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Pitchfest: Win $100 for Your Guest Post!

Pitchfest: Win $100 for Your Guest Post!

Every pitch you ever send to a blog editor or potential client is an entry into a contest for money.

When you pitch most blogs, you don’t get to see the other submissions they received that week.

Here, you do.

Let me explain. Pitchfest is a guest post pitching contest for freelance bloggers.

You pitch us a guest post idea in the comments section, we comment back with advice and encouragement, then we choose our favourite ideas to publish here on Be a Freelance Blogger. We do it all in the comments section of this post right here, so everyone can read the pitches and learn from the process. And there’s a $100 prize for the winner. 🙂

So far we’ve done this twice: here in December 2013 and here in February 2014. Both times, we got some fantastic entries and enjoyed in-depth conversations about how to create and improve your blogging pitches.

Now it’s time for another round. Are you ready? 

Here are the rules

  1. Enter the $100 Pitchfest | Be a Freelance BloggerAnybody can enter the contest by typing (or pasting) a pitch into the comments box at the bottom of this page.
  2. If you’ve entered Pitchfest before, you can enter again with a new idea or with a revised version of your previous pitch.
  3. We’re only accepting ONE PITCH per person.
  4. Follow the pitch format I’ll tell you in a moment. If you don’t follow the instructions, you can’t win.
  5. After you get our feedback, you can revise your pitch and re-submit it by pasting it into a follow-up comment below.
  6. Your guest post will need to be at least 800 words of concise, useful information, so show us in your pitch that you’ve got enough detail for a long-ish post.
  7. The big winner gets paid $100 for their guest post, on publication, via PayPal.
  8. Two runners-up get a group mentoring ticket in exchange for their guest post, on publication.
  9. If the winner’s post can’t go ahead for any reason, we’ll choose a new $100 winner from the runners-up.

Deadlines for pitches and drafts

  • Submit your pitch before the end of April 17th, 2014.
  • The judges [that’s me and Lauren Tharp, BAFB’s guest post editor] will announce the winner and runners-up on April 19th.
  • If we choose your pitch, we expect you to deliver your first draft to Lauren by April 30th.

How to pitch

  1. First read the guest blogging guidelines, then come back here.
  2. Start your pitch with an attention-grabbing headline. If you like, you can suggest 1 or 2 alternative headlines as well.
  3. Follow the headline with the first few lines of your post. No less than 30 words, no more than 60. [Yes, we’re counting!] You DON’T need to write the whole post before you can pitch — we only want the opening lines.
  4. After that, give us no more than 6 bullet points outlining the points you’ll make in your post, and tell us what you’ll use to support each point — personal experience, census data, photos, interviews with experts, research reviews, Einstein quotes?
  5. After the bullet points, tell us in no more than 3 sentences who you are and why you should write this post for Be a Freelance Blogger. This part is important, so give it some thought.
  6. Put it all in the comment box at the bottom of this page.
  7. Check the little box that says “Notify me of follow-up comments” if you want to know when we’ve left feedback on your pitch.

That’s all there is to it. 🙂

Let the Pitchfest begin! This contest is closed.

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Comments

  1. 5 Reasons You Should Stop Relying on Lists (and what you should being doing
    instead).

    The truth is out there.

    At least, we hope so.

    How-to lists are all the rage. Many are good-well-written, humorous,
    useful-but there is an absolute deluge. The list of lists is growing.

    Who’s right? How do you choose? What are the lists you should rely on?

    Simple. None.

    * We are so inundated with lists it is easy to get overwhelmed.

    * “Expert” advice may not in fact be just that.

    * Most lists are by their nature quick-fix and one-size fits all.

    * Most by their nature are prescriptive and suppress our own
    creativity and drive.

    * Many lists, even subconsciously, inhibit our own ability and
    expertise.

    **Ok, so I won’t rely upon lists? But now what do I do?

    Daryl Rothman is a father, author, blogger, speaker, unrepentantly
    irreverent (gussied-up term for smart-ass), who has finagled his way onto
    several of the top blogs for writers. He is not sure why he is referring to
    himself in 3rd-person-George likes his chicken spicy .

    • Hi Deryl! : ) This post grabbed my attention and I’m anxious to read it. You have several very valid points. I especially LOVE these two:
      * Most by their nature are prescriptive and suppress our own
      creativity and drive.
      * Many lists, even subconsciously, inhibit our own ability and
      expertise.
      You could very easily elaborate on these two facts by providing quotes/experiments/works by authors and social psychologists ( T.S. Elliot, Richard Feynman, James Webb Young) and really drive home these two points.
      Okay, now for the difficult part: My perception comes from that of perhaps the ‘overly sensitive’ position. It is not in me to approach a subject in a way that would insult or hurt another’s feelings…I’m a big chicken when it comes to this. For that reason, I sort of cringed at the statement:
      * “Expert” advice may not in fact be just that. ”
      Your post is a hit without that statement. You never know who will read that statement and possibly take it offensively. So why not just remove that risk altogether?
      On the flip side, you are a very skilled writer and may have a gift for making statements and wording them so that nobody takes offense. I don’t argue the validity of the statement at all. I just think you’re safer by eliminating it. I’m all about encouraging anyone and everyone…so I may be a bit over sensitive on this matter. Either way, I’d love to read this when it’s written. : )

        • No worries, Lynn, and thank you.

          I’m all about encouraging folks too and being respectful and I assure you that section ultimately is…but…I appreciate and understand your concern and may well cut that section.

          Shall I send in a draft?

          Thanks again.

      • I like Daryl’s writing style and I agree completely with what he said and the way he said it. The lists out there have become silly and the content variety is extremely limited. So much of the content is duplicated; just different writers who have re-worked someone else’s work. It is about time someone came up with something new – and Daryl… if you have the ‘something new’, I would love to be the first one to hear about it – and I don’t care HOW you say it. 🙂

    • I’d like to hear more about the “what do I do now?” aspect of this post. After you’ve explained why lists sometimes suck, what action will you recommend to your reader?

      • Sure, Sophie–that’s in fact the heart of the post(stopped after the max allowable number of bullets). 🙂

        At the gym now but will add the what “to do” bullets in a bit.

        Thanks!

      • Hi Sophie obviously I have a little paragraph for each of the following sections but here’s what the “what TO do” bullets are( and sorry, bolded wouldn’t come thru here but first sentence next to each bullet is the heading and will be bolded):

        Ok, so I won’t rely upon lists? But now what do I do?

        ü Determine why you may rely upon lists. Are you short on time? Out of
        ideas? Struggling to get organized and get started?

        ü Just the Facts… Learn to find valuable, credible, reliable information
        which aligns with that you need and the reasons you need it.

        ü Become an expert in your own right Learn how to build your own cadre of
        reliable information. Or, as I sometimes call it, getting your nerd on.

    • This looks like it would be a great post, but I’m confused how it relates to freelance blogging. At first I thought you were going to talk about why you should stop writing list posts, but now I’m thinking this has to do with productivity. I think this would be a great post for BAFB if you connected it more to being a productive freelance blogger. Perhaps something more like “5 Reasons You Should Stop Relying on Lists to Accomplish Blogging Tasks” or something like that.

      Cheers!

    • Daryl, I was just talking about this the other day. I wrote a post talking about the use of lists and what it’s leading to for marketers. Glad to see someone else is noticing the same thing.

      More importantly I think this is an important topic for freelancers. I hope to read it soon.

    • Hi, Daryl!

      If I’m not mistaken, I believe I wrote to you earlier this evening regarding a different pitch! Small world. Glad you made it to Pitchfest.

      I like the general idea of this. (I certainly liked the X-Files reference!) However, I’d love for you to elaborate on how you’re going to tailor this specifically for freelance bloggers. 🙂

    • Hi Daryl,
      I was wondering if you’ll give a solution to each of the points.
      For example, what are the steps to make the quick-fix and one-size fits all lists more personal?
      I would love to read that!
      Laura

      • How much can I write here? The post, including solutions, is written, so I can give a 1-2 sentence answer for each of the solutions or I can include the each of the entire set of brief paragraphs and you can see it in full. Thanks!

    • Hi Daryl. I thought your post was interesting. It certainly grabbed my attention, and I definitely want to know more about what to do other than rely on lists. Even so, I feel like your idea is open to interpretation like others have said. But you also mentioned that you were only supposed to give a summary, so I know you were working with limitations. Cheers!

      Rissy

      • As mentioned, each bullet will of course be fully fleshed out, have some addtl resources/links, but here’s a flavor of what I propose following providing the reasons to stop relying on list posts(and yes, a list of reasons to eschew lists is quite intentional, meant to poke fun a bit but hopefully get us to just be a bit judicious in how we go about things, and some of our assumptions):

        ü Determine WHY You May Rely Upon List Posts: Are you short on time? Out of
        ideas? Struggling to get organized and get started? These are common
        challenges and it is normal to seek easy answers….once you understand the
        reasons behind your reliance, you will be better able to address them in
        more enduring ways. Seek information which focuses on you, which helps you
        find your own voice.

        ü Just the Facts…: Learn to find valuable, credible, reliable information
        which aligns with that you need and the reasons you need it. There is
        nothing wrong with reading and enjoying opinion pieces, but if you are
        reading something with an expectation of expertise and actionable
        information, you must be judicious. Take a moment to read the author bio
        and credentials, and evaluate what nature of writing and expertise is in
        fact being presented.

        ü Become An Expert in Your Own Right: Learn how to build your own cadre of
        reliable information. Or, as I sometimes call it, getting your nerd on. I do
        it (it’s really not a big leap for me), and it can be emboldening and fun.
        Rather than seeking that holy grail which contains all the answers for
        which you’ve thirsted, recognize that “truth” in fact, is not conferred upon
        us through the waving of that wand, and that a good deal of effort is
        required of us.

    • I really don’t get this at all. I would say that believing horoscopes might suppress our own creativity, but lists? Surely we all have enough sense to filter through what might work and what might not for us. I love reading blog “lists” because there might be one gem in there I might not have otherwise thought of myself. After all, isn’t that the reason for a blogging community? I know a lot of writers who refuse to read in their own genre for fear of being tainted by other authors’ ideas, but at their own peril. I think lists are great and I hope not everyone takes your advice because I love to read them.

      • Well, thanks for your candor, Denise.

        Yes, I know folks love to read them which is in fact the basis for my
        exhortation. Alas, you’ll note I refer to not relying on lists…not to stop
        reading them entirely. The full post delves into the undeniably
        authoritative/definitive/often “For Dummies” nature of such lists…THE 5
        Steps to Getting Published…The Ultimate Guide to X/Y/Z(can’t tell you how
        many of THE 5 steps or THE 6 Keys or Ultimate guides to the very same topic
        I’ve read). I agree-people are capable of sorting through, but in our
        breakneck speed daily lives and amidst the deluge of “definitive,”
        “ultimate” “expert” answers, I meet MANY folks scrambling to keep up. My
        post is a reminder to indeed trust your judgment and your own expertise,
        identify concretely what you’re needing and why, properly vet “expert”
        authoritative advice, and not get caught up in the hyperbole with which so
        many of the blog post titles are freighted. I actually like reading lots of
        them too-and my post encourages folks to read them if they like them-but
        there IS a risk in getting so caught up in the “follow me, I have the answers”
        aspect of so many of them, that folks sometimes-even
        subconsciously-sublimate and diminish their own capacity and expertise. So,
        my advice, as stated, is to just be judicious, vet properly, maintain some
        perspective and trust in your own knowledge as well. I think It’s good and needed
        advice, though you obviously see it differently and I respect that. 🙂

  3. Possible headline #1 – 3 Uncustomary Yet Clever Moves That Will Help You Land Writing Projects
    Possible headline #2 – 3 Offbeat Ways That Will Help You Land Clients
    Possible headline #3 – Tread the Offbeat Path and Land Clients Using These 3 Methods

    Opening paragraph:

    Consistent cashflow is what all freelance bloggers want. But regular, good-paying clients seem to be the most aloof things on the planet right now.

    And if you’re a blogger whose first language is not English, this pursuit would seem nothing less but difficult.

    On the other hand, if you really want to get good and steady gigs every month, you’d…

    Body outline:

    1. blog commenting – will be using my personal experience and add research on why commenting still works or what experts say about it
    2. linkedin keyword stuffing – will use another personal experience and what experts say about it
    3. clients of current clients- personal experience but may add interview with other freelance writers who have had the same experience

    Hi Sophie and Lauren. Jovell here again. Your readers will love this post because not only are the pains of non-native English freelance bloggers will be addressed in the post but it’ll add to their arsenal of tactics to finding great clients. 🙂

    • I love this idea! The only thing I would suggest is to add “Blogging Client” to the title instead of just “Client.” This is a post I would love to read! I like your first title best. Cheers!

    • Hi Jovell! : ) I’m curious to read your tactics on the aforementioned ideas. I really like the first title, but would it sound more powerful if you left out the words ‘will help you’ so it says, ‘Uncustomary Yet Clever Moves That Land Writing Projects?’ Jon Morrow’s assistant Glen Long nailed me every single time I included words like ‘that will’…’that may’…’that could’ in a title…because it wasn’t a ‘POW’ statement. The more definite the title, the more likely readers are to really believe they can do what you’re suggesting. To me, it makes it sound more definite. Great concept and well thought out. I can’t wait to read. : )

    • Hey, Jovell, great to see you taking a shot at this! Good advice there from Alicia and Lynn, too.

      My biggest obstacle with this pitch is that your headline promises “uncustomary”or “offbeat” methods, but the 3 points you outlined for the body of the post don’t sound particularly unusual. Can you explain how and why your methods are extraordinary? If not, you’ll need to revise either the headline or the tips you offer in the post body. 🙂

      • Thanks for your support and feedback Alicia and Lynn!

        @Sophie, I considered them offbeat since the most common advise on the best way to get clients is via the direct approach. I’ll give this additional thought then with all your points in mind. 🙂

          • Hi, Jovell!

            I agree with Sophie — the advice you outlined isn’t especially “offbeat.” However, what did catch my eye was the idea of addressing challenges that are specific to ESL writers. I think that alone would make a FABULOUS addition here! Do you think you could elaborate on that idea…?

            • Yes Lauren, they’re my target for this post.

              Here’s another shot:

              Possible headline: 3 Clever Moves ESL Writers Should Do To Land Writing Projects

              Same opening paragraph

              Body outline:

              1. blog commenting – my experience on getting a client from 1 blog comment and how I turned that into a regular monthly gig this year.

              Possible key takeaway for ESL writers/bloggers for hire: basic grammar skills is still the foundation you can rely on to stand out.

              2. LinkedIn keyword stuffing – will use my personal experience again wherein 2 businesses reached out and gave me job offers because of my LinkedIn profile and they mentioned it’s the keywords I used that led them to me.

              Possible key takeaway for ESL writers/bloggers for hire: don’t be afraid to stuff your linkedin profile with keywords you want to be found for or keywords related to your ideal client profile but make sure your summary, job description, etc sound natural.

              3. clients of current clients – my personal experience again in getting a client from one of my client’s contacts and how that turned to a content writing project.

              Possible key takeaway for ESL writers/bloggers for hire: always write your emails in a professional manner even if you’ve talked with a client (yours or that of your client) several times. The structure of your email and how you conduct yourself using words will reflect your reliability and/or approachability or how easy you are to work with.

              What do you think?

  5. Why You Want to be the Bait (And How to Reel Blogging Clients In)

    Intro: What methods do you use to land freelance blogging clients?
    Job boards? Freelance websites? Cold calls?
    These are all great ways to find blogging clients, but your ultimate goal should be to land clients by having them come to you.

    Outline:

    Why You Should Be The Bait

    • It puts you in control since you get to set the parameters of the project. (I’ll use quotes from various job ads to show how you’re NOT in control in other situations.)
    • You get paid more. Job board ads usually already have a rate set per project. This time you get to set the rates. (I’ll use an example from Tom Ewer, who says he makes $7,000/mo. without seeking out a single client. They all come to him!)
    • It makes you more productive. You save time researching clients and sending pitch queries to people who may or may not hire you. (I’ll illustrate this point with personal experience.)

    How to Be the Bait

    • Set up a writer website. Here I’ll talk about how having a website (preferably with a blog) can help people find you via search engine and social media. I’ll use stats on how this can increase your exposure.
    • Guest post. Guest posting is a tool that reaches more potential clients than a single pitch, and the initial guest post can be a paid gig itself! I’ll dig into how you can use this option effectively.
    • Network with other writers. Other writers are not your competition. They’re a gateway to knowledge, friendships, and clients. This method led to my highest paid client so far!

    My name is Alicia Rades and I am a freelance blogger and writer specializing in blogging, writing, content marketing, and career tips. I’m an avid BAFB follower and an active member in the forums, so I know and understand this blog’s audience. This post is great for BAFB readers because it’s a topic a lot of bloggers (including myself) struggle with, and this is a post I would have loved to read when I was starting out.

    I’m looking forward to seeing all the other submissions. Cheers!

    • Hi Alicia! : )

      Wow, in all honesty here, I can see this topic EASILY becoming a COURSE! Attaining the ability to become ‘bait’ and have clients knocking on your door is what we all strive for. So not only would I love to see this post, but I’d love to take this as a course. Hurry up and write it, will ya???? : )

    • Alicia, you write great pitches. 😀 My only criticism is that your intro is missing that emotional hook to make the reader *feel* what you say instead of merely thinking about it.

      It helps a lot that this pitch ties in perfectly with what I teach in Week 8 of The Freelance Blogger’s Client Hunting Masterclass, “How to Be the Bait”. Using a training program you’ve studied as research for blog posts is a smart move.

      PRO TIP FOR EVERYONE: If you pitch a guest post that aligns well with a training product the host blog offers –but doesn’t replicate their content too closely– then your chances of acceptance go way up. The reason is that the host blog can then use your guest post as an additional resource for their students, or as a way to attract new students. Or even both!

      • Thank you, Sophie!

        I am certainly not trying to duplicate your content and will review that part of the course before I write the article (if I’m chosen as one of the winners). I’ll do my best to add to that lesson instead of regurgitating it.

        Here’s a revised intro:

        Wondering where to find freelance blogging clients?

        This question usually leads back to the same answer: Reach out.

        You’ve been told to watch the job boards like an addict, sign up for freelance sites as if your life depends on it, and cold call prospects like a maniac.

        But let’s face it. Those tactics don’t always end well.

        What if I told you there was one client-landing method that would top them all and lead to your success as a freelance blogger?

    • I’m giving a lot of constructive criticisms on other posts. Feel free to give me some feedback and tear apart my pitch, too! It’s always nice to have a second pair of eyes to weigh in on your ideas and make them stronger. All I can do is learn from you all. 🙂

      • Alicia, great pitch as always. I’m adore your idea and think it is really practical. However, I don’t really like the idea of being bait. When I hear the word, all I think about is that poor wriggling little worm who gets it from THE HOOK. Owe. But never mind. I’m just kind of a wimp. Cheers!

        Rissy

          • True, but I like to compare your idea to angelfish. I don’t know if you know what an angelfish is, but they are bioluminescent and live way at the bottom of the ocean where it’s pitch black. The fish has a kind of antenna with a glowing ball at the end. So in the dark surroundings the angelfish shines its antenna, and prey gravitates toward its light. The angelfish is like a blogger/writer, the antenna is like a writer’s website and the prey is potential clients. A website allows clients to find you among the big black abyss that is the Internet. It’s that extension of yourself, like an extra limb, that you never knew you needed. You can have that analogy if you want it Alicia. It would make me smile. Cheers!

            Rissy 🙂

  6. Great stuff guys. Contest is like a mini FL writing course. Luck to all. Better bring my ‘A’ game.

  7. Why Giving Up Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

    When most people hear the phrase “I give up”, it is assumed that the person saying it is frustrated or to the end of their rope. However, this does not mean that the person has given up on trying.

    -Definition of Failure
    -Two Faces to Success
    -Ending….or New Beginning?
    -A new way of thinking?
    -The Power of Frustration
    -Look back and laughing

    • This is interesting, James. I like the general idea, but your bullet points don’t give enough information for us to decide we love it. We need to see the connection between your post and freelance blogging, and we need more info about the points you intend to make — I can’t tell what you might say under a heading like “A new way of thinking?”, for example.

      Also, please tell us a bit about you and why you’re a good choice to write this post for us! 🙂

    • Hi James. Sophie said you needed a connection to freelance blogging. Well here’s one: Specialize, specialize, specialize. I think it’s a good idea for a blogger/writer to focus the topics or areas that he writes about. It makes him more in demand most times. So that’s kind of how I interpreted your pitch. Give up general writing and specialize in something. Cheers!

      Rissy

  8. “Identifying and dealing with clients that cost you money and ruin your name”

    Finding good clients is hard enough without wading through the endless sea of unhappy, low-paying clients. I call them ‘no-no clients.’

    No-no clients are the clients your inner voice warns you about. They will suck up all your time and whittle you down to the lowest possible price with ridiculous deadlines.

    Outline:

    How to deal with no-no clients:

    * Identifying them from the start is the easiest way to avoid problems.
    I’ll use personal experience and interviews with customer service professionals to identify the different types of clients.

    *What to do after you identify them.
    Here I’ll also give examples of the different client types. Then I’ll explain how to manage each of them effectively.(personal experience and interviews will help me outline different client characteristics)

    * The worth of a good client.
    One good client can free you from this mess.
    I’ll explain from my own experiences how good clients value your work and how just one of them can generate more income than several bad clients.

    Why we deal with bad clients:

    * New writers are eager to get their name out.
    This can be a good thing but it must be handled properly.
    I’ll talk here, about pros and cons associated with taking work in hopes of bigger and better things. (I hope to find a few case studies but will talk from personal experience and research)

    * Fear of passing on much needed work.
    Here I’ll illustrate how this fear is actually costing you.
    (I’ll draw from personal experience as well as points from experts)

    *The ‘no-no hook’
    Bad clients almost always try to hook you with the promise of some “huge job” or some “great gig” that is coming soon. (Again from personal experience, I’ll discuss how to identify the truth(if any) in these statements and how to manage the false.)

    I’m Chris, a freelance writer who specializes in web content and marketing strategies. Following BAFB and other blogs like it, I’ve noticed that all freelancers deal with bad clients. It’s easy to feel ‘stuck’ as a new writer and I know my experiences can help by showing them why and how to avoid low paying clients.
    —
    This is a great idea! I hope everyone takes advantage of it. I’ve already seen some great pitches and I look forward to seeing the rest.

    • I really like this idea! It’s definitely something I would read.

      I think you could make the article stronger by starting out with why and then talking about how to deal with it. I feel that’s the logical way to present the topic. I also feel you could have a stronger title. Might you present some alternatives?

      These are only suggestions. You have some really great points, and I think this is a great topic for BAFB!

      • Thanks Alicia! I was impressed by your pitch as well. Actually your pitch is what helped me.

        Some other titles might be…

        “How to avoid the worst freelance writing clients”
        “What to do about the client from hell”
        “How to develop your bad client warning system”

        • I like title #2, “What to do about The Client from Hell.” I’m certainly not a headline whiz, but I think you could go even farther. Perhaps “Why We Put Up With No-No Clients (And How to Deal With the Blogging Client From Hell).”

          I like this part from your original title, “cost you money and ruin your name.” I would keep that in the intro somewhere if you decide to change titles.

    • Hi Alicia, this interests me too! How can we increase our chances to land a writing job online?
      However, all the ideas you give in the How to be the Bait part are kind of established rules among writers. How do you plan to turn them into something new?
      I love the title – Why You Want to be the Bait (And How to Reel Blogging Clients In) –
      Cheers,
      Laura

      • Laura, you make a really good point. If I write this article, I hope to dig into what you can do to optimize your website/guest posts to attract clients instead of just encouraging writers to do these things. They’ll learn how to do them right. I’ve seen too many writers set up a writer website yet don’t know how to set it up in a way that will land them clients. Thanks for the feedback!

  9. I would enter this but I don’t have my website up yet. I can see that I can learn a lot from the pitches and comments so I will be following this post!

  10. Patience is the True Virtue, and the Freelancer’s Best Friend

    Rejection letters, unreturned calls and well, dead air are all part of being a freelancer. Waiting is the hardest part, but it is worth the effort.

    1. Why Patience Matters

    -will use personal experience and statistics of percentage of writers that wait and for how long

    2. How Long to Wait

    Again, statistics on how long a freelancer should wait for any client

    3. What Happens During the Wait

    Personal experience will be used here.

    4. Why the Wait is Worth It

    What happens in the end – the success of it all!

    My name is Rebecca and I have been a freelance writer for ten years. I read everything I can find on freelance writing to stay ahead of the game, and I rarely read an overview of how we all have to be patient – and just how hard it is to do that.

      • I’ll be talking about patience with clients. I still have articles waiting for approval that I sent out last year. Patience pays off, though – I have some clients that I’ve waited for, and they have repaid my patience with a great deal of work. It’s all about realizing it’s not me – it’s them. Waiting is all part of the game, and if we wait patiently, we get more as freelancers.

    • Hi Rebecca,
      I’d love to hear on how long we should wait until we gave up a possible collaboration with a client if there’s no answer. Moreover, I’ll be interested to read how long do we have to wait between follow ups.
      Cheers,
      Laura

  11. Getting More Traffic To Your Blog To Promote Your Business Through SEO Techniques

    The key is understanding SEO techniques and using those techniques to drive additional traffic to your blog or website. If you are operating an online venue for the purpose of creating additional business for your company or you are relying on Internet traffic alone to sustain your company it is essential that you gain a thorough understanding of SEO techniques.

    Outline:

    * Learning About SEO
    In short SEO stands for search engine optimization.
    * Using SEO Techniques To Drive Traffic To Your Blog
    *The Benefits Of Increased Traffic
    There are tons of benefits to having increased traffic on your site.
    *Monetizing Your Blog
    In addition to driving more traffic to your blog
    *Be Your Own Person
    One of the biggest pitfalls of people that are creating a blog in order to start a home based business is that there are plenty of people out there that will say that it is not possible and that there is no chance that it will be successful.
    *Staying The Course
    Driving traffic to your blog and monetizing it takes time.

    My name is Tracy Collins and I am a freelance writer, blogger, social media marketer, internet marketer and content marketer with twelve years of experience in writing and blogging.

    • This is definitely a topic freelance bloggers need to know about. I’d like someone else to weigh in on this, but I’d be willing to bet most BAFB readers already understand the basics (such as what SEO stands for). When you write the post, make sure it’s not too simplistic but instead you’re giving us something new. Are there techniques or stats we haven’t yet heard about? Are there any that relate specifically to freelance bloggers?

      That’s just my $0.02. Otherwise it’s a great topic!

  12. Post Headline: How to activate the writers Gene in your DNA?

    Opening Lines: Hey don’t be surprised! You are not going to learn about microbiology or biotechnology related stuff. It’s all about unveiling the creative side which is hidden deep within you. Just before going into actual topic I want to ask you a question.

    Are you a writer by birth?
    Without any hesitation you would say NO

    >My Post covers few things to do to unleash the writer hidden inside a person.
    >How imagining can help a person land in a good writing career. (I will give Einstein’s quote to support this point)
    >Happenings around us too might some times help us create buzz in the literature world.(I will give an example of real life author who became very popular)
    >How to fill our brain with ideas by stumbling over some books.(Quote to support the point)
    >How listening can sometimes saturate our brain with ideas. (I will write few sentences on what we need to listen)
    >Doubling our productivity by not straining too much.

    I am Vijesh Cormaty a part time blogger who writes for Blogingrace, I have been a regular reader here at be a freelance blogger but never dared to pitch an article. But now I think I can give some useful stuff to the freelance community which is a perfect fit in this blog.

    • Fun idea! I like the title, and your intro is upbeat and emotional.

      The only thing I would suggest is to keep in mind that most BAFB readers are already writers. Either they’re running a writing business or ready to start one, so make sure you’re looking at a perspective of how to let MORE creativity out rather than starting from scratch.

      Great topic and title!

      • Yep, I’d say many BAFB readers feel they *are* born to write! Good advice from Alicia there.

        I’m curious — can you give us a hint of what you’ll say for your last point, the one about doubling your productivity by not straining too much?

  13. Great pitches! Here’s mine.
    Proposed Headline: What Fiction Writing Has Taught Me About Blogging

    Blogging and Fiction Writing are two different worlds. But they both belong to the writing realm so it’s not surprising that we can learn a lot about blogging from fiction writing.

    * Write an outline.
    * Tie up loose ends. The reader must learn something.
    * Write a prequel or sequel, or a blog post series.
    * Know your characters/world; know your topic.
    * People DO Judge a Book By Its Cover; people judge your article with your headline
    * Know your audience and/or client.
    I’ll use my personal experiences in fiction writing as an example.

    My name is Joy Collado, freelance blogger and writer. When I’m not writing for clients, I write fiction that’s why I think I should write this post based on the lessons I learned from fiction writing. 🙂

    • Joy, nice pitch! You have some really strong points.

      On your fifth point, I would include that people also judge posts by their photos. There are great stats available on how photos affect your traffic and engagement, so you could include that.

      Are you going to only talk about your fiction writing, or will you talk to the reader about THEIR fiction writing, too? I’m personally not a fan of “What BLANK has Taught Me About BLANK” headlines. I feel they’re so cliche that they don’t really grab my attention. If you’re talking to freelance bloggers who also write fiction (which I know a lot of us do), you could go with a headline more like “How to Use Your Fiction Writing Experience to Craft Killer Blog Posts” or something like that.

      Cheers!

      • Hi Alicia, thank you for your feedback. Yes this is actually for freelance bloggers who also write fiction. And you’re right, a lot of us do. 🙂 I love the headline you suggested by the way.

    • Hi Joy! : )

      This is an awesome topic because there are many bloggers who write fiction as well. I missed one thing in it that would really help me though. I’m talking about the closing. What is the difference in closing for a fiction piece and a blog piece that’s on an informational or teaching site? To me, a closing in a fiction piece would wind down…put closure on the piece for the reader. In freelance blogging, often, you want the closing to, in a sense, wind them up…inspire them, empower them. Could you talk about the difference and how to make that happen in your post as well?
      YOU are a tremendous writer with a lot of knowledge and I’d love to get your take on this. : )

      • Thank you Lynn! Great question there. 🙂 You’re right, closing a fiction piece is different from closing a blog post.

        In closing a fiction piece, an author ties up loose ends. All questions are answered, except if he or she plans to write a prequel or sequel (point number 2). Another point to consider is, when closing a fiction story, you want the reader to read more from you. In blogging, although the purpose of blogs is to teach and empower, it doesn’t mean we want them to disappear. We also want them to stick around and read more from our blog.

        Also, it’s interesting to note that after reading a good story, a reader has a emotional attachment to the book which the reader can only get over by reading another book. If we observe the popular blogs, they are doing exactly that. They are able to tell stories that capture the emotions of their audience. We may think at first glance that BAFB is all about teaching us readers on how to get paid well from blogging, but in a deeper perspective, it tells stories of successful bloggers, their experiences and their journeys, and how other bloggers can do the same.

      • Excellent point, Lynn, thank you. 🙂 And Joy, OMGs! Your point about the *emotional* attachment at the end of a book making people want to read another book is brilliant – if you win, I’ll be very interested to see how you compare that to the emotional impact of a blog post and the call to action at the end.

  14. 6 Little-Known Questions Each and Every Freelance Writer Has

    We have this beautiful picture about writing and the writer’s life.
    And when it’s time to actually go into their shoes and take that role and make it a career we’re absolutely blow minded.
    The writer is not a persona who stands in a corner writing all night long, wearing an invisible cap.

    1. where do you go for inspiration?
    Give at least 5 websites that enhance creativity
    2. What to do with the word limit?
    Rely on personal experience as freelance writer and proofreader
    3. Who are your go-to advisers?
    Advice from experts
    4. how do you schedule time for writing?
    Personal experience and expert’s advice
    5. how to end the online distractions?
    Personal experience, describe software that block social media, plus advice from experts
    6. where to write?
    Personal experience – I’ve tried different scenarios in the house, outside the house

    Hey, I’m Laura and I like to call myself an Online Entrepreneur rather than an Aspiring Freelance Writer, Online Language Teacher and an Online Marketing Addict. I am the right person to write this post for you because I’ve only worked online and I’ve never had a traditional job in my life.

  15. Great pitches! Here’s mine:

    Titles
    Still dreaming of blogging?
    Stop dreaming about blogging, right now!
    ———–
    Are you becoming increasingly tired of your dream of making it as a blogger? Then stop dreaming!
    Dreaming will not take you anywhere, actions will. The blogosphere is full of potential and unexplored subjects that readers are dying for you to write about.
    Here are some good reasons you should get your material out there right now.
    ———————-
    • Blogosphere has significantly evolved in the last decade. Blogging can be a career. Blogging can be a hobby. Blogging can be what YOU want it to be. But…
    • …You have to start somewhere. You have to drive that change.
    • There’s no better way to get feedback on your writing than to interact with readers and fellow bloggers. Your confidence will increase as your writing improves, thanks to that precious feedback.
    • One great story leads to the next.

    ——————
    About me: I’m a thirty- something blogger wannabe, mother of two, living in Germany since 2006 with my husband and kids.

      • Your points are all true, so I think what’s missing here is psychological weight. To make this a strong pitch you need to add some support for your points, and a unique angle that makes the reader pay more attention.

        So for example if you can present statistics or quotes (or a really engaging and meaningful personal anecdote) to back up your ideas, people will give them more credence.

        And if you can find a way to write this so that the reader thinks “Wow, I never looked at it this way before,” you’ll hold their attention better. Following your dream is a much-covered topic; can you put your own slant on it and make your vision stand out?

        Also, I’d like to know a bit more about the type of person you are and why you feel *this* is the perfect topic for you to discuss.

  16. Headline: “The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Yourself as a Professional Blogger”

    Alt Headline: “The Easy Peasy Practical Guide for Marketing Yourself as a Professional Blogger”

    Intro:

    Do you think you can land better, high-paying blogging jobs more frequently? You know you should, but …
    But your lack of marketing efforts always gets in the way.
    Let’s face the harsh truth. You don’t promote yourself as a professional blogger as effectively as you should.
    Luckily, this guide explains everything you need to know to market yourself as a truly professional blogger.

    Bullet Points:

    1. Why effective marketing is so crucial for a freelance blogger? (This section will basically ease the reader into the blog post. It will set the base for what is to come next. More importantly, I will use logical points to prove why it is important to actively market – even if you’re an established freelance writer. Moreover, to prove my point about actively promoting yourself, I will also name a few established and famous writers who still promote themselves.)

    2. The creepy conundrum of cold-calling (Should you do it? If yes, what are the most effective methods of cold-calling?)

    3. Direct mail, e-mails (This section will explain how you shouldn’t only rely on sending e-mails. Because sometimes, sending a direct mail package can be more personal and effective. Moreover, I will also share some useful tips about how a freelance writer’s direct mail package should be like)

    4. Social media marketing (With my personal experience and knowledge on the topic, I will explain how to easily use the social media marketing platform for getting better blogging jobs. Some straight-forward and practical tips to get your readers started right away)

    5. Having your own website (This section will briefly explain the dilemma of having a blog or an official website, and how to get one. Moreover, how it can be used to create a continuous stream of work – without actively working on it)

    6. Guest posting (This section will be all about expanding your reach, breaking into new markets, gaining new audiences and increasing online exposure and credibility. It can also link to some of your awesome posts about guest posting.)

    My name is Hunbbel Meer, and I’m a professional copywriter, blogger and content marketing consultant. As your blog specifically talks about making it big as a freelance blogger, I strongly believe that your readers should also learn about this career’s marketing side. This very comprehensive guide should give them great information, all at one place, which they can use in conjunction with your tips to be more successful in the freelance blogging world – all thanks to your blog.

      • I personally believe that most freelance bloggers don’t really market themselves. It is something that all of us should learn to do, because our marketing efforts directly affect our monthly/annual income.

        Thank you so much for the feedback. 🙂

    • Hi Hunbbel! : )

      Among my weaknesses, I would have to say that my biggest one is marketing. You obviously have much knowledge in this area and I’d read this post in a heartbeat.

      I LOVE your sub-head “The creepy conundrum of cold-calling.” You referred to this as a guide so I’m assuming it’d be lengthy. For me, if you included sub-heads like this one, not only would your article be valuable, but it’d be entertaining as well. You cannot go wrong with those two combinations and I see this as a major hit. Great job.

      • Thank you very much for the kind words. I really appreciate it.

        Well, the idea is to make it as complete as I can. I reckon the guide will fall into the 1000-1500 words range.

        P.S: I also liked the “creepy conundrum” sub-heading. Ha! The rest of the sub-headings will also be crafted in the same manner (hopefully) : )

        • Excellent outline. I like full “Ultimate Guide” style posts – it’s so useful to have all the essential information and instructions on one page.

          Your intro would need a bit of polishing to lead the reader in, but you’ve got a good idea here. And yep, NICE subhead! 😀

          • That’s the idea, Sophie. Thanks for your feedback : )

            About the intro, does the following sound any more interesting? If we move forward, we can change the intro again to make it more appealing.

            Here’s another attempt, though it is a little prolonged.

            Revised intro:

            Marketing … That’s the “big red-eyed” monster for freelance bloggers.

            But if you want to have a long and successful blogging career, you will have to defeat him eventually.

            The better you market yourself the more blogging jobs you get. It is as simple as that. Even the established and well-known freelance writers still actively promote themselves. So why shouldn’t you?

            But I can understand your problem.

            The term “marketing” opens a can of worms that freelance bloggers like you don’t exactly know what to do with. Should you use the cold-calling method? Should you have a blog or a website? Which works better for a freelance blogger: a promotional e-mail or a traditional direct mail package? How to use the social media platform for landing more jobs?

            Luckily, this guide answers all such questions. By the end of it, you will have an absolute clear idea of how to successfully market yourself as a professional blogger.

            So get ready. Let’s end this marketing demon once and for all.

            Note: I included 5 really effective introduction techniques into this version.

            1. Imagination/Painting the picture
            2. Empathy
            3. Questions
            4. Promise
            5. A clear benefit

            Looking forward to hearing your feedback : )

    • Hey Hunbbel, I think you’re right about freelancers not marketing themselves enough. But when we do, a lot of us are open to doing things that a typical business wouldn’t do. (guerilla marketing) Throw in a few tips like that and people will love it. At least that’s been my experience.

      • Spot on! Guerilla marketing is probably the best option for freelance bloggers and writers. Moreover, it is such a wide topic that it can easily become a whole new blog post. Thanks for your valuable input : )

  17. How Anonymous Blogging Can Hinder Your Freelance Blogging Career (and What You Can Do About It)

    Anonymous blogging is thrilling. You can vent your innermost thoughts, discuss topics you’d never speak aloud, and bitch about your colleagues with impunity.

    However, if you decide to make a career out of freelance blogging and you try to use your blog for clips, blogging under a pseudonym can seriously hold you back. Here’s why.

    [Outline]
    Your Clients Won’t Trust You

    – You can’t prove that you have blogging experience.
    I write from personal experience here. I ran an anonymous blog that reached out to a significant community, but I can’t use it as proof of my blogging abilities because I have no way to prove that I was the author of those posts.

    – Your clients will wonder if you’re a liability
    If you convince a client that you’ve written on an anonymous blog, and if you have previously written about people you work for, they might wonder if you’ll write about them on another platform. This might be harmless if you remain incognito, but it can be very easy to unmask anonymous writers. (source: http://readwrite.com/2011/11/18/think-youre-anonymous-google-a#awesm=~oBpfir3BeHvQcy) Why should they take the risk?

    – It looks shady and secretive (because it is!)
    Your clients will wonder what you’ve got to hide, even if you can convince them that your blog is, in fact, yours. Why didn’t you write under your real name? Why won’t you stand behind your own words?

    What Are Your Options?

    – “Come out” as a blogger. Here, I’ll reference famous examples of anonymous bloggers who came clean, such as Belle de Jour (Brooke Magnanti), and why it’s a gamble that might just pay off.
    – Learn from it and move on. I’ll cite my personal experience again here – eventually, I decided to abandon my old blog and apply what I had learned to other aspects of my freelance writing career.
    – Keep it as a secret outlet, perhaps more like a journal. This could be cathartic, but as previously mentioned there is a risk of being unmasked – even more so as your freelance blogging profile rises.

    Why I should write this post: I’m a freelance writer who previously ran an anonymous blog. While I quickly realised I couldn’t use posts from my blog as proof of my writing abilities, it taught me a lot about blogging and the importance of transparency.

      • Thanks – glad to hear you find it interesting! I’d say ghostblogging and ghostwriting can be great, but when I started looking for writing work I went back through my old anonymous blog and thought…ah, I really can’t use this, can I? Hopefully others might learn from my experience, at least. Tales from the Dark Side, indeed 🙂

    • I like this, Gwen – and my first blog was under a “stage name” back when I was a model, so I can absolutely relate to this idea.

      I changed to my real name on that blog after I started freelance writing and realised its value for starter clips. I’d love to hear more about how you dealt with the situation!

      • I’m delighted to hear you like it – thanks Sophie! I didn’t know you had experience of writing under a pseudonym too 🙂

        Unfortunately my poor old blog had to be left behind, but I certainly learned a lot from it about blogging, audiences and adopting different writing “personalities” online.

  18. Great pitches everyone!
    I read a lot about how boring or generic freelance writers are, but I’m hearing a lot of excellent titles and ideas. Mine is coming in soon!

  19. How to Keep Your Freelance Writing Career without Quitting Your Day Job
    I have read tons of articles telling you why, how and when you should quit your day job in order to be a full-time writer and blogger, but is there a guide on how to keep both?
    • There should be no conflict of interest between your writing gigs and your day job.
    • Be open to both of your employers.
    • Strategize your writing schedule.
    • Get yourself out there. Use the power of social media and blogging. (I have been noticed in social media when I started to call myself as a writer.)
    • Treat your blog as a resume.
    o Categorize your posts and produce articles that are sensible. (I have gotten gigs through my personal blog.)
    • Put your writer face on. Study your niche, your fellow niche writers and create a game plan in order not to waste your efforts.

    I am Aiza Coronado, a twenty-something freelance writer and test engineer who have been juggling the two jobs for three years now. I have future plans of living the rest of my life doing things I love like being a full time freelance writer (thanks to the inspiring articles in freelance blogs like ‘Be a Freelance Blogger’), but I just cannot quit my job right now because I still need to build my future in terms of finances (I know that because I’m a financial planner as well). With this, I’d like to connect with fellow writers who have the same sentiments and give out my support.

    • I love your pitch, Aiza! Your opening was perfect. “I have read tons of articles telling you why, how and when you should quit your day job in order to be a full-time writer and blogger, but is there a guide on how to keep both?” This shows that you are familiar with what’s already out there (and on here!!) and have noticed an area that’s lacking. Wonderful!!

      • Hi, Lauren!

        Happy to hear that you love my pitch! I always struggle to be original. Better save some net space for refreshing ideas! Glad that you and Sophie hold this productive contests. This would really help aspiring bloggers to taste success and for the adept ones to do more.

        More power to this blog! Will be dropping by often and hopefully, I can contribute to this writing community. 🙂

    • Aiza! : )
      You found an almost uncovered topic. Awesome job! When I first started I don’t recall reading anything on balancing both a traditional job and a blog. Had I, I might not have taken the risk of quitting so early, because it was a huge gamble. I’m lucky it’s working out, but would’ve loved an article like this when I began. I really think you ‘hit the nail on the head’ with this topic so run with it!

    • This is really good! I blogged for a few years while having a full time job and that definitely helped me when I decided to go full time. Giving examples of how to manage your time would be really helpful for people trying to do both. 🙂

    • I love this! Not because I have a full-time job but am contemplating on getting one again while still doing some freelance work. It’s just inevitable sometimes but I can’t see myself completely leaving freelance writing. I’m cheering for you Aiza!

  20. Crisis Relief: Get Paid for Your Writing this Week

    Nobody really wants to write for the content mill. But if you’re in crisis, and you don’t have an online reputation to build from, this is how to get paid this week. I’m breaking into other venues now, but for the last few months, the “mill” has paid my expenses and kept food on the table.

    (Support will be all from my own expertise and experience with actual graphics of my earnings)

    • Why you should do it
    • Why a lot of people won’t do it, and the missing key
    • Nuts and bolts how to’s (making your profile stand out from the crowd)
    • Putting the mill to work for you instead of the other way around (commanding top dollar & avoiding fees)

    Why I should write this post for BAFB:
    1. I’m Denise Greene, a copy writer who has built an outstanding reputation and a steady business beginning from broke just a few short months ago.
    2. Because a lot of people are in crisis, the amount of info out there is overwhelming, and need to know how they can do this TODAY.
    3. Sophie Lizard is one of only 6 top industry bloggers I follow, the others being Jon Morrow, Linda Formichelli, Kimberly Grabas, Ana Hoffman, and Danny Iny.

    • I think this is a really great idea…if you do it right. Content mills are a controversial subject in the freelancing world, but I would definitely read an article on how to make it work for me.

      I don’t remember what the title was, but there was a similar article published on BAFB about how you can make Elance (or was it ODesk?) work for you. That article was useful.

      Cheers!

    • “…the missing key” got my attention. I got my first jobs via content mills and there are good clients there. Their presence is just not so obvious. After knowing other ways to find and get clients like Sophie’s Masterclass, I haven’t searched for jobs via content mills anymore. But it’d be great to know how “you” do it and how you sustain getting (say: filtering) good clients and repel the rest. 😉

      • Thanks, Jovell. I think it’s a great place to start, especially if you’re as broke as I was and unable to pay for classes. It wasn’t until I was in a second crisis that I started getting serious, and the desire to be able to make more so that I *could* take classes in order to break out kept me motivated to “work smarter not harder.”

    • Interesting, Denise. I started out in the Mills myself – http://littlezotz.com/2012/10/escaping-the-content-mills/ – and I’m inclined to agree: Any money is better than NO money! (At least when you’re in “crisis mode”).

      Though I do tend to think of Content Mills as being for “newbies.” Newbies shouldn’t feel pressured or ashamed if they don’t start pulling in the big bucks immediately. You can always improve on what you’re doing — but if you’re too scared to do ANYthing then you have no growing room. It’s better to start working for low pay than to not start at all.

      But I digress.

      Anyway! Good pitch.

  21. Why Mommy Bloggers Write Better Than You

    Mommy bloggers are often scorned in the professional blogging world, but you can learn a lot from them about marketing, connecting with your audience, and creating a following. Here are 6 ways mommy bloggers are beating you at your own writing game:

    1. Mom bloggers identify with their readers (they all have something in common- usually children)
    2. The most successful mom bloggers offer a real-life glimpse of their life- readers appreciate that whoever you are- it gives authenticity to your writing.
    3. Mom bloggers have fun with their content- no one wants to read, dry, boring articles!
    4. Mom bloggers use their influence to find out what their readers really want to hear and know about- a particular brand of market research that is highly effective for connecting with an audience.
    5. Words can be boring. A picture can say more. Many mom blogs offer numerous pictures with each post- which can also be used for any other area of writing- be it infographs, charts, funny pictures, or other relevant pictures.
    6. Mom bloggers know how to sell themselves and their products and many have created entire careers around it. They did this by implementing the other steps in the article.
    Data backing post points: Individual stats from successful mom blogs, personal experience, and general statistic research.

    As a freelance writer and a mom, I find the position that successful mom bloggers hold as influences in the marketing community quite fascinating. Not all of them are amazing writers, but they all have found a way to maximize what they do offer to their profit. I believe that other writers- men and women- can benefit from the Mommy Blogger model.

    • Interesting topic!

      I would personally add something at the end of the title so it doesn’t sound as offensive. “Why Mommy Bloggers Write Better Than You (And How to Adopt Their Style!)”

    • As a fellow mom who blogs, I really like this topic! Mom bloggers are huge in the blogging community and the top tier are making a lot of money. I think giving examples of the top mommy bloggers would be good so the readers can get familiar with them and see how they do things.

    • I’m with Alicia there. And this is just juicy, I hope you get to publish it.:) You can say I’m a “frustrated” mommy blogger so I admire those who were able to grow their mommy blogs. It’s not easy to put yourself out there much less publish posts revealing some parts of your lives and some even share their daily activities that it seems unbelievable how they find the time to do it. So I’ll definitely read your post.

    • Love that headline (and even more so with Alicia’s tag-on). As long as this is all tied back to freelancing, it’ll be a post I want to read. 🙂

  22. How to cope with the highs and lows of starting out as a freelance writer.
    (Or : Starting out as a freelance writer, or Coping with starting out as a freelance writer.)

    Being a successful writer symbolises all the good things in life – what’s not to like about working as much as you like, from wherever you like, whenever you like?

    However, it can take a long time to be an overnight success – so how do you cope with starting out as a freelance writer before the money comes rolling in?

    * Give up the day job, but consider getting a night job. Speaking from personal experience here, a little bar work helps take the edge off the financial paranoia during the days when work can be thin on the ground. Money worries can kill creativity stone dead, and make writers either abandon their writing, or go after low paying, bad jobs just to make money NOW.

    * Don’t rest on your laurels because one editor said yes. Every day is a development day. Email, email and email some more, because one job doth not always bringeth another.

    * Don’t give up because one editor said no. Take criticism and advice on board, but essentially every rejection should be taken as someone else’s mistake, because you’re going to hear a whole heap of no before the tiniest suggestion of a yes. It took me a decent couple of years to enjoy a steady stream of yesses.

    * Organization is key. So you sent out one million pitches last week, and now a few too many people are interested. Do you have a strategy to fit the work in? Have you got a set work timetable, or do you waft around your desk, being all artistic and stuff? Are you prepared for a sudden high work volume? Remember that as a writer, you can negotiate deadlines.

    *Do you have insurance? As a new freelancer, you can expect to have to budget – very few people get rich in their first month (or year….or two). Have a contingency fund, or an insurance policy, for the day when your laptop goes to heaven. This happened to me a couple of days after my first book pitch got accepted, and I had to grovel a lot when I was late turning stuff in.

    * Don’t worry if you don’t know what your niche is. A lot of (perfectly good) advice is given about knowing ‘your market’, or ‘your audience’, and eventually yes you should. However, at first, the chances are that you only know that you want to write – and that’s exactly what you should do. Write about anything you can research, branch out, try some stuff that scares you a little bit. What we end up writing about is often a million miles from where we thought we’d be.

    Thank you!

    I am a writer/author/web designer. Becoming a writer still is the scariest thing that I’ve ever done, and I hope people will read even just this pitch and be able to avoid the mistakes that I’ve made. There have been plenty of them!

    • Change “writer” to “blogger” and you’ll be heading in the right direction. Be A Freelance Blogger has a very specific niche/audience. 😉

      Most of your outline seems a bit basic. Sorta “been there, done that.” *yawn*

      EXCEPT…”get a night job.” That’s something I hadn’t heard before. That’s something unique that you bring to the table.

      You could do something like “The Freelance Blogger’s Cocktail: The Perfect Blend of Career Choices” or something (I’m the first to admit that headlines are my weak point) and talk about blogging + bartending/night job. Or maybe there are things you’ve learned while bartending that translate well to blogging — like how to listen and interact with people!

  23. Headline: Don’t Be A Blog Cannibal

    Lead: “Your blog is such a beautiful thing. It’s your baby. But something is terribly wrong. It’s being eaten alive; not by zombies, but by YOU! Post by post, every word is being gnawed on until one day all that remains will be some spindly bones and shreds of words laying like a carcass in front of you.”

    Key Points:
    • Rescue From The Jaws of Death
    You will learn to recognize the signs of blog cannibalism so you can diagnose and save your own potential victim from the carnage. Sharing my own experiences in this life-and-death struggle will help you to become the heroine/hero.
    • Stop The Withering Away
    The first step in stopping you from cannibalizing your blog is to recognize that it is more than just a ‘go to’ site for people. It is a source of nourishment for both you and the world coming to your door to be fed. Learn from those who’ve ‘been there and done it’ of what you should and shouldn’t be feeding your blog in order to keep your readers satisfied.
    • Are Those Spare Ribs On Your Plate?
    There can be such a beast as too much editing when you are crafting a post. It’s important to take off just enough to keep it lean, but leave enough for people to sink their teeth into. Tips from various writers will help you ‘beef it up’ and keep it fed with a balanced diet of good content (the meat) with just enough extra (the fat) to make it tasty enough that they’ll come back for seconds and thirds.
    • Dressing The Wounds
    Graphics can go a long way in bringing life to your posts, but you want to be careful of the ‘mummy’ effect or else your blog will suffocate. Photos and charts will demonstrate how to use graphics in giving support to the content and when they can be the content.
    • Give Time For Healing
    So now that your blog is on the road to recovery, you’re anxious for people to come around and shake hands. Advice from experts on focused marketing and knowing how to reintroduce a site to your readers and public.
    • More Than An Ounce Of Prevention
    You need to keep blog cannibalism from happening in the future and the way to do that is through a regular health checkup. A good list of ‘action is prevention’ items as well as a test or two to check the ‘pulse’ of your baby will keep it smiling and breathing well for a long time.
    +++++++
    I’m Brad Apling, unknown in the blogosphere, serial website creator – some alive and others fallen by the wayside. But my battle scars and experiences can help others survive the pitfalls and leap the chasms!

    • Catchy headline you got there! It’s a refreshing writing article so I would definitely read it. The points are interesting too. I like how you incorporate the whole cannibalism thing into the blogging principles. The idea is unique. The content is coherent. So this is definitely a good one.

    • Maybe I just need a break from the internet to get my brain back in gear — I’m struggling to understand exactly what you mean by blog cannibalism. Are we talking about editing, about republishing old posts, or something else? [I’m all in favour of cannibalism references, as long as I can interpret them in less than half a second.]

      • Cannibalizing in these senses: over-editing by giving too much time to perfecting the content so it ‘sounds right’ with not enough attention to connecting, and not repeating what you’ve posted before (which can leave a readership starving) but to give it a fresh angle.
        Clearer, hopefully? Go ahead and take that break – I’m sure you well deserve it!

        • Hah! I certainly enjoyed your intro! 😀

          However, I don’t think you’re quiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiite there. I know you’re not into “over-editing” or spending too much time perfecting your content, but you might wanna work on this one just a tad longer. At least if you’re going to keep the cannibal references in (they’re just not quite gelling).

          HOWEVER… I think you could use what you have if you took out the cannibal references. I’d be sad to see them go (cannibals are fascinating!), but, for the sake of having things make sense and NOT having to redo the entire thing, you could call it something like “6 Ways to Heal an Injured Blog.” *shrugs* Something to think about.

  24. Are You Serious About Wanting to Write Inspiring Travel Blogs? Here’s How to Create More Intriguing Content…Guaranteed.

    Sandy beaches, warm tropical breezes, and the smell of the salty air…paradise. Or lush forests, hiking boots and monkeys…serenity.

    Wouldn’t it be great if others could experience these moments? Well, they can…because you can “show” them. With 3 easy steps, you can turn your vacation memories into intriguing blog posts that will inspire readers to travel to destinations unknown.

    -vacation is booked…now what? How to research your destination and plan your itinerary
    -the importance of keeping a journal
    -taking captivating photos
    -off the beaten path-live the experience to the fullest
    -where to start once you’ve returned with an armload of great memories
    -easy 3 step outline process that will help you create the most intrigue blog posts

    (To support these points, I will include personal experiences that include travel secrets from destinations like Cuba, Costa Rica and countries all over Europe, interviews with other like-minded individuals and experts on travel blogging, and charts to show the outline process).

    As a seasoned traveler, I am not afraid to take the road less traveled when vacationing. From renting cars and navigating unknown places to swimming in caves and hiking to new heights in picturesque mountains-all while totting around a toddler and wearing high-heels. (I climbed Mayan ruins in Mexico while wearing 3 inch heels and I have great testimonials to prove it!) I am a unique traveler with a style all my own and this makes me a perfect fit for writing a post for Be a Freelance Blogger.

    • Hi Donna, I’d love to add more content on BAFB about travel blogging — I’m concerned that your outline doesn’t make a clear link to freelancing, though. Can you show us where/how in this outline you’d make that connection between *well-written* travel blogging and *well-paid* travel blogging?

      • With intriguing content, you will drive more traffic to your blog, and in return increase more viewings and subscribers-with increased traffic-the more adverts/sponsors you’ll be able to attract and maintain. Therefore, increasing your income and ability to truly call yourself “a freelance travel writer”. The way I intent to address this is by providing expert opinions, charts/graph to support each bullet point that will be geared towards making a living as a travel blogger. I can also add a few extra bullets to the outline that suggest:
        -how to snag travel deals and bag the best freebies
        -how to query magazines
        -how to generate interest and buzz about your travel blog

  25. Hi Sophie,

    My name is William Ballard and I have interesting guest post idea that I do not think has ever been done.

    The title of the post that I have been working with (can be changed to your liking) is, “What the Marine Corps Taught Me About Blogging”. As you know, Memorial day is hastily approaching (next month) and I thought that this would be a good military motivational and inspirational post for your readers.

    I can easily write this post to fit your 800 word requirement without any problem.

    The following are the four major points that I would like to emphasize in the article:

    1) Attention to Detail
    2) Speed and Intensity
    3) Give 100% of Yourself 100% of the Time
    4) “Semper Fi” – Always Faithful

    These four concepts are just a few things that every recruit had to grasp and learn from day one of entering into Marine Corps recruit training. Each one of these things are vitally important to the success of every Marine, but I also believe that they are also equally important to the success of every freelance blogger.

    I would be honored to write this guest post for Be a Freelance Blogger. I manage and oversee several websites and blogs that fall under the following niches: 1) Writing, Blogging, Authorship, Self-Publishing, etc. 2) Internet Marketing, 3) Spiritual Development, Personal Development, Business Development, and Ministry Development.

    I highly appreciate your consideration for this article idea. I hope to hear from you soon.

    Sincerely,

    Freelance Writer and Blogger, William Ballard
    This would be the area where I would write my contact information, address (or email address) as well as share a link back to my website or blog.

    • Hello again Sophie,

      I failed to mention in my early comment (guest post idea) the reason why I would be the best freelance blogger to write the post.

      The reason I think I would be the best writer for this type of post is because I spent a brief tenure in the United Marine Corps in 2006. So, I know exactly what I am talking about when it comes to hearing and learning these concepts from day one of walking off that bus and stepping onto the yellow footprints at MCRD San Degio.

      I am former Marine turned freelance blogger and I know how to really bring a post like this to life.

      I just wanted to add that to my earlier comment.

      Thank you for this opportunity by the way.

      Freelance Writer and Blogger, William Ballard

      • Thanks, William, I’m interested by your unique angle on this – can you give us a bit more detail about what you’ll say for each of those four bullet points?

        • Hello there….Sophie and Lauren,

          Well…even though these four points can really take on any direction you want to take them on, the idea that I have for each of them is as follows:

          1) Attention Detail

          This point would emphasize the need for editing, SEO (such as keyword research), and what type of picture a blogger would use for his or her post, and the placement of that photo (this would include banner ads and so forth).

          2) Speed and Intensity

          Now, this would highlight some tips and suggestions that have helped me to effectively write a 500 word blog post in less than an hour.

          3) Give 100% of Yourself 100% of the Time

          Now, this one is a bit obvious, but if a blogger is not giving 100% of him or herself 100% of the time then readers will not do so either. It is the Law of Sowing and Reaping (or the Law of the Harvest). You’ll get back from your readers exactly what you give into the content you write for them.

          4) “Semper Fi” – Always Faithful

          This is the Marine Corps motto. Every recruit that enters into Marine Corps basic training takes ownership of this motto and philosophy from day one. It also signifies the Marine Corps Core Values, which are Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Semper Fieldis is Italian for “Always Faithful” and a Marine remains faithful to the Corps, faithful to family (spouse, etc.), and faithful in all their obligations. A blogger must also be Semper Fieldis in their passion and profession if they hope to make something of themselves and their passion. It also emphasizes the Law of Commitment.

          For each point I would also being sharing a sentence or two of my life in the Marine Corps as it relates to the specific point.

    • Good stuff, William! And I love that you linked it to an upcoming holiday. That’s something that comes in extremely handy when writing for magazines as well! (Though you usually have to be 3-5 months ahead when pitching to mags).

      I, too, would love to get more details on what you plan to say under your 4 headers/bullets. Most of them I can kind of picture in my head, but #4 is a complete mystery to me.

  26. How Social Media Needs to Fit Into Your Freelance Blogging Life

    You may fall into one of two categories: the Social Media Mega Promoter or The Completely Clueless.

    There’s so much more to social media than just spewing out links to your work. It’s an integral part of your marketing plan and, if done right, can take your freelance life to a whole other level.

    How so? Here’s how:
    • Connect with Your Target Market
    You should follow and interact with top influencers in your niche as well as with people who could be potential clients. I’ll give specific examples on how to do these two things.
    • Establish Yourself as an Expert in Your Niche
    You do this by sharing what you know, relevant content from others, and participation in social media conversations. I’ll give specific examples of how to do this effectively on Facebook , Twitter, and LinkedIn.
    • Find Potential Job Leads
    Did you know there are Twitter accounts and Facebook groups that are specifically geared toward posting job opportunities? Also, companies may take to social media to look for writers. I’ll list some of these Twitter accounts and Facebook groups so readers can check them out.
    • Staying Up to Date on the Latest Industry News
    News moves at lightning speed and hits social media before the morning news. I’ll explain how this is helpful to freelance bloggers and a specific example of how I used it to my advantage with my entertainment client.
    • How to Make the Most of Your Social Media Time
    Now that we know how to use social media to our advantage, I wanted to provide some bonus tips about how to integrate it into your already busy writing life. A few of them include incorporating social media into your content calendars and having apps on your smart phone.

    I’m a freelance blogger and social media manager who loves to help businesses promote their brand online. Blogging and social media go hand in hand because it’s how to get ourselves out there and in front of potential clients. I want to help my fellow bloggers learn how to use social media to promote their brand (and make some money!)

  27. Title: 6 Online Dating Rules for Freelance Bloggers
    Alternate Title: What Freelance Bloggers Can Learn From Online Dating
    Alternate Title: What Online Dating Can Teach You About Freelance Blogging

    Obsessively checking your email every five minutes? Imagining a successful future with someone based on only a few back-and-forth emails? Tempted to respond to that dodgy-sounding guy because he’s the only nibble you’ve had all week?

    If you’ve ever tried online dating you’ll know there are a lot of similarities between looking for love online and being a freelance blogger.

    The article will outline some online dating ‘rules’ that also apply to freelance bloggers to stay safe, avoid getting burned and maybe even finding a perfect match (or two, or three – hey, no judgement). It’ll be based on my own experience online dating, and as a freelance blogger.

    1. Have a Kickass Online Profile
    Your writer website is your first point on contact with a potential client and they will judge you faster than you can say: “I enjoy long walks on the beach and fruity cocktails”.

    This section will outline what makes a good writer website and why you should make sure your personality shine (to get the right clients for you).

    2. Include a Picture (And Make It a Good One)
    People want to connect with people. Having a picture on your writer website can make all the difference. I’d include a quote or statement from an expert here on why having a great picture makes all the difference.

    3. Be Honest About Your Experience (Also, Don’t Lie)
    The temptation to lie comes from not being confident about the skills that you do have. This section will stress that you need to honestly assess your skills and knowledge and highlight them in your profile.

    I’ll use quotes from experts on what to put in your profile if you don’t have many clips.

    4. Don’t Be Afraid to Make the First Move
    If you are a freelance blogger, don’t expect that you can just create a writer website, hang up the proverbial ‘open’ sign and be booked out in a week. Using my personal experience I’ll highlight that you will only get ‘dates’ if you get brave and contact people yourself.

    5. When You Do Pitch, Pitch Well
    Nothing turns someone off more than suspecting (or knowing) that they are just one in a hundred people you’ve contacted that day. I’ll include percentages and quotes from experts on how a perfectly crafted pitch to a well-targeted prospect wins out over a scattershot approach.

    6. If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, Then It Probably Is
    Freelance bloggers come across jobs all the time that seem to promise everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Only problem, they usually come with a catch. I’ll highlight how to spot a dodgy client up front to avoid wasting your time with them.

    I’m a freelance blogger specialising in personal finance. My goal is to inspire women to take charge of their finances and follow their dreams. This post is a fun way to highlight the key things that freelance bloggers need to think about when going after their dream client.

    • Nice angle – the “marketing is like dating” analogy has been done to death, but the comparison to *online* dating makes it fresh and much more relevant to bloggers. 🙂

      • Thanks Sophie. I’ve done a bit of online dating and I really think some of the people on there could do with some help from a decent writer. But at least I can use the lessons learned to help out other freelance bloggers.

        • Cute. I got a bit of deja vu when I read it — and I actually went back to all of the previous Pitchfest posts to see if you’d pitched it to us before! — but I guess it’s just what Sophie said: “the ‘marketing is like dating’ analogy has been done to death.”

          That said, I liked your intro! Especially this: “Tempted to respond to that dodgy-sounding guy because he’s the only nibble you’ve had all week?” BEEN THERE! Not in regard to dating (I’ve been out of the dating game for many years now), but definitely in regard to potential clients.

    • I love your subheadings and think this is a really great pitch.

      I’m no headline whiz (even my headlines are weak sometimes), but I think this article could really go somewhere with a stronger headline. I like your first one, but then it makes me think that we’re actually going to talk about online dating and how it’s different for freelance bloggers or something.

      Your second and third headlines feel overused (with different topics, of course). Otherwise, I really like your pitch!

      • You know I woke up in the middle of the night thinking of a better headline…

        “6 Online Dating Rules for Freelance Blogging Success”

  28. Headline idea #1 – Don’t run away and hide, go for it!

    Headline idea #2 – Polish the pen and go in for the win!

    Headline idea # 3 – The write way in never the wrong turn.
    ________________________
    The fear of blogging can clog the brain and stop people in their tracks. Ignore the fear and write yourself. Clear thinking and a blank page can open up your whole world.

    *Brick walls – Knocking your head against a wall you built yourself isn’t helping.

    *Make plans – Plan your blogging time wisely using time management skills.

    *Write research – Take the time to write and research. Write daily, on your blog or privately.

    *Take the network – Take notes of what works for you, suggest notes those to others in an effort to help them as well.

    *Self publish – put it out there and see what happens, the first is always the worst. This is recent personal experience.

    *Mental notes – Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t, who likes it or not. The value of the comments good or bad is immeasurable. Lessons learned from my friends in our local writers forum, and other successful bloggers I know personally.
    ________________________
    Ruth Rosentrater is writer and illustrator, publishing children’s books using the pen name Birdie Ludlow. Proud to be the mother of a mathematician, a future social worker and a schnauzer who thinks digging out and going to the road is a good idea. I need the diversified experience.

  29. Title:
    Writing Content Articles for Kids: More Than Just Plain Language
    Alternate Title:
    Brief and To the Point: How to Write Content Articles for Kids
    Sample text:
    When you write for kids, language is an important issue. It’s not just about keeping your language clean or about not giving your audience nightmares. The challenge is also about how to communicate highly technical information in a way that your audience can understand. How do you write about geothermal energy or nanotechnology for ten-year-olds?
    Points to cover:
    –My experiences of writing science and technology articles for Grades 3-5 (Possibly with a quotation from http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing)
    –How the concept of “plain language” relates to highly technical content (http://centerforplainlanguage.org/about-plain-language/)
    –Talking down to kids versus talking over their heads (http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/sep/26/michaelrosen.writing.booksforchildrenandteenagers
    –Making challenging content interesting but accessible (Same website as above)
    –Some practical guidelines (e.g. how to organize articles, appropriate voice for children) (Institute of Children’s Literature http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/wt06/index.shtml)
    About Me:
    My career in writing started very slowly in 1998 when I published several articles in a travel magazine. Since then, I have written for an online travel blog, a magazine for schools, an online job-related blog for students, and other publications. I hope that the insights that I have gained through my experiences could be useful for other writers looking for ways to find paid work.

    • Hey, Susan!

      This is certainly…interesting. I’m not sure if it’s a great fit for BAFB as I’m not quite seeing how it fits into freelance blogging.

      Would you be able to add on a section about how freelance bloggers can earn great money in the “writing for children” niche…?

      • I second that – I think this is a fascinating topic for a post, but unless there’s a freelance blogging connection you might be better off pitching it to MakeALivingWriting.com or WritersWeekly.com.

  30. What I learned about freelance writing from the inventor of Scrabble
    Alt: Tips for freelancing from the inventor of Scrabble

    I love words, but I suck at Scrabble, probably because I’d rather use four letters to make a cool word like ibex than add an s to a word that will quadruple my points. As a result, my partner routinely kicks my ass when we play.

    All bullet points will be supported mainly with The Scrabble Book (1976) by Derryn Hinch. Internet research if necessary.

    * Found a used Scrabble book to study strategy, but instead found myself fascinated by Alfred Butts, the inventor of the game
    * Butts, an out-of-work architect in 1933 decided to create a game. First step: analyze all the games on the marketplace
    * From 1933-1938 routinely approaches and is rejected by every major game manufacturer over and over. Reasons: “too serious,” “too complicated,” “no one is interested in games for adults.”
    * Depression ends and Butts is offered big money to manufacture, but turns it down because he wants to sell to a company for royalties. Reason: His passion is architecture and this is the work he wants to spend time on, not manufacturing a game.
    * In 1947, 14 years after the invention, he sells it and in 1953 Life magazine writes, “No game in the history of the trade has ever sold so rapidly.
    * What I’ve learned: When Hinch lost his job, he didn’t despair, but turned to a creative outlet: inventing a game. Persevered. After each rejection, he went back and tweaked the game some more. He didn’t give up when everyone said Scrabble was a stupid idea. By selling the rights but not manufacturing himself, he stayed true to his dream of working as an architect. As a result, he ended up with money and work he loved.

    Bio: I’m Jordan Clary, a freelance writer who writes about gems, jewelry and recreating your life after 50. I’m passionate about helping people create work and a life they love by not giving up and following their dreams. This past winter I became fascinated by Alfred Butts and how his experience mirrors those of other successful people by his refusal to give up.

    • Well… I certainly learned a lot about Scrabble!

      Though, despite your final bullet point, I’m not really seeing how you’re going to tie it all into being a better freelance blogger.

      Rather than have the ultimate point of your article (what you learned/what others can learn) be a tiny aside at the end of your pitch, make it the focus of your pitch. The Scrabble angle makes it “fun,” but we’re all here to learn more about freelance blogging.

      • This would make a great pitch for a self-development blog, Jordan. Here on BAFB, we’d rather hear about your work writing for clients in the jewellery & gemstones industry! 🙂

  31. 5 Reasons to Turn Your Blog Content into an eBook

    Freelance bloggers survive by attracting readers and clients, so we’d never turn away an opportunity to make more money, right? Your content is awesome, loaded with solid tips and advice. But it’s disjointed, scattered.

    That’s the beauty of writing an eBook! An eBook can answer your reader’s questions in one handy location and offers opportunities for growth in your business.

    • Book reading/writing has changed so much in the past couple of decades and eBooks are a great way to teach others how we do what we do as freelancers. I’ll explore the brief history of books and why the stigma of eBooks is ending.

    • You’re already making a living online so why not make more? I asked myself that question over and over again and finally decided to do something about it. I’ll share what made me decide to write an eBook.

    • An eBook brings your content into one place where a reader can easily pick up what you’re putting down. Research shows that a book’s length has a lot to do with the way it’s read.

    • EBooks offer opportunities to connect with other freelance bloggers who are willing to contribute. What do you both get? Why, authoritative cross-promotion of course! A freelancer I follow just released an eBook and I’m hoping to get a quote from her on why it made sense for other bloggers to contribute to her eBook.

    • Ready to dig even deeper into teaching? Your eBook can be incorporated into a coaching or training package for your masterclass. I’ve seen multiple freelancers do this – it’s a physical thing students can refer back to over and over.

    • As a side bonus you’re bound to be inspired to write new blog posts as you edit the content for your eBook. Hello, second book!

    As I type this pitch, I’m in the middle of compiling some of my blog posts into an eBook for self-publishing fiction Authors so I’m really connected to the material. EBooks can help bloggers gain readers and clients regardless of the industry they write for; there’s always someone looking to learn more. Your readers are bloggers who want to open doors and I think they’d find a lot of benefit in learning more about eBook writing.

    Thanks so much for the opportunity to pitch, Sophie!

    • This is a great topic for bloggers! I think you could make this pitch stronger for BAFB if you included a section on how turning your content into an eBook can boost your authority and help you land more/better/higher-paying freelance blogging gigs.

    • With the suggestion from Alicia, I’ve made a slight edit to the pitch above.

      In the opening section I’ll dive into why freelance bloggers make the best eBook writers – we’re conversational, punchy, fast thinkers and write only for our specific audience – we’re the authority in our niche. All skills a book writer must have in order to keep readers engaged to the end! When people want to learn and clients want to hire they’ll look for the blogger with the most experience. Serious clients are willing to pay to get the best. Writing an eBook opens the door to higher paying clients because it solidifies your voice, authority and staying power in the industry.

  32. Unbelievably Honest Open Letter to my Village

    There are Moldovans living on less than $3 per day and unable to escape the most prevalent attendance of corruption and the worlds’ highest rates of Tuberculosis. The same people who’s neighbors and loved ones get their forty winks under mud-constructed houses and draw their water by hand can claim more contentment than some inhabitants of the wealthiest American boroughs.
    * Why I have experienced “real” compensation..
    * A perspective that informs the kinds of values that we as Americans like to champion above reproach in public and tend to shelve in private: selflessness, involvement, volunteerism, compassion for one’s fellow.
    * You taught me that time is a disingenuous measure of success and a sinister cause of stress. Life is short. Days are long.
    * Living the dichotomy that is Peace Corps Volunteer and World Traveler trained my eyes to see that each person has a unique role in making this world go round.

    I, Brett Brawerman, have dabbled in the world of personal training, formal education, culinary arts, and freelance writer. Incredibly stubborn, I make up for my shortcomings with a strange sense of humor and love for anything new. To save face for everyone involved, I use the pseudonym Brett Brown when making reservations at a restaurant.

  33. Hi guys. I hate excuses, but I’ve got to say this entry is rushed. Father-in-Law passed away yesterday and wife Cleo needs me. But I want to compete — so hell with it.

    Title: “Caution: Mad Editor Ahead!”

    Intro

    Reeling from revision?

    Yeah, obsessive editing will do that to you. Perfectionism is nothing but a wild goose chase. Always believing that one more draft will finally nail it, your inner critic sabotages success.

    Poor guy.

    He’s mad. He thinks practice makes perfect. Wrong. This is a prescription for failure.

    Practice only makes better.

    Time to set that boy straight.

    Arguments:

    1. Befriending Your Inner Critic.

    2. Pre-writing Tips to help Train Your IC.

    3. Writing 1st Draft for Creativity without Your IC sabotaging work.

    4. Making Research Easier for IC.

    5. IC Rewrites 1st Draft by Increments Using Timer to Keep him/her focused.

    6. Polish for Done: Left Brain/Right Brain Find Way to Work Together.

    I’m a fiction writer transitioning into freelance writing. I think this piece can help writers become more productive by overcome our meddling inner critic.

    P.S. Please excuse me if I’m a little late responding to comments — but I will. Thanks!

      • Hi, Lauren: Thanks for the feedback – and condolences. As for post, I’m simply out of time this round. But PitchFest does rock. It’s like a wave of enthusiasm. Great for the community! Good luck to everyone.

        • It’s great that you tried! Wonderful practice. 🙂 Please come back and try again next Pitchfest! Or, if you’re in it for the fame rather than the cash, you can pitch to me any other day of the year.

          In the meantime, we’ll see you in the forum. Take care, Roy!

  34. Nothing make me crinkle up inside more than sending out applications for blogging positions and receiving zero responses! However, the rejection pile eventually lead me to becoming dedicated towards researching and analyzing a successful process of gaining more clients when applying for positions.
    Here are 5 reasons your application probably got rejected and someone else ended up with the position.
    1. Your cover letter doesn’t sound personalized
    I will use my personal experience in which I saw major improvement sending out more personalized cover letters that are geared towards the reading audience.
    Your E-mail Tittle isn’t cleverly attractive
    Personal experience in how more cleverly written e-mail tittles seem to attract the reader more, while emphasizing not to go too overboard and to ensure including the job posting and job posting site reference.
    2. You have no personal blog site to showcase
    Write on my own personal experience in how I was able to gain more clients through referencing my blog site within my cover letter.
    3. You failed to earn trust for having familiarity with the blog subject
    Write upon the importance of showing the client that you’re capable of either tackling the blog subject or already have knowledge and familiarity with the subject.
    4. You failed to provide relevant writing samples
    Sharing my personal experience in how I was able to gain more clients by including samples I felt were relevant towards the position over simply giving the interviewer a large list of unrelated samples.

    About me: My name is Jear Sederio, and I hold an MBA in Financial Accounting and Marketing. While previously working as an assistant controller for a manufacturing firm, I have dedicated myself to being a freelance content specialist for the past 3 years. I currently have a blog site where I research and discuss on how to write more effective and meaningful articles to increase your blog site’s popularity.

  35. Hello Sophie and others!

    I’m actually fairly new to the website, but I’m glad I found it! It’s always great to have a community with other fellow bloggers.

    So anyways please review my topic suggestion and let me know what you think. 🙂 . I would be delighted in writing a guest blog for you!

    Headline: The 5 blasphemies to avoid when applying for a blogging position

    Alternative headlines:
    1. 5 critical mistakes to avoid when applying for a blogging position
    2. So what went wrong when you applied for the blogging position?

    Nothing make me crinkle up inside more than sending out applications for blogging positions and receiving zero responses! However, the rejection pile eventually lead me to becoming dedicated towards researching and analyzing a successful process of gaining more clients when applying for positions.

    Here are 5 reasons your application probably got rejected and someone else ended up with the position.

    1. Your cover letter doesn’t sound personalized
    I will use my personal experience in which I saw major improvement sending out more personalized cover letters that are geared towards the reading audience.

    2. Your E-mail Tittle isn’t cleverly attractive
    Personal experience in how more cleverly written e-mail tittles seem to attract the reader more, while emphasizing not to go too overboard and to ensure including the job posting and job posting site reference.

    3. You have no personal blog site to showcase
    Write on my own personal experience in how I was able to gain more clients through referencing my blog site within my cover letter.

    4. You failed to earn trust for having familiarity with the blog subject
    Write upon the importance of showing the client that you’re capable of either tackling the blog subject or already have knowledge and familiarity with the subject.

    5. You failed to provide relevant writing samples
    Sharing my personal experience in how I was able to gain more clients by including samples I felt were relevant towards the position over simply giving the interviewer a large list of unrelated samples.

    About me: My name is Jear Sederio, and I hold an MBA in Financial Accounting and Marketing. While previously working as an assistant controller for a manufacturing firm, I have dedicated myself to being a freelance content specialist for the past 3 years. I currently have a blog site where I research and discuss on how to write more effective and meaningful articles to increase your blog site’s popularity.

  36. OK, there are half a dozen pitches here that I haven’t responded to yet, but I’ve got a hot dinner on my plate so I’m going to eat it before it goes cold. 🙂 I’ll be back to follow up with you tomorrow!

  38. Title: How to be a PR spokesperson for your blog.
    Alt Title: Let’s make your blog successful; Let’s generate traffic

    Are you a beginner trying to make a stand for yourself and earn money like professional bloggers? Then let me tell you a secret – powerful content is the key, so is networking. There are millions of ways to generate traffic, but only a few of them are worth your time.

    1. Learn from the experts:
    “Bloggers” who make a decent income have e-books, courses, a side career as a keynote speaker, or even software. Selling ads is attractive, because it’s passive income, but you can usually make 3-10 times more money using the same “ad space” to sell your own products and services or even promote an affiliate product. I can get interviews from bloggers who have ‘been there and done that’.

    2. Guest posting:
    For subscriber growth and revenue, guest posting is better than writing content on your own blog. Yes, it is short-term perspective but is extremely useful to start measuring your time this way. Write blog post for someone else’s audience, impress and siphon off a portion of their readership for your own. I can give site links and how they work so that your readers can use to uncover bloggers to pitch their posts.

    3. Be Smart Be Social:
    Here I will be discussing on the tools that are used to generate traffic and online opportunities live Sverve where your readers can make use of. Though social media is a perfect platform to get your idea/content out there (I can elaborate on this with examples), it is a waste of time for starters.

    4. Engage with your readers:
    It is important to feel the sentiments of your readers. Let them know you are friendly and approachable. Visibility through participation in the comments of other blogs is also required. Here I can give statistical data on the efficient methods of communication with blog followers.

    5. Attend and Host Events:
    It doesn’t matter what you use to monetize your blog – you need a lot of subscribers to make it successful. If you have Google AdSense on your blog, you would know that you will get a lot of clicks, but to repeatedly see the numbers rise in your favor, you need a following of people who will visit your blog on a daily basis. This is something that successful blogs do. Lanyrd, an event directory service that connects with your social networks to see who among your contacts will be at which events in which geographies. I can give example of blogs which have hosted events and their results.

    I am a market researcher and new to blogging, I must say BAFB is one of the reasons I decided to give my blogging career a start. I am sure this blog post will be useful for your readers who read your posts for guidance. More than anything I would like to interact with professional bloggers like you and understand this blogging business.

    —
    I see lot of knowledge sharing here. 🙂 Keep up the good work guys!

    • Great topic, but is there any way you can spin this to relate directly to freelance bloggers (people who get paid to blog for their clients). Perhaps you could talk about how these actions boost your authority and help you land better clients.

      • Thanks for the feedback Alicia. Only after reading your comment did I realize that I have totally gone out of topic. My bad! :/

  39. 10 “REAL” Jobs of Freelance Bloggers

    Freelance bloggers are not just bloggers. In fact, defining a blogger as one who shares information on a content management system is too simple. In reality, we have 10 jobs and perform at least three of them at the time.

    Some of these jobs are

    • Researcher. We have to back up our claims, which requires primary and secondary research. To increase our earnings, we can charge companies and professionals to conduct research for them.

    • Photographer. Adding images brings life to stories, and we can either scout the internet for images and risk being sued or take our own pictures. We can boost our bottom lines by charging extra for this service.

    • Internet marketer. At some point we may decide to sell affiliate products or our own stuff from our sites. In addition to earning money from sales, we can consult others on how to make money from their sites.

    • Freelance bloggers can add to their bottom with at least half of the jobs that will be listed in the post.

    • Personal experience, photos, screenshots from the sites of other bloggers will be used to support each point.

    I am a freelance writer, blog addict and author of three blogging eBooks. My book, 62 Blog Posts to Overcome Blogger’s Block, is currently available on Kindle. This post will help my fellow bloggers think differently about their blogging experience and provide tips on how to increase their bottom lines.

  40. 4 Ways for Bloggers to Turn Excuses into Assets
    or…Turn Those Frowns Upside Down
    or…The End (Of Procrastination) Is Near!

    Every blogger knows that posts take work, but excuses seem to write themselves. But you’re not a slave to those distractions, are you? Not any more you aren’t!

    Learn how to silence your inner naysayer, but even turn it’s negativity into a cash cow of creativity.

    • Families can be wonderful blessings, and total blog time stealers! The good news? You’re far from alone in this situation. Use your daily routine as fodder for countless parenting blog article ideas. I’d use personal experience as well as some statistics to flesh out this point.

    • Squeezing in time to write before dawn and after midnight? I bet you’re exhausted and looking for ways to recharge. Finding ways to fend off mental and physical fatigue while writing can open doors to any number of different blogging opportunities, from professional development to the vast fitness industry. I’d use my personal experience with my fitness blog Fit 4 Life and probably find examples and testimonials.

    • Working full-time while blogging on the side can be frustrating…unless you learn to use what’s staring you right in the face. You undoubtedly have expertise and a sizeable network of connections in whichever field that you work. Talk to these connections. Find the inside perspectives on topics that general bloggers skip right past without ever knowing it. This point would best be supported by expert interviews and quotes from relevant successful bloggers.

    • Brain feeling stale after too much time working on your computer? Move your idea sessions on the road. It’s amazing what taking a walk or a car ride can do to get the creative juices flowing again. Even if inspiration doesn’t hit you right away, the experiences will linger and resurface when you least expect it. Just the act of getting out and exploring is bound to give you a few starts on travel blog articles. Again, personal experience will help this point, but historical quotes and examples from travel blogs will find a place too.
    –
    I’m a stay at home dad who went from running his own successful personal training studio to chasing my little boy around all day. My experiences with motivating clients, teaching them how to balance work with fitness, and my on the job practice juggling the duties of running our household make me an ideal writer of this article. I will teach bloggers will humor and clarity about what it takes to turn their obstacles into stepping stones. (P.S. I wrote this pitch with one hand as I held my sleeping baby, lol.)

  41. Headline: Is a Lingering “Employee Mindset” Sabotaging Your Freelance Blogging Success?

    Alternative Headline: How to Break Free of the “Employee Mindset” and Write Your Own Freelance Blogging Success Story

    You don’t feel prepared for this.

    School taught you to sit quietly, memorize information, and spit it out during exams.

    That was fine for becoming an employee. You just swapped cubicles for desks, company policies for textbooks, and HR nightmares for schoolyard crushes.

    But now that you’re freelancing, hanging onto an employee mindset could sabotage your success…

    The Limiting Mindset Most Freelance Bloggers Face
    • An employee mindset is the default pattern for most because it’s what we’re taught in school and reinforced in traditional job environments. This is “don’t rock the boat,” go along with the program style of thinking.

    Why an Employee Mindset Limits Your Freelance Blogging Success
    • When you start freelancing, it’s suddenly up to you to make all the decisions. There isn’t anyone telling us what to do or how to do it, which can be overwhelming because it goes against everything you experienced in school and in jobs.

    The Solution: Taking Action to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset
    • Embracing a more entrepreneurial mindset and applying it will accelerate your freelance blogging success. Helps you innovate, find clients, and serve them in a memorable way – all of which lead to success!
    • Figuring out what an entrepreneurial mindset looks like. Here’s where I’ll go over 5 major differences between entrepreneurial and employee mindset: validating ideas first vs. just doing what you’re told; solving problems vs. fulfilling a job description; pivoting & adjusting vs. making the same mistakes; being a professional vs. passing responsibility/problems up corporate hierarchy; always learning/staying on cutting edge of trends vs. getting into stale routines
    • Practical tips to apply each of these entrepreneurial characteristics to your blogging business. After I point out a distinction, I’ll have a section for each that gives the reader practical tips to apply it in freelance blogging. Sources will be a combination of personal experience, several online authorities (including information drawn from BAFB), and Michael Ellsberg’s book The Education of Millionaires (which helped inspire my post idea).

    Takeaway
    • Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset will take some time and effort because it goes against the grain of what you’re probably familiar with. But it’s worth it; once you get your mindset right you can take massive action for better results than before.

    About Me:
    Hey all, my name’s Corey Pemberton, and I help small businesses with their blogging and copywriting. I think I should write this mindset post because a lack of confidence and mental baggage hold way too many talented freelance bloggers back. Coming up on one year of doing this myself, I’ve found that developing the right “mental game” for success was just as important as putting the hours in.

    Thanks so much for putting this contest together, Sophie and Lauren. It’s a great inside look inside the pitch process, and seeing everyone’s feedback is definitely helpful.

    Corey Pemberton

    • Haha. You’re one of the few who mentioned me as well as Sophie! Bonus points and a gold star to you, Sir! 😉

      I really like your post idea. “Employee Mindset” is something I struggle with myself – http://littlezotz.com/2013/09/v-is-for-vending-machine-mentality/ – even after years of freelancing! And it’s a real bummer (and is does greatly impact your career, for sure!!).

      My one concern is that your post might be too focused on freelancing in general rather than freelance blogging specifically. Could you elaborate a little more on how you’re going to structure your post to be of value to/centered on freelance bloggers?

      • Hi Lauren,

        Thanks so much for your feedback. I’m putting that gold star on my refrigerator! Still not sure where to put those bonus points, though…

        Breaking out of that old employee mindset is huge to succeeding as a freelance blogger. I read your post, and I think you captured the idea well with your vending machine metaphor. You go from being someone who has to put up with customers, bosses, and coworkers (whether you like them or not), to your own boss who gets to/has to call the shots. But the shift in mindset it takes to be a successful freelance blogger isn’t automatic; there are growing pains, and it’s far from seamless.

        I’m happy to tell you more about how my idea applies specifically to freelance bloggers. Like I said in my original pitch, my idea is to identify 5 major distinctions between employee and entrepreneurial thinking. Then I’d give practical tips about how to apply the entrepreneurial thinking to freelance blogging.

        I’ll drill down into the 5 major entrepreneurial characteristics to show you how this focuses on freelance bloggers:

        1. Validating ideas: entrepreneurial bloggers help their clients make the most of limited resources. It’s smart to validate post ideas for your clients by checking out your clients’ (and their competitors’) websites to see which topics/angles resonate with their readers, as well as to read comments on the clients’ blog for new post ideas. This works better than just doing what you think will go over well.

        2. Solving problems: entrepreneurs solve problems, and so should you. Your clients hire you to write articles, but they really are hiring you to help solve traffic and engagement problems. The best freelance bloggers aren’t satisfied with just taking care of the surface level of projects. They find ways to help clients solve deeper problems, whether it’s taking it upon themselves to engage with the clients’ readers via comments, using a keyword and doing basic SEO within the post, or suggesting new post ideas when they see opportunities.

        3. Pivoting & adjusting: as a freelance blogger, your career is over only when you say it’s over. Similar to launching an entrepreneurial venture, the key is to get yourself out there, not be afraid to make small mistakes, and pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Don’t let fear hold you back. You can always course correct (change your rates, your niche, your website, etc.) along the way.

        4. Being a professional: you can’t defer to someone up the ladder or pass off on responsibility. As a freelance blogger, this means delivering posts when you say you will and being dependable. It’s all on you, which is awesome and scary at the same time. It also means having the awareness to turn down projects where you know you wouldn’t be a good fit, or refusing to put up with clients who don’t trust your expertise.

        5. Always learning/staying on top of trends: Being a successful freelance blogger demands you stay on top of blogging, SEO, social media, and more. There isn’t a short training and then you’re done. You have to constantly be reading books, blogs (including BAFB, of course), listening to podcasts, etc. This gives you the tools you need to better serve your clients and justify premium rates. Clients are expecting this from professional bloggers anyway, so if you don’t stay on top of it, someone else will.

        Thanks again for the feedback, and best of luck making a tough choice!

        Corey

  42. The Future of Freelance Writing

    It’s a great time to be a Freelance Writer. Within the last several years, the need for freelance writer’s has increased drastically. Giving thousands of people job opportunities. Major advances in electronic communications on the internet has provided a great way to spread writing material and land job opportunities.
    And the best part- it will only continue to increase.

    · Everyday, there are more job opportunities in online writing.
    ·Employment for writers is expected to grow through the year 2014.
    ·Magazines, newspapers and book publishers will have increased need for writers.
    ·The best opportunities are predicted to be for technical writers and writers who are trained in a specialized field.

    The best part-anyone can do this!

    There’s no better time to begin freelance writing. With the future looking bright, and job opportunities opening up left and right, why not begin a career as a writer?
    ——————————————————————————–
    Im new to this site, as well as freelance blogging. I’m still getting my stuff together, as well as building my portfolio as a writer.
    My name is Robert Rogers and I’m 23. I think I should write this post because I feel like I can be extremely creative, as well as entertaining.I’m also great at grabbing people’s attention with catchy title’s and phrases.

    • Change “freelance writing” to “freelance blogging” and you’ll be more on the right track.

      Your post is enthusiastic, but a little bit vague. The facts you stated are true, but I’m not sure how you’re going to turn them into an entire blog post…

      If you make it back here within the next 5.5 hours, please feel free to expand on your outline!

      • I understand your concern but I can work my magic and be creative 😉 this is a great opportunity for me.im so motivated and anxious to launch my blogging career. With this motivation comes hard work and I will make sure I make it a clever and informative, full length post. Thanks for the response!

  43. [Headline]
    How to make your space as a writer in an overcrowded niche
    OR
    How to build credibility as a writer in an overcrowded niche

    [Intro – 200 to 250 words]
    Do you have trouble getting paid higher rates because you picked an overcrowded writing niche?

    Are you thinking of changing your niche, but feel stuck because every other niche you can think of is also overcrowded?

    (The intro will Include Linda Formicelli’s post on BAFB on how to pick a writing niche.)

    [Content]
    1. Go local [200 words] – Use Brian Clark’s post [http://entreproducer.com/hyperlocal-websites/] on hyperlocal sites to explain why there is a demand for writing in local community/business websites
    2. Cater to a certain group [200 words] – Identify the type of people who are interested in the niche you writing for. Then pick one group of people and go after them only. Example – Chris Guillebeau writes about personal development, entrepreneurship, and international travel. What he identified is that people who are interested in these topics are mostly aspiring world changers. And the World Domination Summit was born.
    3. Interview the successful people in your niche [200 words]- Start with the people who are already seeing some success but aren’t A-listers yet. To make the point, there will be a short mention of how Entrepreneur On Fire Podcasts became such a huge success.

    Conclusion [150 words]

    [About Me]
    Hi, I’m Debashish and I blog to inspire people to build a side income, quit their corporate job, and live free. I have been reading BAFB for over 4 months and understand that freelance bloggers are usually uncomfortable with marketing. Through this post they can learn how to position themselves such that they can gain credibility in a specific niche, without doing hardcore marketing.

        • I think there are several post ideas here! 🙂

          Your intro mentions two problems: “picked an overcrowded writing niche” AND “thinking of changing your niche”, then your outline primarily addresses how to narrow down your niche and connect with peers.

          Each of these could be a more detailed post in its own right, rather than combining them into one post with less depth.

          • I agree with you, Sophie. Each one could be a more detailed post.
            I put in the word count just to give you guys an idea of the minimum number of words I can write for each point. Instead of an 800 word post, I think I can write a 2000+ word post. Would that be in depth? Would the long form post be suitable for BAFB?

  44. Title: How to avoid screwing up after landing a successful guest post

    I couldn’t believe it.
    One month after writing a guest post for a popular website, I had almost nothing to show for it.
    No legions of adoring fans.
    No horde of clients beating down my imaginary email doors to work with me.
    A grand total of five new subscribers.
    And $0 increase in income. Where did I go wrong?

    How to avoid screwing up:
    1. Create a landing page to capture visitors – Online advertising that uses landing pages see an increase in conversion by 25% or more – http://unbounce.com/conversion-rate-optimization/conversion-economics-101-the-benefit-of-landing-pages/
    2. Give free gift to encourage signups – Gifts build trust and increase sales – http://onlinemarketinggiant.com/the-gift-the-keeps-giving-using-gifts-to-grow-and-retain-customers
    3. Optimize your guest post bio – Don’t be afraid to openly say – “I’m looking for new clients” in your bio.
    4. Plan consistent follow up – Plan your follow up email or newsletter content well in advance.

    My name is Daryl George, and I’m a kickass writer who is looking for quality clients to work with. I should write this post because it deals with a topic that is never covered, because I can give personal insight into this issue, and because I’m madly in love with Sophie Lizard.

    Couldn’t hurt to try, could it?

    • I love this topic. If it’s not chosen here, I hope you publish it elsewhere.

      You could make your intro stronger by focusing on the reader. Perhaps something more along the lines of “Has this ever happened to you? Me, too! And here’s how it did it right after learning from my mistakes…”

    • Great topic choice, Daryl! And relevant. Whoever ends up winning this thing may think they’ve done something “wrong” if they don’t get “legions of adoring fans” or a fresh “horde of clients.”

      Not bad, Sir. Not bad at all.

      Though next time you might pretend to be “in love” with ALL of the judges. 😉

        • Thanks Lauren – I’m actually really glad I thought of it, and it’s an angle that is VERY rarely covered but is actually pretty critical to success.

          (PS – I would have looked like SUCH a two timer if I included both you and Sophie in that public declaration. Our love is the kind that is expressed in hushed whispers, the quickest of winks and the slightest of nods…can’t let Sophie know about that!)

          • Ha! 😀

            Great storytelling in the intro, and a little-covered topic. I like it. As Alicia pointed out, you need to find a way to involve your reader in the intro as well — could be as simple as adding a pre-opener like “Your guest blogging success isn’t measured by the number of guest posts you publish. The *results* are what matter. Here’s what you want to avoid:”

          • Daryl! I just wanted to say that when I read your reply last week it made me laugh out loud — for real. hahaha.

            Sorry I didn’t get a chance to reply before now. I wanted to make sure I replied to everyone else’s pitches. But, yeah. That gave me a legitimate chuckle. Thank you! 🙂

  45. Thanks for the feedback Alicia!
    There *was* a reason I took a personal view – my initial title was “How I screwed up after landing a successful guest post – and how you can avoid it”
    However, it was both too disjointed and clunky, so had to be reworded!

    Of course, I do address the reader, but I really, really, really wanted to give personal view/slant on the topic to readers. To me, there’s something intimate with sharing your own personal experience off the bat. Of course, I DID have several lines addressing the reader, but due to my 60 word intro limit (thanks Sophie :P) they had to be cut.
    That being said, I totally agree that your opening with addressing the readers would be just as good.

  46. Headline: Strategic self-promotion isn’t evil!
    Opening: When I resigned from a newspaper to take a job doing public relations/marketing, I got teased about going to “the dark side,” even though I was going to work for a nonprofit. And you’ve probably heard people deride online “image-crafting.” But strategic communications aren’t evil! In fact, self-promotion is vital for freelance writers.
    Bullets:
    • For some people, the word branding has negative connotations. But branding yourself is just finding a way to tell the story of who you are and what you do!

    • Developing your brand also means thinking through what you want to communicate and who your audience is.

    • Once you have a vision for your brand, you’ll be able to make more strategic decisions about marketing yourself to potential clients/employers. For example, you’ll be able to better determine which social media platforms you should leverage.

    About Me:
    A freelance writer in Los Angeles, I have more than a decade of professional writing experience. My byline has appeared in numerous news outlets, and I have a blog at http://www.SpectrumLosAngeles.com. I spent five years working in the marketing and communications department at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, where I teach a class called Branding Yourself Online through the adult education program.

      • Thanks, Lauren! It’s true that the same principles apply to branding all kinds of freelance business. My post would encourage freelance bloggers to think about themselves, and to brand themselves, just like other businesses do. For freelance bloggers, developing a brand would mean thinking through what niches to target and thinking about how to position themselves. The personal brand would then influence different facets of self-promotion, including a writer’s website. A blogger with a pop culture niche would, for instance, use a different tone on his/her site than a blogger with a focus on politics or health.

  47. I have been wanting this to get published for months. I don’t know if it would work, but I will give it a shot:

    There always buzz about the merits of writing for free, and I think it’s a great time to bring up a topic that’s been stirring in my mind for a few months – blogging for “exposure” on multi-author blogs.

    I have been a part of two and left them both for some of the same reasons – the return on investment of time and energy just wasn’t there. And these were pretty popular sites!

    Here are just two of the points I’d like to share with your readers:

    1) Who is actually reading the article? Simple re-shares and re-Tweets are great, but valuable comments are worth more. Also, shares and comments from authors within the blog are fine, but not as great as engaging others.

    2) Are the requirements for being a part of the group explicit? Is there a document with these requirements?

    I’m really passionate about this topic, so I’d be super excited to talk about this.

  48. 5 Gifts From Rejection To A Writer or The 5 Ways Rejection Makes You A Better Writer (And Human Being)

    Be honest, you’re terrified of rejection. The reply email with the dreaded response, “Thank you for your interest in writing for…Unfortunately, we’ve decided not to go with your…” Your heart…the floor…stomped. Rejection of a pitch/idea can be a heart-wrenching experience. The good news? You’ve got rejection all wrong! Here are 5 gifts you get from rejection:

    1. Rejection will not kill you – I’m serious, it won’t. I tested it; I lived. Once you’ve gotten that rejection call or email from a blog/website or magazine or business owner, and after you’ve balled your eyes out in sadness, you find yourself at the end of the day ALIVE.

    2. Rejection Makes Your Story Rock – Think of Stephen King – his most renowned and first book, Carrie, was rejected thirty times. Think of Walt Disney – he was fired from the Kansas City Star in 1919 because his editor said he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas”. Think of J.K. Rowling – She received 12 rejection letters for Harry Potter before it was picked up. If the past is any indication of the future, you should be excited to receive your next rejection letter.

    3. Rejection Proves You’ve Got Courage – It means you had enough guts to put yourself and your work out there for people to see and judge. (I will use a Theodore Roosevelt quote or another)

    4. Rejection Destroys Ego – That’s a good thing. There is nothing more unflattering on a person than arrogance and pomp. Rejection reminds you that you can always use a “slice of humble pie”.

    5. Rejection Promotes Practice – Rejection reminds you that you always have room for improvement. You should write consistently, continue learning about the craft of writing, and continue developing your skills as a writer. (I will use a personal example)
    ——————————————————————–
    Hi folks! My name is Adaeze Obiako and I’m a 27 year old Christian blogger and copywriter/copy-editor who shares the spiritual lessons I’ve learned with young women about life and living greatly. I think I should write this post because 1. I would love to share what I know to help anyone in your readership audience struggling with rejection (as a writer or in life), and 2. I think it would be rather ironic to be rejected for a post about rejection:)

  49. Destination Weddings: A Tropical Variant
    When planning a destination wedding, the bride or her designee, tends to think big, circus big. Then the details are teased out leaving the best ingredients for a memorable production. This is as it should be. Until now, the most amazing destination wedding I can recall was in Nags Head…

    – Take the reader to a tropical, seaside villa.
    -Describe the atmosphere and surroundings and tell the story leading to the wedding.
    -Describe a very romantic ceremony which takes place right on the Caribbean ending with a kiss at sunset.
    -Roll right into the reception featuring the best Jamaican food you ever tasted.
    -Close out with contact info for creating your own tropical wedding with caterers, a photographer and maps.

    I am a travel writer from Virginia. I was recently invited to attend a wedding in Belize and write about it. This along with a series I created about my trip to Belize has great potential to garner niche market advertising.

  50. THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

    Sophie and I will spend tomorrow talking about you guys behind your backs (in a nice way, of course) and then the winner & runners-up will be announced on 4/19/14!

    But, in my book, you’re ALL winners just for trying! <3 Pitching is one of the hardest things freelance bloggers have to do -- whether they're brand spankin' newbies or old salts. So good on you! 😀

    And, lurkers: I hope you've learned a lot and that you send in your pitches at the next Pitchfest come June!

    Big thanks to everyone who entered! And be sure to come back on the 19th to see who won!

  51. OK, here are the results of this Pitchfest! Winners, please email your first draft to lauren@beafreelanceblogger.com by 30th April. 🙂

    The winner of the $100 guest post opportunity is:
    Jovell Alingod with “3 Clever Moves ESL Writers Should Do To Land Writing Projects”. (We’ll work on the headline, Jovell.)

    The 2 runners-up who get a group mentoring ticket in exchange for their guest post are:
    * Joy Collado (using Alicia’s suggested headline), “How to Use Your Fiction Writing Experience to Craft Killer Blog Posts”
    * Corey Pemberton, “How to Break Free of the “Employee Mindset” and Write Your Own Freelance Blogging Success Story”

    People who didn’t win this time but whose outlines we feel are ready to draft [if you’re on this list, you’re welcome to submit your draft for unpaid publication on BAFB by emailing it to Lauren]:
    * Nell Casey, “6 Online Dating Rules for Freelance Blogging Success”
    * Gwen Boyle, “How Anonymous Blogging Can Hinder Your Freelance Blogging Career (and What You Can Do About It)”
    * Hunbbel Meer, “The Easy Peasy Practical Guide for Marketing Yourself as a Professional Blogger”
    * Alicia Rades, “Why You Want to be the Bait (And How to Reel Blogging Clients In)”
    * Daryl George, “How to avoid screwing up after landing a successful guest post”

    People who are welcome to revise their pitches or pitch us a new idea at the next Pitchfest in June:
    EVERYONE! And if you don’t want to wait until June, feel free to pitch for unpaid publication anytime by emailing your outline to Lauren.

    • Congratulations to Jovell and the other winners – I can’t wait to read your posts!

      And thanks for even just acknowledging that my pitch is worthy of being included on BAFB. I’ll definitely be sending through a draft.

      Thanks for hosting the competition Sophie and Lauren!

    • I can’t thank you enough Sophie!!!

      Would you believe my draft’s almost done? I think I can even finish it tonight. This post is close to my heart and I hope it helps a lot of other freelance writers too. I’m so celebrating this moment!

      @Joy, I’m so happy for you too classmate!

      And congratulations to everybody who participated. This was actually the first post that I’ve subscribed to the comments section which got me reading every single comment. One thanks is just not enough.:)

    • Wow. Thank you so much Sophie & Lauren for organizing this contest. And congratulations to Jovell, Joy and Corey. I’m looking forward to reading your posts here.

      Since I’m in the list, too, I’ll soon be sending my draft to Lauren.

      Once again, great job!

  52. Wow, Thank you so much Sophie and Lauren!

    @Alicia, thank you so much for your help, you’ve been very helpful to me from the start. 🙂

    Thank you to everyone who participated. I learned so much by reading the comments.

  53. Whoa! Thanks, Sophie and Lauren! It was such a cool experience, and it’s an honor to get picked out of such a great group of pitches.

    Congratulations to Jovell, Joy, and everyone else who participated and offered feedback.

    Looking forward to submitting my draft and reading everyone else’s posts!

    -Corey

  54. Congratulations Jovell, Joy, Corey and everyone else! I’m delighted to be on the list, and I’ll definitely be sending Lauren a draft 🙂

    Thanks for the competition Sophie and Lauren! It gives your readers a wonderful opportunity, and I’ve learned loads from reading through the comments.

  56. Very BIG congratulations to Jovell, Joy and Corey. All three are amazing topics and I can’t wait to read all of them. There were many awesome pitches on here and I hope every single one of them gets published.

  57. Congrats to everyone! I’m excited to read all the posts that were selected. And a big thanks to Sophie and Lauren for putting this on, this is truly an awesome thing to do. It’s a great opportunity and experience. I can’t wait ’til next time.

  58. Congratulations to Jovell, as well as ALL the other writers who participated and gave it their best shot! And thanks to Sophie and Lauren for taking the time and effort for making this contest possible!

  62. Hey everyone congrats to all the winners! Jovell, can’t wait to read your blog post, as I live in Philippines so I’d love to gain your perspective on how ESL writers can improve landing the position.

    This was my first go around, but I will be back for June for sure! I think I need to come up with a more unique yet valuable proposition next time was where I missed it, but I learned :).