Consistent cash flow is what all freelance bloggers want.
But good-paying clients seem to be the most aloof people on the planet. And if you’re a freelance blogger whose first language is not English, you can’t help but feel this pursuit is made even more difficult for you.
On the other hand, if you really want to level up, you’ll do what you can to stand out and be noticed.
If this is you and you’re up for the challenge, keep reading while I share how I succeeded as a blogger even though English is not my mother-tongue. That’s right, I’m giving you permission to steal my moves.
Moves that make a good first impression
In 2012, a blog comment I’d written made an impression on the blog’s business owner.
He liked how I’d written my comment and the copy on my writer site. He specifically pointed out that my grammar was good and my writing was easy to understand.
Then he asked me to ghost-write 3 blog posts for his business. 🙂
Move No. 1: Get your grammar right.
Good grammar is still the foundation of good writing. Get that right and you’ll have less work to do to convince clients you’re a good writer — that your command of English is good, and that you’re the one they’re looking for.
Move No. 2: Leave insightful blog comments.
Reiterate, contradict, or bring up an additional point the blogger may have missed in his post. But don’t just say “Nice post!” or something similarly short.
Moves to make good impressions last
Here’s where it gets more interesting. My client didn’t give me any projects for almost a year after that, despite saying he liked my work and my research skills.
So I made sure I kept in touch with him. Every two or three months I’d contact him via email just to ask how he and his business were doing. I also shared updates he’d find interesting via social media sites where we’d connected.
My perseverance paid off, because early this year he gave me a monthly ghostwriting assignment that’ll keep me busy until the end of this year.
Move No. 3: Let research set you apart.
Even if you use simple words, the facts and figures you present in a post make it stronger and make you sound like an expert. Take that additional hour or two to find the data that fits best with your point.
Move No. 4: Stay at the top of your past clients’ minds.
Whether this is via email or social media, ask how they are from time to time and you’ll see they’ll appreciate this sincere attention. People like it when you think of them and their business.
Move No. 5: Write well-structured, yet friendly emails.
Even if you’ve worked with a client several times, make sure the structure of your emails and the way you present yourself in words reflect your professionalism, reliability, and how easy you are to work with.
Moves that attract clients to you
Some of my clients approached me via LinkedIn because of the keywords on my profile. Here’s what happened:
Business #1: This client found me by searching on LinkedIn using keywords related to ESL teaching and writing. He said my profile matched what he was looking for and asked when we could talk via Skype. We scheduled to meet the next day and he offered me a job as an editor/instructor for his decade-old Japan-based business.
Business #2: This business owner, on the other hand, found me using keywords related to B2C (business-to-consumer) businesses. He was looking for a writer with experience as a team manager and he found all those on my LinkedIn profile too. He offered me a job with his big ecommerce business that had just received venture capital funding — and he made that offer in his first message to me!
I ended up not taking either of these jobs, though, because they wanted full-time staff and one of them required me to work as an in-office employee. But even though “freelance” is reflected on my LinkedIn profile, they still reached out to see if I’d consider the positions because I (my profile) matched what they needed.
Move No. 6: Use keywords on your LinkedIn profile.
Stuffing it with keywords you want to be found for, or keywords related to your ideal client profile, is okay. But revisit Move No. 2 and insert those keywords in your summary and job descriptions naturally. Plus remember to use the same voice and style you use on your writer site in your LinkedIn profile.
Move No. 7: Don’t leave the past behind.
Include your past jobs on your profile even if they don’t relate in any way to what you do now. Sometimes you can’t see a connection between your past jobs and freelance blogging, but you never know when a prospective client will make that connection for you.
It’s your turn
Freelance marketplaces are not the only ways you can land high-paying blog writing projects when you’re a non-native English speaker. The freelance blogging field is leveled now if you’re willing to work on your craft.
Good-paying clients smell skilled writers from a mile away, and they don’t even ask where you learned English.
Are you ready to let them see that you can do a good job too?
Stef Gonzaga says
Congratulations Jovell on getting this awesome post up on Be A Freelance Blogger! It’s well-deserved and a great read.
I was raised to speak English at home since childhood, so English has always been my medium of communication. But even with that level of proficiency, I rely on research, timely communication, and consistency with the quality of work produced in landing writing or blogging clients. Because even if you’re awesome at English, your customer service skills count in your chances of landing work opportunities.
JOVELLALINGOD says
Well-said Stef. And thanks, I appreciate you dropping by and adding your thoughts in the post. 🙂
I remembered our conversation where you pointed out that being a native speaker is sometimes just a matter of perspective. What if you’re not from the US or UK but your primary medium of communications is English, then can you not say you’re a native speaker?
And you’re right, interpersonal and English skills go hand-in-hand. Both are prerequisites for landing well-paying blogging projects.
Elena says
Great post, Jovell! One thing I’m curious about: at which point does the question of a freelancer’s origin come up? What I mean is unless your foreign name gives you away or you specifically state that English is not your first language, your nationality shouldn’t even be a factor in securing freelance jobs. Your body of work should speak for itself. In fact, there are many native English speakers who have worse command of English grammar than an English-speaking foreigner. I just feel that advice you give in your article can be used by any freelancer, regardless of his/her origin. Otherwise, the challenges of being a foreign-born freelancer you are referring to sound like discrimination to me.
JOVELLALINGOD says
Thank you for your comment Elena. That’s actually what I’m trying to overcome in this post. The discrimination doesn’t often directly come from clients looking for freelancers but more often non-native English speaking freelancers hold this limiting belief in themselves. And with these moves, I hope they gain the confidence to subdue that self-sabotage.
Danny Rosenberg says
Hi Jovell,
I really enjoyed the article. It’s true; English is not just for the native speakers. The language has so many speakers around the globe that it’s no longer necessary to write “authentic” English as long as you can communicate clearly.
Could you say a little more about that 2012 blog comment that got you writing gigs? What kind of blog were you commenting on? Did you also mention in the comment that you are a writer?
JOVELLALINGOD says
Hi Danny! The blog’s niche was internet marketing for small business owners. And the post I commented on was about how much is a reasonable amount to pay writers. 🙂
So the people commenting were a mix of writers and entrepreneurs. But I did say I’m a writer.
Tove Stakkestad says
Thank you for these great tips, Jovell.
Personally I find that my grammar is at times better than most Americans’ because I actually studied it in depth at school. We had to learn the grammar from the ground up, as the language wasn’t just “second nature” to us – so in some ways it can be used to our advantage.
Also, I have been able to get some translation work from the fact that I am bilingual Danish and English – so even though it is not a writing gig, the translation still pays decently well.
Thanks for helping to boost my confidence!
JOVELLALINGOD says
You’re welcome Tove. And that’s what we need when we want to level up, boost our skills and our self-confidence. 🙂
Pete Boyle says
Thanks for a great article Jovell.
I don’t think that any of the points you’ve mentioned though apply exclusively to English as a second language writers. The usefulness of this article definitely extends to include native speakers, and, now that I think about it any one who writes!
I 100% agree with what Tove has said. Many may think that native speakers will have an easier time when it comes to being grammatically correct, but I really don’t think that’s the case.
A few years ago I was a fledgling ESL teacher in Asia. In my very first lesson I was caught completely off guard when it was made embarrassingly apparent that the students knowledge of English grammar was far superior to my own! It wasn’t something that was really focused on throughout my own education here in the UK. Maybe it was taken for granted and thought to be second nature as Tove has pointed out.
Either way, correct spelling and grammar should be high on any writer’s list of priorities. Complexity of words and sentences aren’t all that important as long as everything is correct. If a piece is riddled with grammatical errors and spelling mistakes it’s more likely to turn people away and have a detrimental effect on your reputation, regardless of your native tongue.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
How right you are, Pete!
I have friends who have spoken (and written) nothing but English their entire lives and they can barely string a sentence together… And other friends who jokingly refer to themselves as “Fresh off the Boat (FOB)” who speak and write near-perfectly! 🙂
Here at BAFB, we don’t care where a writer is from! If they’re great, they’re great. In the end, well-written content is all that matters. 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
Martin says
Thank you for the pointers. I will use them to get more clients.
Question: How much do you earn from freelance writing per month on average? I am a freelance writer also and I really want to make reasonable money from it. It is what I do for a living.
Thanks
JOVELLALINGOD says
Hi Martin. The amount really fluctuates every month unless you’ve got clients with retainer projects e.g. 4 blog posts every month. And the ideal rate per article depends on every writer coz we have different needs to address.
Maricel Rivera says
Hi Jovell,
Great job getting your post up on Be A Freelance Blogger. 🙂
Like yourself, I’m an ESL writer, and prior to me presenting myself out there as a freelance writer, I struggled with this limiting mentality, too. I blogged non-stop for eight months to hone my English writing skills, and only then did I feel confident to look for writing gigs.
Elena made a valid point, and you did, too, in your reply to her comment. The flag of the country you represent may sometimes be a deterrent, particularly for those clients who only are looking for native English speakers from particular countries. But through hard work, things can only get better.
And for our comrades struggling to find their confidence, blogs like Sophie’s, they help a great deal. 🙂
JOVELLALINGOD says
Spot on Maricel! That’s why I like hanging out here. 🙂
Carolynne Melnyk says
Hi Jovell,
This is a great post! I agree with Elena in that this post is good for all writers. This is encouraging for second/third language writers but, the advice benefits all. I’m a former English teacher and I found a few pointers here that I will use with my blog.
JOVELLALINGOD says
I’m glad it helped Carolynne. It’s interesting to hear about “third language writers.” They’re an admirable bunch because learning more than 2 languages is a big feat.
Hunbbel Meer says
Hello Jovell,
Congratulations for the post, and it has some very useful points. Thanks for sharing!
By the way, I felt that there are a few tips that are not exclusively for non-native bloggers. Would you agree with me? For instance, sending great e-mails and using the LinkedIn profile can be used by native anglophones as well as non-native bloggers.
You have great experience and insights, and I would love to pick your brains on how non-native bloggers can convince clients that they are good enough.
Of course, samples and portfolio clips are important, but I personally don’t think any business client (for example, an American business client) would hire, say, an Indian (no matter how good she is) to manage his blog. Unless, price becomes the deciding factor. If both are charging $100 per post, a English anglophone will automatically be the primary choice. Does this mean that the non-native blogger doesn’t have any option but to lower her price per blog post?
Niche specialization is another option I can think of, but even that requires a reasonable amount of experience, blogging jobs and number of clients to make a point … so, back to square one for the non-native blogger, isn’t it? 🙂
I would really, really like to know Sophie’s and your opinion about it. Looking forward to it.
And once again, thanks for sharing your knowledge through this post!
Sophie Lizard says
Hmm, I can think of some big businesses that hired a non-native English speaker as a blog manager or editor. If your English is good and you know blogging inside out, nationality and heritage are almost irrelevant.
JOVELLALINGOD says
I think it depends on where a client is comfortable with. It becomes a little subjective and all things you mentioned will be considered – price and specialization, but as what I’ve told Stef earlier, interpersonal skills, and what Sophie said in her newsletter, a business sense, would all be thought-out (if I were the client that is).
I’ve been tasked to hire writers and editors for a past client and I’ve had bad experiences with some US writers in the beginning – missed deadlines, suddenly MIA – so if you’re the client, you’ll probably be weighing these things as well.
Samar Owais says
Great post Jovell!
When I started out as a freelance writer, it took me a while to realize that not a single one of my clients had ever asked where I was from or whether English was my mother tongue or not. And my name is a little foreign sounding (until I tell folks how it’s pronounced).
Clients are busy people. They don’t have the time to worry about where you’re from or where you learned English. All they care about is the quality of work. As long as work is flawless, they couldn’t care less.
We need to get out of our own way when it comes to being writers whose native language isn’t English.
P.S: For a lot of us, English isn’t even a second language. It’s our first. We learn to speak, read, and write English at the same time as our mother tongue.
Anthony Dejolde says
I agree with what your P. S. contains, Samar. I grew up conversing in English with my teachers. In fact, it’s the medium of instruction in all our schools. Also, the books I read (including our textbooks), the magazines, the newspapers, the movies and TV shows I watched, even the street signs, all were in this Lingua Franca.
The truth is, my prose is much better in English than in my mother tongue! And this fact will remain the same in 20 years, or till white doves turn black. (“,) So, nobody can argue with me if I say–my first language is English. 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Fascinating stuff, Samar & Anthony! Great points! 🙂
JOVELLALINGOD says
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks Samar. And I’m happy to see you here. I love your work!
@Anthony, that should be the perspective. 🙂
TraciB says
Jovell, thank you for sharing your experience with us. Like Hunbbel, I find your tips useful for any blogger, regardless of native language. In fact, I’ll be revisiting my LinkedIn profile to be sure it includes the keywords that best suit my goals as a writer, editor and blogger.
As an introvert, I’m challenged by the tips concerning maintaining contact with clients and prospects; it’s not something I do by nature, so I appreciate the reminder.
Finally, I want to thank Sophie for sharing her blog space with you for this post and letting us know about it. Thanks, Sophie!
JOVELLALINGOD says
Thank you Tracy. I’m glad it resonates with you too. 🙂
I’m an introvert myself and making that initial connection or follow-up with anybody makes me nervous all the time. But in freelancing, I’ve learned to swallow a lot of my fears.
Philip Turner says
I think we sometimes confuse the issue with the labels that we can use.
I have read many great blog posts by writers from India and Pakistan; these writers’ first language was not English, but they could write in English as well as I can because they were well-educated.
Similarly, I have read some appallingly-written posts by British and American writers, who wrote as though they were 12 years of age.
Education is the key descriptor we should use, rather than non-native English speaker.
JOVELLALINGOD says
Great point Philip. One which we should convey to many fellow writers. That would be a good guest post topic too, don’t you think? 😉
Corey Pemberton says
Hi Jovell,
I really enjoyed your post, and congratulations for your success in pitchfest! Your tip about following up with past clients is so important; that alone has led to a lot of additional projects for me. It’s simple, but it shouldn’t be overlooked.
Freelance writing and blogging is great because you don’t need credentials, formal education, or even to speak English as your first language. As you’ve pointed out, the high-quality writers rise to the top!
-Corey
JOVELLALINGOD says
Completely agree with you Corey. And that’s what we should always be aiming for – high-quality.
Zovat Andros says
Thank you, captain Obvious! Brilliantly regurgitated.
Sophie Lizard says
Nice to meet you, Captain Sarcastic. As you can see from the other comments, these tips weren’t as obvious to other readers as they were to you. How about a more constructive comment next time? 😉
Mai Bantog says
Really useful post, Jovell. Thanks for these tips. If I may add one more, I’d say keep on applying to gigs that you know you are a good fit even if they specified that they want native English speakers. It can be risky because you might be labelled as someone who doesn’t follow instructions, but who knows, you might impress the client with your writing skills. I actually landed a couple of jobs playing the stubborn non-native English speaker. Needless to say, getting those jobs also provided a great boost to my confidence.
JOVELLALINGOD says
Congrats Mai and nice to talk with you here too! That’s a GREAT tip – both for finding clients and boosting one’s self-esteem. Some writers read “native English speakers” as “I’m not good enough,” (I’m guilty of this sometimes), but if we let that type of talk put us down, we’ll never move up.
Oludami Yomi-Alliyu says
Dear God! I thought I was the only one who always took to his heels at the sight of those words.
Guess I just have to divert a bit from my Sunday school lessons and get sort of disobedient now – and start going after “native English speakers only” projects.
As earlier pointed out here, I truly feel it’s self-discrimination that ties most of us “non-natives” down…even before a client says no.
In fact, recently, I removed “Nigerian” from all my social bios and only left it in the “country” or “origin” section. While I feel you really don’t have to push your nationality first in the faces of prospective clients when they come looking for you, I feel my action actually stemmed from this self-discriminatory mindset (because I started regretting and wondering how many prospects that name would have sent away…lol). It shouldn’t be that bad.
Following the tips you’ve provided here should level the ground with any “native speaker” – if it doesn’t give us more advantage. Adding serial guest blogging to your marketing arsenal also increases your chances.
Onibalusi Bamidele is a proof. Even when people still pick on some of his grammatical errors in his posts, he’s a freelance writing rockstar!
Thanks for this great confidence booster, Jovell 🙂
JOVELLALINGOD says
You’re welcome! I had the same mindset before. I was even thinking of using a pen name because I thought clients will notice my last name and them off. Boy was I wrong!
Anthony Dejolde says
Hi Jovell,
Kudos on having a post here on BAFB!
It’s a site about blogging/writing that deserves accolades.
I love your ideas about how to effectively use LinkedIn. I knew about using keywords, but the way you have explained it made a great impression on me. In fact, I will go check my account later to apply some of your tactics. 🙂
Your suggestion about mentioning past jobs is also worthwhile to apply. If I may add–it’s also wise for bloggers to insert in their profiles some of their interests that are not, in anyway, related to their writing business. As an example, I mentioned in my Google Plus profile that I love German Shepherds. (That aside from my wife, Sheps are my house companions.) This little info mentioned casually, led me to a gig. The client also owns pets of the same breed, prompting her that she could work with me much better than the other contenders of the job opportunity who don’t have an affinity for Sheps! (“,)
Your point mentioned in “move no. 5” (about well-structured emails) also is insightful. Clients will be impressed if you always sound professional in your written messages. Besides, if you’re a blogger, whatever you write would be taken as a reflection of what you can actually do in your job.
Finally, I’m proud to say I come from the same lineage as yours. Your pen rocks!
JOVELLALINGOD says
Thanks Anthony! LinkedIn is the best avenue for finding great clients. There’s also a group that offers Free Premium accounts to attendees of their webinars called LinkedIn for Journalists. It’s been around for several years but it’s just this year that I got to attend. I suggest you take advantage of that too.
I have yet to become well-versed with Google + though. But so far it has connected me to lots of great people.
And you made me remember I got 2 of my past clients by mentioning that I’m a mom (but that was in a cover letter). So really, almost everything about us is a medium for attracting clients. 🙂
Aisha Shehu says
Hello Jovell,
This is a very valuable and inspiring post. I am also not a native English speaker but I grew up speaking it and was also taught with it through school. I know I use English even while thinking. What language do use for your thoughts? I bet most people who can write in English also think with it.
Keep the writing flag flying no matter your origin 🙂
JOVELLALINGOD says
That’s actually one of my top advice for aspiring freelance bloggers who are not native speakers – Think in English! You have an edge when you’re exposed to the language everyday, I did. But if that’s not the case, then learning it would take dedication and thinking in English definitely helps hasten the learning process. Thanks!!
Tahir Taous says
I started making money by writing articles. My English skills are not very good, but Editor Ricky Onsman was very helpful, he asked me make some changes in my first article and told me what to do before submitting articles.
I asked my friends to proofread my articles and they did it for me.
I write about web design and then pay to proofread my articles.
So If you have knowledge start sharing, if your English is weak like me, you can ask your friends, family members, colleagues to proofread your articles.
Don’t hesitate to pay someone to proofread.
I failed to make money because i never shared my knowledge about web design. I used to think my articles will be rejected because my English us not good.
i started making money since i started sharing my knowledge (writing articles ).
Start sharing your knowledge, expertise as soon as possible.
Jovell says
That’s a good move Tahir. Asking for help is never wrong. And web design tutorials and blog posts are so in demand so you have a lot of opportunities in front of you. 🙂
Chinelo Oputa says
Believe me Jovell, I have learnt one important lesson from your post: leaving insightful comments. I never knew that could get anyone a blogging job. And I have read scores of beautifully written posts that really taught me something new without saying a word, at least not to the writer. But now, I’m willing to start. With this!
Then again, you’re right that the freelance blogging marketplace is now a level ground for writers of all nationalities regardless of what your mothertongue is. If you can prove yourself as a professional writer with the ‘pro’ capitalised, any client whose focus is on quality will be delighted to take you on board.
Well, I wouldn’t say I am a testimony to this because I haven’t found a high-paying gig yet. And maybe that’s because I have been leaving some things undone, like leaving an insightful comment. But the majority of my work on Elance have been applauded even though English isn’t my first language. The client I presently have there now practically accepts all my submissions without asking for revisions. She even tells me when any of them gets a 5 star feedback which happens more often than not.
So this post boosts my confidence and encourages me to search for ways, conventional and unconventional, to market my freelance writing skills. Thanks again.
Jovell says
I’m glad it helped you even in a little way Chinelo. Sometimes, the comments section is overlooked but for us freelance bloggers, that space proves to be a great research and marketing tool. 🙂