options: [Read more…]

By Kelly Gurnett 14 Comments — Last updated December 3, 2016

10 Things You’re Probably Sick of Hearing If You’re a Freelance Blogger

There are lots of challenges you never realize you’ll need to deal with when you first dream of becoming a freelance blogger.

Some of them you can brace yourself for if you read blogs like this one — things like how to ask for the rate you want, how to avoid problem clients, or how to occasionally shower before dinnertime so your partner doesn’t come home and wonder, for the 40th day in a row, if you are or are not in the exact same position you were when they left for work that morning.

Other challenges don’t get as much airplay on blogging blogs, but when you find yourself commiserating with fellow freelancers, you realize they’re just as prevalent — and just as much a cause of EOFHL (Early Onset Freelancer Hair Loss).

Which is why I think it’s time we talk about something that has nothing to do with productivity or process or profit. That thing?

The incredibly dumb, ridiculous, silly and annoying questions you will find yourself fielding from friends, loved ones and random strangers when they find out what you do for a living.

See if any of these sound familiar to you… [Read more…]

By Stephanie Ruopp 8 Comments — Last updated November 26, 2016

Why You Don’t Want Your Client to Be Any of These Six Types

Landing a client can be a big deal. Like your first kiss big deal. (Judgment aside, this hopefully isn’t how you got the client.)

You’re geeked. You love this client for giving you the chance to prove your mad blogging skills and you’re certain you’ve found a slice of freelance blogging nirvana.

Then, some weird stuff starts going down with client. Still, your sheer appreciation for the opportunity keeps the eternal flame of love aglow. It is in this ardor that you may not recognize that the client could actually be an asshole bad news. After all, love is blind.

So to help you see more clearly, here’s a rundown of six types of clients around whom you’ll want to steer a wide berth. [Read more…]

By Lisa Fourman 8 Comments — Last updated November 19, 2016

How to Overcome the Biggest Misconceptions About Freelance Blogging

Want to blog for a living but don’t know where to go?

Are you unsure if you could even make enough money through blogging to pay the bills?

Do you want to blog but you aren’t sure if you have what it takes?

I’m sure you’re answering “yes” to at least one of those questions…if not more of them. In fact, those are questions I’ve asked myself six months ago.

As a newbie, I wasn’t sure if I could make a living as a blogger or if I would be successful. I’m sure you are thinking about the same thing.

I’m here now after several months to tell you that you need to put those misconceptions to rest and put yourself out there.

I know you’re thinking that saying that is much easier than actually doing it. Trust me…I know all about that frame of mind.

This post is here to show you that you can beat these misconceptions; they do not need to break you. I have made a list of the top six misconceptions I’ve seen and have dealt with myself.

I wanted to share this information with you so you can be successful (like the people at BAFB). I want you to keep reading so you can learn how to beat these misconceptions where they stand. [Read more…]

By Lesley Vos 5 Comments — Last updated November 12, 2016

Fear and Loathing in Freelance Blogging: Your 7 Techniques to Smash Them

What makes us, freelance bloggers, different from writers?

We don’t believe that same old megillah about inspiration necessary for creating lip-smacking content. (Clients would kill us twice or thrice if we sat and waited for inspiration instead of met deadlines.)

And we’ll never agree with those claiming that everyone can master a writing craft once and forever.

Because all that’s bulls**t!

To master a writing craft, freelance bloggers dive into unknown niches, research, play with words, and polish drafts statedly.

We don’t write texts.

We build them.

But, to build well, we have to overcome fears. Some prevent us from writing, some turn into loathing; but none of us denies them. BAFB readers confirm: [Read more…]

By Stephanie Ruopp 5 Comments — Last updated November 5, 2016

Weird Science: Using the Wacky Psychology Behind Negotiations to Your Advantage

If you’ve been blogging for any amount of time, you’ve probably run up against the experience of negotiating. If it went well, congrats! No, seriously, kudos. Because negotiating can be damn tricky. And if it left you stressed to post traumatic proportions, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in good company. We’ve all been there.

Relationships are hard. And negotiating is just another relationship. It takes practice.

Whether negotiating with your client for more money, your best friend/partner/spouse to make dinner, or your neighbors to remove the avocado colored refrigerator from their front porch, there’s a lot of psychology tied up in it. And you can’t seek out the comfy couch of a negotiations counselor when things get rough.

You don’t have to. Next time you’re suiting up for negotiations, consider the following questions and the psychology behind them. Then use this knowledge to your advantage. [Read more…]

By Aisha Sulaiman 19 Comments — Last updated October 22, 2016

22 Lessons from Experienced Freelance Bloggers on How to Land Your First Client

So, you know you want to be a freelance blogger.

However, there’s a little problem.

You don’t have any clients yet, and a potential client will probably want to know if you’ve worked with anyone before.

Does this sound like you?

Well, the good news is that you’re not alone.

All the professional freelance bloggers you see today started with that very first client and I’m sure it wasn’t a pretty experience for all of them.

Today we’re going to take a peek at how other professional freelance bloggers landed their very first client. [Read more…]

By Sef Cruz 3 Comments — Last updated October 15, 2016

How to Write a Blog Post in 8 Steps: Back to Basics

We all know that Be a Freelance Blogger is the place to go when you want to learn how to become a better freelance blogger. There are articles on how to get hired, how to “stay sane” while working, and how to get paid what you deserve.

Most importantly perhaps, BAFB is great about sharing how to write pitches that “sell” your blog posts. The quarterly Pitchfest contests are great for that – showing freelance bloggers exactly what needs to be said in order to get an idea accepted by an editor or potential client.

However, writing the best pitch in the world won’t do you any good if you can’t deliver on the final product.

As strange as it may sound, a lot of “freelance bloggers” out there simply don’t know how to write a great blog post!

We’ve gotten so caught up in what comes next – getting a raise, or what have you – that we’ve ignored the most basic element of our jobs: Writing blog posts that captivate our audiences and please our clients.

So, whether you’re a complete newbie or an established blogger, let’s go over the basics. Here are eight elements each of your blog posts needs in order to succeed: [Read more…]