If you read my emails you’ll have seen the advance notice I sent out about this a few days ago.
[If you don’t get my emails, tell me your email address and I’ll start sending them to you — then you can enjoy all the fun, insight and profanity that comes from my brain direct to your inbox.]
Last month’s pitching contest was fantastic, with pitching tips and personalised feedback from Be a Freelance Blogger’s guest post editor Lauren Tharp. Instead of talking about it in the BAFB forums or inside email conversations like we usually do, we had the whole conversation there in the public comments of that blog post and everybody could check out the winning pitches.
That one contest brought us Alicia Rades’ $100-worthy guest post, cunningly titled 5 Ways to Rock Your Guest Post After They Accept Your Pitch, as well as excellent guest posts from runners-up who might never have pitched if there were no prizes up for grabs.
The level of learning and discussion going on in the comments made me feel we’d really touched a point that people want to talk about: what makes the difference between a “works for us” pitch and a “not for us” pitch?
I think we should talk about that in more detail and with as many specific, personalised examples and tips as possible. So we’re doing it all over again this month, and we’ll keep doing it every two months for the foreseeable future.
Being writers, we couldn’t resist giving this $100 guest blog pitching contest a special name.
Welcome to Pitchfest. 🙂
Read on for the rules, the $100 guest post payment, and the all-important comments section!
OK, here’s how this all works and what we’re going to do:
The Rules
- Anybody can submit a pitch by leaving it in the comments section.
- You can pitch more than one idea if you want to.
- Follow the pitch format I’ll tell you in a moment.
- We’ll choose winning pitches after the end of February 12th.
- If we choose your pitch, you must deliver your first draft by February 22nd.
- First drafts must be at least 800 words [no filler].
- First prize winner gets paid $100 for their guest post, on publication, via PayPal.
- Two runners-up get a group mentoring ticket in exchange for their guest post, on publication.
- If the first prize winner’s post can’t go ahead for any reason, we’ll choose a new $100 winner from the runners-up.
Pitch Like This
- First read the guest blogging guidelines, then come back here with your post idea.
- Start your pitch with an eyeball-enticing headline for your post.
- Follow the headline with the first few lines of your introductory paragraph. No less than 20 words, no more than 50.
- After that, outline the arguments, proofs and instructions you plan to share in your post, in no more than 6 bullet points.
- After the bullet points, tell us in no more than 2 sentences who you are and why you should write this post for Be a Freelance Blogger.
- Put it all in the comment box at the bottom of this page. ONE pitch per comment, please, or we’ll get confused. 😉
Ready? Scroll down to the comments section and get your pitch on!
P.S. Check the little box below that says “Notify me of follow-up comments” if you want to know when we’ve left feedback on your pitch.
This is exciting! I hope to see some awesome pitches like last time. Here’s mine.
Proposed Headline:
Bloggers Don’t Date Strangers: Why Your Pitches are Getting Turned Down
Intro:
Imagine a stranger approaches you with a smile, extends their hand, and says, “Hi, Sir! Want to date?”
Never mind the fact that you’re actually a ma’am. Although the stranger seems nice, you’d probably eye him suspiciously, say no, and run away, right?
Bloggers feel the same way.
*In this article, I will explore how you need to build a relationship with bloggers before you send in your pitch. I will first look at several mistakes you’re making including:
1. You never introduce yourself.
2. You don’t create engagement through conversation.
*I would then like to look at HOW you can build these relationships before sending in your pitch. Some points I’d like to include:
1. Subscribe to the blog.
2. Leave comments on blog posts.
3. Share the posts/products/pages/etc.
*I’d like to share my own experiences, quotes from other bloggers, and other useful information about why this is important with an emphasis on how this is beneficial to you and how these practices can save you a headache and time.
My name is Alicia Rades, and I’m a freelance writer and blogger with a passion for giving writing tips. I feel this blog post will make an excellent addition to the BAFB archives because 1) it’s going to be fun for the audience to relate guest blogging to dating and 2) I don’t see any posts in the archives that really digs into the importance of a blogger-guest blogger relationship, which is crucial to landing paid gigs.
Alicia!!! I want to read this article! : )
This is fun Alicia! I’m smiling already.
Nice pitch, Alicia! 🙂 You’d have to make sure you didn’t overlap too much with the existing posts by Lauren and Dana, but I like the idea.
Could you tell me which posts you’re referring to and I’ll take a look at them?
Lauren’s post is at http://beafreelanceblogger.com/guest-post-rejection/; Dana’s is at http://beafreelanceblogger.com/perfect-blog-pitch/. Try searching the site for words like “guest blogging” and “pitch” or “query” to see what else people have written so far, too.
Just visited those two links your shared above Sophie and I now understand clearly what you mean.
Thank you! I’m really hoping to focus on the relationship rather than anything and everything you might be doing wrong.
Alicia, I hope you win. 🙂
Aw. That’s sweet. Thanks!
Another great pitch, Alicia. I’m enjoying this public pitching thing. Good luck!
Your post is coming at the right time Alicia. I’m in the process of pitching guest posts to some blogs, so I hope your post will provide some useful information about it. I’ll be waiting to read it 🙂
Hi Alicia,
I love the angle, as well as your opening bit!
I like this idea. I think it’s helpful.
@Alicia Rades: I really like your idea. Even though the winner was already chosen, I would totally still read this if you got it published later. I hope you don’t give up, because if you emailed me a link one day, I wouldn’t hesitate to read your awesome article. HUGs & KISSES cuz it’s Valentine’s Day!
-Marissa
Thank you! I’ll still publish it somewhere whether it’s on my blog or on someone else’s.
Headline: Why most freelance bloggers will never make more than $100 a year (and how to separate yourself from that crowd)
Intro:
You love to write and have been doing it for free for a few weeks. Great.
Now, you think it would be cool to get paid to write blogs. So you sign up on a freelance bidding site.
Welcome to the place where freelance blogging careers go to die.
Outline:
– Freelance bidding sites promote “race to the bottom” approach. The only winner is the site which takes a cut from both parties. (Reference – Carol Tice @ makealivingwriting.com)
– If you want to, you can make money on these sites. But, you will soon begin to hate yourself. (Personal example)
– The 2 things that really matter to every passionate freelance blogger: love for blogging and pursuing freedom.
– A better approach to supercharging your freelance blogging career. (Reference – BAFB posts)
My name is Debashish and I blog to help people escape a dead end 9 to 5 job by pursuing their passions and turning it into income streams. This will be a great post for the readers because it is about avoiding a major pitfall when it comes to increasing income, building an expert reputation, and regaining freedom through blogging.
I like how you say “Welcome to the place where freelance blogging careers go to die.”
Haha. Thanks.
I was going to make that my headline, but realized that I don’t want the post to be a rant about freelance bidding websites.
I loved that line too Debashish- “Welcome to the place where freelance blogging careers go to die.”
Can I offer some feedback? I love your title and your outline, but the two don’t seem to work together. Do you have a specific stat that says freelance bloggers don’t make $100. I know that not many bloggers do, but there’s a difference between a blogger and a freelance blogger. Also, what tips are you offering for how to set yourself apart? I don’t see that in the outline.
I know it’s tough to put everything you want in the outline. My outline above is so condensed that it doesn’t really do my idea justice, but these are just some things to think about.
I think everybody will love that line. 🙂
But I agree with Alicia — the headline promises a different post to the outline. You’ll need to choose whether to write about bidding sites OR about the obstacles keeping many freelance writers from earning more than pin money.
Third-ed. That is a winning line 🙂 Might still make an awesome heading without turning it into a rant, really. Definitely snagged my attention.
Dear Sophie Lizard,
Save Yourself Unnecessary Rejection Pain: 3 Questions You Must Answer Before Pitching Your Guest Post Idea
Have you ever had your query rejected and enquired, “what is this person looking for, I did everything right!” Well, there’s 100% chance you did everything right; only, by your own understanding. It is possible to think you understand what the blog editor wants while in actual fact, you don’t.
Here are the 3 Questions You Must Answer Before Pitching Your Guest Post Idea
1) Is your topic relevant?
(This section will discuss what freelance bloggers can do to ensure that their topic is relevant to the blog subject (s) and how they can cultivate a deeper understanding of the blog subject before they formulate a topic to pitch).
2) Is your pitch format acceptable?
(This section will provide examples of different guest posting guidelines and alert freelance bloggers about the pitfalls of skimming through the guidelines instead of studying them closely).
3) What does the blog owner wants you to do or not do?
(There is always additional information and instructions that blog owners mention in the guidelines that may seem insignificant but could reduce the chances of having your submission accepted if ignored).
I am Emelia Mosima-a freelance writer and blogger at The Online Writing Business, a blog that shares freelancing tips and advice with new freelance writers. I missed small details in guest post guidelines that cost me many guest posting opportunities and I would like to help Be a Freelance Blogger readers to learn how to read the guidelines, the key points they should focus on in the guidelines and how to apply them in their pitch.
Thank you in advance for considering my pitch and I look forward to read your comments.
Sincerely,
Emelia Mosima
These are really good questions to ask. Nice pitch!
Thanks Alicia,
It seems like there are some weaknesses with the tips. I am heading to BAFB to learn more. This whole experience is awesome!
This is interesting, Emilia — like Alicia, you’d have to go over the existing posts on BAFB about guest blogging and pitching, to make sure you offer tips and ideas that haven’t already been covered in depth.
Awesome—I’ve been looking forward to this since I first heard about it. I’m excited to see everyone’s pitches!
I’d like to submit “How I learned to relax and love the sales process.”
I know I’m not the only writer out there with “salesitis,” that panic-inducing fear of selling your services. I may hate this part of being a freelancer, but my husband makes his living in sales. His advice has slowly helped me overcome my fears, land clients—and even have fun in the process.
* Don’t be afraid to bug people. You’re not a nuisance, you’re a service provider, and businesses need a killer blogger just as much as you need a paying client. Sure they’re busy, but don’t be afraid to send that follow-up nudge. My most recent “pestering campaign” finally landed me a $1500 contract—which I wouldn’t have gotten if I didn’t send regular emails reminding them how much they wanted to hire me.
* Just pick up the phone. I’ll do almost anything to avoid talking on the phone—including tackling my least-favorite chore, cleaning leftovers-turned-science experiments out of the fridge. To combat the blind panic a phone call causes, I’ve learned to write myself a script. (And yes, it actually starts with “Hi, my name is Jessie Kwak.”)
* Never ask a yes or no question. I recently shot an email to a trade magazine editor to ask if they used freelance writers. The answer? “No.” Although I was interested in the magazine, I really thought I had an opening to write for their defunct blog. But rather than opening a conversation about her needs, I gave her an opportunity to dismiss me based on a single question.
* Introduce yourself, and build relationships. As my husband transitions into a full-time outside rep position, he’s focusing on getting to know his new accounts, not writing huge orders. When you build relationships with your dream clients on social media by commenting on their blog and in-person networking events, they’ll be much more receptive to your sales pitch further down the line.
I’m no expert in sales, but since I made the leap to full-time freelancing writing, my sales dial has been turned up to 11—no mean feat for a scaredy cat like me. I’d love to share the ways that I’ve learned to overcome my own objections to selling myself, and started getting more clients in the process.
Cheers!
Jessie
I love this idea, and I would certainly read this article, but it reminds me of another recent post on selling yourself as a freelance blogger, “How to Sell Your Blog Posts Without Selling Your Soul.” I know your post takes a different approach, but it’s just something to think about.
http://beafreelanceblogger.com/sell-blog-posts/
I’d been thinking about this post for a while, and almost didn’t submit the idea when I saw “How to Sell Your Blog Posts Without Selling Your Soul.” I tried to tweak it to have a different enough slant, though!
Jessie, I love this pitch! Right to the point and well thought-out.
I would want you to tweak your intro to be more reader-focused, though — check out this post by Alicia to understand why: http://thewritingrealm.com/2014/01/22/the-one-piece-of-advice-that-revolutionized-my-blog-post-introductions/
Thanks for sharing this link Sophie!
Thanks, Sophie, and thanks for the link. Alicia, that post really puts a name to the intangible thing I could see in others’ blog posts, but that seemed to be missing in mine. Reading that was a total “ah ha!” moment.
Hi Jessie,
Your tips sound great. I also cringe at the word sales, and this is coming from a Business/Advertising double major 😀 I’m trying to think it more as interesting introductions and relationships management than selling. Basically, I would read such an article:)
Jessie, I love this angle. I worked in phone sales and I still hate the sales aspect (there’s a reason I quite that job). Avoiding yes/no questions is a classic sales tip that is absolutely timeless. And picking up the phone is my weakness. I would read this article in a second.
Alexandra–
I would have the hardest time in phone sales–I’m always so impressed with people who can make it even a short time in that field. I bet it gave you some good skills when it comes to freelancing, though!
Headline: A Letter From My Pro Blogger Self
You know you can write. After reading tons of blogs you are now convinced you can earn through blogging. But there’s always that voice in your head that tells you you’re not good enough.
* A description of what a new freelance blogger feels about marketing and getting herself out there. Which will segue to the next point.
* A list of at least 5 advices that a new blogger should be given
– Do it afraid
– Clients need your expertise
– Every pro blogger at the top didn’t start at the top
– Write every day
– When in doubt, remember me-this reminds the reader that this letter is from her pro blogger self. (if you *know* you’ll be successful, you’ll forget about self doubt)
My name is Joy Collado, a freelance writer and blogger. I should write this blog post because these are the exact advices I tell myself and I’d be glad to share it with others. 🙂
Joy, are you going to be writing a letter to YOURSELF or are you going to be giving advice on what another freelance blogger should include in their letter to themselves? If it’s about the reader, I’d twist the headline to show it’s a letter for THEM. Great idea!
I read this as a letter from future self to past self. Or is it current self to past self?
Either way, I like the idea but you’d need to make sure it doesn’t cover too much of the same territory as this post: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/professional-blogger/
P.S. Alicia’s got a good question there — will you be encouraging the reader to write their own time-travelling letter?
Alicia, thanks for your question. A twist on the headline can make it better.
The headline should be: A Letter From Your Pro Blogger Self
This post will be an encouragement to newbie bloggers coming from the point of view their future selves to past selves. 🙂
Okay, I think I get it. Newbie bloggers are to write a letter to themselves in the present “from” the blogger they wish to become in the future. Right? 🙂
That’s a cute idea. I actually write a letter to my “Future Self” each year (kinda the opposite). I wrote about that here: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/impostor-syndrome
This is my second pitch.
3 Types of Guest Post Rejection Emails and What each is Saying about the Type of Writer You Are
May be you’ve never thought about it, but the clues to where your guest posting endeavors are heading is not in your accepted guest posts but your rejected ones. Paying attention to what is written in the rejection email can help you improve your writing and reduce your guest post rejection rate significantly.
This post will share what each guest post rejection email listed below say about the type of writer the pitcher is and what they can do to improve.
If the blog owner or editor rejects your submission, he/she will give you a silent treatment or send an email having one of the paragraphs listed below:
1. “Your post is wonderful, but it doesn’t have enough relevance for writers, so we will not be publishing it on (site name)”
2. “Although freelance writers do read our blog, the majority of our readers probably don’t consider themselves to be freelancers or having a writing business, so I don’t think this topic is quite right for the blog.”
3. “We’ve decided not to take this one any further, because it isn’t what we’re looking for.”
A sample of my work can be found here:
http://www.myproperty.co.za/news/7858/Tweaks-to-save-money-on-the-household-internet-bill-.aspx
I am Emelia Mosima-a freelance writer and blogger at The Online Writing Business, a blog that shares freelancing tips and advice with new freelance writers. A couple of guest post rejections I received made me think twice about my approach to guest posting and I believe the lessons I learnt about myself through this rejection emails could help Be a Freelance Blogger readers increase their chances of being accepted.
Once again, I look forward to your comments and thank you for the time spent in perusing this pitch.
Sincerely,
Emelia Mosima
I really like this idea. I think it’s something a lot of writers are wondering about and need to read.
Thanks Alicia! I am actually looking forward to your next pitch or revision of the one above. I am still trying to figure out what i can do to make the first pitch unique. It needs a fresh approach.
Good intro, Emelia!
I’d like to hear what your tips are for the reader to overcome these objections in future. Also, there are other reasons for a rejection — time, money, recently covered topics, and so on — can you give more examples and tips to overcome those? (No need to rewrite your whole pitch, just add your tips in a reply to your pitch.)
Thanks for your response Sophie,
Here are some of the tips I am planning to share:
Tips to avoid rejection #1.
The post is wonderful but fits the subject covered on the blog by 50%.
This means you missed something. Either with how you structured your title and outline or with you interpretation of what the blog wants. Pay attention to details. For instance, if the site is about blogging, don’t confuse it with freelance blogging or writing. Check first what type of blogging content is published on the site. Write from the reader’s perspective. Don’t just assume that the editor would understand what you are trying to say. Ensure that the goal of your guest post is communicated clearly in the headline and outline.
Tips to avoid rejection #2:
Know the target audience of the blog. A lot of writers spend their time examining the posts and guest post guidelines on the blog they are pitching, but forget to research the people who follow these blogs. If you are pitching a particular blog, get to know their readers by reading their comments, visiting their sites to see who these people are, what they write about, what they do and what pleases them. Find out what they could be struggling with so that you can create a post that provides a solution. For instance, a site that teaches businesses how to use freelance services for their business blogs would in most cases not publish content that teaches freelancers how to approach businesses for blogging opportunities because freelancers are not their target audience. Yes, freelancers may read that blog and post comments; but they are coming there for something else not freelancing information.
Tips to avoid rejection #3:
Be sure that what you think about the blog is exactly what the blog is. When the blog post is not what they are looking for it means you lost it completely. The editor is not even interested to say anything else about your pitch. You don’t know the audience nor the blog. Go back to the blog. Read their posts and study their visitors. Then revisit the guest post guidelines to learn what made you go wrong in the first place-which line did you miss or interpret wrong.
I think this is a great idea – when I was starting out I always saw a rejection as a flat out “no.” I think learning to discern some of the other reasons behind a rejection is a definite confidence lift.
Thanks Jessie,
The most painful form of rejection to me is “silent treatment”-when I don’t get any feedback whatsoever. But when the blog editor takes his/her time to tell me that “the idea does not fit their blog”, I am consoled. At least i’d know the mistake was on my part and it’s something i can fix.
No need to worry about the silent treatment at BAFB. Sophie and I both offer a ton of feedback both in e-mail conversations and in the forums. (And in post comments!). 😉
Lauren, It may be time consuming to read all the queries and reply to each of them. But I believe that though you won’t give all the pitching writers the “yes” they hope for, at least you are shaping and guiding their future queries by sending a rejection slip. You are highly appreciated!
Aww. Well, thank you, Emelia. 🙂
As a teenager, I couldn’t understand why I kept getting rejected or no replies at all… Until one editor finally wrote back and said (paraphrased), “Kid. No. Too damn long!” Haha.
It was embarrassing, but that’s when it finally clicked for me that “Ohhhhhh… editors don’t want my whole life story — they just want me to get to the point!” And that’s when I FINALLY started getting published.
I’ve written 3 articles on guest post/article querying at this point in the hopes that they’ll trigger an “ohhhhh” moment for the writers who read them. And I try to do the same when I reply directly.
ANYWAY… Thanks! It’s nice to be appreciated. <3
Hi,
I hate the silent treatment too, Emelia. I even wrote a post about it on my own blog, where I suggested editors could get inspired by the movie Up in The Air where George Clooney’s job involved going from company to company to tell people they were fired. Not a pleasant job, but they at least knew they were fired. I agree that personal feedback helps a lot, but when they don’t have time for it, it’d be good to receive a standard rejection email. It might not help with your writing, but at least you can save your idea from the follow-up purgatory:)
You’re right, Pinar-a standard rejection letter will do.
Don’t Be Afraid of the “I” in Team: Becoming Your Own Support
An unspoken adherence to general “anonymity” is often promoted – intentionally or otherwise – by freelance writers and editors alike. However, learning to sell yourself as a one-person team (with confidence) can often be the difference between the proverbial green light and the dreaded stop light.
*Stop refraining from using the “I” pronoun. You are the company. You are the product. Would Coca Cola be so popular if we weren’t constantly bombarded with its name?
*Following the “I” concept, develop a clear and personal tone to your writing which sets you apart from more traditional writers. The more specific your writing becomes, the more universally it is often accepted.
*Curation is the new creation. If writing corporate-style pieces or product descriptions or reviews, try to maintain a strict allegiance to your developed “brand” of self. Don’t endorse, so to speak, without actually enjoying the product.
I’m a self-described “digital native” hailing from the small town of Jacksonville, AL. I write extensively for a number of publications and also struggle through emotional turmoil in front of people (i.e. performance art) on occasion. I feel that my unique (but not predictably so) Southern perspective profitably informs my work.
I feel something’s missing here — I like the title and the overall idea, but not sure about the bullet points.
Can you elaborate on the tips you’d offer to help the reader develop a clear, personal writing tone? What about advice for freelancers who get hired to write product descriptions for a product they’ve never used?
Hey Sophie and the rest of the “gang” 🙂
New here, but enjoying the emails Sophie, and this post + comments have been illuminating.
Working on my pitch now!
Glad you’re having fun, Benjamin! If you don’t make it back before the 12th, you can always try again next time. 🙂
Thanks Lauren for the vote of support 🙂
“How I Stole A Client From A Fellow Freelance Blogger”
INTRO:
He he he.
He doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve just “stolen” a client from a fellow freelance blogger.
Alright, alright. I didn’t “steal” the client … more like borrowed him for a while.
Confused? Ok, ok. I’ll start from the beginning.
SUMMARY:
-How I was able to find potential clients from the testimonials page of a fellow freelance blogger.
-How I sent them my pitch and was able to use the other freelance blogger as a connection to produce a response to my query.
-How any other freelance blogger can do the same to increase their clientele.
WHY:
To be honest, there are no qualifications that make me the ideal candidate for this guest post. I’m just an aspiring freelance blogger who thinks he’s stumbled across a way cool way to get clients, and I’d like to share it with all my colleagues.
Feedback, anyone? 🙂
Regards,
JR John
Lol, John I didn’t expect this. I never heard of this “strategy” before and I would like to hear more. This sounds interesting.
“…I never heard of this strategy before…”
That’s what I’m betting on. 😉
Lol, John I didn’t expect this. I never heard of this “strategy” before and I would like to read this article. This sounds interesting.
I had the same thought about this strategy. It is very new, and I never would have thought of it myself!
I’ve scanned other writers’ portfolios to identify potential clients before, too. Nice post idea, and I love the title 🙂 But your 3-point outline is skimpy — can you give us more details so we can imagine how it’ll grow into an 800-word post?
Hi Sophie,
Thanks for the feedback!
In response as to how I would flesh the post out a bit more, I’d discuss:
1. Why this method is more effective than cold-calling as you already know that the company you are contacting outsources their blogging to freelancers. They don’t do it in-house.
2. A brief overview of how to find freelance bloggers in the same niche that you specialize in who also charge similar prices.
3. Determining if you can actually do a better job at a similar price than the freelance blogger you “steal” from.
4. Using the freelance blogger’s website as a connection. I’ve found that just specifically mentioning someone they already know results in a greater response rate than what you would get with a “generic” query.
5. Providing specific reasons why you can do a better job than whoever they are currently employing.
I’ve reached out to a couple of your former clients as well, Sophie :). One got back to me, and is currently discussing it internally. They will contact me with their final response within a couple days. Hopefully, I’ll get that gig and add a second to the list of “stolen” clients.
Regards,
JR John
I’m interested in reading this post, but I’d like to see it touch on the ethics of doing this too. As in, how do you mention the other blogger’s name without misleading the client about your relationship (if any) with the other blogger?
Hi Bethanny!
I’m not planning to mention the blogger’s or the client’s name. That’s completely irrelevant to the post — this is about the technique.
There’s nothing wrong on the ethics side of it either. The term “steal” is a bit harsh, it’s more like scouting. 🙂
Regards,
JR John
That’s just so clever! 🙂
Actually, John, I wasn’t referring to you mentioning anyone’s name here. What I meant was, how do you bring up another blogger’s name when pitching your services to a potential client without implying a relationship between you and that blogger that doesn’t exist?
The blogger’s name isn’t relevant. I think that the strategy is to search for a blogger with a profile and work experience similar to yours, and then look at their list of clients.
That list will give you prospects who you know:
1) hire freelance bloggers
2) would hire someone with your experience
You can then approach those prospects with a pitch tailored to their needs, based on a review of their website.
I love this concept and am already excited to read this post. It’s completely attention grabbing and new. Really great idea!
Definitely dig the intro. One of the things I love most about BAFB is that the posts are entertaining as well as informative. So often writers equate “value” with “boring.” We’re always looking for writers who can bring the goods in a FUN way.
But, I second Bethanny’s concerns/questions: “I’d like to see it touch on the ethics of doing this too. As in, how do you mention the other blogger’s name without misleading the client about your relationship (if any) with the other blogger?”
One of the things I love most about being a freelance writer is the caring community that comes along with it — I love “sharing” clients with my fellow freelancers, but I’m a little wary of the idea of “stealing” them (or, worse, having them steal from me!).
That said: You definitely caught my attention.
I think what Bethanny means isn’t about mentioning the blogger or client in your guest post, but about how you handle the namedrop to the client when you apply this technique. So do you say “I snagged your info from X’s testimonials” or “I heard about you from X” or “I’ve read X’s work for you and loved it”? Do you ask the other writer’s permission to namedrop?
Your readers will want a pretty much ready-made blueprint of exactly what to do, including a discussion of whether it’s ethical and whether you’d use this tactic to hijack active clients from other writers, or only use it for past clients / clients with a whole stable of writers.
Hi Sophie,
Thank you for being a bit more specific. I don’t use either of the latter namedrops you mentioned (“I heard about you from X” or “I’ve read X’s work for you and loved it”) because 1. I was never directly in touch with the freelance writer and 2. I’m not much for flattery. 😉
I use more of a “I stumbled across your website after viewing the portfolio of X writer”. That way, I don’t establish a personal connection with the writer — I just drop a name they are familiar with.
And no, I don’t contact the writer. I don’t mean to sound crude, but there really is no need to, as I don’t assume a relationship with them.
In the two personal examples that I will be mentioning, the writers have long since stopped working for the companies in question.
(I think I just answered your second question as well, Bethanny).
I’m pretty sure that BAFB is the only place where you can get the top freelance bloggers in the world to critique your idea — for free! 🙂
All the best!
JR John
That sounds a lot like the way I’ve approached it in the past — once or twice I’ve actually emailed the other writer with a question about what it was like to work with that client, and got myself introduced to the client by the writer. 😀
Hi Sophie.
I really like your added step of checking with the other writer first. It just seems a lot more professional. I get the whole process of checking testimonials for potential clients (it’s really no different from checking out and be-friending/following other people’s Facebook friends or Twitter followers), but something about promoting it as a sneaky practice feels really, really, really wrong to me. I think the language/tone of the proposed post should definitely be more positive.
Sophie, I really your approach much better.
I really like your approach much better. Getting the writer to introduce you is great.
Hi John.
I think your idea is clever, but as a freelance writer, I’m concerned about the negative way in which you present it. Honestly, I’d rather people not start to view freelance writers as scavengers or thieves. Why not, instead, present your idea in a positive light? You could just say that potential customers are listed in testimonials.
I’m a little concerned, too, that you don’t want to establish a relationship with the other writer, and I’m wondering if that could possibly be because you are new to blogging. I’ve been freelancing for a little over two years, and so far, other freelance writers are, by far, my best contacts and my best online friends. Why not, again, take a positive approach and get to know the other writer? That way, you’ll most likely make a good contact and friend for life, as well as gain access to the potential customers from the testimonials. 🙂
Jessi, my thoughts exactly.
Yes, exactly. That’s what I meant.
No need to mention the blogger at all.
Here’s an example of the beginning of a pitch you could write:
Dear (marketing director of ),
As a freelance writer and content marketing strategist who focuses on (fill in the blank with your niche), it’s refreshing to come across a company that focuses on results, and not hype.
I visited your website the other day because (another site mentioned your site/I happened upon your site/ and I wanted to find out more about what you do. I clicked on your blog link because, well, as a content marketing strategist, I love to see what companies are doing with their blogs.
Sadly, I noticed you haven’t (fill in the blank with whatever fits – written any blog posts since last January, etc.)
(This isn’t the whole pitch, but it gives an idea of why they don’t need to mention the other blogger at all).
I like this approach, Rachel. This is how I do it.
I love how this is sort of tongue-in-cheek evil (makes an entertaining read), but actually a brilliant strategy. Businesses learn from their competitors every day… freelance bloggers should be no different!
Headline:
Freelance Writers’ Guide To Scam Avoidance
Intro:
Not being paid for a project that took countless hours of productivity and hard work is the WORST nightmare of most Freelance writers. But it’s a sad truth that more frauds happen in our industry than many other industries because our industry relies solely on the trust factor.
What I’ve planned to share in this post:
1. In this article I’ll be outlining a complete blueprint that any freelance writer can follow for avoiding scammers wandering in the industry.
2. First of all I’ll outline 9 types of content writing gigs which are scams in nearly all cases.
3. Then I’ll share 5 warning signs of scams, which will help you in identifying the individual scammers.
4. And after that I’ll share 5 policies that can be followed for avoiding scams in almost all cases. As long as you follow all the steps mentioned in this guide, you are least likely to fall prey to any scammer.
5. All the information shared in this guide has been implemented by me for last 2 years and it has helped me and my friends in completely bypassing content writing scams.
My name is Ashish Bhatnagar and I’m a freelance blogger based in India. I think this post will be a good addition to BAFB because of two reasons: First because scams are one of the biggest issues in our industry and second because this topic has also not been covered on BAFB in greater details.
Wow. I *really* want to read this post. 🙂 This is one of my fears since starting on this journey.
Thanks MJ 🙂
MJ: In the meantime, you can check out this post here on BAFB – http://beafreelanceblogger.com/avoid-getting-played/
Or the post I wrote (“16 Red Flags: Say ‘No’ to That Potential Client!”) here – http://littlezotz.com/2013/10/client-red-flags/
(Don’t worry, Ashish; I already saw your reply to Sophie that you’re going to cover different ground in your article!)
Thanks Lauren 😛
Thanks, Lauren! 🙂
I have a few questions of curiosity. First, do you have a stat to back up the claim that scams happen most in freelance writing? What are the 9 types of gigs, 5 warning signs, and 5 policies? I certainly love this idea because it’s something that writers really need, but I was just curious about these other things.
Hi Alicia. The statement of most scams in content writing industry is based on my personal experience, but I’m looking for some stats from reliable sources for backing it up. Thanks for reminding about it. More info will be available after publishing of post 🙂
Hi Ashish,
To be honest, I don’t think your blog post would really be all that useful. The truth is, as long as you are reaching out to the right type of clients, you should have no worries of shady clients. It’s only really when you are hitting the bottom of the barrel (think Internet marketers who think that outsourcing for $2/100 words is the way to go) that you need to worry about not getting paid for your work.
You should always do due diligence and research the company’s track record and customer satisfaction history before applying for a job with them, but that’s a bit of a given.
This is meant to be CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. 🙂
Regards,
JR John
Hello John,
“Reaching out to the right type of client” may not be easy for someone if he/she is just starting out. But yes, it happens mostly when someone hits bottom of the barrel.
As far as researching the track record is concerned, I’ve covered that too in my article. Anyways, thanks for your thoughts 🙂
Gotta point out here, it isn’t *only* small-time clients who screw writers over. Even markets like the BBC and Marie Claire sometimes neglect to pay their freelancers. Check this out: http://www.beaconreader.com/pay-me-please
Sounds interesting, Ashish, as long as it doesn’t go over the same ground covered in this existing post: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/avoid-getting-played/
Yeah I’ve already read this post Sophie. My post will be quit different from it 🙂
Headline: Blog Writing. This Ain’t English Class.
Intro: Remember high school English class?
Your grammar skills were suddenly under total scrutiny. Your grades depended on how well you followed those grammar rules you’d been learning since elementary school.
Now you’re a blogger.
Get ready to throw those rules to the curb and stomp the crap outta them.
Outline:
– It’s perfectly okay – and encouraged! – to have less than three sentences comprise a paragraph. One word, even.
– Your English teacher would kick your ass for having bolded subtitles (in a larger font, no less!) within your text, but it makes for better readability in the blogging world.
– Incomplete, and one word, sentences would get you a big fat “F” on any English paper. Not in blogging.
– Use asterisks to emphasize a word, *not* italics.
– Who needs a works cited page, when you can just click on a link within the text and be taken to the cited article?
– Never write in the first person or talk to your reader, so says your English teacher. Talk to your readers!
My name is MJ, and I share a mom blog with my best friend, writing on topics that range from normal to odd. I’d like to write this particular post for Be a Freelance Blogger in order to share what I’ve learned as a brand new freelance blogger and how I’ve had to learn to adjust to this new writing style.
I love how you use “ain’t” in your headline — it’s a perfect lead up to your topic.
Excepting the second to last point (which is rather self-explanatory), I think your pitch is great! All the best!
JR John
Thanks, John! 🙂 Good luck to you, too!
I love this pitch. Your intro is awesome! I would definitely keep reading it.
Thanks, Alicia!
I love your pitch! I am so new to this, your info would be invaluable to new-comers such as myself. 🙂
Great pitch, MJ — I think we could use more “how to blog good” posts, so you’ve found a topic gap in my range. Makes me much more likely to want the post! 🙂
Thanks, Sophie! 🙂
Love the title, MJ, and the attitude! Sassy, just like you’d expect from a post on Sophie’s blog. “Stomp the crap outta them.” What a great line.
Thanks, Bethanny! Though I’ve never considered myself “sassy” before. 🙂
Like everyone else, I’m diggin’ this pitch too. It gave me a good knowing chuckle. 😉
My only concern would be whether or not you have enough info to meet the minimum word count (800) without adding in filler/fluff.
Are you going to include exercises or action tips for the readers? Or compare how things used to be with how they are now? (Like, “In 2004 we were expected to double-space after periods. In 2014 this makes editors pull their hair out.”)
Also, make sure everything you say applies to BAFB readers/writers. For instance, this – “Use asterisks to emphasize a word, *not* italics.” – isn’t true here. We totally use italics for emphasis. Though we prefer to be bold.
Thanks for the critique, Lauren! 🙂
I am fairly certain that I could reach the 800 word minimum without fluff/ filler. I thought I would add something about the 5-paragraph essay format that was drilled into our brains in school, and how it really can’t be applied to blogging, if you’re considering readability and return visitors. Usage of proper intro and conclusion paragraphs, including a topic sentence and thesis statement, is pretty much nonexistent.
Then I would go into each point I made above, comparing the “proper way” we learned in school to what is used in blogging. For each point, I was thinking I would add an example and explain how it applies to readability for internet users looking for information and not wanting to trudge through dry, long paragraphs that take forever to even skim.
Ah, I did notice that about the asterisks. I do apologize. Maybe it could be: Emphasizing that word isn’t limited to italics anymore. 🙂
Great idea!
And I’m thinking that if you do run short on content, you could talk about the “English class” things that are still necessary – a good focused topic, development of your main points with good examples, an effective method of organization, etc.
Thanks, Jessi! 🙂 I love that idea!
Fun stuff. 🙂
It’s amazing how quickly things can change… I got my first article published in 2001 and I know that if I turned in the same piece today I’d be laughed outta town. haha. The formatting alone! :O
Thanks for elaborating on your outline, MJ.
The differences are still difficult for my brain to wrap around and for my fingers to submit to. 🙂 I’ve always been a stickler for grammar rules, especially since I started homeschooling my kids six years ago.
My thumb has a mind of its own when it comes to those double spaces after the period!
It’s been a challenge for me, but also very interesting and fun. Writing can be so much more creative and eye-pleasing when you break free from those grammar rules! 🙂
Hi MJ,
You could consider replacing all “double spaces” with “single space” after you finish writing. I do it as part of my proof-checking routine.
Thanks, Rohi! 🙂
I will have to start doing that, at least until my thumb breaks the habit!
Great tip, Rohi! Thank you. 🙂
Oh, and the double space after a period is still a habit I need to break! 😉
“You’re a Hot Mess, Clean Up Your (Writing) Act!”
Tired waking up to another rejection slip? Even worse, maybe you just lay around dreaming about being a writer without actually doing anything. Now’s the time to clean up your act. A little spit can make any writer shine, follow these guidelines to get up to snuff:
1. Clean up your space- cant have good writing if you live in a chaotic pit
2. Clean up your brain- take time to get ideas out, spend time creatively writing
3. Clean up your process- figure out what steps you need to take to create awesome content.
4. Clean up your writing- don’t let little errors slip in anywhere, that’s not professional!
5. Clean up your strategy- create clean and simple marketing strategy for success
My name is Alexis, I’m a writer supporting alternative and sustainable businesses around the world. The kind of people who read Sophie Lizard are badass and need a good smack in the face as a reminder that they need to clean up before they get out into that big, bad writer’s world.
With love,
Alexis
Alexis, I absolutely love the idea!
The only problem I have is the “kind of people who read Sophie Lizard are badass and need a good smack in the face as a reminder that they need to clean up before they get out into that big, bad writer’s world.”
I don’t really like to think of myself as badass – and the writer’s world really isn’t bad (you just need to know how to handle yourself).
In any case, good luck!
Cheers,
JR John
I like this idea, but I’m wondering what types of stats/resources/examples you’ll use to back up your point.
I’ve been feeling scattered this week, and your last point of cleaning up your marketing strategy really speaks to me right now. There’s probably enough in that single point to make a kickass blog post on its own.
This is a cute idea. And I’m definitely into organization – http://littlezotz.com/2013/08/o-is-for-organization/ 😉
Are you going to be including action tips/exercises along with each of your points?
Also, you don’t want to make it too similar to this post: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/5-days-without-marketing/
Alexis, I look forward to read the tips you provide for point #3 (Clean up your process). I can’t really say I have a process now. I need help!
Proposal Headline:
Are you Hearing Voices?
Intro:
Are you hearing voices? I sure hope you are. Everyone has an inner voice; and that inner voice is not always positive. No, you don’t have to suffer from a mental illness to hear voices, all writers hear voices. Some of those voices scream and some of them whisper. Sometimes those voices are also very persistent.
-In this piece, I will take you into the mind of the writer. I will show you exactly how this process works, how it fails and how it succeeds. I would love to discuss how personal blogging has driven me to search out other projects, including guest blogging.
1. The writer, a rare breed
2. Introduction to the characters in your head
3. The Positive Voices
4. The Negative Voices
– Are you a Writer or are you mentally deranged? Discussing the fine line between sanity and insanity. Finding ways to use your thoughts to benefit your freelancing career.
1. How the Voices can benefit your writing career
2. How to organize the contents of your brain
3. How to quiet the voices and recognize your own.
-I would also like to share my own experiences in freelance writing; my fears, my hopes and my dreams. I would like to talk about how I am learning to listen to my own voice and not the voices of my frustrations and doubts.
I am Sherrie Hurd and I am diving down deep into the world of freelance writing. Sometimes I swim quite easily and sometimes I have to struggle. Which is better? I don’t always know, after all, growth comes from struggle. I just know that each and every day, I awake and ask myself what I shall write and how I shall effect the world. I have been freelance writing for over 6 years; and just 6 months ago, I made freelance writing my full-time job. I am learning so many things from fellow freelance writers and mentors. All this has really brought me to the realization that I have found the dream that I was looking for. I am a single mother of 3, artist and graduate in Fashion Marketing Technology. I have personal blogs and write for the Fashion News Examiner. I am ready to move into uncharted territory and I am loving every minute of my journey.
Sherrie, one of the things I’ve learned from Carol Tice is that you have to have keywords in your heading. Here’s the article here: http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/adjustable-rate-mortgage-arm-calculator.aspx
“Are You Hearing Voices?” is something that writers won’t necessarily connect to unless you let them know it’s the writer voice in their head. On the other side, someone doing a Google search on this might seriously hear voices, so how does anyone know what the post is really about?
You could do something like “Are You Hearing Voices? How a Writer’s Mind Works” or something like that that lets writers know you’re talking to them.
I liked this: “Are you a Writer or are you mentally deranged?” That made me laugh. I imagined you speaking in a lecture hall or running a support group and that sentence taped on a sign outside the door. Haha!
But… The rest of your pitch was a bit rambling.
And it didn’t feel BLOGGER-specific enough. It reminded me of something I’d see at http://writetodone.com rather than here at BAFB.
Just re-read what I wrote here and wanted to make sure I didn’t come off as too much of a b-word. I realized that, depending on what tone my comment was read in, it could sound a bit snotty! (I’m feeling self-conscious!)
Write to Done is a great blog. I meant it as a compliment, kinda. Like… if your article isn’t specifically for bloggers (BAFB’s strict niche!) then you could easily take your idea elsewhere.
Okay. I feel better now. Whew!
Pitch 1: “So you’ve gone viral: now what?”
Intro:
You’ve written something cool. You sent it to some friends, who sent it to some more…and suddenly you’re a minor internet celebrity. Virality is one of the most surprising, useful boosts your career can have, but it also comes with some unexpected pitfalls.
Outline:
• Twitter, tumblr and your comments section suddenly become a full-time job: how to manage the new demands on your time.
• Some people will love what you’ve written; some will hate it. No matter how the feedback is phrased, learn not to take it personally.
• The internet promotes some very unpleasant behaviour: the importance of friends, relaxation, and turning the computer off for an hour.
• How to remain engaged with your new followers without spreading yourself too thin.
• Choosing follow-up content that keeps your new readers coming back.
• Using your new-found notoriety to find new clients (or re-engage old ones)
Hi, I’m Dani, a freelance blogger and part-time writer for the San Francisco Opera’s social media programme. Recently, an article I wrote on my personal blog went viral, picking up over 150,000 views in three days and giving me an unexpected and unique crash course in how virality can change your life and career.
Wow. 150,000 views in three days. Perhaps you should write a post about how to make your posts go viral!
I wish there were a magic formula! Unfortunately I think the difference between a lot of people seeing your work and *everyone* seeing your work is largely down to luck (though I can certainly think of ways to maximise the chances of reaching that critical mass). If you do get lucky, though, what you do afterwards can mean the difference between being a flash in the pan and having a career – and I do think those lessons translate to those experiencing modest success rather than explosive.
Having said that, if you’d be interested in my best analysis of what might make your work more likely to go viral than someone else’s, I would be happy to write that up.
This is very interesting!
But… [SPOILERS] we actually have a post almost exactly like this coming up within the next few weeks! :O
Well, darn!
BUT, I recommend everyone read Dani’s post and analyse why it went viral: https://medium.com/disney-and-animation/7c0bbc7252ef
And poke around Medium while you’re there, too — it’s an interesting place!
Oh, totally! Go, Dani, go!! *cheers* 😀
Dani,
This is exceptional.
It deserves all the attention it got and more.
Pitch 2: “Please and thank you: when politeness really matters on the internet”
Intro:
Blogs want writers who engage with their readers and drive traffic by creating dialogues. Not everyone who comments on your work is going to be nice about it, but keeping your cool not only makes you more marketable: it helps you stay sane.
Outline:
• Anonymity promotes aggression: learning that internet commenters usually aren’t as mean as they appear.
• Choosing what to reply to, and what to ignore: understanding the difference between moderation and censorship.
• Using courtesy to stop flame wars before they begin.
• Strategies for remembering to stop and consider before hitting “post” on a comment.
• Why being courteous and handling negative feedback well makes you appealing to clients, and how to parlay that into finding work.
Just like the first pitch, this comes from my personal experience with my newfound internet notoriety: I’m polite by nature, but nothing puts one’s ability to keep one’s cool to the test like half the internet forming a lynch mob. Though less marketing-centric than a lot of the material on this site, I think the importance of courtesy is a vital lesson for any aspiring writer, particularly those who want to write about contentious or controversial subjects.
As long as you can keep this blog/blogger-specific, I really like it! 🙂
Absolutely – there’s enough material in the concept for a book (or two!), but definitely enough blogger-specific material there for a guest post. I’ll be keeping the suggestions and strategies specifically to managing follow-up on one’s own blogging work.
Sounds good. 🙂
I actually got a job last year based on how well I handled a highly-public PR nightmare. You never know who’s watching you online. Keeping your cool and acting professionally at all times — even when dealing with people who’re being total butts — might be just the thing to impress your next client!
Congratulations! I’d be very curious to hear more about the PR nightmare and how you handled it, if you’re able to talk about it.
There are actually some pretty comprehensive studies about how anonymity on the internet predisposes people towards aggression. When someone says something stupid or combative, the instinct to respond in kind right away is incredibly strong – but it’s amazing how simple strategies like sitting on your hands for two minutes and getting your aggression out by shouting at the screen instead of typing, or not responding until you’ve had a cup of tea, can enable you to clear your head and respond politely.
I had a lot of really nasty trash talk as a result of the essay I wrote about Frozen. I certainly did a lot of ranting and raving in person to my friends, but online I managed to restrain myself and follow up with some carefully-worded opinions about the value of polite discourse instead: https://medium.com/internet-etiquette/a620f32e2882
The response to that has literally been job offers and guest spots on podcasts, which is kind of amazing.
I came up with another idea. Here’s my second pitch:
Headline: The 6 Essential Variables to the “Blogging Better” Formula
Intro:
When you graduated high school, you jumped for joy not because you were glad you made it, but because you thought you’d never have to learn another mathematical equation again. The Pythagorean Theorem? Forget about it!
But there’s one formula you can’t pass up as a blogger.
My major points:
1. A Valuable Idea: I know it’s simple, but many bloggers miss this. I’ll explain what a valuable idea is.
2. An Eye-Catching Headline: Brian Clark of Copyblogger says only 2 out of 10 people will read past your headline. In this section, I’ll explain why the headline is important and give examples on how to craft an appealing headline.
3. Audience-Based Content: Readers are selfish and want to know how the information benefits them. (This also creates an emotional connection.) Here I’ll talk about when to use this technique and when it’s okay to use 1st person.
4. Stats, Resources, and/or Examples: Here I’ll explain why these items add value and how to properly use them.
5. Breaks in the Content: Most bloggers agree that white space is an essential element in your blog posts. I’ll reference others here.
6. Highlighted Key Points: Only 16 percent of readers read webpages word for word. Make it easy for them by highlight key points with subheads, lists, and bolded sentences.
My name is Alicia Rades and I’m a freelance writer and blogger who loves giving tips about writing valuable content online (I even wrote an eBook about it!), and these are the major points I focus on and try to incorporate into each post to offer value. I think this post would work great on BAFB blogger because many bloggers don’t understand the importance of these elements and how much they add value until after they write hundreds of posts and make the mistakes themselves.
Haha — I love the intro! And great elements, too (actually, they’re so great that I bet each element could have its own post, too — followup post opportunities galore.)
Definitely love the intro. 🙂
And I like the idea too. We haven’t really gone back to basics in a while. And, as Sophie mentioned above, we’re in need of more “how to blog better” posts.
Absolutely. But can you present a formula using all of those components with mathematical logic? Because to me, that would totally make this post.
[BTW, this is not a deal-breaker. If you won but you hated math, I’d create the formula myself!]
Mmm…I’m not exactly sure what the formula looks like in mathematical terms, but I do know that these elements are key to creating quality blog posts. Could it be as simple as 1+2+3+4+5+6=Better Blogging?
What about this: C (D+E+F)^A+B
The letters correlate with the mentioned variables above where A=1, B=2, etc.
I think this equation shows a bit of a hierarchy of what’s most important. Does it make sense? What do you think?
I’m reading this as “audience based content multiplied by (data plus whitespace plus highlighting) raised to the power of (a valuable idea plus an eye-catching headline)” equals better blogging. Is that what you intended? If so, I like it.
Yep.
I need to read this post Alicia. 🙂
I just wanted to share that this post is now published on All Indie Writers. http://allindiewriters.com/blogging-better-formula/
Thanks, Alicia! Glad you found it a good home — it was a great idea. 🙂
Working for free isn’t all bad
Work for free? Never! But if you choose the right non-paid clients, you can see benefits down the road.
• Discuss benefits of writing for free for websites such as LifeHack.org – where you gain exposure, but not necessarily payment and how you can turn that exposure into money. I will use my own examples of how writing free posts for larger blogs has paid off.
• Writing for local non-profits for free. It might not be paid right now, but you might make connections that will help you land paid work. I have met a lot of people through my volunteer work that led to paid work; it also makes you feel good knowing you’re helping out an organization.
• If you accept an unpaid job for a website, demand a link to your own website, include your Twitter handle, etc. to raise your own exposure. If working on a news release or promotional materials for an organization, try to be listed as an in-kind donor on their materials. That’s another way to get your name out there.
• Unpaid work can provide great portfolio clips for writers especially those who are starting out.
My name is MaryBeth Matzek, a freelance writer specializing in B2B magazine articles, who works for free probably more than I should! I’m hoping that if I get chosen to write this blog post it will free me from my cycle of writing for free (LifeHack.org, I’m talking to you!) and focus more on paid writing jobs as I try to expand my business.
I would definitely read through an article like this. The ‘writing for free’ controversy rages on in freelance circles. Some writers are dead-set against doing any work for free and feel you should always be paid for your time and skill (and I concur with their point).
However, free guest posting has its merits, depending on which blogs you are posting on. For instance, I did a free guest post on a blog that has a decent amount of traffic and has a good reputation. An editorial assistant at the Huffington Post read the article and passed it along to the Lifestyle Editor who then invited me to be a blogger on The Third Metric section of Huff Post based on the fact that the guest post I did covered a topic that fits well with Third Metric’s content!
So yes I think writing for free can help in two ways: (1) If you are a newbie you can get some clips for your portfolio (I did that when I started), and (2) it can be good exposure if done strategically.
I think your idea may need to be fleshed out a bit more, but is certainly one that is topical and a question I think many freelance writers wrestle with.
Thanks Deevra for your comments. I definitely agree writing for free has its merits (otherwise I wouldn’t do it) I can easily flush this idea out more and if I don’t get selected for this contest, I still plan to go ahead and write it and see if it can get picked up on LifeHack (where I write quite a bit) or a freelance writing website. I’m glad it’s something that worked out well for you.
Hey MaryBeth! Nice topic. I agree with you (in fact I just submitted my own pitch about the benefits of blogging probono for nonprofits) — working for free is a great way to get experience and to network. The trick is being selective in how you work for free (and why). I like your pitch, but I think you could make it more relevant to just blogging (as opposed to writing in general), perhaps?
I’ll gladly write for free if there are other benefits that make it worthwhile — I write for Lifehack.org occasionally too, for a very low fee. 🙂
Nice idea. I can see how helpful this will be to newbies (and it might shake up some of the experts, too).
Love it, MaryBeth!
Headline: 5 A/B Split Tests Every Blog’s Call-to-Action Needs
Intro: There’s tons of information available about Internet user trends. But “Internet users” includes billions of people all over the world. The behaviors of your niche audience may be wildly different. So how do you optimize your call-to-action for your readers? A/B split testing.
Outline:
-An explanation of how A/B testing works, how it will help you mobilize your online audience, and why it’s especially important for your call-to-action
-Whether you want readers to buy your ebook or subscribe to your blog, there are five key elements every call-to-action page should test: Headline, supporting content, layout, call to action wording, and call to action button.
-For each of these elements, this article will:
-Discuss the most important aspects to consider and test
-Illustrate the power of that call-to-action element with a real-life case study—the results are often surprising
-Direct readers to some A/B split test tools and resources so they can get started testing their call to action right away.
Why me: I’m a marketing/PR professional with a focus on content marketing, especially recurring online content like blogs, columns and e-newsletters. A/B split testing is my latest obsession—the more I learn about and use it, the more it blows my mind.
Hi there,
I’m a big fan of CRO and testing myself, but I’m having trouble seeing how this is going to be specific to freelance bloggers. Could you elaborate on that?
I think that your pitch would do fantastic on http://quicksprout.com/ or on http://kissmetrics.com/, but I’m not so sure about BAFB.
Regards,
JR John
Thanks for that tip! I’m pitching some new angles for this blog, so maybe I’ll take this one to one of the other sites you recommended.
This is a cool topic, Emily, but I’m worried that it’s slightly off-target. Freelance bloggers often don’t have authorisation to do any back-end stuff with their clients’ blogs, and they don’t all have their own blogs to promote.
That said, with a few tweaks this could be very helpful to any freelancer who wants to optimise the CTAs on their business website. Do you want to pitch a more freelancer-focused angle on it?
Thanks for the feedback, Sophie! Here’s a refresh on the topic per your input:
Headline:
How to Maximize Your Website’s Client Conversion With Split Tests
Intro:
There’s tons of information available about Internet user trends. But “Internet users” includes billions of people all over the world. The behaviors of your website’s target audience may be wildly different. So how do you maximize your reader-to-client conversion? A/B split testing.
Outline:
-An explanation of how A/B testing works, how it will help you mobilize your online audience, and why it’s especially important for your call-to-action page
-There are five key elements every call-to-action page should test: Headline, supporting content, layout, call to action wording, and call to action button.
-For each of these elements, this article will:
-Discuss the most important aspects to consider and test
-Illustrate the power of that call-to-action element with a real-life case study—the results are often surprising
-Direct readers to some A/B split test tools and resources so they can get started testing their call to action right away.
Why me:
I’m a marketing/PR professional with a focus on content marketing, especially recurring online content like blogs, columns and e-newsletters. A/B split testing is my latest obsession—the more I learn about and use it, the more it blows my mind.
This is much more on-topic – thanks for resubmitting!
KICK START YOUR FREELANCE CAREER WITH A CONTEST
As an aspiring freelance writer you want an opportunity to show how great you are and to make a lasting impression. I’m sure we all like the energy that pumps into our heads when we are declared winners. It all starts from day the announcement for the contest is made, with the contestants all thinking of themselves as potential winners.
-Participating in a writing contest is a great way to gain exposure and even if you are not crowned winner you have take homes that make you a better writer. Contrary to what some might think, that if you are not crowned winner then you have lost.
-Proof exists from contests like BAFB contest, Blogging challenge by Writersincharge.com, and Carol Tice the Den mother who also won a contest…
-Following the contest rules is very important and also understanding of the writing style. Other points will also be included as it applies to a case study contest
I am Aisha Sulaiman Shehu a freelance content writer, I have a passion for writing and aspire to be famous through my words
Nice idea, Aisha, but I don’t feel your outline has enough specifics yet. Can you build more detail into your bullet points and show us what else you’ve got to say on the topic?
Areas to be covered include take homes from contests generally and also what you stand to gain in some particular contests such as
• how you can build your own blog readers by participating in a contest
• being able to swing into action and meet submission date which you would have been lazy about normally
•examples of how you can apply the contest to help your freelance career
• using the critism received to improve your writing and make you a better blogger
•how winning can give you exposure and access to a large audience and be the beginning of success in your career
I’m not sure about this as an article, but I did like this point:
“being [forced] to swing into action and meet submission date[s]…you would have been lazy about normally”
So true! That’s one of the things I personally love about writing contests/competitions. 🙂 With “normal” pitches, there’s no set deadline…which can cause you to procrastinate FOREVER, never actually contacting anyone. There’s always that feeling of “Oh, I’ll just do it later.”
Even if you don’t win, I hope other readers will see your comment. 🙂
Absolutely right, Lauren!
I’ve just submitted my first pitch here thanks to Pitchfest.
I doubt I would have, otherwise.
Thanks a ton to Sophie and you.
Thanks everyone like I said earlier contests are a win win for me I already feel like a winner with this kind of exposure and interaction it gives one more confidence
Seconded!
I am learning so much by reading this thread. Thanks Sophie!
Proposed Headline:
Reignite the Passion: How to Fall in Love with Freelancing All Over Again
Intro:
Let’s revisit, for a moment, why you decided to become a freelancer in the first place. Perhaps you were once a disenchanted drone of a corporate employee, spending your days crunching numbers in a cubicle. Then, one day, you hit your breaking point, bursted into a board meeting, individually invited each executive to self-fornicate, shouted “I quit,” and walked out of the building in a blaze of future-freelancer glory.
Perhaps you became another unemployed victim of the economy, started fooling around with a blog to get your rocks off, and found yourself wanting to settle down with blogging.
Whatever your story, chances are that at one point in your freelance career, perhaps maybe at this point, you will forget those first hot-and-heavy moments that made you want to get serious with blogging in the first place. Perhaps you may even -gulp!-start courting other careers.
Before you do something desperate, such as leaving freelancing for a full-time corporate thing on the side, try these therapeutic tactics to strengthen your love of blogging.
*I work a lot with other freelancers, writers, and small business owners and one thing we all have in common is this: Being out there on your own can sometimes get overwhelming/desperate/boring/lame/hopeless. It’s hard going it alone and it’s easy to lose the passion for something you once loved. I would like to give people some tips for getting through the low points. These include:
1. Blog about things you care about or want to learn more about, and actively seek these opportunities.
2. Tips for how to actively get involved blogging for things you love
3. Say “no” to opportunities/clients that are difficult to work with, low-paying or non-interesting to you so that you open yourself to projects you love.
4. Find a creative writing outlet…use your own blog to test “out-of-the box” blogging ideas.
5. Rethink your approach. Can you supplement blogging with other writing or online projects to “mix it up?”
6. Eliminate freelancer loneliness by building a community with other writers (i.e. Meetup groups).
7. Constantly search for fresh ideas; keep a “fresh idea” log. Look for inspiration in things that excite you.
8. If you’re full-time, get a part-time job completely unrelated to blogging…even if it’s waitressing. If you’re not stressed about money, you can be more picky about whom you write for.
9. Expanding your experiences so you have more to write about (skydiving can be good for your career).
*I can write heavily from my own experience, and share concrete tips/resources from other writers and freelance/small business experts. I can also share links to online resources I’ve tested/tried.
I’m a freelance marketing/business writer and proprietor of Kimberly Jones, Literary Artist. I specialize in working with small businesses. I feel like there are lots of blogs for writers that tackle the tactical aspects of starting a freelance career/blogging, etc. However, for more seasoned writers/bloggers who may be in a lull and need inspiration, there is very little. I would like to see this blog open dialog and help strengthen a community of people who can get lonely/desperate at times.
Great concept, Kimberly! Everyone needs a nudge out of the doldrums from time to time. 🙂
I am blown away by the quality of the pitches – so many good article ideas. Sophie – you are going to have a tough choice to make!
Nevertheless, I’m taking the chance and throwing my pitch into the pot! Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Headline: 5 Lessons my Cat Taught Me That Applies to Freelance Writing
Intro: I have observed my cat, Magic, for a while now and one day it dawned on me that he has certain behaviours and characteristics that would serve me well a a freelance writer. You may think all your cat does is sleep its life away, but look closely and you’ll discover your feline friend has a whole host of subtle and sometimes manipulative behaviour which serves him/her well! And what, pray tell, does this have to do with freelance writing, I hear you ask.
Well, let’s take a look at the qualities a cat has that a freelancer writer should have.
1) Patience
When a cat stalks prey, it is an incredible study in concentration and an enormous exercise of patience. I have seen Magic sit patiently at a mole hill for a hour and nearly doze off while waiting for what lurks beneath to stick its head out.
The lessons:
* Don’t expect to make six figures overnight – building a business takes time.
* Be patient when sending query letters. Editors and corporate people are busy – they may not always reply immediately.
2) Persistence
When Magic wants to be let out in the morning, he meows persistently and jumps on the bed and walks over me – over and over again, even when I get mad and yell at him! He is annoyingly persistent. He doesn’t give up!
The lessons:
* The number one mandatory trait a freelancer needs is tenacity and persistence, because this is one tough business. How badly do you want it? Those who don’t want it badly enough, may as well quit and go back to their cubicle job.
(I will list some ways to persist and keep at it).
3) Create good habits
Cats are habitual. They generally follow the same routine and they frequent the same spots, day in and day out.
The lessons:
* Develop a daily routine and good habits. This is very important for those of us who work from home. (I will suggest and list a few habits and routines that will help with productivity).
4) The art of manipulation
Your cat sidles up to you, brushes herself against and gives you a gentle head butt. Oh how your heart swells at this display of love and affection. But then you check the time – it’s 7am and this unabashed display of affection is really about wanting breakfast!
The lessons:
* People do business with people they like. Networking and building relationships all require a certain amount of schmoozing. Don’t do it in a false way, but if you want to grow your business, there are some simple ways to keep in touch, show interest and make clients feel good. (I will elaborate and list a few ways).
5) Rest, sleep and stretching
Cats are the masters of sleep. There are times that I just stare in amazement at Magic when he is curled up in a ball and in la-la land. Oh how I envy being able to sleep like a cat does. Then he awakes from his slumber and launches into the most wonderful stretch.
The lessons:
* Rest and sleep are very important. Not getting enough sleep will affect your outputs. (I will list some effects lack of sleep will have on a writer).
* Don’t underestimate the power of a nap.
* Stretch and get up from the computer and move about at regular intervals.
My name is Deevra Norling and I quit a good, solid, stable, secure job to start freelancing. I’ve only been at it about 10 months, and while it is difficult and challenging when you first start out, it has also been an amazing journey so far. I focus on news/journalism, articles & essays, web and blog content and travel writing. I continue to learn something new every day.
I like the idea that you picked this stuff up from your cat. 😀 You’d need to make sure you’ve got some kind of data or a statement by an expert to support anything you say about health in point 5. Good pitch!
Thanks Sophie. Yes, will definitely back up point 5 with facts. While the content of my pitch may be nothing new to seasoned writers, newbie writers/bloggers may find it useful, which is the target audience I would be writing for in this article.
Hooray for cats! I’d love to see a pic of Magic. 🙂 My cat, Robert, appears (as an illustration) in every blog post I write on my website. Real life pic of him can be found here: http://littlezotz.com/f-a-q
I like the idea. I just hope you didn’t shoot your wad in the pitch! You wrote about 570 words from “Intro” to “The Lessons” (only 230 shy of the minimum post length!). Like…is the pitch the post?
What really makes me giggle is the idea of this getting published and then, a couple months later, someone writing a counter-point article about what can be learned from dogs. Hah!
Love Robert! 🙂
Yes I did wonder if the pitch was a bit long, but I got carried away! If full post becomes too long, I’ll drop one point (probably point 5). If I win, at least most of it is almost written and can easily pull it together and tighten up!
You know what, I could probably do the dog article too! Lol! My other passion, besides writing, is animals! 🙂
As a cat-person (animal-person really, but cats have always been special to me), I totally love this. I would definitely read this. I’ve also been amazed how my cat is so attune with her environment and with herself. No one needs to tell her to stretch or drink water, she just knows (I have to set up all kinds of alerts and reminders to do the same basic stuff ;)).
I know points 2 and 4 too well, if you can’t tell that by now =^^=
I would read!
Thanks Jessica for the feedback. I wanted to write something for newbies, but in a lighthearted way. I’ve been mulling this idea over for a while now as I knew I could use it to bring a few useful lessons across. Even if I don’t win, I’ll look at publishing it somewhere else, or even on my own blog.
I hope you do. I’ve seen a lot of amazon books on “what my pet (usually dog) taught me about x.” If they can write books on the topic, then I’m sure you can write a pretty nifty post. Catster, Jackson Galaxy’s blog, or a cat magazine are possibilities (although, I don’t know if any of them pay).
I’d love to read this post, Deevra.
Thanks Rohi! 🙂
(Hey all! I can’t resist being part of this awesome contest! Thanks to Sophie for hosting it.)
Proposed Title: How to Beef Up a Wimpy Portfolio (and Help Save the World!) by Blogging for Nonprofits
You’re scrolling through the blogging job ads, full of bright hopes about your budding freelance career. A promising gig catches your eye – brilliant! But then you read those familiar words of doom: “Please send a link to your portfolio.” So much for that. You sigh and move on… to nowhere.
— My post offers another way to break out of the nightmarish “chicken-and-egg” cycle for new bloggers who don’t have a portfolio yet but can’t find work without one. Starting a personal blog is a great start, but potential clients like to see that you’ve worked with clients before.
— The solution? The power of probono! Writing for nonprofits lets you target clients that are almost as desperate for skilled writers as you are for a chance to show off your skills. A recent study found that 33 percent of nonprofits have blogs (and even more plan to start one) — and that one of their major challenges is producing enough engaging content. I’ll spell out a few key steps to help budding bloggers tap into this sector:
— 1. Identify Some Nonprofits to Pitch. I’ll list several strategies here, including links to some great new sites aimed at matching skilled volunteers w/ nonprofits, such as Catchafire and LinkedIn’s new Volunteer Marketplace — as well as what to look for when “cold pitching” a nonprofit.
— 2. Win Them Over With a Relevant and Well-Researched Pitch. Nonprofit pitching is just like regular blog post pitching (I can link to other Be a Freelance Blogger posts here), but conveying a genuine-sounding passion and respect for the org’s mission is key, too.
— 3. Write an Engaging and Unforgettable Post. I’ll present a few guidelines for writing nonprofit blog posts, and why the common blogging challenges (writing to your audience, persuading without over-selling, etc) are especially relevant here.
— 4. Don’t Be Afraid to Show Off Afterwards. I’ll share several tips to reap the maximum networking and portfolio-building benefits of probono blogging. People remember you when you do something good for them – and for the world – as long as you (strategically) remind them!
Why me? I’m a freelance copywriter and ghostblogger, and my new blog about copywriting and content marketing for nonprofits, the Benevolent Elephant, launches later this month. My guest post will speak to the “newbie contingent” of your audience, and offers practical advice for breaking into a market that Be a Freelance Blogger hasn’t covered yet.
The non-profit sector is a largely untapped marketing for writers! I myself am keen to approach this market. I’ve worked in the non-profit sector (full-time, not in a writing capacity) before and still have a soft spot for non-profits, so working with them would be good.
I like the pitch in general, but a big concern for me is that I wouldn’t want to leave anyone thinking non-profits never pay freelance writers! Could you add a section about how to query non-profits for paid work, or about your own experiences of paid work for non-profit organisations?
That’s a great point — blogging or other kinds of probono writing for nonprofits is a great way to build up some portfolio samples and cred, if you’re starting from scratch and don’t have any. But nonprofits hire and pay freelancers too (in fact, next to design, writing is the most common service that nonprofits outsource, according to a recent study). So, I could add a section at the end like this:
— 5. Leverage Your New Portfolio into Paid Gigs. Once you’ve got a few blog posts under your belt, you’ve got valuable experience that can help convince a nonprofit that you’re hire-worthy. Pro-tip: When you work for free, emphasize that you’re donating your services probono (as opposed to volunteering). That’ll make it easier to transition into asking for pay later, especially if you are able to make a strong case of the value of your work — whether you’re pitching the organization you’ve already worked for, or a new one.
I’m imagining “according to a recent” study as a hyperlink to said “recent study” and getting happy editor goosebumps. :3
Lauren, hehe, yes, there will be links/sources! I love them too.
Deevra, it sounds like you already have a strong background that could make it easy to blog for nonprofits — that’s awesome — you should go for it!
I love this, Audre.
I worked for a non-profit for more than ten years so I’ll definitely be looking out for this article.
This is such a great learning activity for me! It is great to read the pitches and the suggestions for improving them. What a great idea, Sophie!
Thanks Halona, glad you’re enjoying it too!
Whoo! I see more pitches waiting for me to read them, but it’s getting late here in the UK. I’ll be back tomorrow to go through the rest, so keep ’em coming.
Okay, okay, okay…I’ll stop being chicken and post mine. I have to say that these pitches and the feedback are priceless. I absolutely love the BAFB community. Thank you for your time and input in advance. : )
TITLE: Who Died and Made YOU the Boss? Self-Discipline For Freelancers
OPENING:
Lynn the Boss, “You gave your word. You have to send out 3 queries by the end of today. Now get off Facebook.”
Lynn the Employee, “Yeah I know, but I can always do it tomorrow.”
Lynn the Boss, “You’ve said that for a week.”
Does this sound familiar?
• The post will cover how to use simple psychological triggers that will enable you to act as both boss and employee to yourself. These triggers evoke respect, motivation and encouragement.
• How and when to navigate ‘boss’ mode and ‘employee’ mode.
• 3 tricks on how to develop the mental strength to stay focused.
• An easy method for planning your job duties for the next day and be able to follow through.
• The emergency tool that will get you back on track even if you blow it big time.
My name is Lynn Silva and I wanted to post this for the BAFB community because as freelancers we all struggle with self-discipline. My focus is on incorporating mental skills into business in order to thrive physically, emotionally and financially.
I love yours, Lynn!
I get distracted so easily and start so many projects at the same time. Plus, procrastination has been my worst enemy since childhood, though, I have gotten better since having children. 🙂
Hi MJ! : )
Thanks for your response, and yes, I totally get the procrastination thing! It’s partly why I’ve honed in on so many tricks and triggers to combat it. ; )
Excellent headline, Lynn! In your intro, I’d make it You-the-Boss rather than Lynn-the-boss. Nice outline, and now I’m curious about your emergency tool for getting back on track. 🙂
In the last paragraph of your pitch, I get why this is a good post for BAFB but you’re not telling me *why you*.
Same goes for some of these other pitches, too. Everyone, try to draw a clear connection between “I know/do stuff like this” and “You want me for this piece because XYZ”. 🙂
Hi Sophie! : )
First of all, I’m all for changing that one word to YOU. It carries a much more powerful impact…just that one word.
Here is my response to ‘why me’:
You want me for this piece because I’m absolutely gifted at triggering the mind with the use of words so that they empower, empathize and promote ACTION. (And you’re almost crushing my respect for humility here!)
Love it. And there is NO place for humility in a pitch! You don’t have to worry about sounding like you’re bragging or hyperbolising — just be honest about your abilities and credentials. 🙂
Love it, Lynn.
My only suggestion: “Who Died and Made YOU the Boss? Self-Discipline For Freelance Bloggers.”
BAFB is very blogger-specific. So, if you can write that article in a way that’s relevant to freelance bloggers in particular (rather than freelancers in general) then…perfect! 😀
Hi Lauren! : )
There it is again…ONE WORD…that completely compounds the impact. Most definitely, ‘bloggers’ needs to be included in the title. Thanks so much for pointing that out and for your time. : )
Hey Lynn, your title caught my eye. Especially the “self-discipline for freelancers.” Gosh, I struggle with this (and just want to go outside and smell the flowers sometimes haha)
Headline: Make Your Pitch Stand Out with Video: For Introverted Writers
Intro: Ever spend hours crafting pitches, only to feel like your time and energy was wasted? Your well-researched pitches disappear after you click “Send,” and you’re left with nothing… No response. No gig. No $$$. ☹
Sound familiar? If so, maybe a short video pitch like this will help:
http://youtu.be/FovMriPGmiE
Outline: I’ll share the process I use to create videos for my pitches. I’ve found well-paying, fun clients on Elance and made almost $10,000 over a couple years. (Although Sophie had I learned your tips for getting jobs elsewhere, it would have saved me a lot of trouble. ☺)
Why does video work?
1. You instantly stand out.
2. Builds connection and trust.
3. Helps the client decide if you’re a good match.
Objections?
For introverted types, video is scary. So I’ll be vulnerable about my own shyness issues. Then invite them to move past them, and show them how. Video is too powerful of a tool to neglect.
And I love video, so I’ve pushed through, and created a simple process to make them for my pitches.
5 Steps To Make Your Video Pitch:
1. Make Friends With The Lens: There will be no magic here, just low-pressure ways to practice being comfortable on camera.
2. Know Your Business & Compatible Clients: Tips and links for being clear about the right clients for you and your business.
3. Create Your Script: How to make a script template for authenticity, without taking forever to write.
4. Shoot, Shoot, Shoot: Tips to make shooting your video less painful.
5. Copy They Click: Write copy so your prospective client clicks your link, watches your video, and responds. Link to some of the previous pitch articles on BAFB.
***
Hey Freelance Bloggers, my name’s Benjamin and I help creative people go on adventures to find their way. I wonder if my knowledge of making videos + writing can help some of you get a writing gig you love.
Thanks for reading and/or watching. Even if I lose to one of the other impressive pitches above (kudos!), I’d be happy to answer any questions.
Best, Benjamin
AWE. SOME.
I think writers don’t make enough use of video, and I had to kick my way through my own video stage fright to create the training videos for the Client Hunting Masterclass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcdb8oTR_Xo. So yeah, I would love to see this topic covered on BAFB!
Balla 🙂 I was hoping that’d be the case.
Sophie,
This video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcdb8oTR_Xo is incredibly hilarious and also awfully inspiring.
Totally wow!
I’ve subscribed to your YouTube channel.
Hi Benjamin! : )
I NEED to overcome my inhibitions about video. I’ve done one…(ask Sophie…lol) and I made an absolute donkey of myself because I was so nervous. I’d LOVE to see your post on this topic.
Gosh, I’ve made a donkey of myself in about 100 🙂 It’s all good though.
Everybody watching does the same thing in everyday life, so now you have become human. (And Lynn email me if you need any quick tips)
Hi Lynn,
I’ve seen it.
You’re being too hard on yourself – you were absolutely okay.
Hey Benjamin,
I had missed the video, but, wow, that’s really impressive. As a shy and introverted person, I’d totally dig a post on this topic — very original idea. If you write this article (and, I hope you do), are you going to differentiate between introverted and shy? From what I understand/researched, they are different.
And just because I’m curious, do you find that your approach tends to work better with male or female clients?
Hey Jessica, good point about differentiating. Often when I write about this topic I do, but a reminder is always welcome. 🙂
Good question. Females better 🙂
I find it turns off those clients, who are the “hard-driving low ballers” and get right to the point types. So it acts as a good filter for clients I like. My “muse” doesn’t like those guys very much haha.
Gotta confess: Didn’t watch your video. I didn’t feel like digging out my headphones, unwinding their cord, adjusting them over my ears, turning on my computer’s sound… Bleh.
That said: Thank GOD you took the time to WRITE a pitch as well. Because your pitch was fabulous. Loved it!
While I’m not a big fan of vlogs (video blogs) myself — and I’d be turned off by a video pitch alone — I think your article idea is fantastic. And I think your tips would be relevant to many types of video bloggers (or “normal” bloggers looking to incorporate videos), even if they don’t use the vids for pitches.
I myself have a series of “Video Answers” on my website. Because people wanted to see how I move/speak/whatever. http://littlezotz.com/video-answers But I’m still not the best at being on camera (I try to cover the screen while filming so I don’t see myself… I hate looking at myself!!), so I’d be curious to read your tips. I’m always secretly hoping that people will share my aversion to videos and skip straight to the written transcriptions. ~_~
Well done, Benjamin! Glad you came back to pitch this.
Hey Lauren, I got a kick out of your response, in a good way. This is also a typical response of my writer buds, so that’s why I was laughing. 🙂
But I think with clients who love their project, it’s like a “drug” to hear someone took the time to specifically address them on a video, and I offer valuable tips if I’m inspired. Almost like I’m working with them already.
Honestly, it’s not for everyone though. It requires work, and a learning curve, that some people won’t want to invest, or maybe don’t need because they rule at writing like yourself. 🙂
For others, it’s a powerful tool.
There are other ways to do it without being on camera too (like speaking, yet doing simple keynote animation which you’ve already prepared in advance, but just add in some personal elements, as one idea).
And I’m a dude, so I know that for women there’s often more “stuff” to deal with this (oh our culture… :/). I think your videos look authentic, and for me, I’m attracted to that.
Of course, I have a thing for introverted people 🙂
Based on the feedback from Sophie and Alicia, I’ve decided to do my pitch again. I repeat, this is not a pitch for a new post, but an updated version of my earlier pitch.
Headline: How to resurrect your freelance blogging career from the $20/hour purgatory.
Intro:
You found out that you love to write and thought it would be cool to earn a living from it. So, you earned your first few payments by signing up on a freelance bidding site. Congratulations.
And welcome to the place where freelance blogging careers go to die.
Outline:
– Even though the demand for freelance writing is growing at 20% per quarter, the average hourly rate is stuck at $20.
– Freelance bidding sites are good for getting the first few clients but you will rarely be able to raise your rates because they promote a “race to the bottom” approach.
– How I earned my first few dollars on elance and learned that if I keep doing this over and over, I’ll lose my passion for blogging.
– How to leverage the clients that you have already worked for (on the freelance bidding site) to promote your work and increase your rates.
– Everyone starts off at $20/hr but on freelance bidding sites you’re stuck with that rate. Here’s an approach to how you can get higher value work and earn better rates. (Link to “Why online communities matter for freelance bloggers”, guest post by Kevin Muldoon, #16 of 28 daily prize contests)
My name is Debashish and I blog to help people escape a dead end 9 to 5 job by pursuing their passions and turning it into income streams. This will be a great post because it will help freelance bloggers who are stuck earning pin money on bidding sites to leverage the work they have already done and move on to high value, high income freelance gigs.
PS – The outline highlights the main points that I will include in the post, but I like to adjust the flow of the content after I have written the post. This outline does not represent how the end result will look like.
I like it, but I think it’s inaccurate to say everyone starts at $20/hr. There are so many people who start out lower because they don’t know what they’re worth.
Yeah, try less than $5 an hour, when all was said and done.
That was my first client, and she absolutely knew what she was doing and getting.
I had no idea what I was doing at the time and had no idea that freelance blogging was even a “thing.” Wow, did I learn quickly.
Thanks for the feedback Alicia and MJ. I understand that people start out for less than $20/hr, but that’s not what this post is about. It’s for those who started with vigor and thought they could raise their rates quickly, but have been stuck at $20/hr because of the bidding sites.
I love your pitch, Debashish. I was just responding to Alicia.
Your post would be awesome for those just starting out – like me! – so we are able to avoid those pitfalls.
I apologize. I didn’t mean to sound so bitter. I just have this thing about liars taking advantage of me. 😉
No need for apologies MJ. I’m a beginner too and have made mistakes. I’ve just had a bit of an advantage by following excellent advice from people like Sophie.
I found Sophie’s site when I started researching freelance blogging, during the month I was working with that first client.
I devoured post after post within a few days time. My mind was blown.
I just recently started joining in on the comments. I am learning so much from other commenters, such as yourself, and am loving it. 🙂
I’d like to read how to up my hourly rate.
I like the outline better this time around. Not so sure about the headline, but I often work with guest writers to get the headline just right so that’s not a major issue.
Do you have references to back up your 20% and $20 claims? I know a lot of people get burned out on sites like Elance, so this would be a very useful post to many readers. But if you state specific figures, you’ll need to cite specific & reputable sources.
I agree with you on the headline bit. I usually just write down a temporary headline to direct my way through writing the whole post. Then, I rewrite the headline. I’d love to have your feedback on it.
I’ve taken the figures from Elance’s official stats and I’ll link to that in the actual post. I greatly appreciate you taking time to go through each pitch and offer feedback. Thanks a lot.
Excellent – with official stats, this is a much more solid pitch. 🙂
Your second pitch was much more polished. Nice to see you took the feedback to heart. 🙂
Thanks, Lauren. When the feedback is so awesome, it’s hard not to take it to heart!
Well said, Debashish!
I liked your second pitch too.
Hi, Sophie!
Thanks for hosting this. It’s a whole pitching training on its own; the post and the comments. I’d like to add mine however.
Headline:
5 Practical Ways to Adopt that Conversational Tone that Makes Every Blog A Winner
Intro:
Accepted, you are an awesome writer. Good for you, but that doesn’t make you a great blogger. Fortunately, what makes a great blogger is way simpler than what makes a best seller; it’s no harder than engaging a 5-year old in some fun chat – as you’d see in a moment.
In this article, I will explore:
– How using a conversational tone separates the pro bloggers from others at the bottom of the food chain
– How to locate your natural voice and adopt a permanently conversational tone you’d readily be known with
– Various tips from veterans, like Danny Iny, Carol Tice, master copywriter Mark Ford of AWAI (pen name Michael Masterson), copywriter Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero, etc, on how to adopt a friendly, conversational tone in your posts. For example;
* The ‘child labor’ test by Lorrie
* The ‘record and play’ method
* The ‘dating’ test (coined that! 🙂 similar to AWAI’s ‘barstool test’ tho)
* etc
– Various tools you can use while proofreading to make sure your post doesn’t lack that conversational tone. (e.g, the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test – and how to use it )
– Why you must catch fun writing your own posts and how to resist the temptation of sounding formal – and boring (even when writing in the tech industry)
– How to turn a boring, formal piece into a fun, friendly and conversational one. E.g;
* breaking (acceptable) grammar rules once in a while
* using contractions like aren’t, who’ll
* being as daring as Sophie using words like ‘ass’, ‘bitch’, etc
My name is Oludami Yomi-Alliyu, and I’m a freelance copywriter and web marketing consultant (AWAI-trained). I own http://www.lucrativepen.com, aimed at giving tips to help freelance writers survive (just about revamping though) and I’ve had few blogging clients for years now – I also currently write for MSN Africa, etc (I’m Nigerian 🙂
Having a conversational tone is vital not only to blogging, but to most forms of writing nowadays. It’s a problem I’ve always had – and still trying to come off – just like *most* bloggers out there who keep wondering why people never come back. Fortunately it’s an integral part of my training as a copywriter and I intend to make as many bloggers as I can better bloggers – e.g, if this pitch wins 🙂
Thanks again, Sophie.
I like it. 🙂
Glad you like it, Alicia 🙂
I would love to read this post. 🙂 Yours and mine could go hand-in-hand!
Went back to check your pitch, MJ. They really would go hand-in-hand.
Blogging is way different from English lessons! In fact, no English teacher should be proud of any successful blogging student 😀
Another great how-to-blog-better idea. The headline could use some work, but that’s something we’ll do together if you win.
Are you sure you’ll have enough detailed info to meet the 800-word minimum?
Hi Sophie.
I’m sure there are more than enough details to go past 800 words – without fillers. Especially with the practical step-by-step tips I plan to share if I win.
Glad you think it’s a great idea 🙂
Great idea, Oludami!
I look forward to reading your post.
Thanks, Rohi. I look forward to reading yours too 🙂
I like it. I get sent a lot of overly-formal pitches + first drafts. I think this would help potential guest posters to realize why that’s not “how it’s done.” 😉
Hi Lauren.
Wouldn’t blame any potential guest posters for that.
Sure you know it’s easy to fall into the formal-sounding trap, especially when pitching.
The ‘fear’ and high regards you have for the person you are pitching naturally makes most of us sound so formal, not wanting to *piss* him/her off – especially when there’s no form of prior familiarity.
I might have fallen into that trap too if I was pitching you via email. Pitchfest and Sophie’s guidelines surely made things easier.
And I think that would make a great post too: something like “Why your guest post pitches should sound conversational.”
One question though. How should a (paid) freelance blogging pitch sound? Formal or conversational?
Thanks, Lauren
I intend to expand on the following points
– the take homes from blog related contest such as the opportunity to interact with existing blog followers, establishing a relationship and inviting them to your blog
– getting active with commenting
-having a new plan or better strategy when you fail the contest
-building on the positive criticism received and improving based on recommendations
– creating time to read what others have written and comparing with what you have to know if you are doing anything wrong
-how winning can be the beginning of better things to come as it makes you popular and gives you credibility.
– List of some contests to look out for
Thanks for the update, Aisha!
This is the first time I see a lot of detailed pitches. I’ll be bookmarking this blog post so that I’ll know how to construct pitches better. When I was in nursing school and working as a part time SEO specialist, I also pitched some blog owners because it was part of the job. Now I know, my pitches back then suck. Nevertheless, I was lucky that some blog owners accepted my guest blogs. This is very educational.
That’s why we decided to make this a regular event on Be a Freelance Blogger – it’s rare to see lots of other writers’ pitches, and even rarer to get a peek inside the process of feedback and pitch revision. I hope you learn enough to consider entering the next Pitchfest in April!
Okay, it’s my time to batter up! 🙂
What Bloggers Can Learn from the Art of the Spanish Telenovela
Intro:
“How could you?”
“He told me that he felt really unsatisfied with the relationship. And that you had really let your style go too. He wasn’t attracted.”
“But he was mine. I was still warming him up.”
“Obviously, you weren’t doing a good enough job.”
“But he was my lead!”
Body:
— Be raw – Spanish telenovelas rule Spanish media because the characters say and do things that we all wish that we had the guts to.
Bloggers need to remember that their audience is looking at them to be their voice. Bloggers can, and should, put themselves out there because their reader might not feel like they have the freedom to.
— Be educational – While telenovelas achieved their success by being entertaining, many telenovelas are using their prowess to educate the masses, especially in creating health and healthy living awareness.
Bloggers shouldn’t be afraid to add value while being entertaining. The two entities can exist, and thrive, together. (cough, cough, Sophie Lizard’s BAFB blog)
— Be exportable – As PBS explains, “But unlike U.S. soap operas, which ran for decades, telenovelas have a contained story arc, ending after a few seasons. This makes them highly marketable and exportable.”
Bloggers can also contain their blog post with a contained story arc. Pick a goal for that blog post; have all of your subheads, bolding, italics and media support that overarching story arc/goal.
— Be consistent – Spanish telenovelas are on (almost) 5 days a week, everyday, at the same time. The characters come into their viewer’s home and become part of the family. Some viewers depend on that routine.
Bloggers should create and stick to some type of posting routine. Become your audience’s virtual version of ‘comfort food.’
— Be vividly detailed – Some telenovelas take place in far off places, different centuries and different cultures. Yes, hearing Spanish from Victorian clad people is a little odd at first. But most novelas kill setting the scene. The costumes, the houses, the accessories, the hairdos are done to a T.
If you are trying to tell a story, in your blog post, then incorporate the senses. Transport the reader to the scene that you want them to experience.
— Be sexy – Many novelas showcase the ugly duckling’s transformation into a beautiful swan. Often, the swan gets a lot sexier because that’s just how novelas roll. If that’s not a novela element, then there’s already a sexified cast.
Don’t shy away from showing off your sexy content. Be mysterious, provocative and flirty. The simple nuances in the art of seduction also apply to blogging. Using resources like Jon Morrow’s power words will help bloggers master these nuances.
You said 6 points, but I have more points and resources!
Why me?
Holitas, my name is Jessica Ramos and I’m a novelera, a freelance writer and blogger. The BAFB audience can learn the success secrets of Spanish telenovelas — a media form that was once reported to have captured the hearts and eyeballs of “a third of the human race.”
What a unique angle! 🙂 Nice idea.
Thanks! 🙂
I like this angle too… especially if there are some great accompanying images of dramatic telenovela scenes!
🙂 There are plenty, trust!
Nice fresh angle and solid tips, Jessica – well done. 🙂
Thanks, Sophie 🙂
Haha. This is adorable!
Well, shucks! Lauren’s going around making me feel like a winner and ish with that compliment. Thanks 🙂
Hello! It’s all rather exciting here, isn’t it?
Sophie, as promised last month – here’s my pitch:
Headline – Revealed: The surprisingly simple route to nailing the voice of your client
Intro –
Finding your own writing voice is tough.
Finding the voice of your client? Put me in a straight-jacket and leave me to struggle because that right there? Sounds like it’s near-on impossible.
But no more! What if your dream clients made it remarkably easy for you to figure out exactly who they are? What if the knowledge of THEIR clients was right under your nose? And what if you could use this to write expertly for both?
The Brave New World exists, folks. And it’s here:
1. The infiltration technique:
– Do some (non-creepy) stalking by following them on social media. What personal anecdotes do they divulge? Whose work do they share? Who do THEY follow?
– Understand their world in more detail to give you ideas on cultural/personal references to make in your posts. Link to CopyBlogger post on writing what people love to share by not being boring.
2. Empathy is king:
– What does their audience hope, fear and dream? Who are the ideal clients? Read existing posts and the comments to understand the audience in detail. Link to post by Danny Iny about finding your 1 ideal client.
– Take it a step further and get in touch with the most frequent visitors. Knowing these people in detail will give your posts killer content that will engage.
3. Spook ‘em out:
– When you craft your post, make it look familiar to the client by formatting it in the same way as existing popular posts. The client must feel like they’re reading something they’ve written themselves.
– Do they use bullet points or numbers? Are the posts broken up into logical flowing sequences? Is the intro detailed or brief? Use this as a guide to your writing.
4. Use the blindingly obvious:
– Study the existing work on their site and look for patterns in writing. Where is humour added? Is sarcasm used? Is it all factual?
– Read, re-read and even write their posts out by hand. This will help you find their writing style, the rhythm and tone. Make it an aim to become this person when writing (dressing up is optional).
I’m Razwana Wahid – a copywriter who makes a living out of writing web copy in the voice of my clients, which in turn appeals to THEIR ideal client. Each blog post is like a sales page, guys – it must contain as much empathy towards the audience as humanly possible.
That is an excellent idea for a post, Razwana. I’d definitely like to read this article.
“Each blog post is like a sales page, guys…”
You nailed it, Razwana.
Wow! Razwana, this is unique and superb. It promises something new to learn. I love it!
🙂 I was going to submit a completely different idea, but glad I chose this one !
Isn’t it the case that in every post we write, we’re selling something? Our talent, a dream, hope …. I keep this at the forefront when I’m writing – but it means it’s a constant reminder!
Razwana, I like this a lot! One concern, though: your headline says “surprisingly simple” — can you present this post in 800+ words of detail while still making it sound simple? If not, use a different word in the headline. 🙂
It may not be so simple after all! Some alternative headlines:
– 4 essentials to nailing the voice of your client
– Become the expert: Perfect the voice of your client in 4 steps
– Do you use these techniques to capture your clients’ voice?
What do you think? Better?
Umf! I love your pitch! 😀 There have actually been a few questions about ghostwriting/ghostblogging on the forum – http://beafreelanceblogger.com/forum – recently! So I know there’s a demand/audience for this topic. (And it’d be nice to have someone besides me sharing their thoughts on the subject!)
As for the headlines… I think they’re better! Though, if you win, we can always work on that later.
There are so many exciting ideas and pitches here. I’ve had a great time reading about everyone else’s:) This is mine:
5 Books That Will Make You A Better Freelance Blogger (That Are Not About Freelance Blogging)
Intro:
You are an information-hungry, network-savvy, marketing-aware, WordPress-knowing freelance blogger. And yet you are wondering why your career isn’t shining. Well, there’s a big chance you spent so much time educating yourself about your profession, you forgot to take care of your health, your time management skills and creative thinking processes.
*
From there, I’ll introduce 5 books, their main focus and why they should be read (and will be enjoyed) by the freelance blogger who wants to take her blogging career to the next level.
Books 1 and 2: Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite by Paul Arden
It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be by Paul Arden
I’m including two books by the late advertising great Paul Arden. In both books, he takes many industries, career and business management approaches, creative thinking examples and presents much more entertaining and viable tips and alternatives, while explaining why those work. Book 1 focuses more on changing the way you think, and freelancers need to do a lot of that when it comes to selling their work, dealing with rejection and coming up with different angles.
The second one addresses the fact most successful people didn’t get there through uber-good looks, born-with-charisma, or an abundance of resources and talent. They achieved things through their ambition, hard work and unique ways of thinking. His funniest example just might be Posh Spice, aka Victoria Beckham, who worded her aim for fame like this when she was much younger: “I want to be as famous as Persil Automatic.”
*
Book 3: You – The Owner’s Manual by Doctors Mehmet Oz and Michael F. Roizen
Freelancers tend to get sleep-deprived and deadline or rejection-anxious, forget about exercising or eating healthily in the midst of their frenzy. But instead of finding one or two good health blogs to follow and then forgetting about them, they can study this book instead. Sure, it’s so thick it can be used as a weapon, but it explains about all your systems, covers cancer (Oz himself beat the disease), depression, how to exercise and it has healthy recipes, desserts included. It’s also one of the funniest non-fiction books I’ve read. You won’t be bored.
*
Book 4: Richard Wiseman – Rip It Up
I didn’t know psychology could be so much fun. Yes, there are some great TV shows out there with brilliant psychiatrists, but here, we’re talking about famous psychologists, their experiments on people and their reasons and results… all told in a fascinating, humorous and medically correct way. It’s mostly devoid of jargon with Wiseman being Britain’s (only) Professor for the Public Understanding of Psychology.
Rip It Up is a terrific guide on how to change your life in whatever areas you want. Yes, relationships, attraction, persuasion and willpower are covered. Incidentally, they happen to be among areas you might need to work on, both for a better life and a more awesome freelance blogging career.
Book 5: Michael Heppell – How to Save an Hour Every Day
Michael Heppell is a productivity and time management expert and a bestselling author. He has created his own methods for managing your time right. His readers and clients have contributed their own tips too, so you can’t not find an approach or advice that will suit your individual needs. He also attacks time-wasting at all angles. So your fitness level or marital status or number of children can’t work as excuses.
If you barely have time to read, then obviously I recommend starting with Heppell. I had finished half the book on the way from the bookstore.
*
(In my post, I will get a bit more specific about the content of the books, and mention how studying their language and style will also help with writing too.)
I have all these books, dog-eared and abused with highlights. I’m not saying I perfected my lifestyle just yet, but I’ve integrated many of their helpful tips into my life. I’m healthier, happier and a lot less anxious. I want to share some examples of how I did this.
*
I’m a freelance writer/blogger who loves learning about ways to improve our careers, and lives outside of them, and I love sharing what I’ve learned. I believe this is a multi-functional post as it’ll cover resources on the areas we need most as freelance bloggers.
I love this pitch, Pinar. I am most interested to read book 1 and 2.
Glad to hear that Emelia:)
Nice idea, Pinar. And I must buy a copy of Rip It Up! That sounds like my kind of book. 🙂
I’m glad you liked it, Sophie. I think you’d enjoy it too:)
Cool! I was JUST asking the forum if they had any books I should add to my “must read” list: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/forum/off-topic/read-any-good-books-lately/ 😉
Glad I could help, Lauren:)
And what’s on your bookshelf?Virtual or otherwise. I’d love to know:)
Interesting pitch, Pinar.
I’ll check out Book 5: Michael Heppell – How to Save an Hour Every Day.
I’m a sucker for time management books.
Hi Rohi,
I love them too. But I have to say this one is my favorite.
Headline: Yes, Virginia, You CAN Make Good Money on Freelance Bidding Sites
Intro:
Have you been told that you can’t make a REAL income off the freelance bidding sites? That it’s a waste of time to put your hope in such a fairytale?
Don’t listen to them, Virginia!
I have proof that it can be done.
1. Take a look at my Guru and Elance profiles. Over $60,000 earned last year.
2. Success on the bidding sites is like fishing, it requires patience and persistence.
3. How to find the big fish swimming among the minnows.
4. How to properly bait your hook to catch the big fish.
5. Keep the fish coming back for more.
6. Using your bidding site profiles to strengthen your portfolio.
I have been a full time freelance writer for 3 years. It took me only 10 months to build my freelance writing business online, solely through the Guru and Elance writing sites, making over $30,000 my first year. I am now a contributing writer to several regional and national lifestyle magazines and have two other freelance writers on my team. I love debunking the myth that the bidding sites can’t be profitable and helping newbie writers learn how to make a living online.
I’ve got some high-paying clients via bidding sites, too, so it’s nice to see a pitch that tells the success side of the story. 🙂 Gotta say, though, you totally lost me with the “Virginia” thing — is that a U.S. cultural reference that I’ve missed out on?
I’d like to hear a bit more about points 3 and 4 of your outline. Do you have any way of knowing if your success strategy is replicable for other freelancers?
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” is a well-known line in the U.S. from an old Christmas movie called “A Miracle on 34th Street.”
As to my success strategy being replicable, yes, I know it is, because I’ve helped other people accomplish it using the same advice.
Finding the “big fish” has to do with recognizing the cues available in job postings and using your proposal to gain more information.
Baiting the hook involves understanding what clients look at and don’t, when it comes to proposals. It will also address what kinds of samples to use for different types of projects and how to engage clients prior to their final decision.
Don’t want to give-away too much of my secret recipe here in the comments. 😉
I was confused about the Virginia thing, too. While I have heard of the movie, I haven’t ever heard this quote. I don’t know if more freelance bloggers have, but it’s something to keep in mind that it might not connect with this audience. The idea is one I’d certainly read, though!
Thanks, Alicia.
I debated about the Virginia thing. When in doubt, listen to your gut, I guess.
What if I change the title to:
Debunking the Myth: Yes, You CAN Make Good Money on Freelance Bidding Sites
I like it, and I’m really interested in this topic, but looking at your pitch again, you go with a fishing theme throughout most of the outline. Can you try incorporating that theme into the title? Just a suggestion…the “Debunking the Myth” title is intriguing if you don’t want to go with the fishing theme in the title.
My randomness showing through. Thanks for picking that up, Alicia.
Headline: Success on Freelance Bidding Sites: Netting Big Fish in a Pond Full of Minnows
Intro:
Have you been told that you can’t make a REAL income off the freelance bidding sites? That it’s a waste of time to put your hope in catching anything but minnows it those oceans?
Serious fishermen, don’t give up so easily.
There’s plenty of good paying work to be had, if you’re willing to take some tips from someone who knows the waters well.
Nice! If your pitch doesn’t win, I hope to read this post elsewhere.
I agree. I’m not a big fan of bidding sides, but that’s because not many bloggers have shown the fun, profitable side. Right now even the word “bid” creeps me out:D
I like the new title and the topic of this pitch, too… I definitely see that there are high-paying gigs on those sites all the time. It’s just the fact that there are 40+ people bidding on them all at once that makes them seem intimidating/impenetrable!
Hi Kathleen.
I was reading the following post and immediately thought of your pitch. You may be able to use it to get some more ideas.
http://www.seanogle.com/guest-posts/hacking-odesk?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SeanOgle+%28Sean+Ogle%29
Good to know (on all counts)! Thanks, Kathleen. 🙂
The “Virginia” thing threw me for a loop too. Wow. I haven’t seen A Miracle on 34th Street in years… Totally off my radar at this point — especially since Christmas was 2 months ago!
Initial “Huh?!” aside, you got my curiosity up! Though I, like Sophie, am concerned about other freelance bloggers being able to replicate your success. Are you confident that you have a “one size fits all” formula?
To Ms. Sophie Lizard/Ms. Lauren Tharp and others:
Three Tips for Creating Your Own Ultimate Blogger List
Starting out as a blogger is hard. One way to build your audience is by publishing guest posts as a freelance blogger on different websites, preferably while being paid. But how do you find websites that pay for guest posts? This conundrum can frustrate bloggers into giving up earning a living blogging or quitting the craft entirely. Luckily, a few famous bloggers have taken it upon themselves to provide the rest of us with lists of websites that pay freelance bloggers for guest posts.
If you’re reading this, you likely already know of Sophie Lizard’s Ultimate List of $50+ Blogs (http://beafreelanceblogger.com/). Bamidele Onibalusi also wrote two other lists of 30+ (http://www.writersincharge.com/websites-that-pay/) and 45+ (http://www.writersincharge.com/more-websites-that-pay/) paying websites, and Carol Tice recapped all three lists by adding her own 12 freelance blogging sources (http://www.makealivingwriting.com/150-websites-blogs-pay-writers/). Even though these four lists comprise of over 120 websites, it is also useful for freelance bloggers to learn how to find their own blogging sources. Follow these three tips to create your own ultimate blogger list.
1. Know Your Search Terms
-For this subheading I want to talk about using the right search terms to find websites that accept submissions. I plan on covering four specific search terms and using example websites found using these search terms that can be added to a personal freelance blogger list.
-I also want to mention using different Search Engines, but briefly.
2. Copy and Paste From Job Boards
-For this subheading I plan on using examples that I found on Problogger.net. I want to point out particular criteria of a job posting that suggests that a company is open to submissions from freelancers and why it is a good candidate to add to a personal freelance blogger list.
-Examples of criteria include providing an actual email, providing the amount to be paid per post and submission guidelines.
3. Search and/or Join Community Forums
-For this subheading I plain to show how I used the community forum from a website on Sophie Lizard’s list to find another freelance blogger source.
-I also want to share two methods of doing this: 1) by doing a Google search and 2) by joining a forum and asking others (in other words networking and making connections).
This is the full outline for my article with the working title: Three Tips for Creating Your Own Ultimate Blogger List. Let me know what all you guys think. Thanks for reading!
About Me:
My name is Marissa Richardson. I grew up in the medium-sized community of Lake View Terrace close to Los Angeles, Calif. I have also lived in New York City, Baltimore and Seoul, South Korea. I have written over a hundred articles for several clients and edited close to two thousand articles for publication. I have a passion for solving problems, creating engaging content, and satisfying my clients and readers with the products of my talents. I’ve been reading Sophie Lizard’s blog for the past two months. I also work on a graphic novel in my spare time, and you can see some of my work here: http://marissasgraphicnovel.blogspot.com/
Hi Marissa,
Great pitch!
Thanks Rohi!
Marissa
I like your topic and tips Marissa. I’d read this 🙂
This is a cool idea! I like your introduction, very reader-focused.
Personal opinion: most editors don’t need to know where you’ve lived unless you’re pitching a story about one of those regions. If you cut that sentence out of your mini-bio, it’ll read easier and get to the point faster. 😉
Dear Sophie and Lauren,
I have been subscribed to BAFB for a few months now, and I want to thank you for producing such helpful and down-to earth content. I am just getting started with blogging, and have been working on a self-hosted website. It looks like you have gotten some great pitches for your contest so far! Here is my pitch, and I look forward to hearing your feedback!
Going From Writer to Blogger: How to Stay True to Yourself
Intro:
The internet is a dirty, dirty place. It is no place for my precious writing, pristine in its innocence. As a writer who has written journals, essays and short fiction stories for my own enjoyment, I cringed at the thought of the world scrutinizing my writing, undressing it with their eyes. More importantly I was afraid of losing myself in a world where ignorance and mediocrity abound.
Outline:
*In this article I would like to share what I have learned during my recent transition from traditional writing to blogging on the internet. During my initial blogging research I was overwhelmed with the sheer number of blogs out there and how many of them seemed like low-quality copycats of one another. I was also thrilled to find those blogs that distinguished themselves as truly unique and sincere voices. I knew immediately that I had to be one of them.
-Start by finding your unique blogging voice- During my practice to find my blogging voice, I found myself trying to imitate the voices of other bloggers who I admired. Your writing should reflect the way you talk. If you are not known for making clever or snarky comments, don’t try and force that into your writing. The truth is, I am not really all that clever…and that’s okay. (I’d like to reference a Jeff Goins article about finding your writing voice)
-Choose a format that suits you- There was a point in time when it seemed like every post I read was in list form. I felt like I had better be able to deliver a stellar list post, or I would never make it as a blogger. I tried to force myself to write a list post, and it didn’t sound like me. I tried writing naturally and eventually I found one of my posts fell into list format.
-Pick subject matter you are familiar with- My best blog posts have come from my own wisdom and experience. Choose whether you will be researching or just writing from what you know. Anyone can research and regurgitate information; I prefer to read a blog that also offers insight from personal experience.
-Know your mission and your audience-Every writer has a mission. Whether it is to teach or simply to entertain your readers, you should have a clear goal in mind. You should also have a vision of your ideal reader and be able to consistently meet their needs. Your mission is what sets you apart as a blogger, and it is how you will leave your mark on the world.
My name is Ivy Shelden. I am new to blogging, but I have been writing forever. You can find more of my writing at Wide Open Mind- a blog dedicated to helping creative minds reach their fullest potential.
Thank you for reading my pitch, and I look forward to hearing all of your feedback!
Sincerely,
Ivy Shelden
I love this pitch, Ivy! All of it sounds so familiar to the learning process I experienced… and am still experiencing!
I was used to writing genetics and biochem research papers, and teaching my kids all those strict grammar rules, before I started blogging.
My best friend and I started our own dysfunctional mom blog for fun, just writing about random topics. I never thought it would lead me to pursuing a career in freelance blogging and learning how to break all those writing guidelines that had been drilled into my head. 🙂
I like the idea a lot, Ivy, and it’s right on target for this audience.
Your pitch itself comes across a little jumbled between “me stuff” and “reader stuff”, though. Especially in the intro, I’d focus on reader stuff, and use your me-stuff examples as the supports to your points.
If you don’t have time to revise your pitch before the deadline, I hope you’ll re-pitch this to us in the future!
Hi Sophie and Lauren,
Here’s my pitch:
Proposed Headline:
73 Dummy-Proof Tips to Boost Your Blog and Personal Brand on Twitter
Introduction:
Do you dump your blog posts into Twitter like this:
“My latest blog post – Why I Woke Up Today Morning – http://bit.ly/ssxjuskk”
and then complain you aren’t getting any traffic from Twitter?
Here are 77 effective ways to promote your blog on Twitter:
Outline:
*In this article, I’ll list 77 strategies that freelance bloggers can use Twitter to find freelance gigs as well as connect with their prospects, clients, fellow bloggers, and top influencers.
*These Twitter tips will be arranged under different subheads so that BAFB readers can scan and choose the topics most useful to them.
*Subheads in the post will include:
Twitter for Newbie Bloggers
Increase Your Twitter Followers
SEO benefits with Twitter
Build Your Personal Brand on Twitter
Become a Content-Sharing Pro
Best Twitter Tools
and much much more.
*I plan to include highly actionable tips that bloggers can be apply quickly and easily.
My name is Rohi Shetty. I’m a freelance writer and a student of Danny Iny’s Audience Business Masterclass.
This blog post will be highly useful to the BAFB community and will help them to use Twitter more effectively.
(The only guest post about Twitter on BAFB is “How You Can Use Twitter to Land More Freelance Gigs” by Alexis Grant = http://beafreelanceblogger.com/freelance-blogging-jobs-twitter/)
lol I do that, Rohi! In fact, I have my WordPress blog set to automatically post to Twitter.
I’m not clever enough to come up with something else. I would love to read this post! 🙂
Thanks, MJ.
My post will include 25 quick and easy things to tweet about. 🙂
That sounds interesting!
Another Twitter tips post would be nice, Rohi — well chosen. My main concern is that your subheads sound like they’re focused on people who have a blog; will you provide tips for using Twitter to attract visitors to a freelance writer site without a blog, too?
Your outline promises “strategies that freelance bloggers can use Twitter to find freelance gigs as well as connect with their prospects, clients, fellow bloggers, and top influencers.” Are they big-picture strategies, or are they tactics? 🙂
Hi Sophie,
Yes, I’ll provide tips to attract visitors to a freelance writer site without a blog.
I’ll even have tips for newbie freelance writers who may not have a website up yet.
There will also be some playful fun stuff for everyone, including tweeting 140-character fiction and getting paid for it.
I spent ages working on this pitch but you caught me out – I meant tactics, not strategies (palm-face). However, I’ll be providing some big picture strategies too.
Btw, I have a tongue-in-check guest post up about Twitter here : Dear Twitter, Will You Be My Blog’s Valentine? (http://howtotellagreatstory.com/2014/02/dear-twitter-will-you-be-my-blogs-valentine/)
Thanks for this great contest and for your encouraging advice to everyone who submitted a pitch. 🙂
Thank you to Sophie and MJ for the feedback! It is only 2pm where I am at so I am hoping I made the deadline! Here is my revised pitch:
Going From Writer to Blogger: How to Stay True to Yourself
The internet can be a scary place for a writer who is new to the blogging world. People read and respond to internet content differently than they do any other medium, and internet writing has evolved as a result. Bloggers have created snappy headlines, clever lists and other formats in order to captivate and memorize their audience. So how do you adapt your writing to suit the needs of the modern reader while still maintaining your identity as a writer?
Outline:
-Start by finding your unique blogging voice- Your writing should reflect the way you talk. Just because you admire a certain blogger does not mean you should try and imitate them. If you are not known for making clever or snarky comments, don’t try and force that into your writing. (I’d like to reference a Jeff Goins article about finding your writing voice)
-Choose a format that suits you- List posts are entertaining and addictive to readers, and it is easy to feel like you have to master this format in order to be a successful blogger. However, forcing yourself to write in a specific format can cause your writing to sound contrived. Try writing naturally and see what happens. You may find a list start to take shape.
-Pick subject matter you are familiar with- Choose whether you will be researching or just writing from what you know. Anyone can research and regurgitate information, but offering insight through personal experience will help you actually connect with the reader on an emotional level as well.
-Know your mission and your audience-Every writer has a mission. Whether it is to teach or simply to entertain your readers, you should have a clear goal in mind. You should also have a vision of your ideal reader and be able to consistently meet their needs. Your mission is what sets you apart as a blogger, and it is how you will leave your mark on the world.
My name is Ivy Shelden. I am new to blogging, but I have been writing forever. You can find more of my writing at Wide Open Mind- a blog dedicated to helping creative minds reach their fullest potential.
Thank you for reading my pitch, and I look forward to hearing all of your feedback!
Sincerely,
Ivy Shelden
Much clearer, Ivy – well done. And yep, you made it before deadline!
P.S. If I hadn’t read your earlier personal-experience-based pitch, I’d actually find this one a bit *too* impersonal. So if you were pitching to another editor, I’d aim for a balance of maybe 80% “reader stuff” and 20% your personal experience.
But as far as this contest is concerned, we’ve got both versions and we can imagine version 2 with some of the personal detail from version 1. 🙂
Sophie,
Thanks so much for the feedback. If I win, I would definitely add some of the personal touches from version 1. This contest was a great idea, I have learned so much from it!
Hi, Sophie, what a great thing. I’m so excited to read any of these essays. Pitching is such an important thing, whether it’s to an agent for the book you’ve just finished or to a blog for publication and everything in between. We writers must do more pitching than we do writing essays/stories/books/blog posts, am I right? This is probably why I’ve started my career as an editor!
Happy hunting for the perfect piece. Here is my humble addition.
You’ve Got a Great Pitch Idea and a Publication or Blog to Send it to…Now What?
For the love of everything holy, spiritual, scientific, and environmental do not rely on spell check. Your pitch is the first thing your editor sees, it’s important that it catches their eye. Boring text, misspellings and grammatical errors attract your editor in the wrong way.
O Write your pitch in the voice you will write your essay. Your editor will immediately know what they’re getting.
O Adverbs don’t do what you might think that they do. Adverbs are meant to modify or qualify a verb, except they often detract from the power and punch of the verb. If you don’t need it, ditch it.
O Passive voice is a tricky tool, use it wisely. Passive voice idicates that the subject of your sentence receives the action as opposed to giving the action. In passive sentences auxiliary and inactive verbs are used, which, if used frequently, will bore your editor.
O Do not rely on spellcheck. Spellcheck won’t catch the difference between “there” and “their” and it doesn’t read extra, unecessary words. We often read over our own small mistakes because our brain knows what it’s supposed to say, if this is a common problem for you change the font size or layout to force your eye to see the text differently; set it aside for a day or an hour and reread with fresh eyes; or, if you have time, have a friend or fellow writer with a keen editing hand proofread your pitch.
I’m Libby Walkup, an editor at Ginger Piglet (a literary magazine currently under reconstruction based on the Danny Iny marketing plan). I look for a solid, vibrant, grab-you-by-the-balls voice in all of the work I publish both on the blog and the creative pieces we print. Passive voice, excessive adverb use (especially the use of really, just, and very) are common mistakes and grammatical choices of which even the most advanced writers need to be reminded. Editors have loads of pitches coming to their inboxes, don’t let them delete yours because auto-correct spelled it “extra ordinary.”
Libby, I like this subject, but can I offer some feedback?
Your title doesn’t seem quite right for the outline. Reading the title, I’m thinking you’re going to talk about how to pitch or maybe even how to work up the courage (which there are a lot of articles like that already on BAFB). Could you take a route more geared toward the language you should use in a pitch?
Also, your intro paragraph is great, but it doesn’t quite feel like an intro. It feels like something that should go in your last section for “Do Not Rely on Spellcheck.”
Otherwise your idea looks great to me!
Took me a minute to realize you were using O’s as bullet points. I was reading them aloud in my head wondering if you were trying to make your outline sound like some sort of religious/magical scroll or something! Hahaha.
As Alicia said, the proposed headline doesn’t really match the pitch/outline that follows.
And, while you present good tips, I’m not entirely sure where you’re going with it. What’s the overall point of the article (not essay) going to be about? What’s the main takeaway?
To be honest, what REALLY caught my eye was your greeting! You mention that you’re an editor. I’d love to see an article from you that plays up that aspect. It’d be great for BAFB readers to get more “inside” opinions from editors.
Sort of like this article from Sarah Russell about what’s really going on behind-the-scenes when you apply for jobs via job boards: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/job-board-mistakes/
Or maybe how freelance editors can make a great living (or side-living) as freelance bloggers?
These are all good tips, but I’d rather see them presented as blog *post* writing tips with a section that point out the same principles apply to pitching. And the headline isn’t a major issue — we often work on those after the rest of the draft’s finalised.
Like Lauren said, we’re always keen to get an editor’s point of view. The contest has already closed, so we won’t be able to accept a pitch revision for this Pitchfest, but I hope you’ll consider re-pitching in the future!
Ha! Lauren. I’m reading it that way now, too, and feeling inspired to write some blogger poetry. 😉
Dang, went back through these, and Sophie, Lauren… what a solid investment of 100$. So much knowledge here 🙂
THIS CONTEST IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED!
Big thank yous and sloppy kisses to everyone who entered. Sophie and I will be getting together to choose the winner over the next few days. Once we come to a decision, we’ll make an announcement here in the comments.
Great job, Everyone! Keep an eye out over the next few days to see who won! 😀
🙂 All the best folks !
Yep:)
“The suspense is unbearable. I hope it lasts.” Oscar Wilde
*Like*
Hi Sophie,
I posted a reply to your query about my pitch and it’s still “awaiting moderation” (probably because I included a link to another article about Twitter.
Here is my reply again without the link:
Hi Sophie,
Yes, I’ll provide tips to attract visitors to a freelance writer site without a blog.
I’ll even have tips for newbie freelance writers who may not have a website up yet.
There will also be some playful fun stuff for everyone, including tweeting 140-character fiction and getting paid for it.
I spent ages working on this pitch but you caught me out – I meant tactics, not strategies (palm-face). However, I’ll be providing some big picture strategies too.
Thanks for this great contest and for your encouraging advice to everyone who submitted a pitch. 🙂
“…including tweeting 140-character fiction and getting paid for it.”
I want to hear more about this!
Hi Rohi, thanks for letting me know. I dug out your original comment too, so the link is there if people are curious. 🙂
Hi Sophie,
Thanks a ton.
“There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr. Seuss 🙂
This was an incredibly tough call to make, but Lauren and I have chosen the winning pitches:
The winner of the $100 guest blogging spot is Razwana Wahid, with her pitch about how to take on your client’s voice. Congratulations, Razwana! Email your draft to lauren@beafreelanceblogger.com when it’s ready and we’ll find you a spot in the guest blogging calendar.
The two winners of a group mentoring ticket in exchange for their guest posts are Benjamin (who pitched an idea about video pitching) and Lynn Silva (who pitched a piece about being your own boss). Well done, both of you. Let Lauren have your draft when it’s ready, and I’ll email you an invitation to our March mentoring group closer to the date — it’ll be Saturday 22nd March at 12 noon Pacific / 3pm Eastern time.
To everyone who entered: thanks for joining in with the first official Pitchfest! We’ll have another one in April, so keep in touch for more info about that. And if you’d still like to see your post published on BAFB, remember you can pitch for an unpaid spot any time by following these instructions.
Congrats to the winners! I’m really looking forward to reading those posts!
Sophie and Lauren, this was an awesome experience, and I have a much better feel for the pitching process. Honestly, the fear of it was holding me back before. Now that it’s a tad more familiar territory, I have a little more confidence in submitting to you, as well as other sites. Thank you! 🙂
Congrats to the winners! I hope everyone else will still publish their posts somewhere and share them with the rest of us.
Congratulations, Razwana,
I had a feeling your pitch would win.
Congratulations also to Benjamin and Lynn.
I’m looking forward to reading your posts.
Thanks, Sophie and Lauren.
This has been a great learning experience.
It’s been totally win-win-win for all of us.
Congrats, Razwana, Lynn, Benjamin!
Really looking forward to reading your posts 🙂
Congrats, Razwana & Lynn! Thanks so much Sophie and Lauren 🙂
Sophie! Lauren! This has made my ddaaaayyyyyyyyy !!!!!!!!!
[dashes to start writing]
Honoured to be amongst awesome company – I learned a lot from the pitches and feedback right here.
Congratulations Razwana 😛
🙂 My cheeks hurt from smiling so much !
This was an incredible learning experience with all of the amazing feedback! Thanks to you Sophie and to the entire BAFB community for such awesome insight. And congratulations to the winner! Can’t wait to read the post on here!
It really was a Happy Valentine’s Day to Razwana:)
Congratulations to you, Benjamin and Lynn!!!
I feel like a donkey! Pinar! I’m so glad you said congrats to ‘Benjamin and Lynn’ because I’d read just in my email where Sophie announced that Razwana had won…but it cut off right there! I didn’t see the rest of the post until your comment, so I came onto the site and looked and saw the rest of the post!!!
So PLEASE disregard my previous comment as it sounds very ungrateful. Congratulations BOTH Razwana and Benjamin and THANK YOU Sophie and Lauren for the group mentoring ticket and for allowing me to guest post here! That is such an honor.
I’m so sorry about my previous post. I hadn’t read Sophie’s complete message. Please excuse my ignorance! I’m really am SO grateful and SO excited!!!
Haha. No worries, Lynn. 🙂 Congratulations! Can’t wait to read your post.
Congrats to all the winners! 🙂
Congratulations Guys! Razwana, your post deserves it. I look forward to read your post.
Congratulations to the winners! And thanks to Sophie and Lauren for this contest. I learned a lot from reading the comments. 🙂
Congratulations to everyone who won AND congratulations to everyone who pitched. Most “writers” don’t even do that much! If you pitched, be proud. You’re awesome. 🙂
Be sure to come back for the next Pitchfest in April!
Thanks, Lauren,
Absolutely right.
All those who pitched are winners.
Hey Sophie,
Long time no talk.. It’s Rob, from GrowDude.com 🙂 Now, TunaHack.com
Anyway, I feel lame. No guest post idea from me. Just wanted to say hi, and share with others how awesome my past guest posting experience was with you.
Good luck with the contest!
Rob
Thanks Rob!