Be a Freelance Blogger

Learn to make REAL money blogging for hire

  • Blog
  • About
    • About You and Me
    • Write for Us
    • Get in Touch
  • Training & Coaching
  • Get the Book
  • Need a Blogger?

About Lauren Spear

Lauren Spear is a multiple award-winning freelance writer and the former Managing Editor of Be a Freelance Blogger. Find out more about her at LittleZotz Writing.

By Lauren Spear 6 Comments

Lauren’s Last Post (And What Comes Next for BAFB)

Lauren’s Last Post (And What Comes Next for BAFB)

A lot can happen in just over five years…

For those of you who don’t know me: My name is Lauren Tharp. I’m the owner of the multiple award-winning LittleZotz Writing. And, since the summer of 2013, I was the Managing Editor of Be a Freelance Blogger.

Yup. “Was.” I’m leaving.

Don’t cry. This is actually good news. I’m now a full-time editor for Syed Balkhi’s Awesome Motive.

With my new full-time employee status (no more freelancing!), I simply don’t have time for BAFB like I used to. But BAFB will always, always hold a special place in my heart.

Sophie Lizard is absolutely amazing, and Be a Freelance Blogger is a website I’m immensely proud to have been a part of.

I’ve met so many great writers – some of whom have become great friends! It’s been a blast.

I’ll let Sophie take over in a minute, but… in no particular order, here are my Top 10 favorite BAFB articles:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Get Hired, Guest Posts

By Lauren Spear 102 Comments

PITCHFEST: Tell Us Your Tips and Tricks!

PITCHFEST: Tell Us Your Tips and Tricks!

March is nearly over. Bet you thought we forgot about throwing Pitchfest this month, didn’t you? 😉

Well, SURPRISE! It’s Pitchfest time again!!

This time we’re looking for your best tips and tricks for getting published. How do YOU make it past the Pitching Editor?!

Let me tell you how I do it:

I follow the Editor’s guidelines.

It’s honestly that simple.

As an editor myself, I know how annoying it is when writers don’t follow the guidelines I’ve set up. Even as a newbie freelancer, I wrote about the importance of following the guidelines here on the BAFB blog. Then, as an editor with years of experience under my belt, I went into full-on RANT MODE on my own blog about this topic.

Following the editor’s guidelines is of upmost importance when it comes to getting your foot in the door. In fact, many editors won’t even read your pitch if you don’t follow the guidelines — forget about actually getting published!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

By Lauren Spear 105 Comments

PITCHFEST: The Time is NOW!

PITCHFEST: The Time is NOW!

This month’s theme is all about time: using it, saving it, managing it, billing for it…

So, in the interest of saving us all some time, let’s get right to the contest!

We Want to Hear YOUR Ideas

In case you’re not familiar, Pitchfest is a blog post pitching contest we run here on Be a Freelance Blogger every three months. You tell us your blog post idea and we choose our favorites, with prizes of up to $100 for the winners.

The contest starts today.

Your theme for this Pitchfest

This time we’re looking for pitches on the theme of “time.”

Interpret that theme any way you like! It could be anything from how to write faster blog posts for clients, how to bill for the time you’ve worked, or how to manage your time as a blogger when you’ve got newborn twins and three puppies to look after — anything!

We’re looking forward to seeing what YOU come up with.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Get Hired

By Lauren Spear 171 Comments

PITCHFEST: Maintaining Your Professional Freelance Blogging Integrity

PITCHFEST: Maintaining Your Professional Freelance Blogging Integrity

[Note from Sophie: Yes, this is a Pitchfest announcement with the usual $100 prize. But don’t skip to the contest – first, Lauren has some helpful advice to share with you about how to spare yourself the horror of working on a project that goes against your personal ethics and values.]

When it comes to freelance blogging, what you don’t do is just as important as what you do.

Every once in a while, you’ll be faced with a tough decision, and you’ll have to look deep inside yourself to see what you’re truly capable of. Are you willing to sell out an entire race just to feed your family? Is earning a paycheck more important than your humanity?

Earlier this year, I was hired by what I’d assumed to be a legitimate publication. I quickly found out that they were peddling hate speech and wanted ME to write it for them. I refused and removed myself from the project.

From there, I wrote a few posts on my personal website about my views on certain issues – sexuality, racism, etc. – so that future clients wouldn’t be confused about where I stand. I made it clear that I don’t tolerate hate, and that I refuse to write about it (unless it’s in the context of stopping said hate).

This put me in the Famine part of the Feast or Famine cycle for a while. Turning down a high-paying job is never easy, even if you believe strongly in your moral convictions.

However, thanks to the posts I made, I ended up with one of the best jobs of my career. They liked what I had to say on issues that were important to them. Because we were in synch on the tough issues, we ended up getting along incredibly well – and I fully back their company’s mission statement.

By sharing a little about my personal views, I was able to weed out the clients who were bad for me; and draw in the clients who were a perfect fit. It was a risky move, but well worth it.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Level Up

By Lauren Spear 11 Comments

How to NOT Be Your Freelance Blogging Client’s Fool

How to NOT Be Your Freelance Blogging Client’s Fool

Yes, I’m aware of the date. No, this post is not a joke. In fact, it’s as serious as they come.

I couldn’t resist doing a post about “fools” on April Fool’s Day. After all, there are so many ways clients can make fools out of us freelance bloggers.

Sometimes we play the fool when a client refuses to pay. Other times, we’ll be made a fool when a client keeps piling on work that we didn’t sign on for. Or maybe, you’re that sad fool whose had the misfortune of working for an abusive client? Ah, yes… the saddest fool of all, perhaps.

Well, it’s time to take a cue from Cinderella and become “Nobody’s Fool.” (Feel free to play that song in the background while you read this to get in the proper mindset).

The Client Who Makes You a Fool by Not Paying

This is one of the most common ways a client can make a fool out of a freelance blogger. It happens, on occasion, to even the best, most established freelance bloggers. It’s nothing to be ashamed of… but it is irritating as all get out.

The first step is not to panic, or let rage consume you. You absolutely must stay calm.

From there, try resending your invoice, with a little reminder that it’s past due.

Still no response? Then it’s time to send your client a carefully-worded e-mail about the situation.

Try something like:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Get Paid, Stay Sane

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

What Do You Want to Do?

  • Get Started
  • Get Hired
  • Get Paid
  • Blog Better
  • Level Up
  • Stay Sane
  • Work with Sophie

Learn from My Teachers [Affiliate Links]

TheHighlyPaidFreelanceWriter:HowtoEarn10XMoreThanOtherWritersEveninThisEconomy

RoadmaptoYourFirstWritingClient

Grow Your Writing Income: Learn How

How to Grow a Blog From 0 to $1,000 a Month of Passive Income

Get the Book

How to Pitch a Blog Post book cover

Read Our Top Posts

9 Places to Find Blogging Job Ads That Don’t Suck

Freelance Writing Jobs: Your Ultimate “Get the Gigs” Guide

Why Your Freelancing Face Scares Rich Clients Away

Money and Personal Finance Blogging: Try These Blogs for Paid Freelance Writing Jobs

88 Science and Tech Blogs & Publications That Hire Freelance Writers

How Much Freelance Bloggers Earn: The Surprising Truth

How Nude Photos Convinced Clients to Hire a Blogger With a Shocking Past

  • Get Started
  • Get Hired
  • Get Paid
  • Blog Better
  • Level Up
  • Stay Sane
  • Work with Sophie

Copyright © 2023 · Generate Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in