Be a Freelance Blogger

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 4 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 Lauren Tharp, BAFB Managing Editor 6 Comments — Last updated October 29, 2016

How to Blog Like Every Day is Halloween

We don’t do a lot of holiday-based posts here on BAFB. However, even though this post is Halloween-themed, the advice in it is “evergreen.” Besides, like the title says, this is how to blog like every day is Halloween. 😉

That said, like most white people, Halloween is one of my all-time favorite holidays. And I’m really feeling in the spirit this month! So much so that I decided to give you BAFBers some Halloween-based freelance blogging advice.

So don your costume, dim the lights, munch on some candy, and get ready to revamp your freelance blogging career in the spookiest way possible! [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…]

By Andrew Howe 5 Comments — Last updated October 8, 2016

How to Not Burn Out While Working Freelance

You have been scrolling different websites for several hours to find something to boost inspiration. And it’s not the first time you realize that time goes by soooooo slowly.

Neither articles nor motivational quotes help you roll up your sleeves to start writing a good blog post.

Hold on a minute. Are you about to burn out?

Let’s check it:

You procrastinate at work (Oops! It seems, you do!)
Irritating mood
You don’t have motivation
Decreased working performance (how many articles have you written today?)
You get negative feedback from your clients
A lack of creative ideas (you’ve run out of good ideas)

If you are nodding right now, I have bad news for you then: you might be emotionally and physically exhausted.

Being a freelance blogger, you spend much time reading, writing, editing, seeking out new clients, communicating with customers, being in contact with your readers, and managing your time.

Obviously, being responsible for your work from A to Z is not an easy thing to do, and it can lead to a burnout. [Read more…]

By Jorden Roper 23 Comments — Last updated October 1, 2016

Exactly How I Doubled My Freelance Blogging Rates in Less Than One Year

About a year and a half ago, I was where you probably are today.

Underpaid, overworked, and wondering how the hell I was going to find clients who’d pay hundreds of dollars for a blog post.

I get it – when you’re starting out, booking yourself with tons of high-paying freelance blogging clients seems about as achievable as chugging an entire 30-pack of beer without barfing your guts up the next day.

But I’m here to tell you that it is possible to boost your freelance blogging pay fast.

When I started freelancing full-time, I charged about 10 cents per word. Now, I typically charge a flat rate that is twice that (or more!).

You may be thinking:

That sounds too good to be true. I don’t have a degree or any connections to help me make it happen.

I didn’t have those things either. But what I did have was a crazy work ethic and marketing/sales knowledge – that’s what helped me scale my business so fast.

So today, I want to share that knowledge with you. Keep reading, and you’ll learn 4 strategies you can use to double your freelance blogging rates. [Read more…]

By Lauren Tharp, BAFB Managing Editor 141 Comments — Last updated September 24, 2016

Can You Negotiate Your Way to a $100 Prize? It’s PITCHFEST Time!

PITCHFEST! PITCHFEST! PITCHFEST! *dances*

Pitchfest is one of my favorite things we do here on Be a Freelance Blogger!

There’s the excitement of knowing that some lucky entrant is going to win a $100 prize – but, more importantly, I love knowing how much these contests help freelance bloggers become better pitchers.

I’ve received literally thousands of pitches in my inbox since I started working for BAFB over three years ago – and most of them were terrible. And, honestly, that’s not surprising! Most freelance bloggers have no idea what a good pitch actually looks like. And that’s because, most of the time, the pitching process is kept private.

This is your chance to view REAL pitches from REAL freelance bloggers – and see what REAL editors have to say about them!

This is your chance to get your pitching style critiqued in a “safe” environment. (Sophie and I are both nice ladies and promise we won’t bite your head off if you slip up!).

This contest is FREE to enter and the prizes and knowledge to be gained are fantastic.

Follow the directions carefully, stick to the theme, and have fun!

Here’s how you enter… [Read more…]

YOURS FREE: $13,355 IN BLOGGING GIGS