Be a Freelance Blogger

Make REAL money blogging for hire.

Client Hunting Masterclass: Week Zero

Welcome to the Masterclass!

Over the next couple of months, you’re going to learn exactly how I find my freelance blogging clients, and what I say to them to win the gig.

Each week’s lessons and resources are presented on a page just like this one, with a comments section at the bottom. If you have a question while you’re working through a lesson, feel free to ask it right there in the comments. You can also chat with me, your fellow students and other freelance bloggers in the BAFB student group on Facebook any time.

Check here to go to the group now and request to join. (It will ask you to tell me your student email address and which course you’re taking.) If you can’t find the group or have problems getting access, email sophie@beafreelanceblogger.com so I can set it up for you.

Here’s what you’re doing for the next 8 weeks:

  • Week 1: Get Your Freelance “Tent” Up
    Get your website or online portfolio ready for business with simple checklists for what to include and how to show it off. We’ll look at examples of good freelance blogger websites and discuss what to do if your portfolio’s empty.
    Guest expert: Francesca Nicasio explains how she built her impressive website and portfolio using free software.
    Kick-ass bonus: Students on the kick-ass package get their website or online portfolio reviewed this week.
  • Week 2: Know Where to Find Job Ads
    Find out which industry job boards and freelance broker sites are worth checking out and how to spot a loser, with advice, examples and ready-written templates to help you send the right message in your application.
    Guest experts:     Tom Ewer and Sarah Russell share their job board success tips.
  • Week 3: Make the Most of Social Media
    Hunt down job ads and potential clients through social networks, including LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Plus, find out how to set up strong social media profiles that attract clients to hire you.
    Guest expert: Twitter tips from top blogger and social media coach Alexis Grant.
  • Week 4: Know What to Say
    Get expert tips and real-life examples for creating successful freelance blogging queries, pitches and letters of introduction. You can’t sell something you can’t explain! We’ll get you pitching like a pro.
    Bonus resource: Message templates you can copy and adapt to make your queries, LOIs and proposals awesome.
    Guest expert: Gary Korisko explains how to make selling your services simple and painless.
  • Week 5: Get On With It
    At this point, you’ve got everything you need for a successful and lucrative client hunt. This week you’ll act on what you’ve learned and start firing off some messages to the potential clients you’ve discovered so far.
    Kick-ass bonus: Students on the kick-ass package get their one-to-one mentoring session this week.
  • Week 6: Hunt Down Hidden Gigs
    Don’t wait for your dream client to advertise; go out and hunt down blogs that need your services! Learn how to identify your ideal clients, search for them and assess whether, what and how to query.
    Bonus resource: A step-by-step blueprint for turning a one-off post into regular assignments for the same client.
  • Week 7: Know What You’re Worth
    Understand your value to figure out exactly how much to charge for your freelance blogging services, and find out how to calculate your rates for different types of project.
    Bonus resource: The Be a Freelance Blogger Rate Guide, an exclusive report on market rates for blogging services.
  • Week 8: Be the Bait 
    Grow your network of people who can refer clients to you, and build a solid reputation that brings clients to your door. We’ll discuss whether or not you need a blog of your own, and how to use your blog or website to attract clients.
    Guest expert: Tom Ewer explains how he makes a living from freelance blogging without any traditional marketing.

Wondering what to do next? Use the comments section below to say hello, or go check out the Client Hunters forum. Let me know you’re here. 🙂

Then go to your email and click the link for Lesson 1!

Comments

  1. Hi Sophie! Thank you for this e-course. I actually can’t wait to start. Just one question, will students have lifetime access to the course materials? I really hope so, so I can go back to it anytime. 🙂

    Reply

    • Welcome Shelby, thanks for being brave enough to leave a comment. I guess a few people are still building up confidence. 😉 Be sure to find your confirmation email from me and click the link in it, so that I can send you email updates for each lesson!

      Reply

  3. Hi! I’m excited about this opportunity to learn more about freelance blogging. I’ve dabbled in freelance science writing for a few years, but took the plunge a few months ago when I quit my full time job to go out on my own. Looking forward to learning more about how to succeed at what I love!

    Reply

    • Hi Amanda, welcome! I’ll email you soon about your Kick-Ass package extras like mentoring and website review. Love to hear more about your science writing experience, as I’m a science geek myself. 🙂

      Reply

  5. Hi Sophie and fellow bloggers!

    Looking forward to the course, I’ve been blogging for a while now but have only recently been serious about getting some paid gigs. Currently in Wales but I am moving to the States in a few months, so it would be great to get some money to tide me over. Perfect timing on the course! Thanks

    Reply

  6. I’m heading to South Dakota. It’s a marriage VISA though which means I can’t actually look for work until I land there! I’ve been wanting to delve deeper into writing for some time now so I think this is exactly what I needed… 🙂

    Reply

  7. Hey Sophie..I’m in 😉
    Can’t wait to get started and kickin some butt. One question, should I die my hair pink?
    Smiling in Oregon, USA

    Reply

  8. Hi all! I’m very excited about getting started with this! I’ve been kind of tinkering around the edges of freelance writing and blogging for a while now (by taking on some unpaid projects). I’m looking forward to learning loads and (hopefully!)taking the leap into paid work 🙂

    Reply

  9. Hi Sophie!
    I’m glad I just squeaked into the class. That will teach me to put off checking my email! I’m a sheep farmer and potter, (I know, strange combination,) in upstate NY, US, but I’ve been writing for years. I finally decided to take the plunge into freelance writing as I’d like to get out of the pottery business. I’ve found that it’s a wonderful hobby, but I truly dislike trying to make a living with it. Looking for clients and promoting myself has always been a big roadblock for me, (perhaps this is why I don’t like selling the pottery? Maybe there will be some cross-over confidence developed here? Let’s hope!) So this is a very timely course. Thanks for offering it!
    Kylie

    Reply

    • Hi Kylie, you just made it! I’m closing registration now. Yep, winning new clients is similar in any business so you’ll pick up lots of transferable skills (especially in Week 4 when Gary Korisko teaches us how to make your product or service sell itself).

      The first lesson will hit your email inbox in the next 24 hours… this is exciting! 🙂

      Reply

  11. Hi all! I’ve been freelance writing full-time for a couple of years and it’s been going great. But I’m excited to soak up everything Sophie and you all have to teach – it feels like there’s still so much to learn. Thanks, Liz

    Reply

    • Hi Liz, what types of writing do you do? Yep, there’s *always* more to learn, for everyone. 🙂 Hope I can make the learning a bit easier on you for the next couple of months!

      Reply

  12. Hi all.
    I’m a freelancer who took a few years off thinking I wanted to write fiction, but found my heart is in nonfiction/blogging/freelancing. Looking forward to learning and getting my freelance career back on track 🙂

    Reply

  13. Hi Sophie!

    All signed up for your January class. I know I want to focus on accounting, tax and business writing, so my niche is in place. I have a couple clients that I have gotten by answering online ads (and fortunately have paid good money), but want to find more clients in the $150 – $400 range. I am looking forward to your class to find those clients.

    Chris

    Reply

    • Hi Chris! Sorry, I missed your comment in the holiday rush.

      Rule of thumb: Whatever you’re earning by answering online ads, you can earn more by making direct approaches to potential clients. By the end of this course, you’ll be doing exactly that and I’d expect your rates to be pretty damn high given your level of specialist knowledge.

      Another rule of thumb: Whatever your current rate is, add 20% for every relevant set of letters you could list after your name. 😉 CPA? +20%. MD? +20%. MBA? +20%. Then in your (carefully targeted) marketing strategy, focus on the benefits of hiring a *qualified* specialist blogger.

      Reply

  14. Hi Sophie,

    I just signed up for the class. I set up my writer website yesterday, but now I’m not sure what to do! I’m hoping to learn exactly that from this class and start earning money for MY business, not what I make working for content writing websites.

    Reply

  17. Yippeeee!!! So excited to be part if this. Thanks Sophie. Really looking forward to all of your expertise to support me in getting myself going in my frelance writing career. Woo hoo!!! and on with the show…..

    Reply

  19. Hello all! I decided it was now or never to take this class to gain a few more baskets lest my current one breaks after my current EIC — who has been let go — leaves at the end of this month. I want enough irons in the fire to where I’m not dependent on just one or two like I am now, especially when it comes to my personal goals.

    Anyway, Sophie, thank you for creating this course. I’m ready whenever you are.

    Reply

    • Welcome to the Masterclass, Cameron! Yep, the aim here is to get you to the point where you have enough ongoing projects that you don’t need to worry if one of them ends — that, and to get new clients coming to you so you don’t need to exhaust yourself digging up leads. 🙂

      Reply

  20. Hi everyone!

    I have officially made the transition out of my boring, unfulfilling day job into freelance blogging and writing full-time – yeah!!! As of now, I only have two regular clients, so I am going to have to do a good amount of work to get my business up and running. But that’s why I’m taking Sophie’s rad class 🙂 I’m really looking forward to chatting with and learning from each of you!

    Take care,
    Sarah

    Reply

  21. In the interest of eventually contributing something to the community, and with the palpable excitement behind making shit happen, I’d like to say hello.

    So, hello!

    Reply

    • Hey Marcie,

      I’m in this with you and Hugh, too. oh dear, I just realised how many ‘ooos’ there were there (Is that assonance? They didn’t teach grammar when I was at school – isn’t that appalling? – they thought we’d ‘pick it up naturally’.)

      Anyway, I look forward to working through the course with you.

      Best wishes,
      Cate

      Reply

      • Hi Cate! Welcome to the masterclass. 🙂

        Side note: If I remember right from school, assonance involves following the matching vowel sounds with different consonants, so maybe with words that end in “oo” it’s just called rhyming? (I *was* taught grammar but then forgot most of the terminology as soon as exams were over.)

        Reply

  25. Hi, Sophie. Your programs have the most concise and useful advice out there! I am struggling to move away from low-paying clients to serious customers. So far, it is a real challenge.

    Looking forward to the course.

    Andrea, Black Thistle Studio and Farm

    Reply

  27. Hi Sophie!

    I’ve come across your name several times in my “how-to” research. I’d love to become a higher education and lifestyle blogger.

    I was so grateful to save your list of 75 websites that pay. What a great resource!

    I love forward to your class. I know it will be exceptional. See you out there!

    Reply

    • Welcome, Kit! Have fun in the training and any time you have questions, just shout. Or comment, or email, whatever. ?

      (It’s so nice when we get a talker! Too many freelance writers are shy and just lurk…)

      Reply

  28. I am ashamed to say I have been looking at blogging for a number of years, but never pulled the trigger.

    However, as they say, when you are ready your mentor will appear.

    Your focus on Monetizing your blog is what has especially appealed to me. I look forward to your class.

    Reply

  30. Hi Sophie!

    I’m so excited about this course! It’s time to take the plunge and get this freelance writing dream going! Now! No more excuses. And your program will help tremendously!! Can’t wait to get this party started!

    Thanks!

    Reply

  31. Heyyyy Sophie!

    Couldn’t wait! Glad to be on the inside. Looking forward to learning from you and everyone else.

    Hope ya’ll will find the things I post valuable too.

    🙂

    Soot & Ashes,
    Lex DeVille

    Reply

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