Did your latest blogging pitch get accepted, or did it fall flat?
No freelancer can win them all. [But you’ll have a chance to win $100 a bit further down this post, so keep reading.]
One thing I’ve noticed is that top freelance bloggers don’t pitch much.
Now, for the love of all that’s holy, do NOT take this to mean you should stop pitching. You gotta pitch your way up the ladder until you’re close to the top.
When you’ve been doing this for a while and you’ve built a reputation for yourself, blog editors and would-be-clients start to come looking for you. They invite you to work with them.
At that point, full-blown pitches become a lot less important, and topic suggestions often become more important.
When you do pitch to new potential clients, they’re more interested in how your idea fits their content strategy and how your expertise makes you the ideal writer for the post.
So that’s what we’re gonna practice in our June 2015 Pitchfest!
In case you’re not familiar, Pitchfest is a blog post pitching contest we run every 3 months. You tell us your blog post idea and we choose our favourites, with prizes of up to $100 for the winners.
The contest starts today, but before you get your pitchin’ hat on…
Your theme for this Pitchfest
This time, we’re not asking for posts on a specific theme — it just has to be useful to freelance bloggers. But we’re gonna be looking closely at your explanation of why your post idea is a good one for this blog, and why you should be the one to write it for us.
The rules
- Anybody can enter the contest by typing (or pasting) their pitch into the comments box at the bottom of this page.
- Only ONE PITCH per person, please.
- Follow the pitch format I’ll tell you in a moment.
- After you submit your pitch, Lauren and/or Sophie will offer feedback to help you optimise your idea for this blog’s audience and improve your pitching skills. You may also get feedback from other entrants, BAFB team members, and innocent bystanders — pay attention, because they represent your readers here.
- After you get our feedback, you can revise your pitch if you like and re-submit it by pasting it into a follow-up comment. And yes, that means you can offer us a completely different idea if we’ve told you your first idea won’t work for this blog.
- If you win, we’ll ask you to send us a draft of at least 1000 words, so bear that minimum word count in mind when you pitch.
The prizes
- First prize: $100 for your guest post, paid on publication.
- Second prize: $50 for your guest post, paid on publication.
- Third prize: A 3-question mentoring package via email.
The deadline
- Submit your pitch before the end of Thursday, June 11th, 2015.
- We’ll announce the winners on June 13th.
- If we choose your pitch, we expect you to deliver your first draft to Lauren by June 27th. (But if you need a little longer, let us know and we’ll work around it.)
How to pitch
- Read our general guest blogging guidelines first, then come back here to submit your pitch.
- Suggest at least one headline designed to make freelance bloggers want to read your post.
- Follow the headline with the opening lines you’d use in the post. No less than 30 words, no more than 60. You DON’T need to write a whole post (or even a whole introduction) before you pitch — we’d like to give you feedback on your idea before you write a draft.
- After the opening lines, give us no more than 6 points you’ll make in your post, and provide a one or two sentence summary of each point. (If you plan to make more than 6 points in your post, only tell us the most important 6 in your pitch.)
- Then explain in no more than 3 sentences why this is a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger and why you’re the right person to write it.
- Put your pitch in the comment box at the bottom of this page.
- Check the little box that says “Notify me of follow-up comments” so you’ll know when we’ve given you feedback.
- Submit your comment and if you followed all the steps above, you’re entered into the contest.
Extra tips
- Remember, we’re focusing on your explanation of why this is a good post for us and why you should be the one to write it.
- To get a better idea of what Lauren and I are looking for in your pitch, study the pitches and responses in previous Pitchfests.
- Save a copy of your pitch somewhere before you post it here — if your comment gets lost in the internet, you don’t wanna have to re-write it from scratch.
- Your comment may get held in a moderation queue, especially if it contains hyperlinks. Don’t worry if that happens; we’ll get to it and reply!
OK, it’s time.
Let the Pitchfest begin! This contest is closed.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Everyone!
I wrote a blog post over on my blog with some extra PITCHFEST tips/insights, if you’re interested: http://laurentharp.net/pitchfest-hints/
Best of luck to you all! I can’t wait to read your pitches. 😀
–Lauren*
master297 says
Title: 6 lesser known search tips to find valuable guest blogging opportunities in your niche
Opening sentence:
A lot of people are aware of the power of guest blogging. However, few actually know how to go about finding the right opportunities for guest blogging in their own niche. The reason for this is that lots of people are unaware of the current methods available to do this.
Sub-headings;
1. Use all synonyms
In order to cover all bases with the various bloggers, there are varieties of synonyms that different bloggers use; hence, it would make sense to get familiar with these words.
2. Use the * operator
In order to include slightly different results without sacrificing relevance, this operator will help out
3. Use the ‘OR’ and ‘~’ operators
In order to cover the various descriptions that relate to your niche, this operators provide a way out
4. Your current blogging contacts
Your chances of getting guest blogging gigs from the list of your current blogging contacts are high only if you would ask. Lauren Tharp, Sophie Lizard and all the other big guns do this. If they can you can too.
5. Track twitter
Find fresh guest posting opportunities on twitter using various twitter tools. I will get to the tools in a moment, I promise
6. Think young
While it is good to follow the big guns, there are other lesser known blogs out there that use fresh angles to cover what may or may not have been covered before. Compile a list of the places where some of the big guns have guest posted by using the portfolio page on their website and contact these blogs with your guest posts. This might take a while so don’t give up.
Why BAFB?
Even though Sophie’s list of 75 better-paid blogging gigs is almost exhaustive, the methods outlined can be used both paying and non-paying blogging gigs.
Why I can write about this topic
I’ve been freelance writing for close to three years. I love writing about giving tips and I believe this article will offer excellent tips for people looking for blogging gigs both paid and unpaid without knowing any form of coding.
Alicia Rades says
I’m really interested in this topic, and the search engine tips isn’t something that’s been done here before. Personally, I would love to see this topic narrowed down to just search engine tricks. Do you know of more?
One I can think of is using site:[name of site], which is good for weeding out options on Craigslist.
Below is one search item Jenn Mattern suggested, but I don’t know what all the symbols mean and would love an article on how to customize your search.
writer and “compensation: * per article” site:craigslist.org
Sophie Lizard says
I think your angle in the pitch is a little *too* narrow.
Given that many of our readers aren’t at all familiar with search operators, that interests me a lot — like Alicia said, it’s something we haven’t covered before.
Instead of focusing on guest blogging, I’d love to see a post that explains what different search operators mean and how freelance bloggers can use them for a whole range of purposes, from finding guest blogging opportunities to searching out experts for interviews or online sources for research. 🙂
Alicia Rades says
I’m not even familiar with the term “search operator.” Does that make me sound stupid?
But yeah, I’d love an overview or “cheat sheet” on how to use these symbols to narrow down searches for clients and such.
Here’s just one resource I ran across https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2466433?hl=en
Craig Martin says
Good resource, Alicia.
Although a lot of operators, boolean terms and other tricks work across various search engines, they can definitely vary in what you get.. or not get.
Pluses and quotes have been used in databases for years — ask any librarian who’s used Dialog or LexisNexis in the 80s/90s — so using something like +”looking for” +”blogger” +”per post” may find better results than a simple, basic search.
As you can see from Yandex (http://help.yandex.com/search/how-to-search/search-operators.xml), some of the operators are similar while others look more like you’re programming in JavaScript or C++.
Have fun with the comparisons. 🙂
Rebekah Olsen says
Nice link! I’d also be interested in knowing more about what search operators mean.
Craig Martin says
I’d offer to write on this topic — hey, I spent plenty of time in graduate classes about ’em — but I don’t want to take away from the original commenter’s pitch.
master297 says
@Sophie, I was thinking along with the theme of this blog. hence the reason why the topic is only being related with guest blogging. but if that is the topic you want, then, I am open to changes.
@Sophie, the “notify me of follow-up comments by email” is not working for me and I ticked the box yesterday when I posted. don’t know why. this is the reason why I have not replied since yesterday
@Rebekah, thanks for your support.
@Craig, are you trying to hijack this topic from me? lol, just kidding
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Feel free to re-pitch your topic from the angle that Sophie suggested. 🙂
master297 says
Thanks Alicia, and thanks again for your help in the BAFB forum, I am always grateful.
Derek Thompson says
I think the idea is great (what I understand of it!), and I’d like to understand more of the context – why these things matter and how they are used.
Someone says
So the prompt is about freelance blogging? Hahahaha lol. Stupidest thing I ever heard.
Sophie Lizard says
And that’s why *you* aren’t winning the $100, dude. 😉
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Someone is surprised that a blog called Be A Freelance Blogger wants articles on how to be a freelance blogger? Now I’m the one loling. 😀
Bonnie Byler says
Title: No one is reading your blog. Is it because your content is lame? Probably not!
Opening words:
Sound familiar? All your friends and even your Mom say you have a gift. You think your ideas rule and so you start a blog. Despite your best efforts, no one is reading the thing! Were they wrong about you? Probably not. You’re likely just looking for love in all the wrong places (and at the wrong times)!
Point 1: Blogging is not the hardest part of blogging.
Anyone can write a blog, even a good blog. People who can’t write or communicate well don’t often tend to aspire to be bloggers so it’s likely you’re going to see a lot of decent ones in your day. What matters are the way it’s constructed, where you share it and when. These are skills of a promoter and this is why a blogger must also learn to be a marketer.
Point 2: You’re building something here.
When you write out your thoughts as though you are having a conversation with your friend, that friend is probably the only person who will read it and get your wavelength. “Good” blogs that are destined for internet fame are going to contain structure, key points, catchy phrases and SEO tactics. Knowing the components of a successful blog is the first step.
Point 3: Looking for love in all the wrong places.
You can’t write a blog about your daughter’s piano recital, share it on Facebook to your closest friends and expect it to get a VBA off the bat. Knowing who to share your content with, and how to do that, are basic needs for blog survival.
Point 4: Being at the airport when your boat arrives.
Like having supreme content and knowing where to take it, you also need to know when to share. Bombarding your 1,000 Twitter followers at 9:30 a.m. is not going to get you going viral. Using analytics to track your reach and the times when your target audience is most engaged has become a real necessity for getting your material in front of the right sets of eyes.
Point 5: Go with what you know.
None of us are super-genius-know-it-alls. Obviously we can’t be experts on everything we blog about but it also is true that if you are a professional painter, it doesn’t make sense for you to start a blog on the pains of being a Rocket Technician. Going with what you know, or things that interest you, will put you in front of the right people because you already engage with your target audience to a degree. You will have less need for research and will be more savvy with sourcing great content and references for your topics.
Why you and why me?
Too many people are floundering as freelancers and don’t know why. They need to understand it’s not their talent, it’s the lack of these few tools that they may not be aware of. I do this for a living (media marketing and content curation) and through my knowledge, we can show them the way!
Alicia Rades says
I love blog posts on this topic because they always seem to come with a fresh perspective from the writer’s experiences.
However, I’m wondering how you’ll make this freelance blogging related so that it’s for writers who blog for clients. This topic sounds more related to personal blogging (where there isn’t a client involved).
Bonnie Byler says
Hi Alicia 🙂
Thanks for your comments! Sure, my actual perspective is from someone who does blog and create other content for clients so there will be plenty of material directing toward that. I believe the post can be written in such a way that anyone- personal or business- can use the information to better their content and delivery. For example, the section on analytics would be useful for discovering how the content is faring with the readers. That will help build more useful material in future posts.
Also, in a nutshell, if we’re developing posts for ourselves or for a client, we have to know what works, what to write about, what to put out there and how to construct it if we have any hope of being “hired” or having our posts featured. I think this write-up would be a good foundation with tips on how to stay on the right path.
What do you think?
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
“If we’re developing posts for ourselves or for a client, we have to know what works, what to write about, what to put out there and how to construct it if we have any hope of being “hired” or having our posts featured.”
Great point. 🙂
Bonnie Byler says
Thanks! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Bonnie!
Interesting take. “Point 2” was of particular interest to me as I like to write out my blog posts as if I’m writing to a friend… It helps my posts (I hope!) come off as non-robotic/not stiff. Sometimes when the emphasis is put more heavily on the SEO tactics rather than the “personality” of the post, the writing loses a lot of its appeal. And since blog posts with “personality” are kind of our thing here at BAFB, I’d be curious how you could take on this topic in a way that’s got some flair to it.
I’m also interested in the “evergreen”ness of the tips at hand. Other than the most basic of basic “SEO” and social media articles, much of the information on those topics tends to be outdated a year later.
Concerns aside, I liked a lot of what you said. And I’m glad you answered Alicia’s question (because I would have asked the same thing if she hadn’t). 🙂
Bonnie Byler says
Hi Lauren and all 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts! So, regarding “not writing like you’re talking to your friend,” it would be important to explain that, as you mentioned, that personality has to have a way through the SEO. That is a great way to explain it.
While the formulated structure of a technical blog can be so dull at times, there is a fancy way to marry those SEO hacks into friendly banter. I would like to take a direction that supports being casual and using personality while still maintaining a set-up that supports structure, albeit secretely 😉
As for the tips being evergreen, that’s a cool way of putting it. I plan to use ideas that are time-tested, (such as going with what you know as a good starting point), as well as those that apply to the current day’s trends. It might be useful to do some comparing by example on how some things have changed, and maybe how to keep abreast of things like that in the future.
What do you think? 🙂
Thanks!
Bonnie
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Sounds good to me, Bonnie. 🙂
David Whicker says
Headline: Just 30 Seconds: Attention Deficit Readers (ADC)
Opening: A quick and catchy headline may indeed draw them in. The most important question is whether they stay. The battle for a visitors attention is the greatest challenge and you are 30 seconds away from losing them.
Major Points:
1. Hooked with the headline, now what – most important 30 seconds of your blog post.
2. Attention Deficit Reading Disorder (ADRD) – everyone has it in our information overloaded society. How to create content your readers will want to finish.
3. In the end it is the content that counts – would you pay to read the information you produce?
Why: I love to write, teach, lead, and help others – it’s not about the money. I have been afforded great opportunities and developed my own unique style through years of practice and helpful feedback. One does not need a Masters Degree in 18th Century Old English Poetry to be an effective writer.
Alicia Rades says
This looks like a nice topic that would work well in the “Blogging Better” category. I’m interested in seeing more fleshed out points and maybe a headline with an action verb in it.
But I’m not one of the judges. It’s just a suggestion. 🙂
David Whicker says
Thank you for the feedback!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, David!
Yep. What Alicia said. Your pitch sounds pretty cool, but it’s hard to be sure because you haven’t given us enough information about what you plan to say: the points you’ll make, the examples or evidence you’ll use, the advice you’ll share…
Please send a more detailed outline to help us make a decision.
David Whicker says
Thanks again for the feedback and maybe if I provide a brief summary that would help. My impression from the pitch request was to not write the entire blog so I assumed it was more of a teaser. However, I please review the following:
Summary:
We live in a culture today quite frankly that has our senses in overdrive to the point one barely can concentrate. Given the quick fix, fast food, microwave, instant this or that, pop-ups, alerts, and even news cycles where headlines are old in one hour; the question becomes how do you attract a reader and keep them engaged.
So a cute headline with some play on words or promise of $5,000 or 200 extra followers may get you the click but when they arrive how much will they review before they move on? It is the content that and substance that is quick and actionable. It is that nugget of information that can be applied very easily and if followed will provide tangible results. This is what folks will want more of.
Those who come to your blog already have their own formulated personal views, political interests, causes, thoughts, and beliefs. So what I call the “preaching to your friends blog” is flat out pointless.
You literally have 30 seconds or less to engage the reader and maybe only one chance at that to show them your blog is worth a second look. The studies are numerous on attention spans and the references to these could go on for days. In fact some offer much less optimistic information as you may only have as little as 15 seconds. Most humans formulate an opinion and decide if they are going to get along with you within the first 2 to 5 minutes they meet you for the first time. Attention span is true whether in an interview, watching TV, talking to a spouse, or reading a blog.
So what’s the win? I believe that the points outlined and fleshed out will offer just what one needs know at least to understand that it is more than how well you write, how awesome your headline may be, and how many followers you may have. So when writing a blog post, the most important information is:
1. Yes, the headline is about the only way to at least attract a potential reader to click and open. So I will discuss how to create great headlines.
2. Your readers all have the same disorder, I term it (ADRD) and therefore you must create content, format that content, and strategically place pieces of information in the correct order and place.
3. Content is key – you may even get them to read your first blog post or a specific blog post which would be considered a huge success for most. However, what are the takeaways? What are the action items? Is there substance? Did you cause the reader to actually contemplate the material while at the same time not overly complicating it to the point they have to understand all three Matrix movies.
Finally, how do you keep them coming back? I will discuss the seriousness of each blog post and how you must write it as if it is the only one you will ever get to write and the reader might ever read. Did you get the message across and was it worth my time?
I hope this helps and thank you for your consideration. I am new to this site and find it very interesting. I love to write and I am a published author and ghostwriter but I find blogging very interesting. We will see what happens.
Have a great day and good luck to everyone else!
Sophie Lizard says
Thanks for the extra info! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Thanks for clarifying, David!
Rebekah Olsen says
Title: Sitting on a Gold Mine: 5 Rules for Creating Authentic Stories from a Gold Buyer
As a freelance blogger, you’re competing against an intricate web of never ending content.
It’s daunting and damn near impossible to write original stories that stand out from the crowd.
You know authentic stories can build deeper connections with your or your client’s audience, but how do you land on a gold mine of a story and tell it in a way that drives action?
1. The Mafia Rule
The first one to speak loses. If you listen to your audience first, they’ll tell you what stories they want to hear.
2. The Midas Rule
Your best story is usually not your first, second or third idea. Experiment with different moments before hitting publish.
3. The Cardinal Rule
You can’t write authentically if you aren’t authentic to yourself or your client’s brand. Earn your audience’s trust and attention by using that unique voice. No one else can do it but you.
4. The Golden Rule
You don’t have to be the best writer; you just have to be a little bit better. Use proper grammar and stellar story telling techniques to keep your reader’s attention and guide them to the end of your content.
5. The Closing Rule
You’ve got a great story, you’ve written authentically and you nailed the syntax. Don’t leave your readers wondering what to do next, close the sale with a call-to-action.
What for and Why Me?
There’s enough fluff in the world, but creating original content isn’t as simple as just telling a personal story. You have to sell it too. I built my successful precious metal recycling business on sales tactics, customer relations and story telling, and I’d love to share that unique knowledge and experience with BAFB readers.
Thanks for the consideration 🙂
Rebekah
Alicia Rades says
I love posts that bridge ideas between freelance blogging and the writer’s experience. So, are you a gold buyer, then? I assume these rules are all terms that apply to gold buying, right? I’d be interested in seeing this post and how you relate gold buying to freelance blogging!
Rebekah Olsen says
Yes I am! It’s an interesting experience to say the least. And these rules are the sole reason my business was successful. The connection will be weaved through the story…just couldn’t fit it into the word count for the pitch. 😛 Thanks for the feedback!
Alicia Rades says
I personally think this would make a great post.
But I’m not one of the judges, just a comment moderator.
Rebekah Olsen says
I’ll just tuck that away into my compliment folder for when I’m having a down day then. 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
I’m interested in the theme at the heart of this — the connection between storytelling and selling — and I love a good backstory. 🙂
But I feel like the 5 rules in your pitch don’t quite do the theme (or you) justice. Maybe it’s just the space constraints of Pitchfest. Can you show us more on just one of those rules so we can see how they’d flesh out in your draft?
Rebekah Olsen says
Of course. I originally had it all connected, but it exceeded the word count. I went with the first rule (mafia). It’s the most difficult to connect and the longest to explain. It should give you a good idea of the direction I can take with this.
1. The Mafia Rule
The first one to speak loses. If you listen to your audience first, they’ll tell you what stories they want to hear.
Unlike pawnshops, in my gold buying business I strive to not negotiate my prices—imagine a CarMax for jewelry. When you open a sale up to negotiations, you compromise trust and credibility with your customer.
Why not give me a better price the first time I asked?
Not cool, right?
Instead I give my customers the best price the first time. Just like CarMax gives you a set sticker price on your dream car that you can feel good about (without having to fight for it).
But nailing down that perfect price can be difficult. The benchmark pricing of gold is always changing—every second, in fact–and I can’t exactly waltz into another pawnshop to find out what price will beat theirs.
So, how do I do my market research, stay ahead of the competition and set the perfect price?
I listen.
Nobody likes awkward silences, not nobody.
If I sit there long enough, my customers will start chatting about their previous jewelry-selling experiences, the terrible service, the frustrating negotiations, and the offer that was 10% too low.
Boom. I’ve got my market intel.
If you spend all your time writing your heart out, posting to the world and never listening, your losing out on that gold mine of story that’s really going to resonate with your audience.
You need to do your market research and listen to what your audience wants to read, the first time.
Read the comments of your blog posts, what’s a common theme there? Did one of your readers ask for more information on a topic?
Search twitter for hashtags that relate to your niche. What type of topics are trending?
Join forums where your target audience asks questions about problems they want to solve.
• Which questions aren’t being answered?
• What holes aren’t being filled?
• What stories are your own audience telling, but haven’t been formally written online?
Ask your client what problems their target audience has? How does their company fix that problem?
Don’t let your audience wonder why you didn’t write that great story a long time ago. Nail it the first time.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Thanks for giving us some more details, Rebekah! 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
I like this a lot, Rebekah, thanks!
Rebekah Olsen says
You’re both welcome!
Daniel Rose says
I’d like to read this post, I’m keen to hear more about how what you learned in the gold buying market has translated 🙂
Rebekah Olsen says
Thanks Daniel! All of the skills I learned from being a gold buyer and entrepreneur have transferred over to freelancing. I think most people’s previous experiences do; you just have to learn to recognize them.
Bryn says
Headline: How to Write a Blogging Resume That Will Get You Hired
Opening: We’ve all heard the drill- the best way to get hired as a blogger is to write, write, write, and to market yourself. But all too often bloggers forget the most important tool to marketing yourself is through a great resume. As a blogger, however, the standard resume isn’t going to work for you.
Subheadings:
1. Formatting Guest posts/Freelance gigs- A lot of blogging, especially for those starting out in blogging, consists of guest posts for various web sites. Formatting these can be a little tricky, but it is an important part of your writing to showcase!
2. Ways to Market Non-relevant Work Related Skills- Many bloggers and writers have jobs outside of writing to support themselves until their writing career takes off. Luckily there are ways to find relevant skills in non-writing positions that will help expand your experience.
3.Make an Online Resume- Because blogging is an on-line job, creating an online resume and portfolio of your work is an easy and effective way to approach job hunting, but only if done correctly.
4. What to Not Include on Your Resume- There are a few things that will immediately get your resume thrown in the reject pile. Being discreet can sometimes be to your benefit.
5. Finding Ways to Fill Out Your Resume- A well rounded resume is impressive to future employers. As a blogger, there are a handful of a great resources and activities you can utilize to really fill out your experience in blogging and writing.
6. Writing a Cover Letter- Since you are selling yourself as a writer, the cover letter is an extremely important part of every blogger’s resume! The cover letter is a chance to shine and really showcase your writing skills.
Why BAFB: A lot of BAFB followers, myself included, utilize the site in hopes of becoming a full time blogger. But a lot of the resources like the better paid blogging gig list pay more attention when you have a resume showcasing your experience. This article would be a great addition to help readers land those paying blog gigs.
Why I can write about this topic: Since stumbling across Sophie and Lauren at Be A Freelance Writer, I’ve landed 2 well paying ongoing contract blogging gigs- in only 2 months! Besides the constant writing, the best and most effective way I’ve been able to land jobs is by marketing myself through a resume that stands out to employers and gets me job offers.
Alicia Rades says
Do people use resumes for freelance blogging jobs? I personally don’t. Is that a thing?
Bryn says
Exactly! So many bloggers do not utilize a good resume, and when I do, I definitely stand out from the crowd and get a lot more interest. So personally, I do all the time! Not so much for pitching guest posts, but for ongoing blogging jobs through job sites like Indeed.com or Flexjobs.com. Sometimes after pitching a guest post idea I’ve been asked to provide some sort of writing examples or varify experiance in blogging, and a resume is a great way to easily give a run down and help myself stand out from other bloggers.
Rebekah Olsen says
Good tip! Maybe I’ll start using mine now. 😛
Bryn says
Hahaha awesome! If you have any questions or advice getting a good resume up and running, lemme know! 🙂
Rebekah Olsen says
Hi! I personally don’t use a resume as a freelance blogger, but I could see this article tweaked a little to be more about writing an About page for your website…which is essentially a writer’s resume. I’d love to hear more about what you have to say with #2.
master297 says
@Rebekah, just wondering, are you the one writing this post? again, just wondering
Bryn says
Thanks! Point #2 is my favorite one, because it involves creativity and thinking outside the box, but I love helping people see how really versatile they are and help market themselves 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
I haven’t used a resume in years — but I do see blogging job ads where they ask you to send one along with your writing samples, so it’s definitely a thing in some areas of the freelance blogging landscape.
Here are my questions for you, Bryn:
What do you see as the main difference between a resume and a completed LinkedIn profile?
Are you able to show us any data comparing the success rate of “with resume” to “without resume” applications for similar roles? (It could be your own data or from a research source.)
Bryn says
Many of the freelance blog job postings have drop box for your resume to be submitted. Not only is it impossible (and unprofessional) to write “See Linkedin Profile”, it is actually impossible to apply for the job without submitting a solid, standard PDF resume. So while I love LinkedIn and definitely utilize it (shout out to your recent e-mails and seminars on it 😀 ), you really should have a great resume ready to go aside from Linkedin.
It doesn’t surprise me that you haven’t needed one in a while, as you are much more experienced, are well known, and have the networking that comes with that kind of knowledge. But as a beginner blogger, having a resume has been a huge help in landing paying blogging jobs that have in turn given me more experience and landed me more exposure. Linkedin and networking is great, but landing a contract ongoing blogging job that pays over $50 a post helps me financially keep going and legitimizes me as a blogger. I would not have even been able to apply to get those jobs without a PDF resume.
I could pull in some data with some research, especially on subjects like what percentage of posted blogging jobs on major websites require resumes. I could also include my own statistics from jobs I have applied to, such as the success rate of job offers from places I applied to with a resume verses the rate of job offers where my resume was not included.
I really think that if more bloggers took the time to set up a resume, it would really help them reach some financial goals and get paid experience in blogging and writing faster than just by relying on personal websites and/or Linkedin. I know it certainly has worked for me! And it seems to be an overlooked factor that tends to get ignored, so it could be a great piece of interest.
Thanks for the questions, and let me know if you have any other ideas/comments! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Intriguing pitch, Bryn! I really like point #2. 🙂 There’ve been a lot of times when my “non-relevant” skills/jobs have clenched blogging jobs for me.
However, I’ve only had one writing job where I was required to bring in a resume… But your tips would work well for a LinkedIn profile or Writing Samples/Portfolio page.
Sophie Lizard says
Excellent answers, Bryn — I’m liking this idea more and more!
Sophie Lizard says
Oh, P.S. for anyone who’s got a completed LinkedIn profile but no PDF resume:
You can use LinkedIn’s Resume Builder app to automatically convert your LinkedIn profile into a decently laid-out PDF.
http://resume.linkedinlabs.com/
Derek Thompson says
Thanks for this, Sophie.
Bryn says
Good point- I was going to mention this as well, as I experimented with the Linkedin PDF version for a resume. I found that it still needed some tweaking and was pretty bland, but I think it is a great tool to use as a starting point for building a more complete PDF resume!
Bryn says
Thank you so much! I’m really liking the idea and feedback from people- I will definitely go ahead and write this piece anyway because I am sensing that a lot of people haven’t really utilized a blogger specific resume, and would love to help promote the use of such and help others succeed. In any case, thanks for the feedback! 🙂
Bryn says
Thanks! I definitely would like to have a section where I could address LinkedIn resumes specifically, as there are a few restrictions, benefits, etc. that are LinkedIn specific. I think a lot of the information would be very transferable from a PDF resume to a LinkedIn profile, and as a result is still relevant to those who rely solely on LinkedIn and/or About pages. It’s been great to see how many people do not really know that much about either- I think it is a relatively untapped topic for bloggers!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Definitely getting more on board with this idea now that you’ve given us more details. Hmmm…
Alaura Weaver says
Title: 5 Ways You’ve Been Working For Your Blogging Career And You Don’t Even Know It
Intro: If you’re like me, it doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day to juggle every aspect of your blogging business. As self-aware writer-types, we’re all a bit too quick to identify what we’re NOT doing with our time. I’m here to tell you that you’ve been doing a ton for your blogging career when you you’re not even working. By being aware of the ways you’ve been unintentionally fostering your writing job, you’ll begin to approach your blogging business with intention and mindfulness.
Body Summary:
1) Surrounding yourself with inspiration. Media consumption and interaction with the world keep us ripe for new blog article ideas. How To Use It: Instead of grabbing your smartphone an googling, Jot down a quick note every time you want to learn more or don’t have the answer to something.
2) Being a good friend: Social networks, both online and IRL, can turn friendships into referrals. How To Use It: Be aware that you are marketing yourself with every interaction. Take a few lessons from network marketing companies.
3) Walking away: It’s essential to take a break not only to keep yourself from burning out but also to clean the slate for new ideas and sharper focus. How to use it: Change your mindset. Instead of seeing a break as “I give up,” make taking a breather a purposeful action that contributes as much to your creative process as sitting at a keyboard. Use some mindfulness exercises.
4) Passive marketing: Being eloquent in every email, Facebook post, and voicemail message gets attention from the right people. How to use it: Create a vCard to text to every business contact to text to them, make a memorable email signature, amp up your electronic correspondence without being salesy.
5) Reading this blog (and other stuff about freelance writing): You’re not time-wasting, you’re investing in your professional development. How to use it: get more involved with community, subscribe to email list, etc.
So what would BAFB readers get out of this?
I’m willing to bet there are a bunch of newbies out there beating themselves up because they *want* to have a successful career as a blogger but they feel like they always drop the ball. Working from home can sometimes be strewn with productivity traps, especially for us easily-distracted creative typ—ooo! A hummingbird just landed on my feeder! (See what I mean?)
And what the heck am I doing pitching this topic ?
I’m a newbie myself. And that’s AWE.SOME. I’m coming to this career track with new, naive eyes that are eager to do *everything* to make this work, including stuff that more experienced bloggers may not think of trying. Plus, I’m a an at-home mom who finds a way to work around the needs of two kids under the age of four. Right now, for example, I’m tapping away on my phone while my 16 month old splashes in the tub. Don’t worry: I’m looking up every 5 minutes to check. Mindfulness, y’all.
So that’s my pitch. I can’t wait to get some feedback. Bring it on!
Alicia Rades says
I like this topic.
My first thought was that this was going to be for newbies who hadn’t launched their business yet, but that wasn’t the case with the pitch. Don’t get me wrong. I really like the idea, and maybe I was the only one who misinterpreted the headline, but it’s something to think about. I’m just curious if you have some alternative headline ideas? Your headline is great, but I just got a feeling from it that this was targeted toward people who hadn’t launched their business yet.
Rebekah Olsen says
Alicia,
I had a similar reaction. Like the post but the headline was misleading. I would definitely read it though.
Alaura Weaver says
First of all, thanks so much for your feedback and for graciously overlooking the hideous typos in my pitch (thumb typing isn’t my forte). Perhaps a tiny tweak on the title can help: “5 Ways You’ve Been Working For Your Blog Without Even Knowing It.”
Would that give a clearer idea of the topic? I suppose as a newbie at the beginning of my career I was originally targeting the idea to other noobs, but as I dug deeper I realized that it’s a mindset that can benefit any pro blogger.
Thanks again for your thoughts!
Rebekah Olsen says
I like that title!
Derek Thompson says
I love the tweaked titles. My suggestion would be Paint The Fence! You Already Know How to Blog Successfully.
Of course, that might only work for those who remember The Karate Kid!
Sophie Lizard says
Wax on, wax off. 🙂
Alaura Weaver says
Re-pitch with new, improved title and tone tweakage! Thanks for the inspiration, all!
Wax On, Wax Off: 5 Ways You’ve Been Working For Your Blog And You Didn’t Even Know It
Intro: It doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day to juggle every aspect of your blogging business, does it? As a painfully self-aware writer-type, you’re probably a bit too quick to identify what you’re NOT doing with your time and how you should be spending it.
I’m giving you permission to stop beating yourself up. Instead, give yourself a pat on the back: you’ve been doing a ton for your blog business while you aren’t even working.
Kind of like Karate Kid whitewashing a fence instead of training in a dojo. He didn’t realize just how much all those seemingly pointless errands were doing for his fighting skills, but Mr. Miyagi knew.
That’s because Mr. Miyagi approached every aspect of his life mindfully.
Now it’s time for you to put the paintbrush away and become mindful of the unintentional ways you’ve been fostering your writing job. Once you realize all you’ve been doing without even trying, just imagine all the intention and mindfulness you’ll bring to your blogging business and, by extension, your world. As Mr. Miyagi would say, “…write for life, not for points.” (Okay, he said “fight for life,” but you get the gist.)
Body Summary:
1) You’ve been surrounding yourself with inspiration. Media consumption and social interaction keeps you ripe for new blog article ideas. How To Apply It: Instead of whipping out your smartphone to Google a random thought, jot a quick note every time you want to learn more or don’t have the answer to something. (Discussion of the “Google It” mindset and how it kills marinating and exploring ideas)
2) You’ve been a good friend: Your friendships are future referrals. How To Use It: Be aware that you are marketing yourself with every interaction. Use some tips from network marketing sales. (Discussion of some network marketing tactics)
3) You’ve walked away: It’s essential to take a break, not only to keep yourself from burning out, but also to clean the slate for new ideas and sharper focus. How to use it: instead of seeing a break as “I give up,” make taking a breather a purposeful action that contributes as much to your creative process as sitting at a keyboard. Here are some mindfulness techniques. (Insert mindfulness techniques here)
4) Passive marketing: (being eloquent in every email, Facebook post, and voicemail message gets attention.) How to use it: Create a vCard to text to every business contact to text to them, make a memorable email signature, amp up your electronic correspondence without being salesy. (More passive marketing tips)
5) Reading this blog (and other stuff about freelance writing): Discussion of professional development. How to use it: get more involved with community, subscribe to email list, etc)
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Sounds pretty good, Alaura! I’d like to see a little more of a focus on how these techniques would lead to more money/clients. 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
Ooh, I like the way you’ve used the Karate Kid stuff.
Like Lauren said, we’d like to see a strong explanation of how your points lead to gigs and revenue. To bring that business angle to the fore, I’d rearrange the title into something like “5 Ways to Build Your Blogging Business Without Extra Work: The Wax On, Wax Off Strategy”.
Or maybe “5 Ways to Grow…” instead, to avoid it sounding like it’s for beginners only.
Alaura Weaver says
Thanks for the feedback, Lauren and Sophie! I thought the whole “how to translate this zen stuff into blogging dollars” aspect was inferred in the “How To Use It” portions of the bullet points, but that just teaches me to be more explicit in my pitching. So lesson learned, and thank you for it! Looking forward to seeing which of these fabulous pitches gets selected!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
We’ve been burned a few times assuming that we and the writer are all on the same page… Now we prefer they really spell it out for us and directly say “This is how your readers will make money from these ideas.” 🙂
Frankie Wood-Black says
Finding the essential hook; where do the ideas come from?
Good blogging requires an essential ingredient, the hook. It is the hook that gets the click, the traffic, and the prize, a reader. The number one question of most bloggers ask is where do the ideas come from?
This post for “Be a Freelance Blogger” will focus on ways bloggers can generate ideas for their own blogs, as a guest blogger, or for pitches. The blog will feature two key topics of interest to bloggers: coming up with ideas and creating the clickable hook.
It is the combination of an idea and the hook that creates a successful blog. Because, most of the readers of the “Be a Freelance Blogger” are looking for that initial break or developing a portfolio; they need practical tips that get them on the path today. The key to this blog is combining these two essential topics into a single blog to allow the potential blogger to “act now” and generate a blog that they can use or pitch. The blog will feature three usable tips to generate ideas and then three tips as to how to develop that idea into a “clickable” blog.
Why me? Because, as a 25 year professional it was part of my job to come up with ideas for weekly ideas for routine meetings, safety emails, alerts, etc. I know what it is like to have topic block and getting someone interested in something that do not care about. Now, I use this experience to generate topics and columns for my own blogs, weekly newspaper column, and courses.
Alicia Rades says
I like this topic. I’m curious about what types of subheads you’ll include.
Frankie Wood-Black says
Keeping the Ideas Flowing
Where do topics come from…
Creating Catchy Headlines
Keys to making them click….
Would be the main sub headers.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Frankie!
Interesting idea. But I’d love to know how you’re going to connect these tips to the freelancing aspect of being a freelance blogger. As in: How is coming up with more blog post ideas going to bring in more money/clients?
Frankie Wood-Black says
You can’t pitch if you don’t have an idea and a hook. And, your idea must be timely and fit a niche.
For example – you aren’t going to sell a blog on snow tires in the summer. Or, you are more likely to sell a blog on summer pool party ideas near the time when the sites are looking to fill their May production schedules.
One of the tips for ideas – is looking at the various production schedules of sites, timing of holidays, etc. This also gives you a source for pitching the blog.
Thus, the ideas also provide you a start into the marketing aspect of the business.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Thanks for clarifying that for us, Frankie.
Marie Monroe says
Blogging Toward Salvation and All Points in Between
I walk 30 feet from my bed to my office. No one bothers me there. I can be as unkempt as I want. I can drink coffee and take phone calls. I can answer the sweet little dings of incoming texts. Blogging has saved me and it never ends. I type, type, type toward more salvation and then I nap.
And then there’s:
1. My Drum’s An Upside Down 5-Gallon Drywall Mud Bucket–The blogger has to march to a different drummer in the work-a-day world. She even has to bring her own instrument.
2. Mucking Around Knee-deep in the Blogger Psyche–It doesn’t matter what madness you’re locked onto it; everything’s bloggable.
3. Niche, Niche, Niche, All You Ever Do is Niche!–Write about what you know unless you want to write about something new. In that case, stop your niching and do some research.
4. Start at the Beginning and Keep Going Until You’re Done–Getting a post done requires a topic, thoughts and the wherewithal to type until you’re done. There’s encouragement and support out there, but to earn a living, you have to find your own way through the forest and trees of self-discipline.
5. Make Friends with Your Brain–What may seem like random synaptic firings could be the makings of a tasty post. Don’t dismiss those.
6. I Don’t Want to Work for the Man No More–That’s a great idea! Now, let’s think a little more about that…
I make a nice little living as a blogger after some years of ghostwriting and earning my chops in the freelance world. Like any other profession, we need collegial contact and a chance to shoptalk and laugh. I think this post can fill a bit of that bill.
Thanks! That was fun.
Bonnie Byler says
I l ike this 😉
Marie Monroe says
Thanks, Bonnie. I appreciate that!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Marie!
I’d like to see a bit more of an in-depth outline on the points you’re planning to make and how this all ties into freelance blogging (earning money from blogging).
Though I did laugh at “niche, niche, niche.” haha. Am I right in assuming you’re a fellow American and pronounce it as “nitch?”
Marie Monroe says
Lauren, it’s nitch. Absolutely. Let me work on your suggestions and I’ll get back with more. Thanks for commenting!
Marie Monroe says
Lauren, here are some revisions/additions. Thanks again for the feedback.
1. My Drum’s An Upside Down 5-Gallon Drywall Mud Bucket–The blogger has to march to a different drummer in the work-a-day world. She even has to bring her own instrument. This can leave you a bit tentative when you’re just starting out or when you are branching out. Most of us have worked alongside others in our jobs. Whether those jobs were ideal or not, having others around helped, didn’t it? There was someone to take a break with or to complain with… For a lot of us, work friends wind up being the bulk of social contacts during a work day.
Blogging is a solitary pursuit. You are the boss and the worker bee of your business. It’s you and you, your intended audience and your clients. Your work conversations are likely to be brief emails or chats. That’s not much to combat loneliness or to satisfy the need for shop talk, hanging out and laughter.
Why do I go on about this? Because a sad and lonely blogger is unproductive. Unless you’re typing out your loneliness (which very, very few will ever want to read), you have to take care of yourself. You have to feed the social animal that lives inside you… ideas for how to do that here
2. Mucking Around Knee-deep in the Blogger Psyche–It doesn’t matter what madness you’re locked onto it; everything’s bloggable. Getting comfortable with your experiences, your thoughts, opinions and your own voice are exceedingly valuable. The comfort shows in your copy and people always would rather engage with someone who is at ease.
Any self-consciousness and self-doubt will come across–especially if you have a series to do. A strained voice will make itself known, too. It can be embarrassing and boring for your reader if you are stilted and reticent, wishy-washy and detached. Readers want to be able to slide into your post and be carried along pleasantly. A voice they can ‘hear’ as self-assured and fluent will continue to engage them and put them at ease.
What to do to hit the sweet spot? Ferret out your discomfort. Work on yourself. If you’re afraid of speaking up, practice that… more tips here
3. Niche, Niche, Niche, All You Ever Do is Niche!–Write about what you know unless you want to write about something new. In that case, stop your niching and do some research. Nothing says you may not be in the right job (blogging), or the right niche, like an inability to find material or having lost enthusiasm for your focus. Sticking to one niche can burn anybody out, especially if it’s not coming easily to you.
It’s helpful to remember that you are the gate keeper and king/queen of your blogging kingdom. If you want to branch out, do so. Read, surf and read and surf some more. What catches your eye? What makes your heart sing? I’ll tell you, my childhood interests still get me going when I come across some interesting photos and new information about mushrooms or rocks. What gets you going? What new (or old forgotten) frontiers are out there for you?
I turn to my Pinterest account for inspiration. I also cruise my bookshelves and magazines. They are my repositories for fluffly little fun stuff. Guess what? They are also gateways to some pretty fun posts and a wealth of new clients. More tips on inspiration for branching out…
4. Start at the Beginning and Keep Going Until You’re Done–Getting a post done requires a topic, thoughts and the wherewithal to type until you’re done. There’s encouragement and support out there, but to earn a living, you have to find your own way through the forest and trees of self-discipline. Novice and seasoned bloggers have to wrestle with days when they don’t want to, but success lies right after that final period.
How do you keep a good, steady and productive pace? Tips on how to manage a day, a week, contacts/queries, deadlines here
5. Make Friends with Your Brain–What may seem like random synaptic firings could be the makings of a tasty post. Don’t dismiss those. It’s important to incorporate your blogging mind into your everyday mind. It’s a lot like being a photographer. Your eyes don’t turn off just because you’re not shooting. A photographer’s eyes go everywhere he/she goes. You can learn to take your blogging mind everywhere you go, too. And, you don’t have to work all the time or burn yourself out. Developing an eternal observer self is where it’s at. How to…
6. I Don’t Want to Work for the Man No More–That’s a great idea! Now, let’s think a little more about that… How to get to the transition point where blogging >working for the man every day. How to know you’re getting there or have already arrived!
I make a nice little living as a blogger after some years of ghostwriting and earning my chops in the freelance world. Like any other profession, we need collegial contact and a chance to shoptalk and laugh. I think this post can fill a bit of that bill.
Marie Monroe says
just ticking in for email notices
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
These are all great tips, Marie! And you’re definitely right about the life of a blogger being a bit solitary/lonely. (I started playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends to combat it…)
I’m a little concerned that the freelancing aspect of freelance blogging wasn’t emphasized quite enough.
That said, if we don’t pick yours as a winner this time, I hope you write this post on your own. I know a lot of bloggers who need help getting out of their own heads from time to time. 🙂
Sandy says
That was both entertaining and inspiring, thank you!
Marie Monroe says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sandy! Thank you for taking the time to read it and to comment. There’s nothing more fulfilling than to complete the ‘cycle’ of writing by hearing from a reader you’ve made happy.
Rebekah Olsen says
Such colorful language! Made me smile.
Marie Monroe says
Thanks for your comment, Rebekah. I just smiled myself.
Johanna Hartford says
Category: Get Started
Headline: You Are Always Paid to Write
The number one question I get from new writers is, “How can I get paid to write?” Novice writers are paid, but it’s often necessary to shift your perspective when first starting out. Monetary payment comes later. Here is how digital writers are paid initially: with published samples to use in future pitches, valuable networking contacts and social media followers.
Point 1: Find platforms that fit your voice as an author. It’s very important to believe in the platform’s mission and values, as this will make it easier for you to pitch and deliver quality pieces consistently.
Point 2: Look for start-ups with potential. A quality start-up in digital media is ideal to write for because they are looking for authors who are passionate about the growth of the company. Although you may not be paid initially, start-ups will begin to compensate internally once the funding is available. An unpaid gig can transform into a career opportunity.
Point 3: Pitch to big names concisely and often. The first piece I ever published was with Cosmopolitan.com. My pitch to them as an unpublished author was a long shot, but that piece has proven to be invaluable as a writing sample when I pitch to other publications.
Point 4: Do your homework and know your audience. An editor for Cosmopolitan.com that I’ve worked with has stated that she prefers 10 short pitches in one email from her writers. This method would drive other editors crazy. Don’t be afraid to ask for preferences once you’ve gotten your foot in the door.
Point 5: Start your own blog. This will give editors a place to view your work while you are building a network for contributing.
Point 6: Don’t underestimate the power of social media. The larger your following is on any given social media platform, the more credibility you have in digital media. If an unpaid piece gains you followers, that’s extremely valuable to your online presence.
This post will be valuable for readers of How to Be a Freelance Blogger because it shifts a writer’s initial focus on payment to the realistic benefits of unpaid contributions. If a writer realizes the potential of every unpaid piece, they are well on their way to naturally progressing to paid work. I have been working through this very process myself for the last two years and I would love the chance to elaborate on my personal experiences in order to assist other writers with realizing their dream of being a paid for work that they love.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I like this topic but would be interested in seeing some alternative headlines. Just from your headline, it’s not quite clear what the blog post will be about since it could go so many different ways. Could you maybe work a “freelance blogger” keyword into the title?
Sophie Lizard says
Johanna’s follow-up comment got lost, but she emailed it to me so I could put it here:
“Here is my alternate title: Why Unpaid Gigs are Valuable to New Freelance Bloggers
Please let me know what else I need to do in order to finalize my pitch for consideration. Thank you so very much for your time! Be a Freelance Blogger has been of such great help to me, and I’d love to be able to contribute.”
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Love the new title!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
The alternate title definitely works better.
Sophie Lizard says
I like this title better, but I think I’d actually like to see a whole different angle on this story, Johanna. Something more like “How a complete beginner got her blog post published by Cosmopolitan and how you can do the same”.
Your points about the benefits of “unpaid” work would still fit nicely into the post, but I know for sure a lot of BAFB readers will be dying to know exactly how you approached Cosmopolitan.com and the process you went through to have your post published. Cosmo is such a big brand, most bloggers are too scared to even try. They’d love to read how you did it.
Sophie Lizard says
Johanna still isn’t able to post comments (sorry, Johanna! I’m trying to figure out why…) so I’m pasting in the follow-up she emailed me.
Headline:
“My First Blog Post Was Published by Cosmopolitan – Yours Can Be Too”
or
“I Published My First Blog Post With Cosmopolitan – You Can Too”
30-60 words of the opening:
Do you think you can’t get published by a big name due to lack of experience? Think again. The first piece I ever published ran on Cosmopolitan.com. Pay attention, because I’m going to tell you how you can get the heavy hitters to take a chance on you, too.
No more than 6 main points:
1. Look for prompts. You may have to dig for them with the bigger names because they already have consistent, dependable freelancers, but digital media is always in search of a fresh angle. When I started pitching to Cosmopolitan.com there were two prompts for outside writers running on the site. Answering a prompt automatically ensures you submit content they are interested in.
2. Do your homework. You can’t just Google the name of a big magazine that you don’t read and expect to write a pitch that interests the editor. Read that copy until your eyes feel like they’re going to bleed. Know the voice of the publication inside and out.
3. Make sure your angle on the prompt is unique. This is absolutely crucial! I answered a sorority hazing prompt, but instead of regaling the editor with horror stories of how I was hazed by my sisters, I flipped the prompt completely on its head by describing how the consequences from national headquarters itself fit all the criteria for the hazing it was meant to punish.
4. Submit within the prompt, but don’t be afraid to email the editor directly. Most editors are not going to skywrite their personal contact information, but some of them are open about it and if you can directly connect you’ll automatically have an advantage.
5. Be professional. I don’t care if the editor that you’re pitching to has a Twitter feed that’s peppered with sexual innuendo and expletives – they are not your friend. Address them with the respect that their position commands.
6. Follow up on your submission, but make sure that you wait an appropriate amount of time before doing so. An appropriate amount of time will probably be a week or more. Editors get hundreds of emails per day. Following up lets them know you are committed, but emailing them within 24 hours of your pitch will land your pitch (and future pitches!) in SPAM.
Why I’m the only one who can write this piece and why it will be successful on Be a Freelance Blogger:
I’m the right person to write this post for Be a Freelance Blogger because I believe that although my situation is unique, it doesn’t have to be! My success in having my first piece published with the most popular women’s magazine in the country has afforded me so much opportunity, and I want other freelance bloggers to understand the value a writing sample of this caliber can deliver in terms of garnering credibility when pitching to other magazines and blogs. By elaborating on my personal experience, I can encourage other writers not to be intimidated by big names, and to potentially realize their dream of being featured in their favorite publication.
Derek Thompson says
I’m sold on this one – good luck!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Cool stuff, Johanna! (Congrats on getting published!).
Sorry the comments weren’t working for you.
Frankie Wood-Black says
Like the title! It is spot on. No matter what career field you are in, you are always writing something. It is part of the job!
Mike McDonald says
“Brain Freeze” The art of not attempting to write a blog post.
Yes, I’ve wanted to be a freelance blogger for quite some time. But I never had the nerve to start. Maybe it was due to a fear of rejection, or maybe my topic would be too lame even it were accepted. So how am I going to conquer this numbing “Brain Freeze”.
1. I could enter Pitchfest.
Pitchfest will give me an opportunity to try and write something of value with the additional benefit of having a critique of the idea before I write the whole article. This opportunity would reduce my fear of rejection and help me overcome my obstacles.
2. No Blog.
Not having a blog has forced me not to write. The rejection fear in Pitchfest is just a few people. Whereas in a blog of my own, the world is free to criticize. For those that do not understand my fear, an article was written about me in a major financial website and the resulting criticism, however unwarranted, has left a bitter taste.
3. Blog Topics
I thought I had many good ideas over time, but not writing them down made me forget. The ones I remembered, I passed by friends who showed little interest. Now I record every idea but have yet to put it in writing a blog.
4. Finding my niche.
There are so many areas that interest me and so many things that I’d like to say, that I get bogged down in the minutiae. Thus, I move on. My fear is, what right do I have to make a statement when there are so many other more knowledgeable people that will jump in. This fear I must remedy.
As an inspiring new freelancer and for all those other fence sitters this is a great venue for getting off the fence and started on a new career. With help and suggestions; with a little coaching on the side; now is the time to not only start a blog but also to pitch articles for blogs that are of interest. Yes, there will be many more rejections, but we will get through.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I like this topic but would love to see how you’ll show readers how your experiences can benefit them. So a section under each subhead on “how to do it differently” or something like that might be a good way to incorporate that advice.
Mike McDonald says
Thanks for the advice.
Mike McDonald says
Should I revise with those subheadings and resubmit
Sophie Lizard says
Yes please, Mike! 🙂
Monica Leftwich says
Headline:
Get A Blogging Fix With A Micro Niche
Opening Line:
I believe more people would blog if they knew what to blog about. Chances are, they have plenty of ideas. But the fear of who will bother to read their content creeps in. However, there is a market for even the most eccentric ideas; that’s where micro-niches come in!
6 Points:
What is a Micro Niche: My own micro niche, hirsutism (a hormonal condition causing excessive body hair on women) is a very common bane millions of women contend with. But there are very, very, VERY few websites dedicated to the topic (because it’s embarrassing as hell), making it a micro niche.
Micro niche’s advantage #1: Micro niches give voice to smaller populations of people who may feel they do not have a voice.
Micro niche’s advantage #2: Micro niches allow bloggers to be far more personal in their writing because they know the world is not putting them in the spot light; it allows more liberation and creativity.
Micro niche’s advantage #3: Micro niches are still profitable. If you establish yourself as an expert force in that niche, you have very little competition to worry about and can hog all the Google search results to yourself.
Micro niche’s advantage #4: You will always have a unique story to tell. And depending on the website and publication needs, you may find yourself having a steady occurrence of backlinks. For example, with me writing about hirsutism, I’ve gotten backlinks from much larger health websites, which immediately increased my viewership to my website.
Micro niche’s advantage #5: Micro niches allows you to make friends….seriously! With my network of hairy chics, I have met up with some of these girls at health fairs I attended and it was just a really beautiful being around weirdos just like you!
Why This is a Great Post:
Publishing Perspectives stated that 81% of Americans feel they have a book to write in them. This is a great post for Be a A Freelance Blogger because if you sit anyone down (Americans, Europeans, Asians, Plutoians…) they will likely have a story to tell. Even better, I’ve made an impressive side income with my micro niche website as a “go to” site for hirsutism by writing great content and landing guest posts on some awesome websites!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nice topic, but I’m curious how you’ll relate this to freelance blogging (writers who blog for clients)?
Monica says
Micro niches are almost always based on a larger concept. So freelance writing or blogging for a client in the same or similar niche would not be too challenging.
For example, my blog is focused mainly on medical hair removal for women with hormonal imbalance. I could still be in familiar territory blogging for a medical website catering to women’s health, particularly an endocrinology or gynecology office.
I have a friend who has a wine tasting blog focused on residents in Phoenix, AZ in the US. As someone who is versed in the category, she could be well equipped to blog for alcoholic beverage companies with a wine product line.
Micro niches are simply smaller niches inside larger ones. So it would not be terribly complicated to find freelance blogging work based on a micro niche. However, the freelance blogger may have to broaden their horizons outside the scope of their micro niche to find freelance blogging work.
Derek Thompson says
I love the concept of micro niches. I imagine bloggers would love to know how to drill down until they hit pay dirt, how they can quickly determine if there’s competition, and how to tap into the niche from a business perspective.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Looks good, Monica.
Tai Stewart says
What about a topic like your “Work with Me” page?
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I can’t recall a post on BAFB about this specific topic, so I’d love to hear more about your idea. Do you have a headline and a few points you’d like to pitch?
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Tai!
Do you mean this page? http://beafreelanceblogger.com/about/
I’m a little confused about what you’re referring to, but I’d love to read your pitch. Come back before the contest ends and give it a shot! 🙂
Hans Christian Tesch says
Proposed Headline:
The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword: How to Focus Your Blog To Get Massive Hits Everytime
Intro:
Remember writing your first post on your first blog and the excitement you felt as readership number increased by minute then by hour then by day, then a sudden plunge to zero. Has this happened to you?
*In this article, I will give you tips on how to keep your blog red hot and also to look at common errors such as:
1. Improper use of social media
2. Not hitting the targeted niche market or readers
3. Not writing enough
*I would then like to look at how TO FIX these concerns so you can start directing traffic to your site. Some points I’d like to include:
1. Subscribe to the blog.
2. Leave comments on blog posts and also suggestions
3. Share the posts/products/pages/etc.
*I’d like to share my own and other bloggers first hand experiences, and other useful information about how important it is t get blog focus.
My name is Hans Christian Tesch, and I’m a freelance writer and blogger with a passion for writing great articles. I believe this blog post will make an excellent addition to the BAFB archives because 1) it’s going to be very relevant and 2) it will add to the information needed by bloggers encountering low readership problems.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nice topic. How will you relate this to freelance blogging (writers who blog for their clients)? I can see this topic focused on how to use your blog to attract clients. Is that what you were thinking?
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ Yep. I’d also like to know this, Hans. 🙂 And if you could flesh out your points a bit more, that’d be good too.
Sarah Furlong says
Creative Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block
So, you’ve been staring at a blank page for an hour and are no closer to putting your pen in motion. Writer’s block is a common and unfortunate reality for many authors. Luckily, it is a problem that comes with many solutions! Here are some unconventional ways to combat writer’s block.
Use a different writing tool
You may wonder how this would make a difference, but whether you’re switching from a screen to paper, from Microsoft Word to WordPress, or from Times New Roman to Comic Sans MS, that small change will kick start your brain and make writing interesting again.
Fold laundry
Sometimes all it takes is some relaxation to get your creative juices flowing again. Staring at a blank page can become counterproductive. Take some time to engage in an activity that induces a sense of relaxation before you try to write again.
Stop worrying about grammar
Quite often, writers get hung up how something sounds and it will stop them dead in their tracks. If you’ve fallen victim to obsessing over the way something sounds, push it out of your mind and just write. Forget grammar, forget punctuation, forget sentence case; just write. Your first draft is never going to be perfect, anyway. There’s time for editing after you get the words out.
Start in the middle
Starting a piece by trying to write the perfect introduction can sometimes hinder your writing process. Start off with the core of your article and return to the opening at a later time. After having written down the important parts of your article, you will most likely find it easier to construct the introduction.
Do jumping jacks
Many factors can contribute to writer’s block; lack of inspiration, fatigue, stress, etc. Sometimes the best solution is just to get your blood flowing. Doing anything physical will loosen up your brain and help it become susceptible to new ideas.
Pet your cat
…Or watch cartoons, or build a Lego tower. Do something mindless in order to calm your mind. Writer’s block often stems from the stress and fear of failure, which can set your brain into panic mode. Take some time to unwind with an activity that requires few brain cells in order to recharge and approach your writing with a quiet and stress-free mind that is ready to churn out all of your amazing ideas.
Why this is a great post (and why I should write it).
I write based on experience as well as research; I’ve fallen victim to writer’s block and I know many who have. There are many common ‘cures’ floating around for writer’s block but some of the lesser-known solutions are, in my opinion, some of the best. I write for my audience; not to build myself up and to show off, but to create a piece that my audience will feel satisfied for having read.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nice pitch, and I love the point “pet your cat.” If only I had one… 😉
Keep in mind that I’m not a judge, but I feel this topic has been done to death across the Internet.
I still feel these are really good tips, but I’m curious how it will be different from other articles on writer’s block.
Sarah Furlong says
I completely understand where you’re coming from. I just felt it was a useful topic that would offer useful and sought after information to blog posters that’s not found in 80-90% of the other sources that provide information on overcoming writer’s block.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Sarah!
Alicia’s right: This topic has been done many, many times. But that’s because there’s constant demand for it! That’s why I wrote a “writer’s block” post on my own blog. 😉 http://littlezotz.com/2014/10/defeat-writers-block/
However, I have two issues with this pitch:
1. It’s really, really long. Is this the pitch or the full post? And,
2. I feel like the blogging aspect of this post is sorta there, but I’m not seeing the freelancing element.
Daniel Rose says
Same here Alicia, I just end up petting other people’s cats. All the benefits, none of the costs, and only mildly bemused looks from the neighbor 😉
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
I have two cats of my own, but neighborhood cats will often come up to me as well: http://laurentharp.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/LottaCats.png
My BFF likes to joke that she wishes she were that much of a “pussy magnet” (she’s a lesbian). ;D
Penny says
Headline:
Flirting with Freelance Blogging?
Go Ahead, Your Blog Won’t Mind
Opening:
Do you love your blog? Is the passion for your niche still strong, but, you’re beginning to feel confined? Your relationship with your blog may be in need of expansion. But you don’t have to get a divorce. Freelancing is the kind of polygamy that’s not only legal; it could very well prove to be healthy for you and your wallet.
Points:
1. You already have the skills: You know how to write a blog post. If your blog is monetized, you know how to market. You also know how to research a post.
2. Select a focus: You can continue writing in the same niche as your blog, or you can expand into another topic that interests you.
3. Learn from the experts: Read. Read. Read. Visit websites that specialize in freelance blogging (like Be a Freelance Blogger).
4. Join a community: Find a community of freelance bloggers, and participate. This is a golden opportunity to learn from those working in the trenches.
5. Get your feet wet by guest blogging. If you prefer to move outside your comfort zone gradually, try pitching an idea for a post to a blog in your current niche. This will give you experience with writing for someone other than yourself, as well as practicing your pitch for the big leagues.
This post is for bloggers considering expanding their reach into freelance blogging, but have yet to take the plunge. Since this is my personal situation, the post will have credibility, and readers will be able to relate. My hope is that more experienced freelancers will join the discussion and share their wisdom and encouragement.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I love this topic! I know a lot of people in the BAFB community are in this situation, and I’m pretty sure it hasn’t been written about here yet.
Rebekah Olsen says
I like this! I’m a freelance blogger wanting to start my own personal blog (working a little backwards here) and I could see these points being helpful in that regard too.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Thanks for entering, Penny!
Penny says
I’m glad I took the plunge. There are so many well-written and thought-provoking pitches, it would be great if we could see them all as blog posts!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
I agree! Anyone who isn’t picked as a winner should definitely think about writing up their post for their own blog (or attempt pitching it elsewhere).
A.J. seidler says
Title: 5 things to know before you blog
Opening sentence: Many people have a blog nowadays but it’s important to have goals in mind before starting one. A list of reasons for starting a blog can mean the difference between a successful blog and a failed one.
Point 1: What will I gain from this blog?
This might be the most important part because without a strong purpose the blog will not have a strong impact. If you have a strong goal in mind it will not only improve the process but it will also attract more people because they will feel the passion through your writing.
Point 2: What am I going to write about?
For example, I had a blog back in high school and at first it was great because I got to share my work while getting feedback from others. But as time went on I realized how little I had to write about because I had a goal in mind but I didn’t know what to keep writing about.
Point 3: How often can I update it?
The amount of blogging is not as important as the consistency of it. I used to write on my blog when I felt like it and my audience never stayed consistent. People like consistency and when things fluctuate too awkwardly it can drive them away.
Point 4: What sites will I blog on?
There are plenty of blog sites nowadays but some are better intended for others. First, you should explore each site to see if the content you plan to write fits the market. This is kind of like marketing where you find the best audience that you think will be attracted to your blog the most.
Point 5: Do I want to make money?
If this is the first time you heard of this don’t waste more time Googling blogs that pay you because it is so easy to get misled. But if you’re young, could use some extra bucks, and think your blog is not only personal but good enough to attract an audience then it’s a question worth asking. Look into Google Adsense and get a PayPal account.
This is a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger because it offers advice for incoming bloggers to avoid quitting on their blog. There are many people who begin blogs and stop because they didn’t have the right questions in mind before starting so they give up. I believe I am the guy to write this because I’ve been in that position and learned from it.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Great topic, but I’m wondering how it will be targeted toward freelance bloggers specifically (those who write for clients). I personally would love to see a post on what to know or think about before starting a blog on your writer website or something along those lines.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, AJ! Alicia makes a great point. And please feel free to re-pitch your idea using her suggestion(s). 🙂
Bethany Brown says
6 Ways to Be a Freelance Blogger When You Already Have a Full Time Job
There’s this dream life I want. I’ll get up and have a leisurely morning with breakfast, dog walking, and coffee. Then I’ll wander upstairs to my cute home office and write. But for now some of us need to keep our day jobs. So how can we start and maintain a successful freelance blogging business while working full time?
1. Have a plan. If you don’t have a plan for your time, your time will still get used up. Since you have less time than a full-time blogger, it’s even more precious and must be stewarded well.
2. Find out what time you write best. Maybe it’s early morning, maybe it’s late at night, maybe it’s on your lunch break, but whenever your brain is working best, find ways to free that time up for your writing.
3. Ideate on the go. Having a dedicated notebook, smartphone note, voice recorder, or all three can be really helpful for keeping track of blog post ideas away from your computer.
4. Use your advantage. The advantage of working a full-time job and having to leave your house every day is that you’re accumulating life experiences, funny stories, and interesting topics that are all fodder for your blogging career. Just make sure not to use your boss’ name if you criticize him in print. That may come back to haunt you!
5. Look for clients everywhere. As your work gives you the chance, look for contacts over lunch with colleagues, at industry lunches, and anywhere you have the opportunity to meet people in local businesses. These often need more help in the marketing department and have less knowledge about newer sources of marketing such as blogging.
6. Use elbow grease. Working with half the time and your energy sources depleted from a full day at work and life responsibilities may be discouraging, but if you can see your dream as clearly as I can see mine, hold it ahead of you in your mind when you’re discouraged and crank out the elbow grease. With some hard work and determination, we can make it there!
Why this is a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger:
Many would-be and beginner freelance bloggers stall out in fear because they can’t afford to quit their day job and plunge into freelancing just yet. Understanding that it’s not all or nothing, and that they can take baby steps toward their dream by beginning to build a client base and save a nest egg towards a full time business may be the kick some readers need to finally get started or to get more organized about their approach.
Why I’m the right person to write this post:
As a freelance blogger with a full time job, I have firsthand experience of the challenges that make it hard to do both at the same time, and the small life changes that can make it much more doable.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I’m not one of the judges (just a comment moderator), but I personally think this is a great topic for Be a Freelance Blogger.
Bethany Brown says
Thanks Alicia!
Derek Thompson says
This is great and speaks to lots of freelance writers, and freelance bloggers specifically, who are juggling two jobs / realities.
Bethany Brown says
Thanks Derek!
Rebekah Olsen says
I like this topic, but as a part time freelancer with a full time job, I’ve read tons of articles that sing to this tune. Would love to see a unique spin to it or maybe an additional point that hasn’t been touched on before.
Bethany Brown says
Thanks Rebekah, I will do some work/research on that and repitch. I appreciate your input!
Rebekah Olsen says
You’re welcome! Just a suggestion from a fellow newish-blogger…won’t hurt my feelings if you take it or leave it. 😉
Bethany Brown says
I’ll definitely take it! I started scribbling and immediately found some fresh ways to twist things that at least I haven’t seen before so I think this will really improve it!
Rebekah Olsen says
Excited to read it!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Bethany!
We have a post that’s similar to this coming up soon (written by Sarah Best!); however, I just checked her draft and yours is just different enough that I think it’d work. Well done.
Sophie Lizard says
Yep, another post on this topic can never hurt as long as the points and advice are fresh. I’d love to hear the ideas you’ve been mulling over!
Bethany Brown says
Good to know, thanks Lauren! Is there anything else I can do to improve it?
Bethany Brown says
I re-pitched below with my freshened up ideas. I hope you guys like it! Let me know if there’s anything more I can do!
Heather Douglas says
Ten Things I Wish I Had Known Before Starting My Blog From Scratch
Tell people you’re quitting your full time teaching job to become a blogger, and you’re bound to witness a variety of reactions. It’s common to get everything from puzzled expressions, pitying stares (has she gone off the deep end), to statements like “can you really make money blogging?”
#1The Long Game
I got tired of seeing the huge disconnect between bloggers who claimed they made millions and others who stated it was impossible to make money blogging–I’d rather talk about the realistic middle ground.
#2 For Profit or Fun?
An important thing to decide very early on is whether you want to monetize your blog or not–I naively thought that this is something I could decide later down the road, but actually it’s best to decide this as early as choosing a domain name.
#3 Define Your Audience
There is a big difference between writing a self centered online journal (I know because I had a blog like this for three years) and creating a blog aimed at attracting like minded readers; there is nothing inherently wrong with an on-line journal, but writing to express your feelings is much different than writing useful content for readers.
#4 Quality Content
Focus less on a fancy site with a lot of bells and whistles as well as the ins and outs of SEO and more on the type of quality content you will provide for your readers at the very beginning.
#5 Research
There are a lot of misconceptions out there about blogging; do your research and find out what the true realities are surrounding this difficult to define career path.
#6 Niches
Know that there are countless niches out there. I’ve read many articles about bloggers who make a living from blogs that “no one has ever heard of,”–in other words, you don’t necessarily have to be a famous blogger make a living.
Derek Thompson says
Ten points seems a lot to me. The title is a great hook, but could I suggest tweaking it to Ten Things I Wish I Had Known Before Starting My Freelance Blog? I’m curious now to know which niche blogs are doing good business!
Heather says
Thank you Derek. I like your title and I can easily reduce it down from 10.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Heather!
This sounds like a great blog post, but I agree with Derek: I’d like to see more of a freelance blogging element to this if it were to go up on BAFB.
That said, I like I lot of your points! 🙂
Unfortunately, you didn’t include the “WHY ME” portion of your pitch — which is the “theme” for this particular Pitchfest. To be a serious contender for the grand prize, entries MUST have that element. (Take note, anyone scrolling past this!!)
I hope you come back and share not only how your tips apply for bloggers writing for clients, but also why YOU are the perfect person to write this piece!
Heather says
Thank you Lauren! I guess I only have a little experience writing blog posts for other people right now. As of now, I’m starting my own blog. The only thing I could really be an expert at is the process of starting my own blog and the pitfalls and successes of that.
I do content for other blogs, but I only get paid $15 per post. I told another blogger this and she said “omg!” I said “is that a lot?” She laughed and said “that’s crazy low pay.” So, as you can see I’m pretty green at this! I’m excited to learn from everyone else’s posts, though!
Mike Straus says
Tired of Being a Mill Rat? 5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Break Out of the Content Mills
Being a mill rat sucks. You spend your days (and nights) churning out content like butter, as if your mind is hooked up to some sort of dystopian farm equipment that sucks out ideas and leaves you an empty vessel. After a while, it’s easy to convince yourself that you like the torture – it’s less intimidating than pitching for work, and hey, you’re getting paid to write. Or even worse, you convince yourself that you’ll break free next month once you’ve earned a little more from the mills (which then turns into two months from now, then three…)
But what many writers don’t realize is that a content mill isn’t a stepping-stone; it’s a tombstone. That’s why aspiring bloggers need to break out of the content mills, and they can do it – if they do these five things:
1. Believe you’re worth more. Writers are infamous for suffering from insecurities, but business is business – and it’s the market demand for good writing that sets the price, not your own judgment of your skill level. So look up fair market rates for blog articles and commit to charging them.
2. Get yourself some edu-ma-cation. Lots of businesses and publications need good bloggers (and journalists, and copywriters) to fill pages with fantastic articles that keep readers coming back – the Wild West that is the content marketing industry is worth more than 4 billion pounds in the UK alone. (Source: http://www.the-cma.com/about-us/) And the right education in blogging and marketing will teach you how to pistol whip all sorts of cashy money away from the big corporations and pocket a nice tidy sum for yourself.
3. Differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. If you want to stand out from other bloggers, you have to find your edge, stand up, and be different – you have to do something that other bloggers aren’t doing. Maybe that means hosting classes where you teach people to write, going to in-person networking events, or prepping some killer web copy that explains your own unique approach to blogging.
4. Get up off your ass and go market yourself. Unless you’ve done one hell of an inbound marketing campaign, the perfect client is not going to just magically appear on your doorstep. If you want to break out of the content mills and get higher-paying clients, you have to go find them – at networking events, in the Yellow Pages, on Google, through the blogosphere, or otherwise.
5. Target niche markets that are desperate for good writers. If you don’t have any decent clips aside from your content mill work, it can be a challenge to find that first real client. By swimming in a smaller pool, you’ll have an easier time convincing prospects to hire you – so target niche markets in which you have relevant non-writing experience, like web design and development, martial arts, automotive maintenance, linguistics, or engineering.
This topic is a fantastic fit for Be A Freelance Blogger because it speaks to Be A Freelance Blogger’s mission to “increase your income, build an expert reputation, and regain your freedom by blogging for hire.” I’m the ideal person to write this post because after working for a content mill for 2 years, I’ve started earning $2,500 per month through a combination of blogging, copywriting, and journalism gigs. I am living proof that just because you start in a content mill, that doesn’t mean you can’t earn well as a freelance blogger.
Derek Thompson says
Loving ‘stepping stone and tombstone’, as well as the CMA link (http://www.the-cma.com/about-us/) for establishing credibility of topic.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Mike!
At first I was concerned it might be a bit too similar to this post – http://beafreelanceblogger.com/content-mill-lessons/ – but I’ve compared the points made there with the ones you made in your pitch (and the evidence you offered to provide) and I think it’ll be different enough. 🙂 Well done.
Mike Straus says
Thanks Lauren!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
That’s what I’m here for! 🙂
Whitney Young says
Headline:
Why Your Blog Doesn’t Matter – 5 Things You’ve Been Leaving Out
Opening Lines:
So, here you are. You’ve read up on the all the why and how of making your blog a success… but it’s still not working. Maybe your mom is reading it, or there’s an uptick in visitors after you join a forum or sign-up for yet another blogger-guru-service promising to teach you how to succeed… but something is still missing.
Main Points:
1. A Kick Ass “About Me” Description
If the About Me section of your blog doesn’t have links to some of your most powerful, passionate, and useful posts – you’re missing the point. The About Me page isn’t really about you, it’s about why your readers will want to follow you.
2. Your REAL Feelings on Industry Issues
If you haven’t let your real feelings on critical issues out, you’re missing a valuable opportunity to connect with the people who will become some of your most loyal readers. People want to follow people who ignite their passion and share core values (people they like) don’t remain PC all the time, it’s boring.
3. Eye-Catching Images
If you don’t have at least one awesome image to accompany your text, your post has already lost a ton of potential readers. People want sharable content, and part of that is a featured image that moves them and relates to the topic.
4. Links to Previous & Relevant Posts
No links left behind! Always remember to include internal and external links that legitimately expand on the conversation and can lead the reader deeper into your blog.
5. Why They Should Care
It’s not enough to make good points if the audience doesn’t feel like they’re valuable to them (can we say bounce rate). Make them feel it by clearly explaining why the topic matters in the first place, then launch into your main points.
Why this is a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger:
I see blogs all the time (including my own, I’m working on it) that could be much more engaging. I’m hoping to reach as many wannabe & freelance bloggers as I can and help them connect to their audience in a meaningful way. Blogging is about more than the post content alone and this blog is going to expand on that.
Why I’m the right person to write this post:
As someone who’s dealt with fluctuating audience levels (and works with other bloggers to build their readership) I have tried a lot of things and these are some that worked the best. I’m always working on my blog to make it better, but it took a while to figure out it’s about more than the text. I want to help other bloggers short cut to success by sharing my experience & what I’ve learned about going beyond the post.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Whitney!
Not bad. I’ve definitely noticed plenty of blogs that have decent content but their surrounding pages stink.
However, I’d love to see more of an emphasis on why this is important not just for “readers” but for potential clients. As it stands now, the blogging aspect is coming through strong (great!), but I’m not really feeling the freelancing element.
I know how each of your tips would be useful in that regard; however, I need to see you say it for it to count. 🙂 I never like to assume that the writer and I are sharing the same train of thought — I always need to see it straight from them.
Whitney Young says
Hi Lauren,
That’s a great question. I would elaborate on how working these points is actually a selling point for freelancer services. For one, it’s the kind of attention-to-detail and beyond-the-box thinking that can set a freelancer apart from other candidates. And, it goes a long way in making your blog look polished and professional to potential clients. Additionally, I’ve personally used the same line of thought and applied it to expanding my services for current clients. Because of my spin on About Me pages, I’ve had a lot of my clients ask me to write them a new one (and made more money because of it). Clients understand buzz words like SEO and explaining how internal and external links and hitting on real-time industry topics boosts their ranking and helps prospects find them really makes their eyes light up. As a freelancer applying this to their own blog, they could then demonstrate these points for the client and further paint themselves as an asset and real expert.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Whitney!
Hmm. Okay. Now my concern is that there isn’t enough emphasis on how this can get freelance bloggers blogging jobs. :\
That said, I think you’ve got something good here! It would need a lot of tweaking to be “just right” for BAFB, but I think it’s a fantastic idea (and definitely advice that freelance writers in general — if not bloggers specifically — are in dire need of!).
WhitneyWhitney Young says
Gotcha. The good news is, I am confident it could be a great fit for BaFB. And, I love collaboration and never shy away from putting in a little elbow gear to make something shine. 🙂
James Calkins says
Headline
Dear Diary: 5 Tips to Slay Online Journaling and Keep Your Readers from Drooling Into Their Keyboards
You need to stop treating your blog like the high-tech cousin of that poor diary cowering underneath your pillow. Truth is, there’s no need to hide your journal. Do you know why? Because journals are rambling, subjective, and, worst of all, boring. I’ve got five suggestions to help you have more fun blogging and avoid boring your readers to death.
Points
1) Use lists!
It’s no secret that lists are how most readers prefer to ingest their information, so it should also be no secret why it’s number one on my LIST. (Although… a countdown TO this point might work even better)
2) Re-spin old yarns.
The fact is that Twitter & Co. have made it nigh on impossible to break a story or introduce new information, so one way to stand out is to simply stand out. Take a current event or pop culture factoid and retell it with your own personal, hopefully humorous, perspective.
3) Don’t blow smoke.
An important rule in writing fiction is, ‘write what you know,’ and the same goes for blogging. If you have training in a discipline or subject, whether through formal education or practical experience, then use that knowledge to dazzle your readers with trivia, or create a fun-filled ‘How-To,’ but don’t fake it, cause they’ll know.
4) Write what you can’t not write.
They say when you truly love someone you can’t stop talking about that person, but oftentimes this applies even more to what you love. If you’re passionate about office supplies but indifferent to which new species they’ve discovered in Papua New Guinea in the past ten minutes, then by golly, write about staplers and toner!
5) Crack wise.
When all else fails, and even when it doesn’t, make your reader smile. The use of humor can make a thousand words feel like seven-hundred and one, so do all that you can to bring in some mirth, and your readers will thank you for it with grins and giggles that you’ll probably never see.
There are a million and one more helpful topics if bloggers want to know how to optimize their posts for search engines or place ads for more clicks, and I’m sure there are a million and two more qualified bloggers to write on said topics. This post, however, is just some simple advice for bloggers who want to be less boring and have more fun writing, written by a man whose life is spent having fun and not trying to bore people. Where’s my office?
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, James!
Those are all fantastic blogging tips, but I’m not really seeing the freelancing element to your post (how those tips will make bloggers money/get them clients).
Derek Thompson says
No Funny Business Here? Where’s Your Sense of Humour!
Sure, creating a successful blog is a serious business, but you can learn a few tricks from Comedy Writing to produce epic blog posts. Delight your audience by delivering the goods, and they’ll keep coming back for more.
– What is humour? (Juxtaposing of ideas, difference and similarity, etc.)
– When you understand the different way jokes can be structured you can use those models in your blog writing.
– Tools and techniques for adding humour into the mix.
– Where to get ideas from. (Your clients’ issues and insecurities, your own, other humour themes.)
– Adding character to your blog. (Find your business’s voice and understanding who your audience is.)
– Why wit works and where a little caution wouldn’t hurt. (Appropriate vs. inappropriate humour.)
Rebekah Olsen says
I like this idea. I love adding humor to my posts. Usually my humor is on the dryer, sarcastic side, so I’d enjoy learning about new techniques.
To tie it into blog writing for clients, I’d also enjoy seeing a point about how to sell humorous writing to your clients. I’ve encountered clients who have stiff or dry content and it’s hard convincing them to loosen up a bit. They take themselves so seriously. 😉
How would you convince a client to allow you to inject humor and personality into their content?
Derek Thompson says
HI Rebekah,
That’s a great point. I use humour with content to give it colour and flavour, and to make it more likely to be shared. It can depend on the client, their industry and their target audience. I will sometimes draft up some copy with that approach to win them over, even if it wasn’t in the brief. Sometimes it works! Thanks for your feedback.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Derek!
You’ve been leaving such insightful comments on other bloggers’ pitches that I was really excited to read yours… However, I’m a bit disappointed. :\
I love the core of your post idea (I like to use humor in my own writing!), but your outline needs more details. Please, please, come back and flesh it out a bit more with the points you’re going to make, examples you plan to use, and how all of it ties into making money blogging.
Also: You forgot the “WHY ME” part of your pitch — which is the “theme” for this month’s Pitchfest! :O For an entry to be a serious contender in this particular version of the contest, it must have that element.
I hope you come back within the next 9 hours and get those sections in there. 🙂
Derek Thompson says
Thank you for the pointers. Alas, I was working on a novel for publication this year (disappointing to have missed the deadline, but quite a cool excuse!).
I’ll take what you’ve said on board and flesh out the outline for the next comp, or try it sell it somewhere. The very best of luck to everyone and it’s great to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Very cool excuse, Derek! 😉
If you do get your post published elsewhere (even if it’s just on your own blog), feel free to come back and link to it! We’d love to see.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I’m seeing lots of great pitches here. Below is my pitch:
Headline: 6 Ways to make Your Free WordPress Site Look More Credible to Blogging Clients
Alternative Headline: 6 Ways Your WordPress Site is Damaging Your Freelance Credibility (If we go with this headline, the subheads will be tweaked to reflect it, but the ideas will remain the same.)
Intro:
You’ve finally decided to launch your freelance blogging career. Congrats! Chances are, you’ve spent days researching how exactly to get started, and one thing you keep hearing is this: Your business needs a website.
Unfortunately, you don’t have the money on hand to launch a self-hosted site. After all, isn’t the whole point to *make* money with your business?
Outline:
1. Dig Deep for a Great Theme – One obvious indication of a free WordPress site is when you stick with the generic theme everyone else is using. There are hundreds of free themes, so don’t be afraid to dig for one that makes you look unique.
2. Purchase a Custom Domain Name – It’s clear you’re not ready to invest money in your site just yet, but a custom domain name is worth considering. It can cost as little as $10 per year, it will get rid of the “.wordpress” in your domain, and it will skyrocket your credibility.
3. Rearrange Your Widgets – Too often I see writers with free sites who haven’t bothered to get rid of the “meta” widget or add their own widgets to their sidebar, which makes the design look somewhat incomplete or lazy. Here, I’ll give detailed instructions on how to rearrange them.
4. Create a Custom Logo – Instead of having the WordPress logo show up in the address bar, you can upload your own for a custom feel. Here, I’ll show readers what programs they can use to create a logo and how to upload it to their site.
5. Customize Your Menus – A lot of writers new to WordPress don’t know how to create a custom menu and instead let every page fill their navigation tab. I’ll show them a step-by-step look at how to customize their menus.
6. Display Your Contact Information – Another common mistake is having only a contact form on the site, but you can add to your credibility by including your email, phone number, and/or Skype address on the site.
Why this is ideal for BAFB:
In the BAFB forums, I’ve come across a lot of writers who launch a free WordPress site but don’t really know how to customize it. While I don’t necessarily recommend a free site, it’s something that a lot of writers will start with, and I believe it’s valuable for them to know how to boost their credibility even if they go that route. I believe I’m a great candidate for writing this article because I’ve reviewed tons of writer websites, so I understand the common mistakes writers make, I understand how to fix these mistakes in WordPress’s CMS, and I’ll give step-by-step instructions on how to fix them.
Rebekah Olsen says
I would LOVE to read this. Especially #4. I purchased photoshop, but it’s like I’ve been asked to perform heart surgery. I have no idea where to start with designing my own logo.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Rebeckah, did you get just Photoshop or the whole Adobe package? Because Illustrator is a better option for designing a logo. It takes some learning, but there are a lot more drawing options than in Photoshop.
And honestly Paint may not be a bad program to work with if you’re doing it on your own. And there are tons of online programs, too.
Rebekah Olsen says
I have the whole package….but I didn’t realize there was a difference between the two haha. Oh geez. I need to settle down and watch some tutorials.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
If you’re looking to design a logo, then Illustrator is the Adobe program for that. 🙂
Nathalie says
Hi Alicia,
Regarding a custom logo’s creation, this article might help:
http://boostblogtraffic.com/how-to-make-a-logo/
I created one following the steps mentioned but I couldn’t load into onto my wp.org blog (currently being built) and had to finish it into gimp (free software) and export it as a jpeg.
Hope that helps,
Regards,
Nathalie
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Fantastic pitch, as always, Alicia! 😀
This topic is definitely something that needs to be covered. I find myself handing out similar advice to my freelance writing mentoring clients on a fairly regular basis!
Daniel Rose says
Great pitch, and one that I would definitely read. Whilst I’ve read the point about a custom domain many times, it still bears repeating. As for the other points, I’m all ready to take notes! In fact, I’m already using this as a checklist for my own site, so thank you 🙂
Daniel Rose says
The Batman V Superman Guide to Freelance Blogging
Your secret’s out. You’re a superhero, flying through the sites and blogs of the internet, saving readers from bland writing and boring content. Maybe you even wear your underwear on the outside of your pants. Either way, I salute you. However, with great blogging comes great responsibility. Fortunately, Batman and Superman are here to help.
BATMAN
Remember your mask – Batman’s mask makes him more than just a man. He strikes fear into the hearts of villains everywhere. While you (hopefully) won’t be striking fear into anyone’s heart, you need to step up and claim your identity, to become something more. This covers how when you blog, you can’t afford to be a mild mannered nobody; be a superhero.
Failure to plan is planning to fail – Batman may be an expert detective and martial artist with seemingly infinite resources, but he doesn’t have superpowers. When he takes on super-villains, he needs a plan. As a freelance blogger, you can’t just charge ahead without a plan. From your own personal Batcave (website), to pitching, to writing, this goes into what you need to cover before you put on the cape.
Keep to the Code – He may not be a boy scout, but the Dark Knight has a code that he keeps to. It’s time to think about your standards. As a freelance blogger, are you willing to throw out some mistake ridden work if you think you can get away with it for some quick cash? Commit to a code, and make sure the standard of work is as high as possible will make sure you’re still getting work years from now.
SUPERMAN
Forget your mask – Yes yes, I know what Bats said, and he’s right. But Superman’s different. When it’s time to fight crime, he takes his mask off. The best blogs are filled with personality. Sure, you want to be a superhero, but you have to let the real you shine through. This section will look at a couple of popular examples: successful bloggers who write with their unique view and voice.
Watch out for Kryptonite – Supes may be able to leap over tall buildings with a single bound and reverse time by flying around the world really really fast, but bring out the green stuff and he’s powerless. Know your strengths and know your weaknesses, and pitch accordingly. You need to consider subject, post length, style and pay. Then go for a superhero knockout!
Collaborate – I know Bruce will agree with me on this one, but even when you’re the man of steel you need a team. You never know when the Justice League or a nosy journalist is going to come in handy. From forums and sites like BAFB where you can find support and advice, mentoring, networking and guest posting, this point covers the benefits of building your very own super-team.
This will be a great post for BAFB readers, with practical advice for freelance bloggers in a fun, easy to read fashion. As a fan of the superhero genre who’s a freelance writer, I can expand on the above points and provide concrete examples of how to apply them in the real world.
Thanks for reading 🙂
Derek Thompson says
I like the concept and the opportunity to use metaphors from the world of superheroing (is that even a word?!.
Daniel Rose says
Not a word but there seem to be enough people using it Derek. Hey, if Shakespeare can make up words then why not? :p Yes, I love the smell of superhero metaphors in the morning 😉 Thank you.
Derek Thompson says
Of course, there’s also scope to extend the theme to the supervillians of freelance blogging.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Daniel!
I’ve always been a Batman fan, so that automatically piqued my interest. And the fact that your pitch is topical doesn’t hurt either…
You brought up writing for pay/cash a couple times, which is good — a lot of pitches focus solely on the blogging and forget the freelancing element.
In general, your tips are a bit basic, but that might not be a bad thing. I’ve noticed in past Pitchfests that the commenters/readers really dig the ideas that revolve around basic tips! And your theme/gimmick may be enough to keep “basic” interesting.
Not bad! Definitely your best pitch to us thus far. 🙂
Daniel Rose says
Thanks Lauren, I’m not sure what that says for my previous pitches though 😉 You watch me, Pitchfest 2025, I’ll be all over it :p
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Your other pitches were decent too — just not quite as tailored to fit the BAFB audience/publication. This one showed noticeable effort to tackle our niche. 🙂
I love it when bloggers return to Pitchfest after having entered before. Katherine Swarts (the commenter directly below you) had pitched in several Pitchfests with no luck — but ended up getting 3rd place last time!
My memory is pretty incredible (ask Sophie!), so when I see a name I recognize as a former pitcher I really zoom in and notice the little improvements.
Katherine Swarts says
HEADLINE: 5 Ways to Improve Your Blogging Income by Improving Your Mindset
OPENING: Are you doing everything “right” to market your blogging business–following BAFB and other experts to the letter–and still coming up empty on clients?
Are you moaning, “Why doesn’t it work for ME?”
Maybe because you never really believed it would. Or, other thinking habits could be sabotaging your progress. …
KEY POINTS:
1. Adopt a “failure is not an option” mindset. Visualize an energy shield around your brain, screening out all pessimistic thinking; repeat “I am a star blogger” affirmations daily, and never let yourself argue with them.
2. Be yourself in all ways, from blogging niche to writing style to work schedule. LEARN from others’ experiences; don’t COPY them.
3. Make your goals AND your success timeline your own. Sure, your favorite blogger’s “was earning $100,000 a month within a year” story sounds like what everyone wants–but it’s a formula for despair if you read it as “if I do EXACTLY what they did, I’m GUARANTEED to make as much money in as short time.”
4. Don’t try to force quick results–and definitely don’t hate yourself if you can’t. You’ll get farther in the next-few-months run by pacing yourself than by pushing yourself through an over-saturated daily workload–and the saturation point will arrive sooner than you think.
5. Believe in YOURSELF. There’s no such thing as a born failure, and “this is how everyone [or even every blogger] should be” is always a lie.
(I might also start each point with a “bad thinking” sentence, e. g.: “I’ll probably fail”; “Every successful blogger does it just like THIS”; “The road to success is nothing but a formula”; “If nothing happens within two weeks, I must not be trying hard enough”; “I never do anything right anyway.”)
WHY THIS POST? WHY THIS BLOGGER?
Freelance blogging ranks unfortunately high among professions most likely to attract “You’ll NEVER make a living doing THAT” naysayings, endangering all but the most confident or experienced bloggers through human nature’s tendency to believe what it hears. I’ve personally wrestled long and hard with that and all the other “bad thinking” attitudes above–partly due to letting them get a powerful “habit” foothold in the days before I knew better. I welcome the opportunity to help fellow bloggers head off that problem BEFORE it becomes a habit–or, if it already has, to bring it out into the open where it can be properly attacked.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
LOVE this pitch.
Katherine Swarts says
Thanks very much, Alicia!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Nice one, Katherine! Your pitches keep getting better and better! 😀 (It’s been really great seeing your journey/progress from your first Pitchfest entry to this one)
Daniel Rose says
Good post Katherine, I found myself nodding along as I read it, especially points 3 & 4. With the focus on overnight successes in virtually every field, it’s easy to get discouraged.
Corinne Pinfold says
“But I’m a [INSERT NICHE] blogger!”: how to get out of a niche-blogging rut
Opening: Ever seen the film ‘But I’m a cheerleader’? A girl’s parents send her to ex-gay therapy suspecting she’s a lesbian. She protests: “but I’m a cheerleader!”. By the end credits, she learns you can be both. The film teaches a valuable lesson: be careful how you label yourself, there’s much more to you! It also has 34% on RottenTomatoes. Nevermind.
1. Bin the label! Do whatever mental gymnastics you have to do to stop thinking of yourself as an “[INSERT TOPIC] blogger”. Imagine yourself taking off your travel/sport/parenting/ornithology blogger hat and putting it aside, just for an hour. What are your other interests? Where have you lived? What did you love in your last job, your college, or even your school? To quote another of my favourite cult movies, “There’s a lot more to you than there is to you!”
2. Go back to basics. There are numerous resources available for new bloggers looking to find their niche, and these are just as useful for an established blogger breaking out of one. Start with the list of better-paid blogging gigs right here on BAFB. I’ll show you some more resources that have helped me as a newbie.
3. How can you use your current specialist knowledge in other areas? One really great piece of advice I’ve been given was to use my niche knowledge across a spectrum of audiences. My background is in education, but that doesn’t limit me to writing for education blogs. Parent blogs might be interested in a pitch on school applications, philosophy blogs might snap up a pitch about the ethics of public/private schooling. I might even find a way onto a golf blog if I think far enough outside the box.
4. Pitch perfect! If you’ve built up relationships with blogs in your area of interest, it might have been a while since you sat down to write a pitch. Here are a few resources to help you pitch with confidence again.
5. Take your learning with you. Whether your pitch made it onto a blog or not, think about the fresh aspects of yourself that you’ve awakened to, and the new audiences you’ve discovered. Just through writing this pitch, I’m now thinking I might try pitching to a few cult film blogs – a niche I didn’t previously think about marketing to!
Why? As you said yourself in this very post, top bloggers don’t pitch much! If anyone out there feels like they’ve become pigeonholed by their own success, or if they just want the boost to write that out-of-niche article they’ve been sitting on for a while, this is the post for them. As someone fresh on the blogging scene, I’ve been doing my homework on resources for bloggers of all interests; I can demystify the scary world of being outside your comfort zone.
Cherese Renee' Cobb says
On the golf front–Do golf lessons really make a difference? or The Best Golf Colleges
Corinne Pinfold says
Haha, those are actually great ideas! Way to turn my flippant comment into potential posts.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Corinne! Yes! I love this. This is something I bring up with my mentoring clients all the time. So many writers think that choosing a “niche” means they have to limit themselves — but it doesn’t!
You mentioned pitching and writing for pay a couple times, so that makes me very happy as well. (I mentioned in a comment earlier that a lot of writers forget the freelancing aspect when pitching to Be A Freelance Blogger).
And you quoted The Producers. So brownie points there. 😉
Corinne Pinfold says
Thanks Lauren, glad to hear I was on the right track.
Just thought of another relevant Producers quote for freelance bloggers – “Oh Lord… I want that money!” 😉
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
You made me lol at my desk, Corinne. 😀
Fun Fact: Mel Brooks once told me he liked a poem I’d written. (I was 15). One of the benefits of growing up in the entertainment industry, I guess!
Corinne Pinfold says
That’s amazing, did you keep the poem?
Do you have any feedback for how I could have polished the pitch?
Daniel Rose says
Point 3, all the way. I used to think I didn’t have the expertise to pitch to certain niches, but my mentor really helped me see how we can combine our interests to come up with great unique pitches. Good post!
Corinne Pinfold says
Thanks Daniel, and I’m really glad to hear #3 paid off for you.
vijeta_saini says
HEADLINE-How to be a highly paid freelance blogger
OPENING-A lot of people are asking that whether it is possible to make good amount of money by freelance blogging? Well, the answer is yes! You can be a highly paid freelance blogger juts by keeping something’s in mind.
KEY POINTS-
1 Select your Specialty- When it comes to highly paid freelance blogging jobs, specialists tend to get paid more than the generalist. Top dollars are paid not to those who can write but to those who write with authority. You have to balance what you know well with types of blog content that clients are willing to pay a premium for.
2 Research professional level blogging market- Think in terms of client motivation. Clients who are willing to pay high amount are the ones with more strategic side to their blogging plans.Think less about the blog’s visibility with general readers and more about which types of clients would want to use blogging in a larger marketing or PR capacity.
3 Be indispensable to your clients- Once you land a client give them a reason to come back for more. Step out of your comfort zone and make your client satisfied.
4 Selecting Companies- Selecting a right company is an important task. Remember that only kind of business that will pay you well will have a substantial marketing budget. Mom and pop operations and one-person shows generally can’t afford to hire serious freelance bloggers.
5 Increasing your price- never increase your price abruptly, there should be a gradual rise. Never overprice yourself that will automatically discourage your clients to come to you.
6 Grammar- Having proper control over your language and Grammar is an essential part of being a highly paid blogger. Any grammatical mistake would be noticed easily.
WHY THIS BLOG? WHY ME?
Freelance blogging is a great career but the general saying being “You’ll never make living out of it” needs to be changed this pitch provide an insight on how to be a highly paid blogger thus helping you make a living out of it. Leo Babauta is one such great example. Also I am the right person to write it as I have got the talent and new ideas. And also a reputed site like yours are searching for new upcoming talent, I would be the right choice for that.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, vijeta_saini!
This pitch isn’t too bad; however, I think it might be a little too basic for BAFB. We’ve already had entire posts covering each of your subheads…
Amanda Helman says
Stop hiding behind your computer screen. Go out, meet people and get jobs.
If you are like me, one thing that attracted me to freelance blogging (besides the fact that I love to write) is that I can get clients without having to ever meet them. Online resources make it easy to overlook more traditional methods of getting a writing gig. Networking in person can help you get writing jobs right in your back yard.
What is networking? Plain and simple, networking is meeting people, talking to them about what you do and getting them to talk to you about what they do. Clients often don’t know that a blog would benefit their business until they start talking to you.
Where do you network? There are many different ways to network. You can join a formal networking group that is designed specifically to share business leads, like BNI (Business Networking International). You can find networking groups on Meet Up. Your local Chamber of Commerce has networking gatherings. Volunteer, but not necessarily to write.
What should I do to when I go to a networking group? What kind of group you are going to determines how you present yourself. Always be prepared to answer the question “What do you do?” with what is known in the sales world as your “elevator speech”. How would you describe your business to someone you were on an elevator with? Approximately 60 seconds. Ask more questions about the other person’s business than talking about your own business. Ask who THEIR perfect client is.
How do I create my elevator speech? There are specific points about your business you should include. Write it out. Practice it.
What do I do after I go to an event? Follow up steps that you should always take.
Why? I think this is a great topic for Freelance Blogger because it give a different perspective on how to get clients. Because we work online, we tend to forget that there are actually people out there and if we talked with them they could become clients. I have been in sales and marketing for over 30 years and the old adage is still very true – it’s not necessarily what you know, but who you know that gets you the job.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Amanda!
I like this… However, you didn’t mention how this would apply specifically to freelance bloggers (rather than freelance writers in general). Our niche is very strict.
And we’ve already covered elevator speeches – http://beafreelanceblogger.com/impostor-syndrome – but it’s been a while, so we could probably squeeze it in again (but I wouldn’t suggest making it a main focal point).
Maham S. Chappal says
(HEADLINE)
4 Sneaky Ways to Keep Your Comment Box Bursting with Engagement.
(OPENING)
People generally confuse content with smell.
They feel that just as the delicious aroma of an Indian curry hypnotizes us and draws us towards itself, great content will similarly entice readers, hook them in, and there will be a boom of ongoing commentary in the comment box.
They forget one very important thing.
……..
(KEY-POINTS)
1. Sneaky Move 1: Build a support group
– Join groups on social media.
– Create a blogging group on social media platforms and add your loyal supporters
– Start a comment crusade with like-minded, like-niche bloggers where you all comment on each other’s blogs.
2. Sneaky Move 2: Light the fire on a controversial topic. And continue it on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+.
– Write on a topic that has divided views.
– Share your article on Twitter, and start engaging with your social media peeps on it.
– Direct them towards your blog.
3. Sneaky Move 3: Become a Comment Warrior.
– Find blogs in your niche that are a ‘6’ on the popularity scale of 1-10.
– They’ll have a few comments.
– Participate by writing thoughtful comments on their posts.
4. Sneaky Move 4: Get support from your closest ones. Sweet-talk them. Black mail them. And if nothing else works, threaten them with murder.
– Ask your friends, family, ex-lovers who you’re on excellent terms with to write thoughtful comments on your posts.
– Once readers see a bit of activity in the comment box, they’ll jump right in too.
(I’m going to add more oomph to the key-points, and start off each point with a pointed question)
——————————————————————————————————————————-
WHY? WHY? WHY?
I’ve been ghostwriting for over 2 years now, and in that time I’ve took control of several dead blogs and brought them to life again. One of the things I struggled with the most was getting comments, and I knew how essential they were for the over-all success of a blog. So I made a few devious moves (look at sneaky point one), and saw A LOT of success. Suddenly, those blogs were overflowing with conversation.
Every blogger has been through this traumatic experience at least once in their blogging life. They’ve spent sleepless nights worrying about it. They’ve sighed in despair every time they stole a look at their comment box. They’ve tried to find solutions for it, too. But, not much has worked for them.
So, here are my tested and proven ways to get more comments and have a flourishing comment box that grins, shouts encouragement and has drunken brawls. One that’s a hub of the blogger’s tribe.
I plan on incorporating all these tactics on my own blog(it’s still in the works), too!
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Maham!
Your opening lines were a bit awkward; however, by the end, you had me nodding along with what you were saying. Not bad. 🙂
Though, if anyone’s interested, Amy Harrison wrote a brilliant post a couple years ago on why comments aren’t that important for a “successful” blog: http://harrisonamy.com/when-blogging-for-comments-leaves-you-broke-in-business/
Maham S. Chappal says
Thanks for your feedback, Lauren!
I actually have a longer intro, and I think it would make more sense had I pasted the entire thing, but I limited it to 60 words as mentioned in the pitch guidelines! And now it sounds weird, haha.
Would this topic be of interest to you as a guestpost (if it doesn’t get selected for this contest)? I’d love to write an informative guestpost that would provide value for the BAFB community!
Thanks, Lauren, for Amy Harrison’s article! It’s loading as I type these last few words! 🙂
Karen says
One of your guidelines advises not to write about yourself.
Would a headline like this be pitchable?
The Three Dream Suckers I Battle Everyday to Keep My Writing Dreams In Sight. How to Dodge Them and Release the Pro Blogger Within
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
It would be better if it were something like…
“Going into Battle for Your Freelance Blogging Dreams: Don’t Let These Three Monsters Defeat You!”
Still not the best headline in the world, but do you see how it focuses on “you” (the audience) rather than “I” (yourself)? 🙂
Dyan Fox says
Headline: How To Start A Freelance Blogging Career Without Losing Your Mind
I don’t know about you, but I’m losing my mind.
Five months ago I realized what I should be doing with my life and I was invigorated. Forever changed. Insane.
‘Okay!’ I thought. ‘My family needs more income. And I know just the way to get it! I’ll start a new career that I have no experience in…’
Do This #1:
Know that you’re not going to make much money right away.
1. If you’re in dire need of income get a regular paying job for awhile.
2. It’s going to take some time to get your business up and running in a quality way. Rushing will cause you to make mistakes that can potentially hurt your business and your ability to land clients.
Do This #2:
Limit yourself to only one monumental task at a time.
1. Doing more than one stressful thing at a time will make you crazy.
Do This #3:
Limit yourself to the amount and type of ‘helpful’ advice available on the internet.
1. There are a lot of sources of great information out there (like BAFB) and there are a lot of the other kind.
2. Beware signing up for every newsletter/webinar/class you come across because you’ll be spending all your time reading/listening/learning when you should be spending most of it working on your business and figuring out what will work for YOU.
Do This #4:
Decide what general niche you’ll write in to avoid overextending yourself, stressing out, etc.
1. Narrowing your focus will help you find and apply for jobs, make up relevant samples, and grow your contacts.
Do This #5:
Work out regularly. And I do mean regularly.
1. You need some way to boil away all your stress/anxiety so your fledgling career doesn’t give you heart disease, high blood pressure, or loss of sleep.
Do This #6:
Take breaks from working on your freelance business.
1. Don’t work on it every spare minute. Make it a point to go out and do something else so your brain can take a break. You’ll be glad you did when you sit back down and can look at your website/samples/to-do-list with fresh eyes.
I believe this will be a great topic for BAFB because a lot of your members are starting out their careers and need helpful advice from someone who’s been there. And by ‘been there’ I mean ‘there now’, since I make myself crazy on a daily basis and have to remind myself of the above points every thirteen seconds. I’d like to save others from having the same experience. 🙂
Rebekah Olsen says
I like this. #5 and #6 are so true. I was in total freelance meltdown yesterday so I went to the gym and spent a few hours pampering myself. Back to 100%!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Dyan!
That’s all great advice! 🙂
However, I’m not really feeling it as a BAFB post. Other than the title, it feels a little too focused on general freelancing advice other than advice for freelance bloggers specifically.
Peter Gagliardi says
I would love to write an outstanding article for your Pitchfest Contest. The Title of the articel is “The Hidden Benefits of Free Lance Writing.” It is an article that every free lancer should read, and it will be a great benefit to your readers and your organization. My idea is that writing on the Internet is a very rewarding, learning, and worthwhile experience. This is extremely important, as many free lancers have a negative view of their experience since they do not make a lot of money. The real benefit of writing on the Internet is that these writers are part of the world’s conversation and they influence millions of readers and actually influence world events. The writers also benefit personally as they improve their writing skills, maintain sharp minds, and continually learn from their experience. These benefits are much greater then the economic benefit. My article will explain how my articles actually affected events as well as public policy.
Thank you for your time and attention, and I hope to hear from you soon. Please e-mail your comments.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Peter!
Thanks for pitching, but I don’t think we’ll be choosing this one. Our niche (freelance blogging) is very strict and while this idea covers basic freelancing advice, it doesn’t cover blogging.
Also, you forgot the “WHY ME” part of your pitch — which is the “theme” of this month’s Pitchfest.
Alex Owen-Hill says
HEADLINE: How to Become Passionate About Any Blogging Niche
You’ve found a great paying client. You’ve hooked them with one, or two, dazzling ideas.
But, big problem!!! You’re only vaguely interested in the client’s topic.
How are you going to produce consistent, passionate blog posts?
It happens. Well paid niches don’t always match your personal passions.
What do you do? Give up the client? Write boring posts?…… Hell no!
POINT 1: Boring is in the Eye of the Beholder
Humans have an almost limitless ability to become interested in things. Having a strategy to become passionate about your client’s niche will open you up to write about literally anything, and love doing it. The trick is to find a new pair of eyes, ones which are fascinated by the blog topic.
POINT 2: The 50 Question Free Association Game
Five year old children are fountains of infinite, interesting questions. Harness your inner five year old by free-associating random questions about the topic. It requires no research and is a really quick way to find which topics in the niche will most interest you.
POINT 3: Harness Your Existing Passions
Even the most niche of niches has crossovers with other topics. Find some “stepping stone” topics that are close to a something you’re already passionate about. From there the whole niche can open up for you.
POINT 4: Find Some Geeks
Every industry or niche has people who are really passionate about it. Doing a quick, 15 minute interview with a few of them is a great way of soaking up the passion of others. Also, by using one surprisingly effective (and completely true) pretence you’ll get a whole load of free post ideas and maybe even another gig.
POINT 5: Lets Get Physical
Getting your hands dirty is a very effective way of generating passion. Trying out activities in your new niche will not only give you loads of post ideas, it’s fun. I got really interested in the specifics of concrete mixing when I made an outdoor oven. If I ever write a construction blog, I can harness that passion.
POINT 6: Selling Your Passion at Parties
Find fascinating facts in your new niche to chat about in social situations. If you can convince your friends that your new niche is interesting, two magical things start to happen: you begin to really believe in it and they start to ask you questions about it. These questions make great seeds for post ideas.
WHY BAFB?: Making real money freelance blogging sometimes means making less-than-interesting topics sound fascinating. This post on generating real passion for any topic would be a great compliment to BAFB’s existing posts on generating loads of post ideas.
WHY ME?: I’m a freelance writer with an almost obsessive attraction to learning new things (e.g. filmmaking, painting, drying fish, neuroscience, writing endless lists….), a dubious compulsion which is actually turning out to be really useful for freelance blogging.
Rebekah Olsen says
Love this! I gave up a client recently because I couldn’t garner the passion to do the work…too bad I didn’t have your advice!
Cherese Renee' Cobb says
I also love this idea. I’m like you because I can get interested in almost any topic, even the chemicals that are in glue.
I still a big fan of niching–3 or 4 areas of expertise. You’ll know the lingo, which is the most exhausting part of a new field, and get higher pay.
Alex Owen-Hill says
Great! I’m really thrilled my idea resonates with you guys.
Yeah, I think many of us writers are laudable lovers of lifelong learning.
The chemicals in glue you say?…
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
I really, really like this, Alex.
Rosanne says
Headline: 5 Ways to Make Your Writing Hit All the Right Notes by Harmonizing with Your Client’s Voice
Intro: One of Jeff Goins tips to would-be writers is t find your voice. If you are blogging for clients, though, it’s equally important to develop a good ear for others voices, too. While it may seem fairly obvious that you need to match your writing style or voice to that of your client’s blog, a surprising number of bloggers turn tone deaf when they put their fingers to the keyboard.
Here are five ways you can harmonize with your clients so you can hit all the “write” notes.
Main points:
1. Know the basics. Again, I realize I’m being Captain Obvious here, but knowing the basics about a blog like who the audience is, what the point of the blog is, and what the content is are things you have to know. I will talk about how and where to find these basics.
2. Study sentence structure. I know sentence structure probably sounds too much like diagramming sentences for comfort, but looking at the rhythm of the sentences can be a key way to match your voice to your client’s. I will explain various sentence structures and examples of how to match those.
3. Check out word choice. Are they giving their thesaurus a workout or are things pretty simple? I will talk about ways to echo word choice without sounding like a ventriloquist.
4. Listen for lingo. Are posts peppered with industry-specific lingo? I will talk about the best ways to write using lingo, and also various ways to explain industry specific terms without talking down to the audience.
5. Tune into tone. Is the blog sassy or formal? Are they academic or racy? I will talk about ways to match tone, including nit picky things like the use of contractions and whether to write in first or third person.
Why the topic and why me?
I find a lot of people know what they should be doing, but not exactly how they should do it. This post would break down the big idea of matching style and voice with a client in easy to use pieces. When people know exactly what to do, they tend to procrastinate less, and that’s what this blog is about – writers getting out there, getting clients and making a living doing it! Why me? Well, as a word nerd, I love the written language. I find it sort of fascinating how people write, as much as, what they write. I also was a teacher for a while, so I can’t help myself when it comes to explaining concepts. 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Rosanne!
Your pitch was decent (cheers to that!), but I think we’ll probably pass on this one as it’s a bit too similar to this post: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/client-voice/
Rosanne says
Thanks, Lauren. This was my first pitchfest. Can’t wait to try again next time! 🙂
Karen says
So sorry. I pressed the Publish button before I was finished editing. Please discard earlier entry.
Here goes again.
New Topic: Chicken Soup for the Unhappy Writer’s Soul: How to Be Your Own Therapist when these Three DreamCrushers Invade your Writer’s Soul.
Actor/writer/entertainer Spalding Gray’s untimely death in 2013 was shocking to many in his circle. Patricia Pharrel, author of How to Be Your Own Therapist: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Competent, Confident Life remembers Gray as a man of talent and complexity who had . . . . “a great deal of pain in his life, pain he managed to keep to himself and it was depression that drove him to take his life.”
When Swedish researchers combed through population registries looking for a link between creativity and mental illness, they found that writers have a slightly increased risk for depression and suicide, but their relatives do not. So writes Madeline Vann in her 2013 article on everdayhealth.com. Expanding on the “strongest link”researchers made between bipolar disorder and creativity, Vann underlined the role environmental factors play in writer’s lives, factors the researchers say is “a tough situation for writers.”
“The writing life is of necessity isolated, stressful, and full of rumination over the mystery of human behavior, as Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sylvia Plath, Tennessee Williams, and other famous writers’ life stories illustrate,” she pointed out.
Vann’s story highlights a subject that many writers/blogger choose to keep away from the spotlight. The sense of isolation, the inner struggles many writers battle with, bloggers no less. These are hushed, not hardly spoken about.
If you blog, the consensus on whether to share the dirty and ugly may be split down the middle. I have seen advice by top bloggers saying keep your sob stories out of your blog. No one wants to read it. There’s enough ugly in the world. Keep it positive and sparkly and engaging and helpful.
But how can you when your tortured soul refuses to let you, when you have just barely managed to survive one depressive episode before you are pulled under by another. When the torture comes from massive self-doubts caused by chronic situational depression because live with a tormenting spouse and a fractured roller coaster marriage; when procrastination has lived inside you for far too long.
Depression and Anxiety, Procrastination and a Loveless Marriage are three dream crushers that have been sinking their teeth into my writing dreams for the last eight years.
When they attack, they slurp at my joie de vivre, they roll over my concentration, they distract, they delay and delay and delay while I read, and read and real some more, because I have convinced myself that I am not yet ready for the big times. I need to learn more and more, and totally get it before I take the plunge.
Maybe like me, you are one of the victims who has had your dream of freelance blogging success snatched by these dream crushers. And you are plain sick and tired of being sick and tired. From one day to the next, you bounce from, “Yes I can do It’ to No, I can’t.” In moments of inspiration, you rapidly scribble great blog ideas and then do nothing about them.
Your coping mechanisms are not holding up well under the onslaught of a spouse’s spirit-crushing alienation and hostility.
And you give up. To the taunts inside your head,
“You are boring.”
“You can’t write.”
“You’ll never be a professional blogger or write with the ease of a Sophie Lizard or claim the big bucks Carol Tice does. Don’t even bother trying. You’ll just fail…. again.”
The challenges of becoming a pro blogger are not always based on writing skills. For some bloggers, it can be as simple and as complex as just being unhappy.
And how do you find your happy place and write from that place when all hell is breaking loose around you and inside you? Is there a chance in hell that you can win this battle?
How do you dodge the dream crushers in your life and release the problogger Within?
Sometimes a writer just needs chicken soup for the soul: a special therapy comprising of special ingredients, anti-dream crushing prescription and sometimes a tender, othertimes firm reality checks to heal a troubled writer’s soul.
Sometimes, therapy may mean learning how to be a dodger, which according to the Oxford dictionary is a person who engages in cunning tricks or dishonest practices to avoid something unpleasant. If you can’t beat these dream crushers, you may have to con them or fake it til you make it.
Maybe he or she just needs some soul cleansing advice every now and then to help face the grim prospect of writing dreams fading right before their eyes.
Maybe they need to hear words like Langston Hughes’
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow
Or the simple advice which blogging giant Michael Hyatt used to jolt me from self-pity at the start of the new year when he said, “Make your own bliss.”
These words changed my mentality from victim to dream chaser. Although I’m not quite there yet, every day that I hold fast to my dreams, I am making strides and taking control of my happiness and my dreams.
How does a crushed writer make bliss or hold fast to his or her writing dreams? You might need to some chicken soup therapy to rid you of the parasites that are dogging your blogging dreams:
Here are a few ways you can make your own bliss, find your happy place and increase your writing flow and beat three of the most dream crushing incidents in a writer’s life one cup of chicken soup at a time.
1. Dream Crushers: Depression and Anxiety (AKA the Ugly Twins )
Effect on blogging/writing dreams: Depression attacks the serotonin levels in the brain. According to WebMD.com, serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter, a type of chemical that helps relay signals from one area of the brain to another.
Most notable is this fact: “of the approximately 40 million brain cells, most are influenced either directly or indirectly by serotonin. This includes brain cells related to mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behaviour.”
So you can understand why low serotonin levels can sap your energy and motivation, making you feel unworthy, hopeless, trapped and limp. It speeds up mental wheels in some people and bombards you with negative messages. You want to write but all you can do is look at the screen feeling like a total failure. There are words, but they are trapped inside you.
Chicken Soup Advice to Dodge It:
Take care of your health. See your doctor or mental health specialist and discuss your symptoms. Depression like any illness can be cured and according to WebMD, all depression are not the same. So go find out what’s ailing you. All it might take is serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, otherwise called anti-pressants to get your brain chemical rebalanced. With medication and care the Sun will come out soon, which frees up your moods and gets you writing.
Hatch an escape plan.
Fleeing your situation, even temporarily can give you a chance to reenergize and get back your happy, so you can write. Escape when you feel a need to. Head to the beach. Leave the home for the weekend and spend time with friends who appreciate you.
Call up your mom, sibling or a good friend who has your back and just vent, cry, or chat. Good company and positive energy can quickly cancel the negative memories and emotions.
When you are depressed, getting out of bed can be hard to do. You don’t have the luxury as some freelancers boast of working in your pajamas. Unwashed face and bodies are detrimental to depressed writers.
Take a shower as you get up in the morning. The energy from water can prepare you to face a grimy day.
Find inspiration and support from joining a community. For me, religion works. In fact, psychiatrists have found that people with mental disturbances find some kind of catharsis and healing from going to church and worshipping a Higher Power. Another kind of community you can obtain motivation from is a supportive writers community. I’ve found vicarious comfort from knowing that there are other writers who walked the same journey of self-doubt I do, but they survived and now run successful freelance blogging businesses. Join a writing community.
2. Dream Crusher: Loveless Marriage
Effect on your writing/writing dreams:
Living in a bad marriage puts a writer in constant stress mode. Stress and blogging doth not make good marriage partners. If you’ve tried to get your spouse to counseling, tried to appeal to his warped reasoning, and done everything else to achieve a peaceful home, and it’s not working, you may be really incompatible or you are dealing with a narcissist. You can’t fix those. They are pleasure seekers who are selfish and thrive on tormenting others weaker than themselves.
Chicken Soup Advice to Dodge It:
You have to make a decision whether you will allow this person to snatch your dreams. Narcissists can’t change. Take a stand. Decide that you will not stand for any more abuse and that you deserve better. You deserve bliss. If conflicts are frequently confrontational, stand up for your self. Your spouse may be the rabid-dog type with more bark than bite. Bark back. You’d be surprised what a wimp he or she is when you confront. I’ve proven this myself. I no longer wimper and cry when my spouse attacks. He spits venom. I spit back venom with equal and sometimes greater force. I’m not saying that will work for you, but getting loud -er and cussing long-er has definitely given me some breathing room until I can find more inner strength to leave the situation permanently. Every bit of aggression I retaliate with is ROI for my Happy Bank, less fear and more freedom to write.
Make sure you are financially empowered. Until you can live the freelancers life, keep your day job. Keep money in your pocket. I am currently unemployed because I chose not to renew my last contract. Big mistake. When you have money, you have independence. Hit the pavement, feel the fear and start looking for a that job. For me, not having a job has held me back from purchasing the website I need. I’m not an American. Cost of living is very high in my country. I’ve tried using Linked In to put my clips, and I blog at WordPress.com, but that has not been enough. For I still have to battle public enemy number 1 : procrastination.
Last Resort….Leave. Communicate your desires to your spouse and express how the stress of the relationship is stealing your joy and disabling your writing functions. Try counseling. If all fails, maybe its time to separate.
3. Dream Crusher: Procrastination
Effect on your writing/blogging dreams:
You might have heard it said before that ‘Procrastination is a thief’. It is. It steals time, opportunity and dreams. This is a self-created dream crusher that it’s time to stop in its tracks.
Chicken Soup Advice to Dodge It:
Use an accountable buddy. I have cultivated a bad habit of putting things off. One of my worst habits comes from spending too much time consuming information and not auctioning the advice I have consumed. One way to fight this internal enemy is to find a buddy who is super productive and who manages time very well, and ask him or her to help you to beat the procrastination habit by helping you to create timelines and deadlines to get tasks done, and checking in with you, even threatening to make sure you do not relapse into your old patterns.
Seek out and use productivity and organization tools. Procrastinators have highly undisciplined and disorganized minds.
Use timers when you write, online calendars to set and remind you of deadlines. I even set false deadlines like a week before the actual deadline to fool my mind and help me beat the last minute mindset.
See what other productive writers use and try it to see if it would work. Try everything until you beat your procrastination habit. It can be done. The rewards from your efforts will also provide more ammunition to empower your battle.
Use writing organizers
Make and follow a prewriting plan and use organizational strategies. Writing is a process. Get the prewriting step done and you’ll not be so overwhelmed when its time to draft. Some people use 5 w’s and H strategy, but clustering and an rough A-B-C- outline on a piece of paper can work just as well, as long as it clears the bottleneck in the process that makes things less overwhelming which is a dominant reason why many procrastinators procrastinate.
Why I should write this post:
I live with these dream crushers everyday. It’s a constant battle I fight. I can write about this subject of matrimonial unhappiness because I have lived the experience and I have seen what it has done to my writing flow and consequently my writing dreams. All three of the dream crushers I have mentioned here have been my constant unwanted companions.
They are beatable, but it takes courage, something a hurting blogger won’t get from reading other blogs and joining freelance writing or blogging forums. Sometimes unhappy bloggers have to find it in themselves to find their bliss. A guest post on this topic can sometimes reach through the screen and touch a frazzled dreamer. Sometimes a writer needs someone to hold their hands and reassure them that this too shall pass.
May be another blogger out there like me is being held back from releasing the super blogger/writer within. There are books that need to be released, but depression, narcissistic spouses and bad marriages, and/or procrastination is sapping their energy and disconnecting that writer’s to the river of words and blog ideas and freelance opportunities. I’d like to write “Chicken Soup for the Unhappy Writer’s Soul: How to Be Your Own Therapist when these Three DreamCrushers Invade your Writer’s Soul, ” as I believe it could resonate with a whole community of wannabe writer’s. Maybe it will free them to write what’s on their hearts when nothing else is there. It should be okay to write about your pain and I know many people do, but maybe there are still other who are stuck in the trauma and needs a little chicken soup to show them the light at the end of the tunnel.
Sources cited:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/famous-writers-with-depression.aspx
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dreams-2/
http://blogs.webmd.com/anxiety-and-stress-management/2006/01/the-ugly-twins.html
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-symptoms-and-types
http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/serotonin
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I don’t want to be a Negative Nancy here, but the idea of Pitchfest is to submit a pitch (a general outline of the post). You’ve submitted an entire post.
That’s not to say anything about your article is wrong, but when pitching to editors, it’s always a good idea to double check what type of pitch they’re looking for. Some will want the entire post attached to the email while others want just an outline. Here, we’re looking for an outline.
Again, this is no reflection on your writing abilities, and I feel like I’m being nit-picky pointing it out, but the truth is that editors generally ignore emails that don’t follow the pitching guidelines.
It’s Lauren’s #1 rule of guest posting: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/guest-post-rejection/
I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. I’m only trying to help out .
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Karen!
Yep. Alicia’s absolutely right. Following the guidelines is super important. And I, in particular, am a bit of a hardass about it. Here’s why: http://littlezotz.com/2015/01/hardass-editor/
Karen says
Wow. I’m way over 2000 words. I should have cut and paste. Somehow missed that when reading the guidelines. Please notify me by email. I forgot to tick the box after submitting.
Karen says
You’re right.
Thanks for the correction. I’ve wanted to try this Pitchfest for a long time and finally mustered up the courage to. It is the entire post.
Could you give me some more critique about the content. What else is wrong or right with it? If I don’t make it this time, I’d like the information to file away for the next Pitchfest. I don’t suppose I can get another shot at it, can I?
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Karen,
You can always resubmit your pitch following the guidelines above.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Karen!
Yep. Alicia’s right again. You could have resubmitted your post as a proper pitch, using our suggestions. It’s actually bullet point #5 in The Rules. (This is another reason why reading the guidelines is SO important!!)
Hopefully this botched attempt won’t discourage you from entering again. I applaud the fact that you finally mustered up the courage to give it a shot. Just be sure to read the rules fully next time. 😉
Oh, and these tips may also be helpful: http://laurentharp.net/pitchfest-hints/
Bethany Brown says
Repitch:
6 Ways to Succeed as a Freelance Blogger When You Have A Full Time Job
There’s this dream life I want. I’ll get up and have a leisurely morning with breakfast, dog walking, and coffee. Then I’ll wander upstairs to my cute home office and write. But for now some of us need to keep our day jobs. So how can we start and maintain a successful freelance blogging business while working full time?
1. Don’t be afraid of success. I know, you really do want to achieve that dream; but if you’ve stalled out trying to get started, chances are success is scary and TV is easy. Don’t fear success, and don’t assume you’re unworthy; you deserve it!
2. Find out what time YOU write best. You’ve been told to get up early, stay up late, write on the train, in the bus, on your lunch break. But what really works for you, your body rhythms, your schedule? Make realistic goals that fit what you can give.
3. Put on your rose colored glasses. Everything you experience can make a good blog post, and when you start thinking that way, nearly everything you encounter takes on a new meaning, one that might make a good story or open you up to a new market for your posts. Don’t forget to record your ideas somewhere handy while you’re out and about so you don’t forget.
4. Take pictures of everything. Some blogs supply their own art, but you’re more marketable if you have art that goes along with your post. And since you don’t have whole workdays to set up how-to’s and recipe photos, you’ll need to embrace every opportunity to get a blog-worthy shot.
5. Read the lists. Without the time to search for new markets and brainstorm tons of new ideas at your leisure, make good use of publications like The Ultimate List of Better-Paid Blogging Gigs by Sophie Lizard to speed up your process. Not only will you find places to sell your freelance work, you may come up with post ideas as you read about what various sites want.
6. Stay inspired. With half the time to work and your energy sources depleted by long days in the office, you’re fighting an uphill battle to stay in the freelance business. Take care to do things to refuel yourself so you don’t get discouraged, and pause often to remember why you wanted to do this in the first place!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Not bad, Bethany. 🙂 You forgot to include the “WHY ME” part of your pitch in this redo, but you did it above so I’ll let it slide. 😉
Sarah B. says
5 Ways to Blog About The Good Your Client is Doing
These days, we have very little tolerance for crappy business ethics. We want to support businesses that care about doing good. Highlighting the positive social impact of your client’s product or service in your blogging can increase their web traffic, social media following, and revenue. Awesome! So how can you play up their best attributes?
1. Read their “About Us” or Mission Statement. This explains the fundamental reason your client is in business, and what they hope to achieve. It outlines their core beliefs and values, as well as their business goals. From this, you can make a list of the different ways they’re making a positive impact, and keep it handy to use in future blog posts.
2. A positive impact can be virtually anything – you just have to find it. Unless you’re blogging for a snake oil salesman or a puppy mill (and dear God, we truly hope you’re not), the goods or services your client provides are making a positive social impact in some way. Good can be found just about anywhere; it doesn’t necessarily have to be “obvious,” like the work that a nonprofit does. Think social, environmental, cultural, economic, humanitarian, etc.
3. Weave into each blog post how the client is doing good. Use your list from point #1 and choose one of the aspects of your client’s mission statement to play up in each post you write for them. For example, if part of their mission statement is to support the local community, find a way to reinforce how they’re doing that in your post about their new reclaimed wooden furniture.
4. Suggest writing a featured “doing good” post for them. In addition to the ways in which their regular business is helping someone somewhere, your client probably donates time or money to a specific cause (or two!). Ask them what theirs is, and suggest doing a spotlight blog post on that. This is something you could do 2-3 times a year to keep readers engaged and let them know that your client’s good work is ongoing.
5. Research similar businesses in your client’s industry. Do your homework – check out other businesses and see what they’re blogging about. Specifically, take a look at what angles they’re using to present themselves to the world in a positive light. Take notes on what you think works and what doesn’t, and think about how you can use that info to make your client shine.
Why this is a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger: Positioning yourself as a blogger who cares about, and is knowledgeable in, the profound impact of businesses doing good sets you apart from other bloggers. Millenials are the biggest marketing demographic and readers of blogs, and they care deeply about business transparency and corporate social responsibility. Having a solid understanding of how to write with this angle can definitely generate more clients for you. Also, this is not a topic that BAFB has posted on before.
Why I’m the right person to write this post: As a freelance blogger who writes for special needs animals, nonprofits, and philanthropic foundations, I have firsthand experience in writing about businesses doing good and making a positive social impact.
Daniel Rose says
Interesting slant, and I must admit to laughing at ‘Puppy Mill’ 🙂 Guess I’ll have to drop my snake oil sales contract then…
Sarah B. says
Thanks, Daniel! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
I really, really dig this. Great job, Sarah! 😀
Sarah B. says
Yay! Thanks, Lauren!!
Cherese Renee' Cobb says
Headline: Blogging 911: 6 Tips for a Repairing a Blown-up Relationship
Introduction: Blowing up a relationship–it’s every bloggers worst nightmare. Unfortunately, a few months ago, it almost happened to me. My client sent me a fuming email. She wanted her money back because she claimed I had plagiarized. (By the way, it turns out I did, so how did I turn this relationship around?)
Body:
1. Learn your rights
If a client pays you upon acceptance or publication and later claims s/he wants his money back, s/he has to take you to court and convince the judge s/he’s right.
2. Ask for more information (and realized editors have preconceptions)
The client thought I had a journalism degree, so she thought I understood plagiarism rules in professional writing. Once I explained I didn’t, the situation wasn’t as black and white.
3. Learn the rules of journalism
You don’t have to shell out 80 grand to get a journalistic education. Many blog sites now require learning AP (associated press style). Here I’ll share some of the FREE resources I’ve found.
4. Be honest
When I realized I’d messed up. I was honest and didn’t offer excuses; I offered to do another article in it’s place and include citations.
5. Be professional
I could have smeared the company’s name all over social media, but I didn’t. I told the editor that I respected her and the company. After that, she was willing to work with me again.
6. Ask for other bloggers’ advice.
This is your 911 line. When I fudged it up, I spoke to Carol Tice, who pointed out that college writing and journalism writing aren’t the same. She also said that no one cares about feelings in business just if the jobs done (ouch–but true!)
Why I’m the right person to person to write this post?
Here’s the testimonial from the client after our working relationship almost hit the rocks.
“Cherese… exude(s) personality in her writing, she consistently expresses innovative tips in a way that our readers love. Cherese has the ability to interview industry experts and summarize their knowledge using language that is easy to understand… Cherese shows incredible professionalism..[and] is always open to feedback and works hard to ensure her posts meet our needs.”
Why it’s a great topic for BAFB?
Let’s face it; clients are people–even PITAs. People with a range of expectations and backgrounds, which means you’re going to eventually clash with someone. Unfortunately, business is a little more complicated than the golden rule, and bloggers can’t afford to burn bridges.
Alicia Rades says
I LOVE this pitch and particularly love that you included the testimonial as evidence that your techniques work. Great job!
Alicia Rades says
On another note, this experience would make a really good post on plagiarism and what to do when you’ve plagiarized and don’t know it. But don’t worry about that right now. Your first topic is golden. 🙂
Cherese Renee' Cobb says
Thanks, Alicia. I think a post on plagiarism would also be great on this blog, especially since most people don’t realize if you use more than a paragraph of another source you need to obtain rights (by paying or asking!)
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Ahhhhhh, Cherese! Your topic gave me a cold chill down my spine (in a good way). What a horrifying experience to have to go through!
This topic definitely hasn’t been done yet on BAFB… And I think it should be!
Great job. 🙂
Kisaki88 says
Thank you, Lauren, Sophie, Alicia, and everyone else who gave me feedback! I’m can’t believe I won first place. I’m excited to start writing the first draft.
Victoria Franzese says
Headline: The pros and cons of ghostwriting blog posts
Opening: The offer sounds almost too good to be true: decent money to write about a topic for which you have both considerable expertise and affection. The only catch? You don’t get a byline. Instead, your piece will published with someone else’s name. Should you forget about adding to your portfolio and just cash the check? The answer is… it depends.
Major Points:
1. Your portfolio is the first thing potential clients want to see. An impressive body of work leads to more high-paying jobs, so don’t be too quick to sell your best writing in a way that prevents you from capitalizing on it in the future. This is especially true if you are relatively new to freelance blogging or if you are trying to expand into a new niche.
2. Freelancing puts the power in your pocket. You work for yourself so you get to make all the decisions. Don’t be afraid to say no to work that you don’t think is in your best interests in the long run. On the other hand, we all have to pay the bills somehow, so if the ghostwriting gig provides a needed dimension to your freelance blogging business (such as a long-term contract), then go for it!
3. Consider a compromise. Perhaps your ghostwriting client has other ways of helping you build your freelance blogging business, such as introductions or recommendations to others who might need your services.
Why: Ghostwriting can be very lucrative for freelance bloggers, which would make an article on this topic incredibly valuable to the BAFB community. Having encountered this conflict myself, I am eager to show others what I have learned, using my experiences to illustrate and personalize the article.
Derek Thompson says
Hi, I think this idea covers a really important issue for freelancers. One thing I’d add though is that you can use ghostwritten material in a portfolio, with permission from the client, and evidence that it was you who wrote it in further discussions.
Victoria Franzese says
Thanks, that’s an excellent point!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Not bad, Victoria. 🙂 I earn most of my living as a ghostblogger as well!
Tegan says
Headline: Has a trending topic got your blog juices flowing? Don’t pitch until you read this…
There’s a social media storm. A celebrity has a made a fashion faux pas at the Oscars. A country’s President has been photographed riding an elephant.
There’s definitely an angle here you think – perfect for one of your clients.
But wait- here are five things you need to think about before you pitch:
1. How topical is it?
Is it just a Twitter post by someone with 50 followers? Or is it trending? You don’t want a situation where you convince your client this is a winning angle only to then not engage their audience because they don’t get your hook.
2. Anticipate backlash
You need to think about any backlash from connecting a client to an event in the news. Is it a story that will enhance your client or detract from it?
3. Stay on top of the story
While you may have read the stories when it first broke and done a cursory look on Twitter, you need to stay on top of it to ensure it’s not going in a direction that may not suit your client.
4. Time is of the essence
Can you write this quickly? You need to decide whether you can get the blog up stat to take full advantage of the story cycle so your client can get the most out of it.
5. Give your blog legs beyond the 24/7 news cycle
Add extra depth to your blog by fleshing it out beyond the celebrity headlines. You need something that will still be relevant in four days – or a month – later.
Why?
Writers are always looking for a new angle they can use in their pitch to clients. This blog gives them a new angle, and tips on how to do it well.
My experience includes writing articles for clients and tailored social media around breaking news stories so I know how to create engaging copy that people want to read.
I’ve made the mistakes so your readers don’t. I’ve written the copy that hasn’t lead to increased sales and social media posts that haven’t gone viral. But I’ve learnt from them and understand the landscape.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Good stuff, Tegan! 🙂
Tegan says
Thanks for the feedback! Good to know I’m on the right track. Cheers!
Emma Hudson says
5 ways to boost your freelance blogging career by making new friends
Freelance blogging can give you greater freedom, but the loss of workplace camaraderie can make working solo, isolating. This need not be the case. Freelance bloggers like you are out there, eager to connect. You just need to know where to find them. Building a circle of virtual co-workers will not only give you friendship, but boost your business too.
#1 Become part of a community: Communities like The BAFB Community, Freelance Writers Den and The Writers Huddle provide both a positive environment to chat to other bloggers and access to great resources that will help you start and improve your freelance blogging business.
#2 Connect with other freelance bloggers via social media groups: Groups on Facebook such as Blogger Opportunities and The Blogging Success Network on Linkedin are a great place for watercooler chats, and to find out about blogging opportunities or collaborative projects.
#3 Join in the conversation: Forums and comment sections on blogs are a great way to chat to other freelance bloggers either in your niche or with similar goals and interests to yourself. Many bloggers will gladly offer advice and tips on writing and the business aspect of blogging.
#4 Take a course: Whether online or in person, courses are a great way to make friends with other bloggers via a common interest or goal for development. Taking a course is also the best way to hone your skills and advance your business. .
# 5 Attend a Blogger event: Strong friendships can be made by meeting other freelance bloggers face-to-face at blogging events. These events not only enable bloggers to socialise, but provide talks and presentations on different aspects of blogging that can help you build and evolve your business.
Why this post is a good fit and why I should be the one to write it:
This post is a great fit for the stay sane section of the BAFB blog as it presents 5 ways freelance bloggers can overcome a problem that many identify with. As a new freelance blogger, the adjustment from working as part of a team and daily interactions with co-workers, to working solo at home, has been difficult. I’m the best person to write this post because I’ve done what I suggest, and I’d like to share these tips for creating new friendships with other freelance bloggers.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Well done, Emma! 🙂
Emma Hudson says
Thanks, Lauren. This is my first time pitching at Pitchfest and on BAFB. I was worried I’d made a bit of hash of it after reading all the excellent pitches submitted.
Jasmine A Koster says
My approach to freelance writing in a series of tips:
1) Have a lull in your workload? Hone your craft! The learning curve is constant and that’s the fun of it. Be a Freelance Blogger is chock full of resources such as crafting a click worthy headline, providing value packed articles sans the fluff, and writing query letters that swoon clients!
2) Some say write what you know. The less time you spend on research (especially arduous research on a snooze worthy topic) the higher your pay. This isn’t the main benefit; knowing your topic well gives you the confidence and authority to speak like an expert.
3) Beyond this, though, write what you love! My personal experience has been that I write with gusto and speed when I’m passionate about the topic. The faster I write, the higher my hourly rate is. Doesn’t matter if you don’t already have a buyer.
4) Cultivate great relationships with individual clients, not just editors. My first-ever client still asks me for work, is receptive to my pitches, refers me to others, and offers other perks such as free resources.
5) Practice self care. This one took me the longest to learn! For me, self care is a balance involving plenty of sleep, a big salad, working in the garden or a walk in the park, and writing when I feel most creative.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Jasmine!
It’s great that you entered the contest, but your pitch is missing several pieces: The potential headline, the opening, who YOU are (essential for this particular Pitchfest!), and why this post would be a good fit for BAFB…
Aisha Sulaiman says
Hi everyone, so many great ideas and feedback, I got caught up just reading them.
Well done Sophie and thanks for yet another opportunity.
Here’s my Pitch
Headline: HOW TO USE GUEST BLOGGING TO LAND MORE CLIENTS: AN ACTION PLAN FOR FREELANCE BLOGGERS
Introduction
Are you tired of the feast and famine cycle?
Would you like to open up your email and see a subject line that says “I want YOU to write blog posts for me, what do you charge?”
I bet you do!
Here are the steps to follow to make this work.
Outline
Step 1: Define Your Ideal Client
You need to know who you want your ideal to be.
This is important so that you can target the right client.
You should define your ideal client in such a way that you can visualize them and even give them an imaginary name.
Your ideal client can be a person, a small business of even a company that you would love to work with.
(An example will be given to explain the point)
Step 2: Find Out Where They Like To Hang Out
Now that you have your ideal client you need to know where they hang out.
This means the blogs they read and forums they post on.
Some questions that will help you include:
-Which blogs do they read and why do they read them?
-What are the categories on the blogs they read?
-What are the popular topics covered on those blogs?
(A specific example will also be given here).
Step 3: Get to know their biggest frustrations.
Your ideal client needs to know that you can help them solve a problem.
When you know the biggest frustration you ideal client has, then you can prove to them via a guest post that you can help them solve that problem.
You can use forums to get a clearer picture of questions they want answered.
This will help you narrow down on guest post topics to write about.
Step 4: Pitch topics for guest posts on the blogs your ideal clients reads
The next thing is to send in your pitch to the blog earlier identified.
Have a spread sheet to cover the topics pitched, blog (to which you pitched), date pitch was sent and status of pitch to help you monitor your progress.
Make sure you follow the guideline given by each blog.
Step 5: Add a Bio with a good elevator pitch
Usually, when guest posts are accepted you are allowed to add a short Bio at the end.
This is a great place for you to tell your ideal client how you can help them in an elevator pitch to grab their attention.
Step 6: Add a useful free gift link to your Bio
After writing your Bio, you might still have a second link to use. In this link you can create a free gift suitable for your ideal client (it can be a check list, PDF of the post itself or a short report) that addresses yet another frustration of your ideal client.
To make this even better, add an opt-in form to collect their email before they get the free gift.
Now, you have a list of potential clients as well.
How will this post help beafreelanceblogger audience and Why me?
Guest blogging is a great way not only to showcase your writing ability but also to identify and target your ideal client. Most bloggers get carried away writing guest posts on blogs in the niche they work in. This will help them gather online or published samples but they often forget that potential clients might not be hanging out on those blogs and will not get to know about them.
I have been a freelance writer and blogger for four years now. I know how frustrating it can be when you are stuck in the famine part of the cycle longer than necessary. I have had a client that contacted me via a comment I posted and not even a blog post. So I know this is a powerful strategy and would love to share it. (I want to take up a blogging challenge too to make this work maybe some bloggers would join me)
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Not bad, Aisha! 🙂
Aisha Sulaiman says
Thank you Lauren. Pitchfest provides great opportunity for improved pitching
Shauna Bowling says
Title: Do as Woodpeckers Do If You Really Want to Achieve Your Goals
Opening words:
Have you ever wondered where the hell you’re going in life? Do you sometimes find yourself questioning the decisions you make or second-guessing the goals you’ve set for yourself? Come on, be honest. You know you have and probably more times than you care to admit. It happens to all of us. We’re human. We’re fallible.
Subhead #1: Define Your Goals
As I watched a male Pileated Woodpecker pounding away at a tree building what eventually became a nest, I noticed he’d peck for a bit then stand back and survey his work. It dawned on me that we need to do the same when defining our goals – business or otherwise; take a good look, re-assess if necessary, and gain a clear perspective.
Subhead #2: Take it One Step at a Time
The woodpecker had a step-by-step process he followed in building the nest and finding a mate to start a family with. Too often, freelance writers/bloggers take on too much too soon, become overwhelmed and end up failing in their business by not taking one step at a time.
Subhead #3: Perseverance
Mr. and Mrs. P Woodpecker taught me a valuable lesson: persevere and you will achieve. Take the right stops and you will cross the finish line.
Subhead #4: Patience
Once you set your mind to something, know you have to take the necessary steps to get there. Rush them and you risk disappointment, frustration, depression, and loss of focus.
Subhead #5: Conclusion
This will be a recap of the article with a reminder to take heed to the lessons we can learn from nature when building our businesses and setting goals.
Why this is a good post for BAFB:
I became discouraged in building my freelance business; I felt I was spinning my wheels constantly learning and not doing. Then the woodpecker came along and grabbed my attention. It was at that point I saw I’d been going about it all wrong and wanted to share my “ah ha!” moment with others who may be going through the same thing.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Shauna!
I like that you picked a unique theme and stuck with it, but I’m concerned that your tips may be a bit too general — rather than written for freelance bloggers specifically.
Neat idea though! 🙂
Shauna Bowling says
Yeah, it pretty much speaks of goals in general. It could be tweaked to be more specific to freelance bloggers, though.
Aoife O'Carroll says
Title: Why Pitching Yourself as a Blogger Won’t Work
During a recent interview with a businessman who rebuilt his chocolate factory after a catastrophic fire, it was my turn to answer his question of how I describe my service to prospective clients. The businessman stopped me when I replied that I write web content: “They don’t care about content; they want to hear that you can boost their search rankings.”
Point 1: Decide What You Are Selling
Shift your focus from thinking of yourself as a blogger to someone who provides a service that your clients need e.g. boosting their rankings, increasing brand awareness etc.
Point 2: See Everything As an Opportunity
Even when you are not writing, look for ways that your skills can help the businesses you see around you.
Point 3: Focus on How Your Core Strengths Can Fill Gaps for Clients
Always remember that you have a set of skills that not everyone has, and that you can use those skills to make your clients more successful,
Point 4: Stay Positive
It’s easy to get discouraged when you look at the number of people who seem to be doing what you’re doing: Competition means opportunity.
I think this is a great topic for Be a Freelance Blogger because it is a topic that any blogger would be interested in, particularly at the start of his or her career or when momentum stalls. Sometimes we need to take a step back and review just what it is that we are offering.
I am qualified to write this from personal experience: I am a relatively new freelance content writer constantly on the lookout for new opportunities, from checking the portfolios of web designers’ recent clients to writing articles for print magazines to boost my chances of being hired as a featured blogger.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Great pitch. I like how you got my emotions riled up with the headline but your position is actually a really good one. 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Nicely done, Aoife! 🙂 So long as you keep the focus on freelance blogging, I think this could be a great fit.
Aoife O'Carroll says
Thanks for the feedback! I will chew on this over the summer and come back with a sleeker and more polished beast in September.
Aoife
Mauro del Giano says
HEADLINE
Another blogger bites the dust: 6 proven methods for those who don’t want to be an average freelancer.
OPENING LINE
Do you want to be a blogger who writes for a few and settles for less or do you want to finally achieve that dream lifestyle full of financial accomplishments and for once, just for once, be the one who CLAIMS that you made a fortune online instead of being a mere follower. I can teach you a lot. How to pitch or as per old school terms, how to “Sell yourself” will draw the line between a successful and a normal blogger. If you seek the average life then the following is not for you.
POINT #1. Can’t knock the hustle. (Jay Z)
Go big or go broke, become addicted and dedicated. Of course I will not wear the mantle of captain obvious, but show you exactly how to do it. It rhymes along the lines of time-management (if possible, link to my excel file). Best way to show you is by demonstrating my own excel timetable. Remember. Money will forgive but time shows no mercy.
(I will include a detailed timetable and method for time-management including how to take power naps and sleep properly with the REM sleep-cycle method)
POINT #2. Twist and shout. (Beatles)
You really need to get the word out there, target all known mediums, because just having a simple Twitter and Facebook account is not ENOUGH. Start thinking like a Marketing guy, or gal. Remember the saying, don’t put all your eggs in one basket? Facebook can become obsolete and defeated anytime as your primary marketing source like poof. Oh you think I am kidding? Read some history about an old contender named Myspace, trust me.
(Will show you how to market yourself with variety of mediums and grab that freelance gig by staying ahead of the competition)
POINT #3. A sky full of stars (Coldplay)
And you need to be the shiniest of them all, remember, you are alone (or going to be) as a professional blogger, don’t make a brand, become the brand, aim to become a celebrity in your community. Your name (or your blog) need to be curated with good designs of logos, website(s), posts, images, etc. Even your social media profile needs to be perfect. Instead of spending your money in booze flowing night-outs (No.2), hire a graphic-designer and pro-photographer for your blog, if you can’t keep them on the regular then at least cover the basics such as a sleek initial website and a dashing profile picture taken by the photographer. You could also invite them to join them in your mission and split the revenue. Beside, a celebrity always has an entourage (>_-)
(In this method will show you how to get basic designs like logo for a very cheap rate and use the photographers to shout-out your name through his fan-base)
POINT #4. Party People (Nelly)
Sure, you might be making friends through social media and finding great people through blogs (ahem, BAFLB). But don’t underestimate good ol’ offline methods. So wear that nice black dress (or tie), fill up your wallet with cash and business cards and start looking for events related with your interests and of course your blog. Besides, you can’t expect to meet your significant other by sitting all day in front of your laptop.
(Here I will show you how not to just attend but host cocktails and dinner parties all for the sake of good public relations in favour of your blog)
POINT #5. Black or White (Michael Jackson)
Guilty or not guilty, you definitely don’t want to be guilty and that’s why you need to avoid any legal or copyright infringement. Break-up already with Google Images, she/he wasn’t meant for you anyway. Let me show you websites offering CC (creative commons) royalty free and public domain images that you can use stress free. Hey you can call me cupid now.
(Name of the mentioned websites, my own TERM & CONDITIONS template link, basic but essential legal stuff, and a search engine that allows to multi search across multiple social media to see if the name is taken, useful for copyrights)
POINT #6. All our past times (Eric Clapton)
And now finally comes the part where you look back and see what you have become. I will always say that reassessing is as important as planning, get those analytical tools going, see what is working and what is not, so that you can plan you next strategy. Rinse and repeat. This is effective because it provides motivation. Cross- checking your short term goals are important because it gives a sense of accomplishment and fuel for the next round.
(Here I will provide all web and analytical tools to track progress and also the optimum reassessment timeframe period).
NOTE:
Some of you might think, Why do I need this? I am not writing a blog, I’m just freelancing. Let me answer your question with a question. Suppose a company wants to hire a marketing guy for a gig. He has the option between.
A) Thomas, he has a degree and a résumé with some work experience.
B) Gary, he owns a marketing agency and already has a fan-base.
Things look bad for Thomas, while his résumé is by no means a poor one, Gary will secure the deal because he is well known and will also provide free publicity by simple word of mouth through his network adding more to the table. Lesson: the better blogger will catch the freelance gig because he owns a successful blog, even having one with just 500 followers will still put you ahead of someone who has none.
WHY I AM YOUR GARY or close.
Dear BAFLB,
I am new to the blogging scene but not a sapling to the business one.
I was a Restaurant Supervisor for 2 Years, Logistics Manager for 3 years and helped a Liquor Brand in their Start-up. I left the corporate world to begin building my own. I have been intensively researching and learning about online businesses including blogging. I have lived my past years in four cities: Milan, Melbourne, New Delhi and Sydney. I speak , read and write two more languages (Italian and Hindi) as good as english.
I am also writing a novel which I will be completing on the June 20th.
I would like to finish saying that I tried cutting as much as I can so please be patient and apologies if I broke some word-count rules. Wether I win the $100 dollars or not. What I seek is your critics on my pitch and would like to write the full version wether it will be posted or not simply because I think that your remarks and opinion will be a great deal for me (other commenters are (^_^) welcome to criticise) since this is my first ever Pitch.
Thank you
Mauro del Giano
Mauro del Giano says
Now that I see it has been posted in the comment section, my Pitch looks like a Post, way too long (0_o).
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I like your headline. 🙂
Mauro del Giano says
Thanks (^0^).
I was listening Queen this evening, funny how inspiration takes form.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Mauro!
I love that you picked a fun theme and stuck with it. 😀
My only concern is that your pitch seems like it’s for more general freelancers/freelance writers rather than for freelance bloggers specifically. (Our niche here at BAFB is very strict).
That said: I think this is a really neat idea and I hope you write it either on your own blog or pitch it elsewhere. I’d love to read it in full.
Mauro del Giano says
Thank you so much Lauren for your reply;
I will abide by your guidance and try to pitch it in another blog, if nothing else I will start my own blog and post it there. WIll send you the link through the comments section (or your email if you want 😀 ). Would love to have an opinion from a veteran since I am testing fresh waters.
Theresa Gerdes says
How to build your freelance blogging business when you don’t have any clients.
Whether you are just getting started in your freelance career or you have been doing it for a while, we all have the goal of finding new clients. This can be especially hard when you are starting out and building your portfolio. While you want to spend a majority of your time pitching, whether it be job boards or cold pitching companies on your own, there are 5 things you can do in the meantime that will help build your business.
1. Start your own blog.
It can be really tempting to wait until you have clients to start writing, but that it backward thinking. Writing your own blog will give you
Your first portfolio. You don’t have to wait for permission. It will also give you great experience learning the back-end of WordPress(if you have a word press blog)which is a plus for some clients.
2. Network
Friends, Family, Facebook. Let people know what you are doing. They may not need a freelance blogger, but someone they know might be looking fo what you do. Facebook groups can be another great way to get your name out there. It can be really intimidating when you are first starting out to declare yourself a freelance blogger, but if you don’t tell people, they won’t know.
3. Read Everything
If you have a couple specific niches in mind that you want to write for, read everything you can on that subject. While yes you could do research when you have a gig, it is a great habit to start before clients. It will also give you great ideas you can use while pitching.
Following other bloggers who are doing what you want to be doing will also keep you motivated when you aren’t having much luck. It will also be a great source of information that will help you build your business.
4. Look for unpaid work.
I know, we all want to be paid, but when you start out this can be a great opportunity to build up your portfolio. Even if you are not being paid, getting your work published online with a link you can send to potential clients is huge. If you are just starting out, don’t snub the small stuff, it can quickly lead to bigger paying projects.
5. Figure out your work schedule.
Figuring out when you are going to work and actually working can make a huge difference. Instead of sending out some pitches every day and calling it quits until you get a client, work like you are getting paid now. Write on your blog, research topics for pitches, networking with other bloggers, all these can be done during your “working hours” until you get a client. You will already have this time carved out in your schedule and won’t be scrambling to find time to write your first article because the time will already be there.
Why is it a great topic for BAFB?
It is really easy to not want to put in work when we don’t have clients, but there are plenty of ways to build your business and influence if you don’t have any clients yet, are between clients or just want to keep the pipeline full.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Great pitch!
Theresa says
Thanks!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Not a bad pitch, Theresa. The topic’s a little basic, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The only problem is that you forgot the “Why Me” part of your pitch (which was an essential ingredient for this particular Pitchfest). You said why the idea would be great for BAFB, but you didn’t explain why you would be the perfect blogger to write it.
Mariela Reiss says
Accounting and Taxes for the Freelance Blogger: 6 Ways To Take Your Game to the Next Level
So, you’re a freelance blogger and you’re getting the hang of running your business. You track you income and expenses like a pro. And you know to expect that Form 1099-MISC at the end of the year.
You’re golden, right?
Wrong.
If you are going to stay on top of your business, you’re going to have to step up your accounting game. Here’s how:
1. Get an accountant: Because you don’t just need to know how you’re doing financially at the end of the year. And you don’t just need to worry about taxes on April 15.
2. Know where you stand: You’re already keeping track of your income and expenses, right? Now put that information to good use. It’s one thing to know whether you made a net profit or a net loss at the end of the year. But did you know that you can take that information and know where you stand financially at any point?
3. You need to worry about taxes. Every. Single. Quarter: Yup, they are known as estimated taxes and you have to pay them. You remember when you had a regular paycheck and you had income tax withholding automatically deducted? Well, as a freelancer, you don’t have that happening anymore.
4. Know your income: The IRS doesn’t care whether you got a Form 1099-MISC or not. If you earned it, you have to report it. If you got paid for it, whether it’s by cash, check, money transfer or jelly beans, you have to report it.
5. Know your deductions: Sure, you know all the basic deductions—advertising, insurance, office supplies, rent. But are you taking all the deductions you are entitled to? Here’s the rundown on some expenses that might not have occurred to you.
6. Make sure you have a good system in place for billing clients: A little something I learned while working in a good-sized CPA firm. How often you bill matters. Staying on top of the billing matters.
I think this would be a great post for the Get Paid category. Why am I the right person to write it? Well, as a Certified Public Accountant whose been in the business for 15 years, and an aspiring blogger, I think I have a good perspective on where accounting, tax and freelance blogging intersect. I’d love to help other freelance bloggers become more aware of the business side of things.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nice pitch, Mariela. This is definitely a useful topics for freelancers. My only concern is that a good chunk of Be a Freelance Blogger readers are outside the U.S. That being said, I still think this is a great topic.
Mariela Reiss says
Thanks, Alicia. I did mean to mention that in the pitch; it would be geared primarily to those in the U.S.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Mariela!
Alicia said pretty much what I was going to say…
However, Sophie did publish a UK version of this post once – http://beafreelanceblogger.com/tax-self-assessment-uk/ – so it might be nice to have the US equivalent. *shrugs*
Sophie Lizard says
I’m all for publishing country-specific advice on this kind of topic when it’s coming from a qualified professional. 🙂
We’ve had a beginner’s guide to US self-employed taxation, but I’d be interested to hear what other information you think freelancers need about their finances.
Mariela Reiss says
Thank you, ladies, for the encouragement! I was just happy to be part of Pitchfest!
I’d be happy to flesh out the pitch above. Certainly, I think a big point is for freelancers to stay on top of quarterly estimated taxes. As an independent contractor, I know how easy it is to let those slide throughout the year and then get stuck behind the eight ball come tax time in April, both in terms of owing tax and in terms of getting hit with the underpayment penalty. I can go into detail on the when, how and how much.
The only way to pay in the right amount of estimated taxes is to know where you stand every quarter, which is why it is important to either use accounting software to be aware of profit & loss on a quarterly basis…or have an accountant who can do this for you.
It’s also just plain useful to be able to generate a profit & loss on a regular basis, just to know whether you’ve had a more profitable month/quarter/year than you did last month/quarter/year. And that can be done in anything from a simple spreadsheet to QuickBooks.
I can certainly go into freelance blogger-specific tax deductions (website hosting fees, continuing education expenses for webinars and other courses, etc). The ins and outs of the home office deduction alone could be an entire paragraph.
I’ll stop here. I can get a little carried away with this stuff but I think it is important for freelancers to know.
Thanks for all the amazing work you ladies put into Pitchfest. Enjoy your well-deserved break now and let me know if there is any way I can be more helpful.
Thanks,
Mariela
Nancy Nuce says
Headline: Are You Sabotaging Your Freelance Blogging Success?
Opening Statement:
Freelance blogging success isn’t limited to a specific few. You don’t need a degree. You don’t need to be a certain age, race, religion, gender. You do, however, need to stop shooting yourself in the foot. Are you sabotaging yourself with one or more of the following?
Points:
1. Fear and Limiting Beliefs
2. Procrastination
3. Shiny Object Syndrome
4. Failure to Promote Yourself
5. Giving Up Too Soon
Why this is a great post and why I should write it:
Everyone writes posts about how to be successful. Rarely does anyone write about how to avoid failure. My life experiences with every single one of the points uniquely qualify me to write on this subject.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Nancy!
We usually like to have a little bit of details included with each sub-head (points you plan to make, research you intend to utilize, etc.).
Joy Collado says
I hope I didn’t mess up with the time zones and got in time!
Headline: Blogging 101: How to Write Blog Posts that Win Clients
Amazing isn’t it?
You read blog posts of your blogging heroes, and you’re always in awe how they do it. Their words shine from a crowd of noises.
How do they write blog posts that captivate readers?
How do they churn out blog posts that awe clients and win business?
1. Begin with the reader in mind
No matter how great your blog post is, if it’s not targeted for your ideal reader it won’t be effective. Use this on your blog, and on your client’s blog.
2. The formula for the perfect headline
Headlines are very important. Entice the reader to click on your post by writing an effective headline.
3. Mesmerize your reader through your opening
Now that you got your reader to click on your post, your job is to pique his interest to keep reading.
4. Make your blog post ‘flow’ to hold your reader’s attention
Avoid clutter in your post by staying on topic. You start blabbering, and you lose your reader.
5. Write Subheads that work
A subhead is not a headline. The purpose and ideal word count of a subhead.
6. How to write an inspiring conclusion
Stop your blog post from fizzling out. Write a conclusion that will move the reader to take action.
This blog post is great for BAFB because it will help bloggers win clients by knowing how to write effective blog posts. I should write this post because I’ve been studying the right way to write one. I’ve also won clients from my blog posts. 🙂
Joy Collado says
Oh shoot. I did mess up with the time zones.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Joy!
Nope. Didn’t mess up the timezones at all. 🙂
I’m the one who closes the Pitchfests and I’m in Los Angeles, so, if you’re ever in doubt, just Google “time in Los Angeles.”
And your pitch is pretty good! I would have liked a little more emphasis on the freelancing aspect (how these tips will help freelance bloggers get more clients/earn more money), but it’s decent.
Joyj says
Thanks Lauren!
J.D. Rutledge says
Headline
How to Get Over Freelance Blogging Mistakes
Opening lines
So you’ve pushed past the fear of making a mistake and went ahead and launched your freelance blogging career. And then it happened. You made—gasp—a mistake! Maybe even a pretty big one. Oh, the horror! The guilt! The embarrassment! The shame! How can you go on? If you want to succeed as a freelance blogger, you must know that you’re bound to make errors along the way. But it doesn’t have to seal your fate. Here are 3 ways to rock it out as a thriving blogger, even after messing up.
Points
1. Acknowledge it happened
-Was there something you didn’t know that you didn’t know you needed to know?
-Did you not allow yourself enough time to complete the project?
2. Leave the past behind you
-Learn from your mistake
-Work to not repeat the same one again
3. Get back out there
-Keep writing and brush up on skills
-Run your work past someone you trust
Why is this a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger?
The fear of making a mistake can keep writers from launching a freelance blogging career in the first place. So actually making one (which inevitably will happen) can bring up even more negative feelings that, if not properly dealt with, can bring your freelancing days to a sad and sorry end.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, J.D.!
Your post idea isn’t bad — and you give out good advice — but I feel like you may have said all you have to say in the pitch. This idea feels a little too simple. I’m concerned you wouldn’t be able to stretch it out to be a 1,000+ word post without a lot of filler. :\
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!
Huge thanks to everyone who entered this time!
We read each pitch as it comes in, but we reply to each pitch in order. So even if we haven’t replied to you yet, your pitch has been read — and you will get a reply soon. 🙂
Sophie and I are going over your pitches behind-the-scenes and Sophie will be announcing the winner here in the comments within the next couple days. Stay tuned!
And whether you win or lose, I want to congratulate all of you for pitching! You’re awesome.
Lurkers: Come back in September and give it a shot!
Daniel Rose says
Thanks Sophie and Lauren for hosting another Pitchfest, it’s always a great opportunity to get some useful feedback.
All the best to everyone who entered 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
lilian says
I am so happy the pitchfest was done on the comment section. It has opened my eyes to the mistakes i make while pitching and am thankful to Sophie Lizard, Alicia and Lauren for the comments on each pitch. Am glad am here…
PS: I will be going through all the pitches and see the comments definitely learning to be a better freelancer and i appreciate it.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
So glad you found it a helpful learning experience, Lillian! 🙂 I wrote up some bonus hints on my own blog if you want even more pitching help: http://laurentharp.net/pitchfest-hints/
And I want to see a pitch from you in September’s Pitchfest! No more lurking. 😉
Frankie Wood-Black says
I concur – very helpful!
Sophie Lizard says
OK, after a week in which BOTH Lauren and I had internet problems, we’ve finally managed to get through reviewing all the entries. (I meant to do this yesterday, but I fell asleep before I was finished. I’m human!)
THE WINNERS ARE:
1st prize:
Cherese Cobb with “Blogging 911: 6 Tips for a Repairing a Blown-up Relationship” — read her winning pitch at http://beafreelanceblogger.com/blog-post-100-dollars/#comment-133128
2nd prize:
Johanna Hartford, with the story of how her first post got published by Cosmopolitan — http://beafreelanceblogger.com/blog-post-100-dollars/#comment-133383
3rd prize:
Sarah B., with “5 Ways to Blog About The Good Your Client is Doing” — http://beafreelanceblogger.com/blog-post-100-dollars/#comment-133094
Other people whose pitches we feel are ready to draft:
(If your name’s on this list, we encourage you to either pitch your idea to one of the sites in The Ultimate List of Better-Paid Blogging Gigs, or write a full draft and submit it to lauren@beafreelanceblogger.com for publication as a traditional, unpaid guest post on Be a Freelance Blogger.)
Rebekah Ohlsen
Bryn
Alex Owen-Hill
Aisha Sulaiman
Daniel Rose
People we hope will bring their idea back to the NEXT Pitchfest in September 2015:
(If your name’s on this list, we like your pitch but we’d like to see you polish it a bit more before we invite you to submit a draft.)
Joy Collado
David Whicker
Tegan
Corinne Pinfold
Alaura Weaver
Katherine Swartz
Mariela Reiss
Emma Hudson
Mike Straus
Aoife O’Carroll
Congratulations and well done to everyone who entered!
Emma Hudson says
Thanks, Sophie. I’ll definitely work on my pitching skills and try again in September! Well done to the winners, I can’t wait to read the full posts.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Congrats to the winners! These were great pitches. 🙂
Joy says
Thank you Sophie and Lauren!! 🙂 And congratulations to all the winners!
Shauna Bowling says
Congratulations to all the winners! This was a great learning experience. Thank you, Sophie!
Alaura Weaver says
What a fantastic learning experience and confidence-booster! I’ll be back in September all the wiser thanks to everyone’s feedback! Congrats to the winners!
Penny says
Congratulations to the winners. There were so many great pitches, and I’m looking forward to reading the cream of the crop. As for me, I’ll keep learning, and maybe try again next time.
Daniel Rose says
Yay, so happy to see my name on the list! 🙂 Thanks Sophie and Lauren, I’ll definitely be submitting my post for guest publication. Congratulations to everyone who took part, especially Cherese, Johanna and Sarah. I look forward to reading your posts.
Derek Thompson says
Well done everyone. It’s inspiring to see all the different topics and sometimes different takes on a similar topic. See you on the flip side!
Aisha Sulaiman says
Congratulations to all the winners, Cherese, Johanna and Sarah. Looking forward to see your posts. Thank you Sophie and Lauren for putting in so much effort and for helping us improve our pitches.
I will work on getting my post published. This is so so encouraging!
Kisaki88 says
Congratulations to the other winners, Johanna and Sarah, and everyone else who had the guts to enter pitchfest! I’m excited to start on my post, and I hope it’ll provide some useful information for BAFB readers!
Rosanne says
Congrats to you and the other winners! I think it is awesome that what started as a bad thing (the accidental plagiarism) not only got turned around, but also won you this contest! I can’t wait to read your post! 🙂
Sarah B. says
Congrats to you, too, Cherese! So looking forward to reading your and Johanna’s posts!
Kisaki88 says
Thanks, Sarah B. I looking forward to reading Johanna and your post as well.
Rebekah says
Congrats to the winners! Many thanks for hosting this pitch. I enjoyed trying my hand at it and learning from others. Best wishes to everyone who participated!
Sarah B. says
Woohoo!! Thank you so much, Sophie and Lauren!!! I’m so honored to have placed in a Pitchfest! 🙂 🙂
Bryn says
Thanks for this pitchfest, Sophie and Lauren and the rest! Congrats to the winners- can’t wait to read them! I will definitely be submitting a draft sometime this week or the next for my proposed blog article and look forward to hearing from you then 🙂
Paul says
Congrats to all the winners.
I wish myself better luck next time
Paul
Bethany Brown says
Great job winners! Congratulations! And thanks for the pitchfest! It was fun and educational!
Sathish says
seems am too late here. 🙂
robin rawal says
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