So you sent the perfect query letter to your ideal client — the one whose blog you practically dream about writing for (that doesn’t make you a loser, right? Right.) — and you’re so freakin’ excited because they want to hire you!

But… not until they’ve spoken to you on the phone first.

Ah, shit.

Knowing you’re actually going to have to talk to somebody, using your own voice and your own brain full of your own thoughts, is terrifying. What if you ramble on, or stutter, or say something completely moronic that ruins your chances of ever being hired by anyone EVER AGAIN?

Fact is, some people simply will not hire you without talking to you first, either on the phone or via Skype. [Skype? Video calls? Double aargh!]

They want to hear your voice, know you’re trustworthy —professional— and that you are who you say you are. Basically, they want to get a feel for you (minds out of the gutter, please). More importantly, they want to know you’re going to be able to do the job justice. That you know the subject, can write about it in an informed manner, and have your own insightful comments to add.

And the worst part is, you know you can do it… you’re just not sure you can convince somebody of that over the phone. After all, you’re a writer, not a speaker. Shouldn’t your written words be enough, damn it?

Sadly not, mon petit pois. But fortunately, there are a few things you can do to up your on-the-phone game. Here are 11 tips to boost your chances of being hired to write for your dream blog (or, you know, any blog) over the phone:  [Read more…]