Want to write for the $61 billion and growing cannabis industry?

Our rule when picking an area of expertise as a freelance writer: pick an industry with money (so becoming a cannabis writer is looking like a great idea right about now).

This marketplace is filling up with new products, new innovations, and more ways to experience cannabis. Guess what? Cannabis startups need content marketing help to stand out in this crowd.

Are you ready to jump in and develop some expertise in a market projected to reach $100 billion by 2030?

Want more blogging gigs on other topics? Check out our Ultimate List of Better-Paid Blogging Gigs here.

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

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

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

Let me tell you how I do it:

I follow the Editor’s guidelines.

It’s honestly that simple.

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

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

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One year ago, on January 15th 2013, I published this blog post — the first post on Be a Freelance Blogger.

Most of the universe paid no attention. But my life changed completely.

That blog post’s received 222 comments. Some of those were from me and Lauren replying to your comments, but that’s still about 200 comments more than I was used to getting anywhere else.

People were talking to me. I mean really talking — not “Great post!” but long, thoughtful comments. People emailed to thank me. And I felt kinda stupid, because Jon Morrow and Danny Iny told me this would happen, and I secretly didn’t believe them. I couldn’t imagine a life where more than 10,000 readers visit this blog in a month, and 5,700 people subscribe to read my emails.

Now I can’t imagine it without you.

I spent 2013 meeting so many new people with brilliant minds, heartfelt passions and genuine ethics. I’ve chatted with freelance bloggers and entrepreneurs around the world. I’ve taken beach holidays while I created online training programs, just like those spammy ads on the internet keep saying everyone can do… except that this isn’t an infomercial. It’s my life. It’s really happened.

It’s happened because you read, and think, and talk to me. Because you tell me when I’ve helped (and when I’ve screwed up).

It’s my blogiversary, and I’m happy you found me.

As a writer, it pains me to admit I haven’t got the right words — there aren’t enough words in existence — to tell you how much I appreciate you.

Well, either there aren’t enough, or there are only two that will do it.

Thank you.

Now go sit over there and read some birthday messages from the blogosphere while I pretend I’m not crying, dammit. There’s a big fancy prize to win at the end. [Read more…]

Merry Christmas, Good Solstice, Happy Hogswatch, and other timely winter greetings.

Keeping this short because you’re probably busy:

Today I’m giving away a mystery prize to one Be a Freelance Blogger reader! This prize will help you get your freelance business working at full speed so you can earn more money. 🙂 [Read more…]