Yep, it’s time for another $100 blog pitching contest! I’ll give you all the details of how to enter at the end of this post — but first, please read our guest Chana Roberts’ excellent advice on how to kick ass and win. 😉
So, you’ve found Sophie’s blog. You’ve seen the Pitchfest posts – they’re really cool. They make you drool. Oooh, a $100 prize for contributing a post, on a blog like this?
It’s a once-in-a-season contest. Pitchfests – and guest posts – are only accepted once every three months.
You want to be the winner. You want that $100 prize, and you want to show your post off. But you don’t feel qualified to enter.
Like, seriously. You’re just starting out, and you haven’t even been able to get a guest post published yet, much less find a client willing to pay more than $0.02 per word.
You feel like the biggest loser. All around you, there are successful freelancers, each with a story of, “I was in the worst place when I started, but within 6 months to a year, I was earning a full-time salary from part-time writing.”
You’re the only one left behind, you tell yourself. You suck. Big time.
And you know what? *That* is your biggest problem.
This Pitchfest is no different from any other site’s blogging job ads. Here’s how to win.
Get serious
Everywhere, companies and websites are looking for dedicated, creative bloggers. Everywhere, you stand a chance of succeeding and you stand a chance of being ignored.
The same steps and tips that help you write on other websites, or pitch to other websites, will help you here, too.
And more than that, there’s an advantage in pitching for BAFB. There’s a community here.
The BAFB editorial team is more than willing to give you guidance, advice, and tips. They’ll tell you where you went wrong, and what you might want to do to add some sparkle.
But the rules and the expectations? They’re exactly the same.
You’re expected to follow instructions and to put in your best effort. You’re expected to be willing to work on your piece and to take criticism.
You don’t feel qualified, because you have cold feet and low self-esteem. But you know what? Feelings aren’t everything. If they were, many of the most successful businesses wouldn’t exist today. If feelings were everything, almost no one would graduate college.
The good news is that, if you can manage to take an objective viewpoint, you’ll be able to accomplish a lot more.
I’m not a therapist, so I’m going to leave the issue of low self-esteem aside, and just say this: Believe in yourself. Or, at least, pretend that you believe in yourself.
If you’re not willing to put in the energy to at least pretend you can do this, stop reading right now and go cry in bed.
Okay, let’s wait for all the scaredy-cats to leave.
We’re waiting.
Are we alone yet?
OK then, let’s get to the gist of this article. We’re prepping you for the Pitchfest, right?
Get ready
The first thing you need to know is that you most definitely are qualified to try your hand at pitching in this contest.
Repeat after me: Pitchfest isn’t scary, and I’m just as qualified as anyone else to give it a shot.
Read the guest posting guidelines.
Did Sophie mention experience as a criterion? Do you need to have published pieces? Do you even need to be an official freelance blogger?
No, no and no. None of this is mentioned, because none of it matters.
All you need is a good idea, to know how to follow instructions, and to know your audience.
Next, let’s look at what you need to do *before* you pitch.
Get comfortable
First, don’t make the Pitchfest deadline your sole focus. If you pitch under pressure of a deadline, you’re almost guaranteed to pitch poorly. Take your time.
Look around the blog. Read the posts and get to know the community and style. Read other peoples’ pitches in earlier Pitchfests, to get ideas.
Get ideas
If you don’t have any bright ideas yet, you’ll need to get your creative juices flowing.
- What are the topics that interest you? Have they been covered?
- Are there any angles or sub-topics that haven’t been discussed yet?
- Is there anything that someone else wrote that *really* bugs you?
- Do you have an answer for a question that someone asked, whether in a post or in a comment?
What can you add to Be A Freelance Blogger, that will help the readers (and maybe the staff, too)?
When you write, your goal should be to help your readers. They’re reading your post because they want to know something.
Bore your readers, and they leave.
Catch their interest – by promising to inform, guide, or otherwise help them – and they’ll become loyal readers and followers.
Read through the guidelines for the current Pitchfest (down at the bottom of this page), and pay attention to the instructions.
Get relaxed
Stand up and walk away from the computer. If you haven’t yet thought of an idea, ask a friend to read the Pitchfest instructions and help you think of something.
Get up and do something else. Exercise. Bake a cake. Have a cup of coffee and an ice cream. Then come back, sit down, reread the post, and read the comments.
Still don’t have an idea? Read up on how to beat writer’s block.
Will it help you relax if I tell you there’ll be another Pitchfest in three months? If you don’t get your entry in this time around, your chance isn’t gone forever — you can sit on your great idea until the next Pitchfest, or submit it as an unpaid guest post.
Get writing
Have a great idea? Jot it down, so you won’t forget. Then you can work on turning it into a proper post outline and pitch it to Sophie and Lauren.
Copy and paste the Pitchfest instructions into the comment form at the bottom of this page, or into a blank document if you want to keep a backup copy. Write your idea above the instructions. This is your template.
Take a few minutes to think through what you want to say, and how the guidelines want you to say it. Figure out three different angles or post types you could use, and decide which is best. Now fill in the template with your idea.
Get editing
Okay, now it’s time to look over your pitch. Edit it before you press “Post Comment”. Reread what you’ve written – does it lack anything? Does it have too much information? Ask a friend for a second opinion.
Get gutsy
You’re almost done. Say a quick prayer and submit! Good luck to you!
It takes guts to pitch, and it takes guts to post. No one is arguing that. But those who really want to succeed will take the risk and jump in.
Pitching doesn’t cost you anything except some time. And come on, the creative thinking is good for you.
So chin up, and take a deep breath. Don’t let your cold feet get in the way of success. Believe in yourself and your writing, and give it your best shot.
You can do it.
Our guest author Chana Roberts is a mompreneur, teacher, and freelance writer and editor. She lives with her family in beautiful Israel, where the sun shines year round.
Enter the Pitchfest!
In case you’re not familiar, Pitchfest is a blog post pitching contest we run here on Be a Freelance Blogger every 3 months. You tell us your blog post idea and we choose our favourites, with prizes of up to $100 for the winners.
The contest starts today.
Your theme for this Pitchfest
This time, we’re looking for posts that fit into at least one of these two categories:
- “Blog Better” — help our readers write better blog posts for their clients
- “Level Up” — help our readers boost their freelance blogging careers
The rules
- Anybody can enter the contest by typing (or pasting) their pitch into the comments box at the bottom of this page.
- Only ONE PITCH per person, please.
- Follow the pitch format I’ll tell you in a moment.
- After you submit your pitch, Lauren and/or Sophie will offer feedback to help you optimise your idea for this blog’s audience and improve your pitching skills. You may also get feedback from other entrants, BAFB team members, and innocent bystanders — pay attention, because they represent your readers here.
- After you get our feedback, you can revise your pitch if you like and re-submit it by pasting it into a follow-up comment. And yes, that means you can offer us a completely different idea if we’ve told you your first idea definitely won’t work for this blog.
- If you win, we’ll ask you to send us a draft of at least 1000 words, so bear that minimum word count in mind when you pitch.
The prizes
- First prize: $100 for your guest post, paid on publication.
- Second prize: $50 for your guest post, paid on publication.
- Third prize: A 3-question mentoring package via email.
The deadline
- Submit your pitch before the end of Thursday, December 10th, 2015.
- We’ll announce the winners on December 12th.
- If we choose your pitch, we expect you to deliver your first draft to Lauren by January 4th, 2016. (But if you need a little longer, let us know and we’ll work around it.)
How to pitch
- Read our general guest blogging guidelines first, then come back here to submit your pitch.
- Tell us which category your pitch is for: “Blog Better” or “Level Up”?
- Suggest at least one headline designed to make freelance bloggers want to read your post.
- Follow the headline with the opening lines you’d use in the post. No less than 30 words, no more than 60. You DON’T need to write a whole post (or even a whole introduction) before you pitch — we’d like to give you feedback on your idea before you write a draft.
- After the opening lines, give us no more than 6 points you’ll make in your post, and provide a one or two sentence summary of each point. (If you plan to make more than 6 points in your post, only tell us the most important 6 in your pitch.)
- Then explain in no more than 3 sentences why this is a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger and why you’re the right person to write it.
- Put your pitch in the comment box at the bottom of this page.
- Check the little box that says “Notify me of follow-up comments” so you’ll know when we’ve given you feedback.
- Submit your comment and if you followed all the steps above, you’re entered into the contest.
Extra tips
- Remember to tell us which category your pitch is for, and (if necessary) explain why it belongs there.
- To get a better idea of what Lauren and I are looking for in your pitch, study the pitches and responses in previous Pitchfests.
- Save a copy of your pitch somewhere before you post it here — if your comment gets lost in the internet, you don’t wanna have to re-write it from scratch.
- Your comment may get held in a moderation queue, especially if it contains hyperlinks. Don’t worry if that happens; we’ll get to it and reply!
OK, it’s time.
Let the Pitchfest begin! This contest is closed.
Williesha says
I’m so excited I’m commenting without a pitch YAYYYYY. Prepping for a vacay but I will use the awesome tips about getting ideas and hopefully pitch soon.
Sophie Lizard says
Yay Willi! Always good to see a pitch from you. 🙂
Williesha says
Free (Or Low Cost) Ways to Make Your Blog Stick in Readers’ Minds
Intro: Face it – every time you read about marketing tactics like guest posts your eyes blur a bit and a yawn escapes from your mouth.
These expert tips are part or your marketing routine. But is blog traffic stale? Is it mentioned as a favorite of a colleague?
It’s time to land back on the radar of your potential readership.
3 Main Points (May expand)
1) Are you writing enough or not providing useful or unique content? Post frequency and subject matter are paramount.
2) Take advantage of a tiny email list and engage with subscribers individually. Follow them on social media or send a quick email.
3) How often are you asking for the share? Or the referral?
4) Step away from the computer. Start making yourself known in the real world with networking and blogging groups.
Why this works to “level up.” – As bloggers for businesses or individuals, sometimes it takes an injection of oomph into our own blogs to become more known.
We all want our blogs to be the first to come to mind when someone mentions your niche. These are ways to do it that don’t cost much, if any, money.
Why I’m the person to write this: I’ve discovered this about my own blog in the last year. Writing this post on an issue I deal with will allow for personal anecdotes and examples and the ability to walk with a BAFB reader in the process.
Williesha says
Sorry – added a 4th point. I will be unavailable until 12/23 for results. Is that ok?
Sophie Lizard says
12/23 is fine, Willi. Nice pitch!
We’d want to see plenty of tie-in with the freelancing side of things in your draft, but I’m sure you already know that because you’ve been here with us for what, 3 years now? 🙂
Williesha says
Yes! Since before the site went live!! Thanks so much.
Williesha says
And yes! This post is specifically for freelance bloggers who write for clients but also have their own blogs. Didn’t want to reveal too many details so a shorter pitcheck this time.
Awesome pitches as always. Can’t wait to see the winning posts!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Thanks, Willi! 🙂 And have fun with whatever you’re doing while you’re unavailable!
Dorothy Mauleon says
I would love to pitch an idea but I am not sure how to go about pitching it. I am a fellow mom but I have worn hearing aids my whole life and was mainstreamed. I never learned sign language because I was able to read lips (until 5 years ago) but it’s always been a lonely road for me socially and emotionally. I am not sure this “topic” would fit with your audience. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.
Sophie Lizard says
Hi Dorothy, if you can find a way to spin some blog writing advice or freelance business/mindset tips out of your experiences, I’d love to see you pitch that. 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Exactly what Sophie said. You’ve got an interesting story! But, for a pitch to be accepted here, you’d need to write about freelance blogging.
A few topics come to mind… “Dealing with Isolation as a Freelance Blogger” (every freelance blogger is essentially “alone,” but you could teach them coping methods derived from your personal experiences) or “How to Communicate with ANY Freelance Blogging Client” (you’ve come SO FAR despite your setbacks — and communication is a huge part of freelance blogging success!)
Jodi Humes says
Working Title — “Freelancing with Preschoolers: A Survival Guide
Category — Level Up (Quick note: I really do believe it belongs in this category. I didn’t start having great things happen until I learned how to juggle my responsibilities effectively and stop putting writing on the back burner.)
“Have you ever wrestled a bear while baking a soufflé? Me either, but it sounds difficult. Trying to contain something wild while doing a task that requires focus sounds frustrating — but also familiar. You see, I’m a freelance writer and mother of preschoolers. I know the feeling of pouring yourself into your work only to be interrupted time and again.”
From there, I would cover the following tips:
-How to get your kids to play independently (a guide to getting preschool children to focus hard enough on a task that you can work with fewer interruptions).
-Ways to save time and get more work done in the time you have (a guide to ‘life-hacking’ your non-work responsibilities so that they eat less of your work time).
-Ways to engage your kids while you’re working (a guide to making your kids feel involved in what you’re doing without losing focus).
-When to call in reinforcements (a guide to realizing when enough is enough and when it’s time to call the babysitter).
-Prioritizing your responsibilities (a guide to knowing when you can put your work first and when you can’t).
I’ve been a reader of BAFB for a long time — I believe over a year now. I’ve been passionate about wanting to start my career, but I didn’t start having bylines happen and the hit count on my blog creep up until I figured out how to be a mother AND a writer. I use the advice I’d be writing about every single day, and I know it will help other readers too.
Jodi Humes says
Somehow when I posted the punctuation after the title disappeared. I apologize for the distracting mistake, but I’m not seeing how to edit it.
Sophie Lizard says
I like this one. Parents can always use more life hacking tips, especially when we’re working from home. 🙂 Keen to learn how to get preschoolers to focus on an activity, because I’ll have my own preschooler to entertain pretty soon!
Jodi Humes says
Congratulations!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Jodi!
So long as you have a paragraph in there somewhere about how these methods will help you, as a freelance blogger, earn more money… I love it!
My children are fur babies (cats), but I know enough freelancers with human children to know that this is a topic that needs to be covered. 😉
Cheryl Chastain says
New to this site but not to blogging. I already want to read your post. It sounds like Narnia, but the idea that you might have an idea I haven’t tried yet would draw me in.
Jodi Humes says
Thank you! It’s definitely forced me to be more creative, and I’d love to share what I’ve come up with. 🙂
Sandy says
This is a great topic. I don’t have kids, but I would totally read this just for the life hacking parts! Tips like those are super useful. 🙂
Asra Ahmed says
Category: I’m pitching for the topic “Blog Better”
Headline: 6 Q’s THAT WILL MAKE YOUR BLOG A “MUST-READ”
Is there any better form of showing your potential than writing? Writing is that form of art which helps you in literal, social and practical ways. Blogging has made it easier for the people to speak their minds freely and use this powerful medium called world wide web in a productive way without too many restrictions. Here is how you can write a better blog without too much effort with these simple tricks.
1- QUESTIONS: Start your blog with a thought provoking question. One that has bothered you and you know has been in the minds of people for a while.
2- QUOTATIONS: If you only write what you think about the topic, people are gonna lose interest. Use quotes from every occasion that fit.
3- QUALITY: The content is important no doubt, but the quality of the sentence that you write is what keeps the reader glued to the screen.
4- QUEERNESS: Always try to elaborate those points which you think get less limelight but deserve more. People love to read different things
5-QUIETNESS: If you want your blog to reach the mature audience and appeal them, write with facts and figures alongwith greatly built sentences without igniting any harsh feelings.
6- QUIRKINESS: If there is a moral value you feel strongly about but majority just won’t see the truth, use well meant humor to prove your point.
I am a blog writer and have written for some newspaper blogs as well. I think my blog would help many with creating better blogs with little effort. Also I have done some freelancing and blog writing of my own.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Interesting angle and nice pitch. 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Asra! I like that you picked a theme and stuck with it. When I first saw “Q’s,” I thought you meant “questions,” but when I saw that you meant Q-words, I was delighted. haha.
I’m not really seeing the freelancing aspect of this post (to be accepted, you need to talk about freelancing AND blogging), but I think it would make a fun post. If it doesn’t get accepted here, you should post it on your own blog or pitch it elsewhere. It’s a fun one.
Hannah Callahan says
Category: Better Blogging
Title: Should You Include GIFs in Your Posts?
Opening lines: Chances are, your clients want you to create blog content that is super shareable. But while most writers excel at writing great content, creating a potentially-viral blog post often requires more than stand-alone text. Including simple animations can boost both the personality and click-appeal of your post.
Point 1: What are GIFs?
Before discussing whether or not you should use GIFs it’s important to make sure you know what they are.
Point 2: The benefits of using GIFs in blog posts
Besides making your post look trendy and approachable, GIFs can also help you grab people’s attention. Because Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ all support a GIF format, GIFs can also boost your post’s social media performance.
Point 3: When are these simple animations inappropriate?
Some people may consider these animated images to be tacky or unprofessional. Knowing when to avoid using GIFs is important.
Point 4: Get permission
Not every blogging client is going to appreciate finding an animated GIF in your latest post. You’ll need to make sure that your client is okay with these animated images before you use them.
Point 5: Don’t risk copyright infringement
Most people agree that GIFs fall under the Fair Use doctrine of U.S. Copyright law. However, it’s still important to err on the side of caution when you use them.
Point 6: How to find or create awesome GIFs
GIFs are soaring in popularity, and there are many different ways to find ready-made GIFs to use. If you’re unable to locate the perfect GIF for your post, then there are also easy ways to make your own.
Why this post is great for BAFB: Just a couple of weeks ago your blog had an awesome post about including visuals in blog posts. However, GIF animations weren’t mentioned, and I believe it’s important for content strategists and freelance bloggers to know how and when to use them. I’ve recently been studying GIFs, so I’m really excited to share this information with others.
Sophie Lizard says
Excellent topic choice! I’ve been meaning to publish something about animated GIFs for quite a while now, but never got around to writing or assigning a post about it yet. Content gap, nicely spotted. And a fine pitch, too 🙂
Hannah Callahan says
Thank you, Sophie! Let me know if you have any suggestions for improvement! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
I agree. We’ve had posts on images and on videos — and GIFs are sort of a blend of both (moving images!) — but we haven’t had a post on this topic. I think this would be a good one. And it was well-pitched. Which is a biggie since this is a pitching contest.
Hannah Callahan says
Happy to hear that you like it, Lauren!
Cherese Cobb says
Great pitch! 🙂 I really like this idea, especially the GIF making tools!
Hannah Callahan says
Glad you like the idea, Cherese! 🙂
Pinar Tarhan says
Oh, I love this. I know what they are, but I still haven’t gotten around to creating them. Shame on me. 🙂 So this reader would bookmark, share and apply this post. 🙂
Hannah Callahan says
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Pinar!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Excellent pitch. I like that you chose something that wasn’t obvious for the “blog better” category and that hasn’t really been done before.
Hannah Callahan says
Thank you!
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Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ This is a great example of what not to do.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I saw this and was going to send it to spam. I’m like, “Who approved this?”
But you’re right. A very good example of what not to do.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Haha. You’d be SHOCKED at how many “is this spam or are they serious?!” e-mails I get in my pitching inbox. 😉
Mike Straus says
Tired of Being a Mill Rat? 5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Break Out of the Content Mills
Being a mill rat sucks. You spend your days (and nights) churning out content like butter, as if your mind is hooked up to some sort of dystopian farm equipment that sucks out ideas and leaves you an empty vessel. After a while, it’s easy to convince yourself that you like the torture – it’s less intimidating than pitching for work, and hey, you’re getting paid to write. Or even worse, you convince yourself that you’ll break free next month once you’ve earned a little more from the mills (which then turns into two months from now, then three…)
But what many writers don’t realize is that a content mill isn’t a stepping-stone; it’s a tombstone. That’s why aspiring bloggers need to break out of the content mills, and they can do it – if they do these five things:
1. Believe you’re worth more. Writers are infamous for suffering from insecurities, but business is business – and it’s the market demand for good writing that sets the price, not your own judgment of your skill level. So look up fair market rates for blog articles and commit to charging them.
2. Get yourself some edu-ma-cation. Lots of businesses and publications need good bloggers (and journalists, and copywriters) to fill pages with fantastic articles that keep readers coming back – the Wild West that is the content marketing industry is worth more than 4 billion pounds in the UK alone. (Source: http://www.the-cma.com/about-us/) And the right education in blogging and marketing will teach you how to pistol whip all sorts of cashy money away from the big corporations and pocket a nice tidy sum for yourself.
3. Differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. If you want to stand out from other bloggers, you have to find your edge, stand up, and be different – you have to do something that other bloggers aren’t doing. Maybe that means hosting classes where you teach people to write, going to in-person networking events, or prepping some killer web copy that explains your own unique approach to blogging.
4. Get up off your ass and go market yourself. Unless you’ve done one hell of an inbound marketing campaign, the perfect client is not going to just magically appear on your doorstep. If you want to break out of the content mills and get higher-paying clients, you have to go find them – at networking events, in the Yellow Pages, on Google, through the blogosphere, or otherwise.
5. Target niche markets that are desperate for good writers. If you don’t have any decent clips aside from your content mill work, it can be a challenge to find that first real client. By swimming in a smaller pool, you’ll have an easier time convincing prospects to hire you – so target niche markets in which you have relevant non-writing experience, like web design and development, martial arts, automotive maintenance, linguistics, or engineering.
This topic is a fantastic fit for Be A Freelance Blogger because it speaks to Be A Freelance Blogger’s mission to “increase your income, build an expert reputation, and regain your freedom by blogging for hire.” I’m the ideal person to write this post because after working for a content mill for 2 years, I’ve started earning $2,500 per month through a combination of blogging, copywriting, and journalism gigs. I am living proof that just because you start in a content mill, that doesn’t mean you can’t earn well as a freelance blogger.
Sophie Lizard says
I always like posts that use the “I’ve done this and I’ll show you how” approach. 🙂 Nice topic choice & good pitch!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Not bad, Mike. I could see this working for the “Level Up” category (though I would have preferred for you to say that yourself in your pitch since that was one of the contest requirements). I like this though… I was in the mills myself about five years ago, and I know that a lot of people still are. Nicely done.
Patrick Icasas says
This blog pitch is for the “Level Up” category.
Headline: “How I Leveled Up my Client Base by Writing for Free”
Working for free might sound like counter-intuitive advice, but it all depends on what you work on and who you work for. Play your cards right, and you’ll be able to sidestep the job boards and get noticed by your ideal client. I did!
• Find organizations with ties to your ideal client. In my case, I joined a local marketing organization that was in its early growing stages (and thus looking for volunteers).
• Volunteer according to your strengths. I started out in public relations, so I have a background covering events. I offered to report on the organization’s events in exchange for a byline, which included interviews with their CMO and Marketing Manager members.
• Do the job first. I knew that if I wanted clients to see me as a potential resource, I had to wow them with my work. I was extremely professional during my interviews and did not try to sell them at all.
• But leave room for opportunities. However, I made it a point to introduce myself as “freelance writer,” and not as a staffer for the organization. I also sent each interviewee a copy of the finished article so that they could read my work first-hand (which they would—they starred in it!)
• Be transparent. From the start, I made sure my contact in the marketing organization knew my intentions and that I was going to try to get my name out there as a potential resource. She supported my plans and made several introductions herself!
BAFB readers would get great value from this post, because it can help them meet potential clients who would’ve otherwise been inaccessible. I know this, because I’m using this very same strategy right now to great effect.
Sophie Lizard says
Love your pitch, Patrick. Interviewing people gives writers awesome opportunities to start new friendships and professional relationships. (Some of my most enjoyable opportunities have come via Danny Iny, who I first interviewed back in 2012.)
Patrick Icasas says
Thanks, Sophie! Glad you like the idea!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
My mentees are always asking when it’s appropriate/advantageous to write for free. This is a topic that I know would get read.
Ebony Johnson says
Category – Level up
Your freelance blogging biz is booming! Or maybe, you’re just starting out and still to no avail, you haven’t had any clients. You can’t even get your mother’s best friend’s cousin to agree to let you write a blog post for them. Well no need to fret my friends, whether you are just starting out or you just feel you are ready to expand, I have what you need. 🙂
First point- I will discuss the many different ways you can attain clientele. From social media to writing blog posts or newsletters for your apartment community, I will dive into the ways you can make more money.
Second point-Using social media
Third point- Pitching to your landlord about possibly writing blog posts or a community newsletter for the property.
Fourth point- Using a BusinessList to reach your local businesses who may have just opened and they need your help!
Fifth point- Reaching out to charities or better yet, let them come to you
Sixth point- How friends and family can help you expand your business
In a conclusion paragraph, I will reinerate how to not only implement these points, but how you can actually use these tips to help further your career.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nice pitch, Ebony. I like the point about reaching out to your landlord. However, you’re missing a headline. Did you have one in mind?
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ What Alicia said. 🙂
Julia Travers says
Category: Better Blogging
Title: 3 Ways to Become a Writer of Many Voices
As a blogger you will be hired to write on a variety of topics and for a variety of audiences. This can be intimidating and requires an open-minded and confident approach. Read on for 3 tips on tapping into the many voices that are already inside of you, with a focus on doing your homework and using your imagination.
Point 1: Give yourself permission to experiment. Breathe, release your attachment to your writing identity, and let it flow. The editing stage is when you will make logical pruning and perfect the form of your ideas.
Point 2: Research is your BFF. If you are introduced to a topic that is completely foreign to you, reach out to and benefit from the expert resources that are all around you online and in print. It’s okay (and fun) to learn new things.
Point 3: Use your imagination. If you were playing pretend in first grade, and had to get into the part of a bird, or a teacher, or a baseball star, you simply did. Inside of you are a myriad of voices- voices with a scientific lean, voices with DIY enthusiasm, voices that long to speak of savory meals. If you have done your research and given yourself permission to relax a little, you can write with an authoritative voice on most any topic.
This post addresses one of the subtler but crucial sides of freelance blogging: greeting in touch with your diverse inner voices as a writer. It is a great post for this site because it is relatable and reflects on the inner, human side of blog writing. I am the right person to write it because it resonates with me as a writer and I think I will learn from writing it and also be able to help others.
-Blog post idea by Julia Travers, 2015
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I like this idea, Julia. Nice job!
Julia Travers says
Thanks, Alicia! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Julia!
I kind of like this idea, but I’m also scrunching up my face like “hmmm” because I’m not sure if it’s a good fit for BAFB. For us to accept an idea as a post, it has to cover both blogging AND freelancing to some degree. It can be heavy on blogging and light on freelancing (which it seems like your post would be), but both elements need to be there… And I’m just not seeing it.
I know how learning to write in different voices can be a money-maker (I’m primarily a ghostblogger), but I need to know that YOU know before I can accept your pitch for BAFB.
Other than that: I liked it! 🙂 If you don’t write it for us, I hope you write it somewhere.
Julia Travers says
Thanks for the feedback, Lauren! I’ll keep that in mind for my next pitch. Let me know if there are any particular topics you’d like to see from me. 🙂
Ebony Johnson says
I feel that my blog post would be very helpful because I suggest alot of ideas that are sometimes right under your nose, but you may not know the right way to approach the opportunity. I know I am the bed person to write this post because I have thoroughly researched the topic and not only that, I have failed but with failure comes experience that I can share with others.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hehe. “Bed person.” ;D Are you writing on a tablet or phone…? Autocorrect can be a pain in the butt, can’t it?
Anyway, thanks for letting us know, Ebony. 🙂 Replied to your pitch earlier. (Add a headline to it if you get the chance!)
Marilyn Alexander says
Category: “Blog Better”,
Headline/s:
There is No Such Thing as Writer’s Block.
or
Writer’s Block Schmiter’s Block
or
Some Practical Tips to Overcome Writer’s Block when Blogging.
Opening lines: You stare at the blank screen. Get up and make another cup of coffee, French press, exactly four minutes to brew, a drop of cream, wait a bit so it won’t scald your taste buds. Back to the blank screen. Need to pee. Maybe it would be nice to call a few friends, see if anyone wants to do lunch.
Point 1: Make little deals with yourself — you can’t have another cup of coffee until you’ve written a paragraph. Can’t pee until you finish the sentence. Finish a draft of the article and you get to go out to lunch/dinner with the friend of choice.
Point 2: Some days everything you write is crap. Some days everything you write is wonderful. I guarantee that in 6 months you will read the “crap” and the “wonderful” and not be able to tell the difference. Don’t let your mood beat you up and prevent you from writing.
Point 3: Go somewhere new, sit down and make a list of the “telling details” you notice. Just jot a list. The next day, edit your list. Remove the boring details concentrating on the interesting stuff. Ask people you know to tell you which of the details are “telling”. Use the details to create a compelling description of the place you visited.
Point 4: Your reader craves something new. Sometimes simply surprising them will convince them that what they are reading is novel. A “perspective shift” is one strategy to achieve the element of surprise.
Point 5: The first thing you think of is likely to be the first thing everyone else thinks too. How do you move beyond the obvious to a fresh insight? The “Infinity of 6 questions” forces you to move from the mundane to the marvelous.
Point 6: Life studies are a combination of observation, only in this case you are observing human nature. Every week record pieces of life you might later use in a blog, e.g. physical description of people you find interesting, compelling conversations you overhear.
Why This is A Great Blog Post for Be A Freelance Blogger: I’ve heard my creative writing students complain about writer’s block. I think it’s a myth and a hurdle that requires a mixture of a kick in the pants, some nurturing, along with some practical skills that include learning to be observant of the world around them, having a skill set that includes the ability to know what is interesting and what isn’t, is important for writers.
Why I’m the Right Person to Write this Blog:
I used these strategies to complete a creative writing dissertation and teach writing classes for more than 20 years at three universities. I don’t want to do nothing when I retire, so I’d like to learn how to blog.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Marilyn, this is a nice pitch, but honestly I feel like this topic has been done to death. If I were to read a blog post on writer’s block, I’d want to hear about techniques I’ve never heard before. I’m intrigued by the “Infinity of 6 Questions.” I’ve never heard of it, so it’s something I’d be more likely to read than “how to beat writer’s block.” I’m not one of the judges, but I wonder if you could make a post out of that idea–something along the lines of “Take Your Blog Posts From Mundane to Marvelous With the Infinity of 6 Questions.”
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hi, Marilyn!
First off: I love, love, LOVE your writing voice. I don’t know if this is the right thing for you to write for us, but I want you to pitch me SOMETHING because I want a chance to publish your sense of humor. 🙂
Second: I’m not sure if this is a good fit for us. I think it COULD be with some tweaking, but, as it stands, it feels more like a “writing tips in general” post rather than a BAFB-ready “this is specifically for freelance bloggers” post.
Kathy Brackett says
Category: Level Up
Tentative Title: Newbies…start making money blogging!!!!
So I’ve been researching the crap out of the internet trying to come up with a FAST, EASY and CHEAP way to break into this blogging business and start getting paid.
I think that Sophie Lizard(Hyper link) is right when she says the biggest obstacle is yourself because that’s what I see with myself. I keep researching and NOT writing, my head is swimming of ways to do things without any “things” to do them with.
Writers actually write–right?? So lets get our fingers oving and start a challenge that could potentially change your life.
So this is what we all are going to do to Level up—can you hear that Mario sound in your head too?
We are going to write one thing a day for a week to start a portfolio
I am going to be doing this too so we will all get off the ground and start writing together.
I will have the six points which will be :
Day 1: Write a favorable movie review: I will basically outline how to pick a movie, write a review quickly and concisely and add a motivtional comment
Each point will be a different day..like write a unfavorable movie review, write a favorable book review, an unfavorable book review and write a personal essay. I will use each point using the tag Day 1, Day 2 etc. and by the end of the week everyone, if they have done thier homework, will have actually written something they can use in future pitches and job applications. It will have been done with humor and motivation and hopefully jump start thier carreer.
I would like to add something about how to sart a blog post and show them with thier personall essay that they have written that they can #1– write every day, #2– make it a habit and #3–write pertinent, easy to write, easy to read pieces that can be used in finding a job or gig.
BAFB readers will benifit from this exercise if they are newbies. Seasoned writers may get a boost out of it as well, making simethng a habit–especially writing–is always a good thing–especially if that is what you do for a living. This is my first pitch ever so I wanted some direction if this is any good or not.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Kathy, I like this concept of homework to get you writing, but I feel the exercise could apply to more than newbies. I’m not a newbie, and I think it’d be interesting to take on a week-long writing challenge to sharpen my skills or test out different types of writing I’ve never done before. That said, maybe you’d want to tweak your headline. I think focusing on a timeline–like “Sharpen Your Writing Skills in a Week with this 7-Step Challenge”–would grab my attention (although you might want to brainstorm more than that; that was just a quick suggestion).
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Kathy!
It’s not bad…and I’m sure Sophie will appreciate the hyperlink…but I’m not sure if it’s ready for BAFB. It feels more like it’s tips for writers in general rather than for freelance bloggers specifically.
Kathy Brackett says
Sorry for the typos–I wanted to edit but couldn’t find a way so sorry again!!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
No worries. We’ve seen worse. 😉
Corinne Pinfold says
As a newbie, the possibility of hearing “where you went wrong, and what you might want to do to add some sparkle” was a big incentive for me when I entered the past couple of pitchfests. Both times I left comments asking for feedback on my pitches but didn’t get a response.
I know you guys are busy but is there a chance that there’ll be feedback this round?
Sophie Lizard says
Aargh! Sorry to hear we missed your pitch before, Corrine. We promise to do better this time and make sure you get plenty of feedback!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
I found your pitches from the last two times — http://beafreelanceblogger.com/blog-post-100-dollars/#comment-133016 & http://beafreelanceblogger.com/photos-pitchfest/#comment-146779 — and saw that I had replied to both of them…
But I can see now that, after the contest was over, you asked for more feedback and didn’t get any. I’m not sure whether I should feel bad about that or not. :\
We get a TON of entrants each Pitchfest and we make it a point to reply to every single person. It’s tough! Especially since there’s so little time to get to everyone before the winners are posted. Some people get more feedback than others, but I’ll let you in on a secret: The people with GOOD pitches get less feedback.
The reason you didn’t get a TON of feedback was because your pitches were basically a-okay!
Lindsay Pevny says
I’ve been sitting out the past few Pitchfests, and now I’m ready to make my own pitch!
Category: Level Up
How To Make Money Writing What You ACTUALLY Want To Write About
When you start your freelance writing career at a content mill, you learn to settle to write about anything that pays. As you learn to market yourself and find your own clients, you’ll notice that it’s a big world out there. You don’t need to be a writing chameleon, changing your identity to suit your next client.
If you’re spending the majority of your time writing about anything other than the topics that you’re most passionate about, you may be sabotaging yourself. You may be wasting time that you could be using to firmly establish yourself as an expert in the niche you really care about.
+Start your own blog.
Having your own blog about your niche helps you get noticed by industry professionals. You can also use it as another stream of income later on. You can use it to gain review products, and you can write reviews and interview people, making connections who will be useful in you getting freelance writing jobs.
+Connect with industry professionals
There are industry organizations that you can join to boost your reputation and increase your confidence and recognition. Many of them have regular industry publications and meetings, so you can network with all of the right people.
+Get in the right groups
It’s not enough to be in “freelance writing groups.” You’ll find that industry professionals have specific places where they hang out online. Try LinkedIn Groups or Facebook Groups.
+Connect with other freelancers in your niche
Find writers in the same or adjacent niches, and introduce yourself. Also be sure to make connections with designers, marketers and other professionals who write for similar clients.
Why this is a great post for BAFB: This is one the biggest questions I had starting out, and I’ve wasted a lot of time and energy writing about topics I didn’t even have an opinion about – when all I wanted to do was write about dogs. I think new writers should start off with intention, so they can make progress down a path they actually want to follow, in a niche full of like-minded people to have as clients.
Sandy says
I really like this. It echoed my questions exactly, and that of other new writers I’ve been working with. 🙂 I’d love to read an article about this.
Lindsay Pevny says
Thanks so much, Sandy!
Marilyn Alexander says
Your title got my attention and made me read your pitch!
Lindsay Pevny says
Thanks Marilyn! 🙂
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Lindsay, I really like this idea, and I think it will resonate with a lot of people. I’d be interested to hear you talk about your story and journey throughout this post. If I remember right, you posted this question in the forums, and I remember telling you, “Well, you might have to start out writing about what you don’t want to write about.” Then I did some research for you and found out there are TONS of people looking for content about dogs. I’ve since realized that I was wrong. You can start writing about what you love, and I think it’d be awesome if you put that myth to rest.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Nicely done, Lindsay! My one quibble is that you should have been saying “bloggers” rather than “writers” to fit in better with our niche (freelance bloggers), but it’s otherwise fantastic. 🙂
Sandy says
Category: Blog Better
Headline: Writing for the Web: What am I doing wrong?
Opening lines:
You are, most probably, a very good writer. But even good writers can struggle when writing for the web. Web pages are a living medium, influenced by factors beyond the written word. Visual presentation, choice of terminology and more can determine how your copy gets read and understood, if it even gets seen.
Key points:
* Internet users are constantly bombarded with both signal and noise. A good, considerate web writer takes this into account, and intends to reduce the cognitive load in readers.
* Sentence structure, paragraph structure and reading level – a rule of thumb guide to good practices and why they’re important; will include some discussion on writing for non-visual readers.
* Visual presentation and formatting – general tips for good visual practices when writing, and how they relate to good web design and user experience design practices.
* Word choice – discussion of search-engine optimisation, and writing for humans vs robots.
* An example of a ‘sub-optimal’ piece of text, and a demonstration of how it can be optimised for web.
I think this would be a great topic for BAFB, mainly because I’ve rarely seen it covered in the literature for freelance writers. The web is kind of a big deal, and I’m passionate about the movement to prepare better content and frameworks for it. I have a 20-year background in creating things for the web – design, dev, content, UX. I’m a calloused, weathered hand. 🙂 I’ve developed web writing practices for house style and brand guidelines, and coached both newbie and experienced writers in preparing optimised content for the web medium, factoring in design and usability principles. I’m pretty keen to contribute this to the body of knowledge on this blog.
Jodi Humes says
Can I just say, you have a beautiful writing ‘voice.’ I was skimming pitches and actually stopped to read the whole thing.
Sandy says
Gosh, thank you, Jodi! <3
Lindsay Pevny says
I think you hit the nail on the head – and you seem to know your stuff!
Sandy says
Thanks, Lindsay!!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Great pitch, Sandy!
Sandy says
Thank you, Alicia!
Matt Duczeminski says
A lot to be said about reading level/readability! As a newbie to the world of freelance writing, that’s been one of my struggles – cutting out those “million dollar words” and just getting to the point. Love it!
Sandy says
Thank you so much, Matt! I remember struggling with that too. And, admittedly, sometimes if I’m writing in a new genre, I still fall into the trap. A friend who studied broadcasting told me they even covered that in class – that newbies feel obliged to perform how they think others expect them to perform, rather than developing their own way to get a message across. I wonder if it could be a common rookie mistake that comes from lacking confidence? I kinda wish someone more knowledgeable in this area would write an article about it! 😉
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Nice, Sandy. If you don’t write it for us, I hope you write it somewhere. 🙂
Sandy says
Thank you heaps, Lauren! 😀
Matt Duczeminski says
Ooo Pitchfest! Been on the mailing list for a while, I believe we spoke on Twitter briefly RE: Lifehack about how much I appreciate your efforts! Anyway, to the pitch. I hope this is acceptable as a start!
Headline: “How To Beat ‘Writer’s Block’ By Calling It What It Is”
Overall Ideas:
“Writer’s Block” is really just an excuse for procrastination, demotivation, and stagnancy
Hourly workers can procrastinate or half-ass their work and still get paid; freelancers can’t
For freelancers, time wasted is money lost
Intro:
If you were to use movies and TV shows as a reference for what it’s like to be a writer, you’d think it just means lazing around waiting for an idea to strike you, at which point you’ll turn into an unstoppable work machine, typing away with fervor for hours on end. At least Hollywood got the latter half right.
Why are you blocked up, and how can you beat it?
-Lack of ideas or knowledge
-Read as much as you possibly can about your topic
-Look for new angles on familiar topics
-Expand on ideas you read about
-Revise and expand on your old writing
-Lack of creativity/innovation
-Shift your perspective (new angles)
-Challenge preconceived notions, check your premises
-Laziness / Lack of Motivation
-List your goals
-List steps needed to reach these goals
-Start small and allow efforts to snowball
-Read success/feel good stories
-Join communities and commit publicly (ahem!)
-Lack of Self-Esteem/Too Much Comparison to Others/Seeking Perfection
-Don’t compare to others – only to your former self
-Acknowledge shortcomings
-Seek out self-improvement literature/podcasts/etc.
-Aim to improve, not be perfect
-Join in community conversations (ahem!)
-Embrace criticism, and seek it out whenever possible (AHEM!)
-Distractions
-Change your scenery
-Unplug/Put phone away
-Take scheduled breaks to check phone/email/social media
-Personal problems
-Shelve them if possible
-Deal with them if absolutely necessary
I think this post would help a lot of beginning freelancers (of any artistic endeavor) who don’t really see the background work that goes into creating valuable pieces. Lightning bolts of inspiration and motivation don’t just come out of nowhere, and will go away as quick as they came if you don’t take action.
Matt Duczeminski says
Ugh, there should be spaces to indent the points under each subtopic. Sorry about that. And this should be under the category of Blog Better!
Jodi Humes says
I love this topic, and especially how you addressed it. I hope that I get to see it written, and that it makes me laugh like the pitch did!
Sandy says
The self-esteem/perfection part struck a chord with me. I’d be keen to read this, within or outside of this comp!
Matt Duczeminski says
Haha Sandy, I just read your post and checked out your website. You don’t seem to have self-esteem problems! =p Wish I had the confidence you exude in your “Why Hire Me” section!
Sandy says
Haha, Matt, thank you. That’s very kind of you to say. I struggle with the fear every day. 🙁 But, hey, if you don’t go for it, you don’t eat, right? #freelancerlife 🙂
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Matt, nice pitch. I like how you organize this to say, “If this is your problem, here’s the solution.” Just make sure that if you write this, you make it different than all the other writer’s block posts out there.
Matt Duczeminski says
Thanks! That’s one of my biggest issues, that maybe I can work into this (or another) article at some point: I’m constantly reading, and I get to the point that I feel like everything’s already been done. Have to find that unique angle that sets me apart.
Seems like every time I think of something to write about, Danny Iny or Neil Patel has already done it a thousand times better =p
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Matt!
This is a fantastic pitch. My one quibble would be that I’d love for it to be more for freelance bloggers specifically rather than writers in general; however, like Alicia, I thought it was a refreshing take on the “writer’s block” topic. Well done. 🙂
Deidre Parsons says
This pitch is for the Level Up category.
Working Title: Beware the Dreaded “Test Project”
Imagine that you spend time prepping for an important job interview. You know that you will be perfect for the job, and you’re positive you convinced your potential employer of the same.
After the interview, the employer calls you and says, “We want to hire you on a trial basis. If we like the results, we’ll start paying you.”
1. They suck valuable time. Our time as writers is valuable. There is no reason to spend time on unpaid (or unfulfilling) work when we have more personally important or lucrative projects just waiting for us to write them.
2. They destroy your confidence. I have completed free test projects for potential clients in the past, and once I submitted the work, I never heard from them again. They likely only used me for free work, but it made me question my abilities and merits as a writer.
3. It shows the client you don’t respect yourself. If you have published guest posts or run your own blog, you already have writing samples available. If the client will not accept those and insists on free work anyway, respect yourself enough to move on.
4. It shows that your client values saving pennies over quality work. If the client insists on a free test project, it shows where his/her priorities lie. If the client is more concerned with saving a buck than the quality of your work, it is likely to be a mutually beneficial professional relationship.
5. It makes work harder for other writers. If there are writers out there willing to give their work away for free, it makes it difficult for other writers to charge what their work is worth. Writers, as a whole, should respect themselves and the profession by providing high-quality work for a reasonable price for both parties.
6. It cheapens your value. It is important to set boundaries with your current and potential clients. If you must do a test project, agree upon a fair payment.
Why This is a Great Post: I know it has been mentioned that writers shouldn’t write for free, but sometimes we get desperate for our next source of income and fall prey to the test project. Sometimes it works in our favor, and sometimes we get burnt. I have ridden the “test project” merry-go-round more times than I care to admit and have finally learned how to make it work for me or avoid at all together.
Deidre Parsons says
I missed a typo in number 4: “…it isn’t** likely to be a mutually beneficial professional relationship.”
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nice pitch, Deidre. I have a couple of suggestions about the topic itself. First, remember that freelancers aren’t employed, so in your intro, you wouldn’t want to talk about employers or job interviews. Freelancers have clients, not employers. A “job interview” as a freelancer is more like a consultation. I hope that makes sense. I just wanted to clear it up.
Also, I want to confirm that you’re talking about FREE trial pieces. Paid trial pieces are actually a really smart idea because then you get an idea of how you and the client work together before you lock yourself into a contract. So if you write this piece, you maybe want to clarify in the headline ‘the dreaded free trial piece’ and maybe add a section at the end that getting paid for a trial piece is acceptable and helps you avoid these issues.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ What Alicia said. 🙂
Deidre Parsons says
Thank you! These suggestions are helpful. I am sorry for the late reply. I didn’t get an email that you responded to my post.
I am talking about free trial pieces. I am completely on board with paid trial pieces. In fact, I prefer them!
When I first started out in freelancing, I had a potential client ask for a free test piece. I completed the piece and he asked to send me more work. I said I would be happy to complete more work and emailed me a contract. I never heard from him again!
Thank you for your feedback.
Richard Nata says
Title – How to make your blog post better and raise your level up as a freelance blogger
Category – Blog Better + Level Up
If you are asked to choose between “blog better – write better blog posts or level up – boost your career as a freelance blogger,” which one would you choose? I would choose both, for the following reasons. Both are like two sides of a coin which are connected with each other. If you can write better blog posts will automatically level up your career. If you can boost your career, then automatically your blog posts will be improved.
Blog better – write better blog posts
a. A title that make people clicks and read your article.
Without an interesting title, the article you must defeat in competing with thousands of other articles. So, you have to give a title that could arouse people want to click and read your article.
Great titles: simple, fancy, easy to remember, catchy, punchy, straight to the point.
b. The opening sentence that grabs the reader’s attention so it would read the article.
The opening sentence will decide whether readers will continue to read your article or leave your article to find other articles that better. Within 10-30 seconds the reader has to decide whether to continue reading your article or leave it at that time.
c. The contents of the article that can make the reader want to know who the author’s name.
If the reader happy with your article, then he will find out who your name, how to contact you, do you have any other good articles and others. And, some of them will share your article on social media via the share button on the website / blog.
Level up – boost your career as a freelance blogger
a. The strategies in the search for clients.
You must use a powerful strategy to get a lot of clients. Without a good strategy then you will never get clients because you can not compete with other writers.
b. How do you give a pitch that is pleasing clients?
You have to give great concept when making a pitch. In a great concept, you give a great title and promises to deliver great content to clients.
c. Improve your writing skills by writing every day.
You must continue to write every day so that your article are increasingly seen as an expert in the industry. If you managed to look as experts then automatically your rates will go up. Your freelancing career rises to the next level. And you get paid more.
Why this is a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger: This is a must-read article if you want to earn big money from blogging (as a freelance writer).
Why you’re the right person to write it: I was the right person to write this because I always learn from the experts. So this article is actually a summary of the experts opinions.
If I win then the readers will read through my article here. If I do not win then the readers can see my article on another website / blog or my blog (http://lifeonearthasinheaven.blogspot.com/).
Thank you.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Richard, nice pitch overall, but I feel like the topic is extremely broad. It’s hard to give enough useful information in 1,000 words with such a broad topic. You might consider narrowing it down to one of your points and building an article off that single idea. I’m not one of the judges, so you don’t have to take my word for it, but I hope this advice has helped.
Richard Nata says
Alicia, Thank you for your advice.
I used to make articles with 2000-4000 words. I can do that because I was an author. A good book should consist of a minimum of 15,000 words. 🙂
So if I win then I will give you an article with 2,000+ words. 🙂
Thank you.
P.S. Jon Morrow said, “A good article consisting of 3,000-4,000 words.”
Richard Nata says
In addition, if I win then I will provide an article with 2000+ words, where the 1,000+ word will discuss “Blog Better” and 1,000+ words will discuss “Level Up.”
If you just want to 1,000-1,500 word article then you can choose the “Blog Better or Level Up.” And I will make it into a great article for the readers BAFB.
Thank you.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
In the end it’s up to Sophie, but that seems like far too many words for what’s essentially a pretty simple topic. :\
We’re big on conciseness here: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/how-to-write-concisely/
Marcos De Jesus says
Category: Better Blogging
How Can You Benefit from Blogging?
If you are already maintaining a website, having a blog can add to, or enhance, your existing web presence. The ability to provide your customers, and readers, with fresh content on a daily, or weekly basis can keep your business running even during lean months. Blogging is also a great way for small business owners, with little web design knowledge, and small budgets to establish a professional, attractive, web presence. Many designers charge much less for a completely customized blog design and installation than they would charge for complete, traditional, HTML or flash website design.
When blogging first began becoming popular among businesses I was slow to notice the change. It seemed to me as though more and more of my competitors were shutting down their traditional websites and replacing them with well-designed blogs. Other competitors kept their existing websites up but added links to their websites that sent surfers to their companies newly created blogs. I decided to start learning more about blogging, but I didn’t want to change my entire website format until I was sure blogging was right for me and my business.
I played around with a few different blogging platforms on a personal level trying to find out what all the fuss was about. I set up a small personal blog on Blogger and later a weight loss blog on Type-pad. After trying out all of the major blogging platforms, I realized that using a blog platform to power my site rather than the current HTML design could do wonders for my business. In addition to being able to make my blogs look, and feel, professional with little design knowledge, I was also able to easily add photo and text content to these personal blogs with no assistance. This was something I would never have been able to manage on my traditional site.
While any of this discovery would have inspired me to turn my existing site into a blog, the deciding factor for me was a confrontation with my website designer. I needed my site updated to promote an upcoming concert my business was affiliated with, but the designer would not be available to complete the update until after the concert was over. I immediately began researching how to create my own blog on my own domain so that I would no longer be dependent on a web designer.
Being able to take charge of how, and when, information was posted on my new blog site immediately increased my sales, site traffic, and general interest in my domain. Clients no longer felt that the site would always contain the same, stale information. They knew that in order to catch my latest promotions they would have to subscribe to my blog or bookmark my site to return to it often in order to avoid missing anything important.
I invested a great deal of time in setting up my initial blog posts and interacting with my clients. In many cases, my posts for the entire week were prepared by Monday and published on the blog at set intervals throughout the week. Each and every time someone commented on a blog post I did my best to respond to or acknowledge these comments. Even if it was just to say ‘thank you for commenting’.
Allowing users to comment on your blog posts can increase your companies business and reputation tremendously. Many prospective clients make their decision to buy a product or use a service based solely on testimonials and reviews left by other customers. Since comments often offer feedback on your products and services, they can sometimes be more effective than the most expensive, well thought out, advertising campaigns.
These comments can also serve as an unofficial Frequently Asked Questions section. Often surfers are more likely to read the comments on posts that relate to a question or problem they may be experiencing than they are to visit your sites FAQ. By making it possible for clients to post comments publicly, and answering comments publicly, you might keep someone else from asking the same question. This will cut down on a number of emails you have to answer and phone calls you might otherwise receive.
Also, answering these comments and communicating with the comment makers (saying thank you) shows readers and clients how you and your company treat customers.
I can not tell you how many times a client, or potential client, has posted a comment to one of my blogs telling me that they found an answer to a question they were planning to ask by reading comments left by other users. On a few occasions, clients of competitors have left comments saying that they were searching on the internet for a resolution to their own issue with another site, and found the answer thanks to my blog. This is extremely gratifying and tells me that my blog is providing more information than those of my competitors.
Please keep in mind that if you are allowing readers to comment on blog posts you need to take steps to monitor the content of these posts. While there is software available to help prevent comment spam there are always times when some spam will slip through the cracks. Manually monitoring comments will avoid embarrassing situations of inappropriate comments being published on your blogs.
If you are someone that has an existing site, establishing and maintaining a blog is going to drastically increase your traffic to that site. Many blog readers are attracted to a blog site by one, or more, posts on a specific subject. Once the reader is at that blog post they will more than likely explore other products and services they might not have otherwise shown an interest in. If there is a link to your previously established traditional site in your blog, chances are readers will visit that site as well which increases its traffic.
This also creates an opportunity for free publicity and advertising. Many blog readers are often trying to find news and content for their own blog site. Your existing traditional site might be just what they were looking for. There have been many times when I have been checking my back links and found out that the blog of one of my readers, or past clients, has a link to my blog promoting a certain interesting post or product.
Even if you do not have a specific product to sell or message to spread, it doesn’t mean that you can’t earn revenue from blogging. Many profitable blog owners are those who started their blogs to use as a personal diary and began doing little things to earn income. First adding ads to the blog and then doing other things to capitalize on traffic and make a
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Marcos, while you’re obviously a good writer, I’m a little lost here. This appears to be a completed post when the challenge was to write a pitch. You’ve written so many words that it looks like it cut off because the comment system couldn’t take that many.
I’m also not seeing how you’re relating this topic specifically to freelance bloggers. This story is all about you, but where’s the advice to help freelance bloggers blog better?
I don’t say this to single you out or anything. I only hope that you learn something from it. Generally, you don’t want to send a blog editor a completed post if they ask for a pitch.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ Exactly. What Alicia said.
Katherine Swarts says
I made third place in the March 2015 Pitchfest, second place in September; can a first-prize idea be far away?
CATEGORY: Blog Better
HEADLINE: Healthy Minds Make Star Bloggers
OPENING LINES:
As a freelance blogger, you have star writing skills. You also feel the pressure of deadlines and juggling multiple clients. And you know that clear thinking keeps your writing and organization skills at top function. But are you hurting yourself by neglecting healthy-mind habits in the name of doing your best work? …
KEY POINTS:
1. You may perceive yourself as doing “just fine,” but are you simply used to functioning under your full attention potential?
2. Keeping the whole to-do list in mind will reduce effectiveness; so will watching the clock. Hints for training your mind to stay in the moment.
3. Do you need a break? Finding your ideal work-and-rest rhythm (and training clients and others to respect your boundaries).
4. It’s not a real break if your mind stays at the computer. How regular mindfulness practice can help you engage your full mind in both rest and work.
5. Ensure that your mind gets *maximum* rest: practicing healthy sleep habits. Includes hints on dealing with night waking and reducing high-adrenalin dreams.
6. Don’t neglect your “purely physical” health: exercise, diet, and fresh air all influence your mind and emotions by influencing your body. Overall good health not only improves your thinking–and, by extension, your blogging–but helps you make a good impression on every client.
WHY THIS POST? WHY THIS WRITER?
Be A Freelance Blogger has run many posts on time management, and several on attitude and health, but this post will fill a gap by emphasizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit as they affect the blogger’s ability to tackle projects and manage a business. In two decades of freelance writing of all sorts, I’ve learned most of the principles the slow, hard way. Imagine how well a blogger could do by emphasizing them at the *beginning* of a career!
Marilyn Alexander says
Love your ideas, they are so important! I’ve had some of my best ideas while walking the dog!
Deidre Parsons says
I would read this!
Cassie Radziewicz says
I would love to read this article!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
As someone who once majored in health promotion and wellness (before switching to communications), this topic really interests me. I’m intrigued to know what steps I can take to be healthy and productive at the same time. We had a post a while back on health and blogging, but it looks like yours will be different.
Katherine Swarts says
Thanks, Alicia. I should have mentioned (under “Why This Writer?”) that I have over a year of regular experience blogging on mind health.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Love your optimism, Katherine! 😉
Like Alicia said, we’ve had a few posts on health and blogging, but it looks like you have a fresh take so…well done!
Benedicta Tochi says
Category: “Level Up” (This pitch belongs to this category because it is a challenge that most freelance writers face)
“The horror behind the Word Count”
I have been there, you’ve been there. It is no news. Sometimes, having a word count dictated by the client can be a bit suffocating. We want to write more than what is chosen for us and sometimes, we are all Fifty shades of bored and lacklustre. These pointers can help you in adjusting your use of word count while helping you write with utter clarity and brilliance!
Tips:
-How to understand the topic you are given to write on, take down notes on the important stuff and learn how to strategize on each point, laying them in a concise featured form.
-How to keep the writing juices flowing, making sure that your words not sound like babble and expand them in cases of long word counts, for example; 5000 word count.
-How to keep your words meaningful, to a minimum, stating only the important and useful information, in cases of very short word counts, for example; 500 word count.
-How to create a vibrant voice throughout your pitch, keeping your readers entertained, without sounding like you are nearly off to a business meeting, or you have a lazy, lazy afternoon.
-Understanding the roles of headlines, opening lines and quotes in your pitch and what importance they make to your word count.
BAFB is a community that I have always admired because of the proficiency and clarity of the writers here. I believe that there are some other persons apart from me that wishes to write the same way and I also believe that the word count has and still is a barrier for most writers. I would, any day, take my advice on what will make me comfortable, but brilliant with a word count.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nice pitch, Benedicta. My only suggestion is that this post could probably use a stronger headline, but that’s something that can be changed later. Still, you generally have a better chance of having your pitch accepted if your headline is strong. “Horror” is a strong word and I like it, but as I reader, I want your headline to tell me more about what I’m about to read whereas this headline could go in a lot of different directions.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Not bad. But it feels like it might be a bit too similar to this post: http://beafreelanceblogger.com/how-to-write-concisely
Bernadette Harris says
Hey gang! First pitch, so holding my breath here and taking the plunge.
Category: Blog Better
Working Title: When Your Posts Are Dry As Toast, Add Marmalade
Whether it’s writing product descriptions or 1,000 plus words on artificial turf, freelancing can make you want to take up drinking. But not so fast, loser. When your posts are misbehaving, give them a proper spanking with the paddle called the English language. Here are some tips on how to spice it up and turn your posts from naughty to nice.
1. Use humor (with discretion)
Your readers want to feel like you take them seriously, but that you can at the same time not take yourself too seriously. A well-timed pun or funny description catches people off guard, and when it catches them off guard, they are more inclined to pay attention, even if you’re writing an informational piece on the different brands of car tires.
2. Bust out the prose your momma gave you
Description can be a powerful tool, and busting out that prose can not only engage you much more with your piece, but it can also engage your reader on a deeper level. If you describe a rental car as a “smooth as a baby’s ass,” for example, it’s more likely to turn heads than if you just tell me it’s blue.
3. The importance of sounding genuine
You don’t have to lie, but if you don’t sound like you’re engaged in your own post, your writing is going to put people to sleep. While you don’t have to become the leading enthusiast on the advantages of fake lawns, you should at least come up with a couple nifty adjectives that make you sound at least a little excited.
Why I’m Good To Write This Post: I think this would be useful for Be A Freelance Blogger because it focuses specifically on style, which I feel is something a lot of people don’t receive a lot of guidance on (at least I didn’t!). In my own writing, I’ve been noted for making the most boring things engaging due to humor (like grammar, believe it or not), and I’d love to help people discover a writing style that is unique to them so they can have fun writing even if what they’re writing about isn’t the most engaging topic.
Jodi Humes says
I love the humor. I’d read this for sure.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
THIS is a perfect example of a pitch! Bernadette followed the guidelines, has a strong headline, and follows through on her own advice. It also really helps that she obviously understands BAFB’s audience because this is the type of writing style our readers like. This made me laugh: “give them a proper spanking with the paddle called the English language.”
Great job! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ What Alicia said. 😀 GREAT first pitch, Bernadette!
Ina says
Thanks for this great opportunity. I guess I can’t get my feet wet if I don’t leave the beach so off we go on a new adventure…
This article will fit into the category of “Blog Better” because I feel that any tool that we can add to our toolbox that will help us get over the hump is a benefit. Being stuck is so frustrating, but being in control is the sure way to tame fear and get around the block. Whether you are freelancing or doing other writing for a paycheck, believing in yourself and your own powers is the key to your success. Nothing here is really new, but it is presented from a different viewpoint, one that may just be the one that catches your fancy and guide you to a successful writing career.
Just Close Your Eyes and Click Your Heels
5 Ways to Become a Better Blogger
We have been taught to believe that the only thing you have to do to be successful is to click your heels and believe. The click your heels part is balderdash, but the need to believe in yourself is paramount to success. These are some of the tools you need to be a more successful blogger, or more successful in any arena.
• Why you should believe in yourself
o You have history, measure past successes
o Nobody can abuse you without your permission.
o You are in control.
• Calming the outside noises
o Consider your work environment
o Add music to block outside distractions.
o Stick to a schedule
• Using affirmations for success
o Planting positive thoughts
o Use to quiet naysayers
o Changes seem to be magic, but aren’t
• Fake it ‘til you make it
o Using voice and body language
o Dress for success
• Blow your own horn
o Maintain a list of links to other resources and places to publish
o Post the link for your article on all of your social media sites
o Consider having a Facebook page for your writing business
Using all or any combination of these tools will help you create a map to the next phase of your development and become more comfortable in your own skin.
Oh-I think my toes are getting wet
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nice pitch, Ina, but you forgot to tell us why you’re the blogger who should write this post!
I like the direction you’re going with clicking your heels, but I feel that your headline could use some more specifics. “Just Close Your Eyes and Click Your Heels” doesn’t really tell the reader what the post will be about, and “5 Ways to Become a Better Blogger” feels pretty basic. The headline can always be tweaked later, but you can always set your pitch apart with a headline that wows.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ Yep. What Alicia said.
From your title, I was expecting an OZ-themed post. haha. I was a little confused when the headline had nothing to do with the post at all…
Ina says
Thanks for your comments and sorry about the bad layout. I didn’t realize that my wonderful formatting would not translate.
I’m very new at this so I really appreciate your insight. You do want me to write your post because with a little help I can be brilliant, have a lot to offer, and really want to learn.
Thanks. I would be able to get my feet wet all the way to my ankles.
Helen Wilson says
Category: Level Up
Working Title: Follow the Yellow Blog Road to Success
You don’t have to be Ree Drummond the Pioneer Woman to take your blogging to the next level. The internet is a very powerful tool and can be used by anyone. Here are some tips on how to get focused and follow where others have led the way.
1. Belief – At the core of every successful person is their belief system. They have confidence in themselves or know someone who has confidence in their abilities. Picture yourself somewhere in the future and you look much better than you look right now.
2. Visit your “Why”- Why are you trying to succeed at freelance blogging? It’s a good idea to stay in touch with what got you motivated in the first place.
3. Find your “Where” – Where are you headed with your freelance career? Some people have turned their personal blogs into books or TV show pitches. Others just want to make top dollar for their efforts and have a steady income freelancing.
4. Go Unplugged – Keep a journal offline. My thoughts tend to flow better when I write them down by hand. I keep a notebook in my nightstand because my best ideas seem to hit in the middle of the night.
5. Get Another Opinion – Is your work getting enough attention? Seek the advice of someone you trust who can give you constructive criticism. Also, you may want to seek advice from someone who is already in a freelance career.
6. Be Yourself – Just like any published writer, you need to find your voice. Most of us write the way we talk. Blogging, in my opinion, is the most flexible way to express myself in terms of writing. Anyone can write a blog but not everyone sounds like you.
This is a great post for Be A Freelance Blogger because I want to encourage others to push past their fears and have success. I may be new to blogging but I have been writing for a very long time. If I can reinvent myself from an at home mom to a new freelance blogger than anyone can!
Helen Wilson says
I didn’t click the “notify me” tab…lol
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Hopefully you got the notifications to work, Helen! You did a really nice job on this pitch. The only suggestion I have is to try making your intro more emotional (take a look at some of Sophie’s past posts for examples–she does a phenomenal job). However, I understand that you’re contained by word count here, so don’t fret on it too much.
Helen Wilson says
Thanks! It’s all good.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
The pitch above yours also had an OZ-themed headline. And, like the pitch above yours, your headline had nothing to do with your pitch. lol.
Other than that: Decent pitch, Helen. 🙂
stephanie says
Category: Level up
Headline: 7 goal setting rules learned from every epic fantasy story out there
I get it. You want to get stuff done, but that comfort zone is pretty darn comfy. You’ve been meaning to get real about pitching clients, but your to-do-list is a mess. You’re playing catch up and planning is something you’ll come around to. Eventually. What if I told you that planning is fun and so is setting goals. Take a page out of Frodo’s book, you know that little guy with the hairy feet. He did something he didn’t think he could do, but did it anyway. In fact, I would encourage you to go watch an epic fantasy movie right now (or better, go read the book). Go on, I’ll wait.
Now that you’ve gone and done that, what did you notice?
Exactly!
Each of the characters are faced with odds they don’t think they can beat. Most of them involve a life or death situation. Surely, if they can face that, you can set big goals for yourself. Still not sure? Here are seven lessons learned from those books and movies to help you on your way and plan for greatness.
#1 But I’m just a Hobbit
About aiming for big goals. You’re never too young, too unexperienced or too small to aim big. Aiming big will help keep you motivated and gives you something to work for.
#2 “Build a man a fire, and he’ll be warm for a day”
Plan big goals that teach you skills along the way. Skills you can use to grow your business, services and skills for you client. Learning is the way to grow.
#3 Is it worth fighting for?
When you set goals, do they really matter to you? Are you really willing to put in the hours and fight for them to make them become a reality? Time to drop the bullshit goals and really aim for the things close to your heart.
#4 He who shall not be named
Fear of the name will increase fear of the thing itself. Declare your goals, be not afraid to spell them out to people. Get out in the open what you do and what you’re goals are. That will make you accountable and launch you into action-mode.
#5 Battles are messy
You to-do-list is a mess, do you really want to add more to it? Adding your goals and planning for them will give you direction. Don’t worry, it may look like you have more to do in the beginning; It will get worse before it gets better, but when it does it will keep on getting better.
#6 We have a Hulk
Soft goals never made anyone work for them. Bring out your inner Hulk and put some force behind your goals. Hulk smash!
#7 Winter is coming
There will be periods every year where work will slow, you can bet on that. So make sure you have reserves, and nurture what you’ve got, keep client relations warm, plan for the long term, not just right now.
stephanie says
Whoops, forgot the why
Why? Because setting goals is the best way to grow your business, portfolio and the amount of gigs you get. It makes you accountable and gives you something to aim for. Usually goals that are a little out of your reach make you work harder to actually get them done. Without goals your dream to be be a freelance blogger will stay a ‘one day’ dream.
Jodi Humes says
Wow, I really like this idea.
stephanie says
Thanks Jodi! 😀
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Stephanie, this is a very good pitch. I like how you connect goal-setting to another topic.
The weakness in your pitch is that you didn’t follow the guidelines. Sophie asked for only up to 60 words of your intro and up to 6 points. (It’s okay if you have more, but that’s all she wanted in the pitch.) That said, it’s still a good pitch, and it’s obvious that it will be a good post, but just remember in the future to follow the editorial guidelines.
stephanie says
Oh you’re right. How silly of me. Got carried away there. I can easily shorten the introduction and lose two points. Do you think I should rewrite and put the revised version back up? Or is that not allowed after its closed?
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Stephanie, I don’t think you need to revise, but you can if you want. I’m not one of the judges, just a helper.
I do want to be clear that Sophie isn’t asking only 60 word intros and 6 points when you write your post (if it wins). You can always have more if your pitch is accepted, but that’s all she wants for the pitch.
stephanie says
Thanks Alicia! I’ll leave it like this then and pay better attention next time around with Pitchfest 😉
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Steph!
This is hard for me because I already know that you’re an amazing writer and that this post would be friggin’ awesome if you wrote it, BUT, since this is a pitching contest, I’m going to have to quibble:
Alicia already scolded you for your pitch length so I won’t go there. 😉 However, I would have loved for you to have put more of an emphasis on the fact that this is goal-setting for freelance bloggers specifically rather than just anyone.
Stephanie says
Thanks Lauren! You’re so right. That is a bit lacking from the pitch. I could amended it if you like and I would definitely ad that to the final piece.
This one would be something like:
# But I’m just a hobbit
About aiming for big goals. You’re never too young, too unexperienced or too small to aim big. Aiming big will help keep you motivated and gives you something to work for. Want to write for Problogger? Make that your ultimate goal, but start small. Start small with writing topics in that niche on your own blog, then start pitching similar blogs and keep reading Problogger. And then, when you see a content gap, jump in it and pitch them. Just remember, Frodo didn’t reach Mount Doom in a day either. He started with taking the first step.
(Obviously I could expand on this, but just to give you an idea)
Jonathan Moore (Writer Dude) says
Well, I have been keeping my eye on these Pitchfest’s for some time now and I decided it was time to take a shot at it.
So here is my first pitch on BAFB ever!
Thanks in advance for any tips, comments, and critique!
The What:
Category: Level Up
Headline: 5 Reasons You Really Should Judge Your Blog by Its Color
The Pitch:
How many times have you clicked on a link to an article only to land on a website that was so confusing you almost immediately clicked out? More often than not bloggers and website owners don’t pay enough attention to the color and look of their blog.
1.) Your Colors Say A Lot About You
People equate so many things with different colors. For example red can encourage a person to take action and displays energy while black promotes secrecy and luxury.
2.) Colors Can Convey A Message Or Confuse Your Reader
Using proper colors you can convey a message to your audience that will stick with them for a long time to come. However, on the flip side, if you use the wrong colors it may actually end up confusing your reader more than help them.
3.) Over-Colorization Is Hard On the Eyes
The eyes are a very sensitive part of the body. Different colors affect our eyes in different ways and when you have too many colors on a page, it starts getting really hard to concentrate.
4.) Simple Is Good But Bland Is Boring
Nothing is wrong with having a simple color scheme for your blog, but you need to make sure you don’t make it so bland that it ends up becoming too boring for your reader.
5.) The Right Color Scheme Along With The Great Content = Repeat Readers
Paying close attention to the color on your blog allows you to experiment a little and can really have a strong impact on your blog’s readership.
The Why:
(BAFB) Too many bloggers these days provide really great content but may lose readers because of using too many or not enough color on their blog. (Me) I have had several different blogs over the years and have experimented with the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Sandy says
+1 for this. I’ve closed tab on so many websites without even reading them because the colour hurt my eyes, or the contrast was terrible, or the text was hard to read because it sat on a messy background. Yargg! Good topic!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
This is a really good pitch, Jonathan, and I love the headline. The only thing is that I’m wondering how this will benefit *freelance* bloggers specifically–people who blog for clients.
If you don’t win Pitchfest, I encourage you to take this pitch to another blog. It’s a great topic and a great pitch. I’d be interested in reading it, especially if you use studies and examples to back the points up.
Good luck! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ Alicia said exactly what I was thinking. If you could explain how this could benefit FREELANCE bloggers, rather than bloggers in general, then it would be a sure-fire hit, I think. 🙂
Marro says
Category: level up
Headline: The powerful marketing strategy that will make you irreplaceable for your clients
Opening lines:
Whether you are an experienced freelance writer or just a beginner, you still have to consider a marketing strategy if you want to survive as a freelancer. Yes, I know that you can’t stand this word “Marketing”, but what if I told you that you don’t need to be a marketing wizard? All you need is a solid marketing strategy to secure your place in your client’s minds.
6 points:
1- Why you need a marketing strategy in the first place:
Here I will explain the importance of having marketing strategy for every freelance out there.
2- What is this marketing strategy:
I will explain the strategy in details.
3- How to apply it as a freelancer:
I will show freelance writers how to use this strategy effectively in their careers.
4- The benefits of this strategy:
I will explain why they should use this strategy in their freelance journey.
5- Examples:
I will give some examples and situations as examples.
6- An advice from a marketer and a fellow writer:
In the conclusion, I will give them advice for their career from marketing point of view.
why this is a great post for Be a Freelance Blogger
Most freelancers don’t have the necessary marketing skills and they see the marketing process as a complicated one. So this will help them simplify this complicated process a little.
why you’re the right person to write it.
As both a freelance writer and a marketing consultant, I hope that I can share part of my marketing and business experience with my fellow freelance writers.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Excellent pitch, Marro. I don’t consider myself a very good marketer, so I’d be interested in reading something like this. I’m actually interested in hearing more about this strategy in your pitch. Point #2 could use some clarification so the judges have a better idea of the strategy you’ll be discussing. Otherwise, great job!
Marro says
Thank you, Alicia for your feedback.
This strategy called “under marketing” which focus mainly on not just satisfy the client but delight him/her by exceeding the client expectations and adding more value to their client business.
I will explain how bloggers can do this and in which creative ways they can show their clients that they have more to them that meet the eye.
Thanks again for your feedback. I’m delighted to read this feedback.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Great pitch, Marro! My one quibble would be that you use the term “writers” rather than “bloggers.” I always like to know going in that a pitch is specifically for freelance bloggers (our niche).
Marro says
Thank you, Lauren for your feedback.
As for the point (bloggers or writers), that happened because I’m coming from marketing background, but you are right in your point because I have to know the right target audience I’m writing to.
Thanks again for your feedback. It’s valuable to me.
Emma Hudson says
For Blog Better
Headline: 6 Simple Steps To Optimize Your Blog Posts And Wow Your Clients
You’ve been diligently researching freelance blogging, and you’re eager to start, but something’s holding you back. You have a small portfolio, and you’re worried clients might not take you seriously. Don’t fret! Show clients you know your shit and set yourself apart from other bloggers using these simple steps to optimize blog posts.
1. Master Keywords -No Stuffing Required!
Google is getting better at matching the conversational questions people enter into search with relevant content without relying on keywords. But keyword research is still useful, and effective when used in specific parts of a post such as the heading, URL, main body, and meta description.
2. Create Useful Headings And Subheadings For Readers
A simple yet effective way to enable search engines and readers to judge the relevancy of content is to optimize headings and subheadings by anticipating questions that readers have, providing them with answers and incorporating the words they are mostly likely to use when searching for content.
3. Pique Interest In Your Post With A Well-Written Meta Description
Meta descriptions give search engines and readers information about the content of a post, so the more engaging it is, the more likely a reader will click through and read. Even if you aren’t expected to include a description with your post, showing your client you know how to write one well will demonstrate your competency as a skilled blogger.
4. Prove Authority With Links
Linking to other relevant content on your client’s site not only shows you’ve taken the time to browse their site but according to Yoast, it actually makes your post stronger by demonstrating authority on the subject.
5. Improve Search With Anchor Text
Anchor text refers to the word/s you highlight when you insert a hyperlink. Anchor text is crawled by search engine spiders so choosing the right words can improve search and will demonstrate your knowledge of blog post formatting to a client.
6. Make Images Discoverable With Alt Text.
Search engines can’t see images in the same way we do, but adding Alt text explains it to them. Creating a unique description up to 16 words long which includes your keyword will optimize your image for search and allow readers that can’t view your image to understand what it is about and its relevance to the post.
Why I should write this post:
I’m a BAFB blog follower and noticed there were no posts that dealt with SEO best practice, specifically what basics a freelance blogger should know – making it a great fit for the blog better section. As a newbie myself, I’ve been looking for a way to demonstrate that I’m a knowledgeable blogger when looking for gigs and adding a little white hat SEO to posts seems a promising way to do that. Guest posting for you would be a dream and would give my confidence a massive boost as I am literally at the very start of my freelancing career.
Lindsay Pevny says
Many clients know they need content and SEO, but have no idea how to do it themselves – this post would be a huge help to those of us who want to give our clients what they want – even if they’re not exactly sure what that is!
Emma Hudson says
Thanks for the feedback, Lindsay. SEO has a bit of a bad reputation so it would be cool to write this article and cast it in a different light. After I posted, it occurred to me that it would make a great how to post, wish I’d worded it a little different.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Very nice pitch, Emma.
Emma Hudson says
Thanks, Alicia.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Excellent, Emma!
Emma Hudson says
Thanks for the feedback, Lauren. It’s given me a big confidence boost!
Sandy says
Hi Sophie, I submitted a pitch earlier this week, but it still in the moderation queue. Is there a secret password I needed to include as well to get it approved, or did I accidentally use some rude words in there?
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Found it, Sandy! No worries. 🙂
Sandy says
Thank you! I was worried I’d been flagged as a spammer. ^^;
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Nahhhhhhhhh. We just keep the comments in the backend until we’ve BOTH seen them and then they go “live.” Pitchfest is a little complicated, but it basically goes:
1. The entrant sends in a pitch/comment.
2. Sophie reads it.
3. Lauren reads it.
4. The comment/pitch goes “live” for the public
5. Sophie and/or Lauren replies to it.
Dana says
Ok Sophie,
First time pitching 🙂
I believe this would work best in the “Blog Better” category.
Working Title: Yes You CAN Get People to Read Your Posts (Even if You’re New to This Whole Blogging Thing)
“I had no idea what I was doing…
I mean sure, I knew how to write. I also knew how to hit the publish button (yay me).
I also knew how to share my post, insert a featured image and come up with a really cool topic to write about.
But what I didn’t know how to do was to get people to read the damn thing (sigh).
Does this sound familiar? Are you finding it challenging to bring real people back to your blog to not only read the wonderful and thought provoking content you create, but to then tell you what they’ve gotten out of it AND share it with others (without having to bribe them)?
Here’s the thing…”
I will then outline 5 easy steps for people to take that will guarantee visitors to their blog. These will be individuals who count as real visitors, not people looking to spam their posts.
Step 1 – How to Find Your Visitors
How to look for bloggers within your own niche or in niches you are interested in reading about. Get to see how they run their blog and if they are influential and have relationships with other bloggers. In other words, be an observer.
Step 2 – Check out the commenting system and behavior. This is where you’ll learn how to not only craft up some high quality feedback of your own, but you’ll discover others who do this regularly.
Step 3 – Set up a proper commenting system on your own blog. When people come to visit, they want to be able to leave links back to their work via the “law of reciprocity”.
Step 4 – Join a Blogging Community.
This is where you’ll find other like minded bloggers who not only want the same thing you do, but they’re willing to form relationships with you.
Step 5 – Be Giving.
No one likes to be asked for favors (at least right off the bat). Show others that you care about their work and they just might care about yours (and you) as well.
The reason this would be a great guest post is because this has worked beautifully for me (and I would share a bit more about my own story in the post). In a world where people want to stand out and get noticed, what works best is being real, authentic and human.
I personally followed these steps as a new blogger and because of it, I built some wonderful relationships with other bloggers that I still have today (even after a hiatus)…so I know this works.
Wish me luck 🙂
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Interesting topic and great pitch, Dana. Good luck! 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Hey, Dana! Your intro was a bit long for a pitch (we wanted 60 words), but, other than that, I really liked it. 🙂 And as a first-time pitch it was great! Keep on pitching!
Nataly Caldas says
Category: Level Up
How can you organize your monthly budget in the beginning of your career?
You have just quite your job.
You have just started getting serious about the freelance career.
You know the beginning is pure uncertainty.
And you have no idea how fast or slow money will start coming in.
You will need more than ever to be organized with your money! How?
1. Understand what is and why you need a budget planner and be realistic
To start with, do you really know why you need to plan and organize your budget – besides the fact that you might run out of money because you haven’t got the numbers of clients you thought you would?
2. Write down everything you spend and calculate your monthly expenses
This is old. We all know that. But how many of us *really* write down every and each detail of what we spend? These details are crucial to your realistic budget planning.
3. Keep close track of the due dates of each bill
The old job is gone and all you’re left is the client hunting. Bills will still keep coming. If you don’t know when to pay them, if you’ve payed them or if maybe you have forgotten to pay one… that means ripping money – all that you should never ever be doing at this moment!
4. Cut down all the unnecessary expenses
I’m sorry to inform you, but yes. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy some new clothes or enjoy your favorite – but expensive – restaurant. But don’t worry it will all be worthy once you start rocking as a freelancer!
5. Make sure you have in your planner: Emergencies and Savings
Of course we pray nothing bad happens, but we know these things just happen… To have in your budget plan a certain amount for emergencies is being precautious. And it is not because your income is still starting up that you’ll stop saving.
6. Think long-term
If you never planned your budget this is a great opportunity to start as reason to be organized with your money and think long-term as well. What do you want achieve in this new career? Where do you want to get?
Why? We need to know how to manage our money so much! It doesn’t really matter if it’s in the beginning or middle of our career, but in the beginning our income is still very unstable. I thought about this subject because it’s exactly where I stand right now. 🙂
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Nataly, great job here! This is a solid topic and a great pitch.
Nataly Caldas says
Hi Alicia,
Thanks!
Being a newbie in the newbies’ group (I started freelancing 3 months ago), I’m very very happy to hear that! 😀
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Great pitch, Nataly! I would have liked to see the word “blogger” in there somewhere so that we’d know it was for freelance bloggers specifically rather than freelancers in general; however, overall, it was really good. 🙂
Nataly Caldas says
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for your feedback.
It’s so true what you said. I realized how we can take some important, be it words, explanations.. whatever… for granted that people will understand. We do have to pay attention on that! 😀
It was a great competition. I’m very happy I had joined in the experience. 🙂
Once again, thanks a lot!
Carly says
Category: Level Up
Possible Headline: How Learning to Say “No” Can Actually Boost Your Income
When it comes to a good work ethic, we’re taught to say, “yes,” to any opportunities. After all additional work is additional income. But learning how to say no, especially for women, can be equally effective. Here is why:
1. There’s another option to saying yes: when you’re first starting out it is tempting to say yes to everything that comes along—even if you know that it’s not worth your time.
2. You don’t have to work for peanuts: while it can be beneficial to work for free at first, you have to make it worth it by having a set goal in mind. Otherwise, don’t bother to do long projects that pay 1cent a word, you won’t recover your time and it won’t lead to higher pay.
3. You don’t have to work on projects that inconvenience you: once you have a client base, it can bet tempting to say yes to projects that will mean working at times that don’t work for you. Being a freelancer means getting to set your own hours, so set them and stick to them.
4. You don’t have to do everything your client says: this is especially true with long time clients. Sometimes people come up with things that rub you the wrong way (example: a client that didn’t understand grammar guidelines wanted me to incorrectly punctuate quotes). If it makes you uncomfortable, speak up and offer an alternative—if things still don’t turn out the way you wanted them to, feel free to say no.
5. You don’t have to say yes to family/friends just because you’re a freelancer: Many people somehow come up with the assumption that just because you’re home during the day, you’re available. Make it clear that you’re not available if doing someone a favor or a random drop-by interferes with working. Yes, it’s an awesome perk of the job that you can sign for deliveries and wait around for plumbers and such, but that doesn’t mean that you have to do other people’s waiting.
6. You can pick and choose what you want to work on and how much: don’t be afraid to say no to some projects, even if you’ve said yes in the past. Don’t be afraid to say no without giving an excuse. Your reasons are your own and you don’t have to explain.
While I have yet to implement much of the advice I’ve found on my recent discovery of BAFB, which is probably why I continue to earn at a beginner’s level despite working in the field for many years, my breakthrough moment as a freelancer came when I finally said no to a client that always aggravated me. Saying no empowered me to look harder for more projects and I’ve been able to replace the loss of steady-ish income. Now I just need to continue to feel the burn and put into action the things I’ve discovered on the site since I actually began reading the newsletters and blogs that fill my inbox—including actively commenting and pitching. As it’s my first time on both counts—I hope I did it correctly!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Great pitch, Carly. The only problem is that BAFB has run a post on this topic before. (http://beafreelanceblogger.com/saying-no/)
I’ll leave it to Sophie to determine if yours is different enough.
Carly says
Thanks for the feedback and letting me know
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
I was going to say the same thing Alicia did. It just doesn’t seem different/fresh enough to warrant a second post on this topic. :\
Aisha Sulaiman says
Yay! another Pitchfest. Thanks Sophie for this opportunity.
Here’s my Pitch for the “Blog Better” Category
Title: How to recycle your blog post for maximum performance
Introduction
As a blogger you must have put in a lot of effort into writing a blog post. With one blog post you can however, generate several other forms of content to get more value and deliver premium packages for your client.
This post will explain how to recycle a single into other forms of content and what to do with the new content.
1. You must create an awesome content with links that will mention influencers or resources for easy sharing and virality. This will describe who an influencer is and how to find one willing to share the content with email template you can send.
2. Convert the post into PDF and share across PDF sharing sites. This will list PDF sharing sites and also how to convert to PDF
3. Offer the PDF as free gift. This will cover how you should setup the PDF and where to place the offer.
4. Create slides from the post and share across slide sharing sites. This will cover list of slide sharing sites.
5. Convert the slide into video with voice over and share on video sharing sites. This will also cover a list of video sharing sites
Clients often request for blog posts for two major reasons: to generate leads and traffic. You can incorporate the steps above into your package and offer it as a premium package.
Why me
I have written blog posts for clients who requested for additional work to have the post converted into PDF to sent to their list and I think bloggers can do this to earn more. I want to share my experience with other bloggers and and also encourage bloggers to have premium packages that will deliver better results for their clients.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
This is an awesome topic and pitch! I think too often people think recycling a blog post is about selling it to another site. Other times, people think they can’t use the same idea more than once. This is great advice for selling a “package.”
I just want to clarify something. You are talking about recycling the idea for the same client, right? Because if you’re using the same wording and taking it for your own blog or another client, you may be breaking your contract if you sold the original client the exclusive rights.
Aisha Sulaiman says
Thanks Alicia and yes this idea is for the same client.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Nicely pitched, Aisha! 😀
Aisha Sulaiman says
Thank you Lauren!
Ahmed Safwan says
Hi Sophie and Lauren,
There are a lot of amazing pitches here. I’ll try to keep this brief to help you the best while not violating the rules.
I’m thinking about writing a post about what freelancers could learn from apple to have better freelancing business, and what they should avoid from samsung.
The headline could be “Wanna level up your freelancing business ? Be like Apple not Samsung?”
It’s of course in the leveling up section.
—-
Building a freelancing business is hard.
But it’s harder to get the momentum moving in a faster rate after your business set off.
There are always few things that you could do to level up your business without the need of much work.
Think of it like apple and samsung.
They both provides the best smartphones, but apple has more loyal fans… and more profit.
—–
Important points:
1. Charge the highest, and meet expectations: This is a lesson Guy Kawasaki talked about in his ted talk. Charging the highest separates you from the rest.
2. Care about design. Design is the first impression… always care about it.
3. Don’t need to provide the highest specs, but what you provide must be the best. Apple didn’t provide high camera resolution like samsung, but still, the quality of the images is great.
4. Copy is still essential… give extra care to it. Here I’ll talk about how Apple cares more about copywriting in their sales pages, and why everyone should improve their sales pages.
I think this will be a great idea because few lessons could change the way freelancers look about business. Also, it is powered by Apple 🙂
I may be the right person to write about it because I used both phones, and because I have a successful freelancing business while studying at college, thanks to these principles.
Hope to hear what do you think about it.
Regards,
Ahmed Safwan
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Wow, you’re really setting yourself up for a big debate, aren’t you? (Samsung fan here!) That said, I like how you relate freelance blogging to another industry that people can relate to. This post makes a lot of sense, although I really think you’d have to sell me on the fact that Apple products are better. I can roll with the comparison that Apple is retaining more customers, though.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
^ Ditto what Alicia said.
Rebecca Ruiz says
Hi Sophie, thank you so much for the opportunity 🙂
Category – Level Up
Proposed Title – How to create a successful blogging career by changing your mindset
Introduction
Let’s be honest your mindset is the number one reason you create success in your life and business. It’s also the number one reason you hold yourself back from achieving success in your blogging career for all us bloggers. By truly believing in yourself and believing you can make a profitable career out of blogging, you will 100% achieve this by taking action. When you give in to fear and negative self talk, success will seem like a really long distance away.
In this blog we are going to talk about 5 points to bring you more awareness about your mindset to create the success you are dreaming about with your blogging.
1) Working on your belief’s and fears
We all have fears and negative belief’s holding us back from creating success with our blogging. In this point we will talk about how to discover them, bring awareness to them and making friends with fear.
2) Looking at what talents you already have with your blogging
The next stage is to look at what you are already good at with your blogging. We all have different subjects we are talented at, so this section is to give you an opportunity to celebrate what you are good at already.
3) Being grateful for your unique style of blogging
In this section we will look at your unique style of blogging. Your gifts and talents in blogging which are going to be different to everyone else’s, it’s choosing to being grateful for what you have to offer your reader’s.
4) Being comfortable with being visible online and people reading your work
Us blogger’s have our work published all over the internet which means that we have to be comfortable with being visible online. Having a positive and confident mindset helps us, which I will go into more detail.
5) Trust and believe in yourself to create success
Now we are ready to trust and believe in ourselves to create a successful blogging career. Once you know your mindset blocks there will be nothing holding you back anymore.
BAFB will love this blog because us bloggers face our mindset every single day. Some examples when we face our mindset when we pitch a new blog idea to a website, apply for a new blogging position or receive a rejection email. If we have a strong self worth and confidence we can reach our blogging goals through mindset.
The reason I love the subject of mindset so much because I am a blogger, copywriter and a certified life coach. In life coaching mindset is everything which I use in my own blogging and writing career. I want to be able to help other’s in the blogging community achieve a better mindset to create them more success.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Great pitch, Rebecca. Too many bloggers (myself included) start/ed out in the wrong mindset. My first piece of advice to new freelancers is always to get in the right mindset before moving forward.
Rebecca Ruiz says
Thank you so much for your feedback Alicia 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
So long as you put an emphasis on how having the right mindset can earn a blogger more money (the freelancing aspect of freelance blogging), then I think this could be a good one. Thanks, Rebecca!
Barry Desautels says
I would like to submit a pitch for a post on dealing with the fear that accompanies a submission to an editor by a new writer. Fear is a natural human reaction to any number of threats to our safety. With training and practice it can be controlled.
Category: Level Up
Suggested Headline: How to Crush the Fear of Being Published
A police officer stops at the entrance to a dark alley.
The suspect and his knife are somewhere, hiding in the shadows.
The young blogger stares, frozen at the computer screen.
He’s spent countless hours writing and re-writing, and now it’s time to push “Send”.
An extreme contrast, but fear all the same. Here’s how to control it.
6 Points I will cover in this post:
Fear is subjective. We experience the feeling by instinct, but it is controllable. It takes will power and determination to win the battle with fear.
Writing practice. Bloggers must write daily in order to expand their comfort zone, and familiarity with writing topics. Writing presents various composition problems at every turn. Fixing them increases experience and boosts confidence.
Reading becomes the source of an expanded mind. Words are always available to comfort and console us.
Education: Bloggers need to practice continuous learning and add to their expertise by attending webinars, podcasts, and tutorial presentations.
Networking: Forums and blogs are an invaluable source of contacts and enlightenment.
Pitch like a major league star: To finally master the control over fear, bloggers must pitch ideas and submissions on a regular basis. Like the ball players, you need to swing the bat every day.
Why this post will benefit members of BAFB
Despite no physical threat, pitching to editors is a major problem for many writers, especially newbies. Many of us here are in that category.
I am a new writer, thus very familiar with how we all feel about asking an editor to accept our work. There was fear present with this submission, but it was under control, in a little corner of my mind.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
I’ve been freelance blogging for 5 years, and I still get scared pitching to big blogs. At times, I’ve let fear cripple me from even trying, so I think this post will be really valuable. I also like your intro. 🙂
Barry Desautels says
Thanks for the encouraging comments Alicia. Much appreciated.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
This is a topic that I get asked about a lot. So much so that I have it as an answer on my FAQ page: http://littlezotz.com/f-a-q/ (6th one down).
So long as you share how getting over your fears of pitching can earn you more money, I think this could be really good. 🙂
Barry Desautels says
Thank you Lauren. Fear can stand tall between a writers work and publication. We all need a workaround for sure.
Sorry to hear about your site. All the Best with the recovery.
Patrick says
CATEGORY: Better Blogging
TITLE: How to Viscerally Engage Your Readers Using 7 Improv Principles
INTRO:
Improv isn’t about being funny. It’s about relationships. People laugh because they recognize the absurdity of their own mundane lives within the Improv scene their watching. The more real you are, the more engaged your audience is. This is just as true in writing as in Improv. If your audience doesn’t FEEL you, then nothing you say matters.
1) ENTER THE SCENE WITH SOMETHING TO SAY
The first 3 seconds of any Improv scene is my promise to the audience of who I will be. NOT what the scene is about, but simply WHO I AM.
The introduction of your blog post sets the emotional tone for your entire piece. Yes, it will confirm to your reader what the post is going to be about. But more importantly, it will elicit a visceral response in them to keep reading. They don’t just know what information will follow, they feel it coming.
2) KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
Always begin with an intention in mind. Every character wants something. Make it clear what you want to yourself. And then make it clear why your readers want it also.
I’ll come on stage thinking “I want to break up with this person.” I don’t know who my scene partner is going to be, but I know what I want out of our relationship.
If it’s my girlfriend, we’re splitting up. If it’s my boss, I’m quitting. If it’s my mom, I’m emancipating myself.
Your intentions behind your words gives power and direction to your post. It’s not enough to want to tell people about the benefits of Kale. You have to want people to eat Kale TODAY. Intention is simply the starting point. The end is action. Not only are you espousing the benefits of this holy of holies leafy vegetable, you are virtually stuffing their faces with it.
3) HAVE A COMPELLING WORLDVIEW
Truth in comedy comes from commitment. If you’re pompous on stage, the more pompous you are in a REAL way, the more your audience will love you and laugh at you.
If you hate laziness, and you’re trying to get people off their asses to truly improve their lives, then be fearless in your attack. The people you’re trying to connect with will respond passionately to your passion.
Real recognize real, as rappers say.
4) SPECIFICITY KILLS AMBIGUITY
People laugh at the dumbest stuff. I’ve been in a scene arguing with my scene partner about my sales quota not being met that month. My partner thought she was simply my boss at a company. I thought she was the Warden of the prison my same character was in previously. Once I called her Warden in the middle of the conversation, the crowd roared. She even giggled to herself because now she had to play the Warden instead of my boss. The scene got exponentially more detailed and rich because of this one element I added.
Attempt to widdle down ambiguity as much as possible. Give your readers concrete examples and personal anecdotes. Let them know you’re a real person, who lives a real life like they do. Call nouns by their actual names.
Be detailed and decisive. This is what makes you real, relatable, and readable.
5) IT’S BETTER TO BE BIG THAN SMALL
If you’re a big character on stage, meaning you are boisterous, confident, and have a definite motivation and goal, you immediately grab everyone’s attention.
On the flip side, if you are timid, self-conscious, and don’t know what the f*** you’re doing, you will be hated by your audience, and dwarfed by your scene partner.
Write with fury first. Edit with frugality later.
If you’re worried about your own ideas, or you’re uncomfortable with what you’re saying, your readers will recognize this immediately. You’ll be seen as uninteresting, weak, and the exact opposite of an authority on your subject.
6) DON’T THINK. USE WHAT’S ALREADY THERE
I am constantly “discovering” things in my own environment. In my world, this means I am interacting with imaginary stuff on a bare stage with a few chairs. In your world, this means using what you already know. Don’t try to reach too far outside of your knowledge base. You already know tons of valuable and useful stuff that other people will appreciate.
Live in your current understanding. You’ll create richer, fuller posts by twisting your existing wisdom to match your topic.
7) TODAY IS THE DAY
This means to not pussyfoot or beat around the bush. Get into the heart of what you’re saying. I am not going to simply have a transaction scene where I buy a pack of cigarettes and talk about the weather. I’m going to be a recently fired weatherman with nothing to lose who hasn’t smoked in 10 years, and steal a pack of cigarettes and smoke them in the store while holding the clerk at gunpoint. THEN, maybe, we’ll discuss the weather in a ridiculous, yet meaningful way.
The more important you make your post to yourself, the more important everyone else will make it. If the audience leaves my show saying “that was a good show,” it wasn’t good enough. I want them to leave while saying “I can’t believe that shit just happened.”
WHY IS THIS RIGHT FOR BAFB?
I think this will make a wonderful addition to the BAFB community because it’s a unique take on an old subject. Yes, plenty of people have written about being engaging. But, their ideas can easily be lost because of the same old template they’ve followed to explain those ideas. This post is refreshing and interesting, and represents a point of view that no one is writing with.
Cassie Radziewicz says
Holy cow, THIS.
I would absolutely, positively love to read this post!
Thanks!
Patrick says
Thank you so much Cassie! I would absolutely, positively love to write it for you.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
This is a really strong idea, Patrick. It takes a fresh approach to the topic. I LOVE it!
Patrick says
Thanks Alicia! There are SO MANY good pitches here, so I really appreciate the feedback.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Not bad, Patrick! 🙂 I like your fresh approach to a well-worn topic. I would have liked to see some mention of “this will help you/your clients earn more money” so that I could be sure that the freelancing aspect of freelance blogging would come through, but, other than that…not bad!
Brittany Taylor says
*Category: Level Up
*Headline: “Flip this mindset switch and start taking yourself—and your writing business!—seriously” or “Up your earnings with one mindset switch” or “How to think like a business owner to boost your earnings”
*Opening: The freelance trap is a total mind game. With no boss, no office, and no coworkers, there’s only you in charge of everything. And while that freedom is the reason a lot of us go down this road to begin with, the lack of accountability (and the fact that your Instagram-addicted brain is the boss) can be your kryptonite. Don’t fall victim to freelancing freedom. Instead, buck up your brain and get down to business.
*Focus Points:
– 1. Hone your strategy by writing for specific customers rather than a nondescript audience. When you start writing for the people who pay your bills and stop writing for the stragglers who could never afford you, you’ll boost your return rate and stop wasting your time.
– 2. Gain direction from a (brief) business plan. No, you don’t need a financial statement for a loan officer, but focusing on your short-term mission (even if it’s “to put enough money in my bank account to pay rent this month”) and your long-term vision as well as the ways you can execute them will help you stay on track.
– 3. Increase your value by thinking about your writing as a service. When you view your work as an accumulation of words, it becomes something anyone can do. Any fifth grader can string together a coherent sentence, right? Think, instead, about the value behind the words, and start pricing yourself accordingly.
– 4. Diversify your income streams with products in addition to services. You can only write X number of posts per month, which limits your income potential. If you begin branching out—into books, courses, speaking engagement, tools, etc.—you can start earning money perpetually for work you do once. The sky’s the limit!
– 5. Up your competitive advantage by looking out for innovative opportunities. If you don’t know what’s possible, you don’t think big. To level up your thinking, keep one eye on the innovators in your industry and the other on supply and demand gaps that you could solve.
*Why this post (and why me): I’ve been a freelance writer for two years, and up until the last six months, my biggest problem was myself: I had trouble taking freelance me seriously, and was wasting time, devaluing my work, and still wondering why I wasn’t having the sort of success I had envisioned at the start. Then, I kicked myself in the pants and made a mental change that has changed everything: I swapped one word—“freelance”—for another—“business.” Since then, I’ve made more in a month than I’ve ever made before (including when I was full-time employee) and I am so darn happy to be doing what I do (which is helping entrepreneurs connect with their customer base through blogging).
Cheers! Thanks for the opportunity!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Wow. Love this topic! It was the same for me. Freelancing never took off for me until I started thinking of it as a “business.” Great pitch!
Emma Hudson says
I’d love to read this as a post. Point 4 grabs my attention in particular!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Well done, Brittany! 🙂
Jedha says
I’m new to BAFB so I thought why not join in the fun. I enjoyed reading Chana’s post and all the pitches – great stuff. 🙂
So here’s mine.
Category: Blog Better
Headline 1: 5 Psychology Principles to Create More Compelling Content
Headline 2: How To Make Old News into Fresh Compelling Content
Opening:
Lean in closer because we’re about to embark on a journey into the human mind to discover what makes people tick. We’ll explore what science says about reaching people on a deeper level, and share examples to demonstrate how to to use the principles to create fresh, interesting content.
Key Points:
Point 1: Reasoning – We’ll explore how bloggers can use a simple two part statement based on inbuilt mental scripts and a ‘reasoning response’ to persuade readers to take more action.
Point 2: Novelty – The human brain is attracted to new information and triggers our sense of motivation and reward. So how can bloggers use this to create new twists within content and build more anticipation.
Point 3: Curiosity – Different ways to use more curiosity in stories to drive the reader to wanting and needing more in order to become satisfied and experience mastery of the result.
Point 4: Benefits – We’ve all heard the importance of expressing benefits over features. But, can we drill down even further beyond benefits to connect readers so they ‘experience’ what we write.
Point 5: Contrast: By playing on the positives you get the reader to envisage and experience the outcome. By playing up the negatives against the positives it induces people to take action.
Why this post is great for BAFB: We always need fresh new ideas to make our content stand out from the crowd. So it would be great to explore how we can use psychology principles to blog better. It sounds like challenging piece and I always love a good challenge.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Excellent pitch, Jedha! I really like the psychology principles angle. I wonder if you can work in psychology studies or laws.
Jedha says
Thanks Alicia.
Yes, that’s what I was thinking. There is actual science around those points, so it would be interesting to weave the studies with examples on how to use the principles in content.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
This is really nifty, Jedha! I like it. 🙂
Jana says
CATEGORY: Blog Better
HEADLINE: *How to make 2016. be the best year so far for your blogging career?*
or *How to be more organized and dedicated to your goals in 2016. ?*
OPENING LINES: It doesn`t matter if you already have a blog, less or more successful, or if you are thinking of having one, blog is like some kind of special Universe and it`s becoming more and more popular from year to year. Use that opportunity, take a chance, setup your goal(s) and plan for coming year, let go of that writer captured inside of you and write, using my suggestions and tools for making 2016. be your great blogging, no, the best blogging year so far!
6 POINTS;
1) Goals – Why are they so important and how to make your 12 month plan to achieve every goal that you setup for the coming year?
2) Your priorities – work on your priorities first, what are they? For example, if attract more clients is your goal, let your priority be better content on your blog for specialized niche, or guest posting on other blogs…
3) E-mail list – We all know how important is to know more people and be communicative in your life, `cause we need each other, in happy or sad moments. With your e-mail list you`ll be able to ask questions or answer to others, whenever you need that. In your e-mail list put the names from your favourite bloggers and people on-line, be helpful and friendly, you never know what great job opportunity may crop up with a blogger that you admire.
4) Be creative – If your blog attract someone`s eyes, from aesthetically kind of view, not only for quality content, than it`s another plus for you and client who loves your writing.
5) Find ideas – Sometimes we don`t know what to write about, and we desperately need inspiration, we can easily find it on the internet by typing words on google, but the biggest ideas are always coming from your or others questions and mainly problems in life. Use this for your writing in 2016.
6) Do some change – Do something that you want so much but you`ve been afraid of to do so far and share it with your blog audience. Change blog theme, teach others what you know about in some course or e-book, and your fear will disappear when you face to it. Why? Because your primer goal is to make your 2016. the best year and go for what you desire!
WHY is this post great for BAFB? Because we all have wishes for New Year and every blog must have a post like this, so that when you read it, you get on work and planning and all the stuff that leads us to our goals. BAFB is very popular blog for it`s excellent posts that it makes us to take action after reading most of them. Let the next year be in a sign of taking action! I can bring a post like that, because I am planing my own 2016. business year, I want to start my very first blog so I`m bringing my fresh ideas for everyone who want his blog to shine!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Good idea and strong pitch, Jana.
Jana says
Thank you, Alicia. 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Not bad, Jana! And I thought it was interesting that you pushed the goal-setting aspect as a New Year’s idea. That means that, if we want your post, we have to act fast — because January is next month! Hmmmmm…
Jana says
Thanks! I can put something else instead of 12 month plan. So, there is no need to rush. 🙂
Kristina Rowe says
Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this Pitchfest! I love it! Here’s my pitch.
Category: Blog Better
Working Title: Easy Ways to Find Buzzworthy Content Ideas for Your Blog
Keeping up with current events may already be part of your writing routine. But do you find yourself discarding most of the ideas you find because they don’t relate to your readers? Try this method of searching and writing to deliver fresh, timely and relevant posts to your audience.
Look at Trending Topics Before You Write
Before a brainstorming or writing session, spend a few minutes looking at trending topics on Google Trends, Facebook, Twitter or any other relevant social media site. Make a note of all of the topics, not just the ones most easily linked to your niche or topic.
Target the Best Source for Your Search
Maybe your “trend report” doesn’t come from social media at all. What were the hot topics on the late night talk shows last night or the daytime shows this morning?
Add a Twist with Something Unique or Historical
Do your readers know that January is National Soup Month or that the 21st of January is National Hugging Day? Who was born or what songs were hits on this day in the past?
Tie it to Your Content
If it’s very closely linked to your subject matter, the trending topic can stand on its own as an article headliner. Otherwise, find a link between a trending topic and your chosen blog topic.
Take Advantage of the Pop Culture Reference
Even if you weren’t able to come up with the perfect article topic using this method, you can still use the trending topic material in a headline or a “throwaway” or introductory line.
Make it Happen with Easy (and FREE!) Tools
Make sure you are using Google Alerts and other tools to get timely and relevant material for your blog. If your niche or industry has a popular industry magazine, grab a subscription or an RSS feed from their online site.
Whether I’m pitching, writing “on spec”, or creating articles for sale in various marketplaces, I really like to connect an industry or niche topic to something timely and fresh. When your blog post reminds your readers of a recent headline or social media topic they saw, they’re eager to read your words and to “grant” you greater authority on the topic . I’ve found some great ways to link trending topics to relevant blog topics and I’d be delighted to share with the Be a Freelance Blogger community.
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Great pitch, Kristina. The only suggestion I have is that this topic might work better for BAFB if you take the angle of finding topics for your clients rather than your personal blog.
Kristina Rowe says
Thanks so much for the feedback. The concept actually works BETTER when you have a variety of different blogs to write for, so if selected, I’ll be sure to put the emphasis on what BAFBers would be writing for their clients. 🙂
This was a really great experience. I loved everyone’s posts and am learning lots from your feedback.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
I was going to say the same thing Alicia did. lol.
Great job, Kristina!
Jodi Humes says
I’m so excited for Sunday! This is the first Pitchfest I’ve entered, and I’m really excited to see which of these awesome ideas get chosen (and to see if mine is one of them!).
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Agreed! I share which pitches I think are awesome, but it’s ultimately up to Sophie — so I’m always surprised by who won too! haha.
Kristina Rowe says
I entered a pitch earlier this evening but don’t see it here. Stuck in moderation?
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Don’t worry. We got it. 🙂
Jedha says
I did leave a pitch and it was in moderation but don’t see it anywhere now. It might have got deleted 🙁 Any ideas?
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Don’t worry. We got it. 🙂
Jedha says
Thanks Lauren 🙂
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
You’re very welcome. 🙂 And great pitch!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!!
Big thanks to everyone who entered this time around! 😀
Sophie and I have been super slow with replies this time (sorry! sorry!), but we’ve been reading every entry as they come in — and you will be getting a reply from one or both of us guaranteed before Sophie posts the winners in a couple days. Promise! <3
Best of luck to all of you!
Alicia Rades, BAFB Moderator says
Such a busy month for you Lauren! For those of you who don’t know, Lauren’s websites were basically destroyed when she switched hosts recently, so she’s been busy getting those back up and running. (Perhaps there’s a BAFB on the topic in your future on how to avoid such a disaster, Lauren?)
Aisha Sulaiman says
Oh no! So sorry about that Lauren. I’m sure everything will be back in shape soon.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
It’s true. >_< My site got wrecked: http://littlezotz.com/2015/12/coming-back/ But I’m working hard to get it back!
As of now, I have all of my posts from 2013 onward… But they’re all un-formatted and need to have their illustrations reinserted. It’s going to be a LOT of work. (And everything pre-2013 is gone).
Thanks for the support, Everyone! <3
Sophie Lizard says
OK, THE WINNERS ARE:
1st prize:
Hannah Callahan on GIFs in blog posts — read her winning pitch at http://beafreelanceblogger.com/pitchfest-beginners/#comment-158771
2nd prize:
Jedha on the psychology of compelling content — http://beafreelanceblogger.com/pitchfest-beginners/#comment-159094
3rd prize:
Emma Hudson on optimising blog posts for search engines — http://beafreelanceblogger.com/pitchfest-beginners/#comment-158966
Other people whose pitches we feel are ready to draft:
(If your name’s on this list, we encourage you to either pitch your idea to one of the sites in The Ultimate List of Better-Paid Blogging Gigs, or write a full draft and submit it to lauren@beafreelanceblogger.com for publication as a traditional, unpaid guest post on Be a Freelance Blogger.)
* Aisha Sulaiman
* Brittany Taylor
* Deirdre Parsons
* Jodi Humes
* Katherine Swarts
* Lindsay Pevny
* Matt Duczeminski
* Mike Straus
* Patrick Icasas
* Sandy
Congratulations and well done to everyone who entered!
Aisha Sulaiman says
Congratulations to all the winners. Thank you Sophie for the opportunity. I am getting better by the day and I can attribute my success and courage to Pitchfest and BAFB. I’m off to get my post published. Looking forward to the next Pitchfest.
Emma Hudson says
Thanks, Sophie! I’m so pleased, my confidence has gone through the roof. Can’t wait to read the finished articles.
Sophie Lizard says
Nothing builds confidence quite like a public pitching contest, Emma! 😉 Lauren and I are looking forward to reading your draft.
Emma Hudson says
Thanks, Sophie. Is there anything else I need to take into account when drafting my post, besides the guest-blogging guidelines?
Sophie Lizard says
Nope, not yet – Lauren will guide you more after she’s seen your draft. 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
You earned it, Aisha – we’ve seen your pitches get better and better! Let us know when you get that post published and we’ll be sure to share the link. 🙂
Aisha Sulaiman says
Thank you for the encouragement! I’m off to work on my Pitch
Sandy says
Congrats, winners! And thank you Sophie, Lauren, Alicia and everyone else for the feedback! 😀
Sophie Lizard says
You’re very welcome, Sandy! 🙂
Hannah Callahan says
Whoa. I was really hoping to be one of the winners, but didn’t at all expect to see my name in first place, especially after reading through all the other great pitches here.
Like Emma said, this is a huge confidence booster. THANK YOU! 😀
Sophie Lizard says
Well deserved. 🙂 The way you pinpointed a gap in our existing content – and tied your pitch into one of the specific themes we asked for – was *exactly* the kind of approach Pitchfest is designed to encourage. Very keen to read your draft!
Barry Desautels says
Best to All the Winners.
Thanks Sophie and Lauren.
Pitchfest is a great opportunity.
Sophie Lizard says
You’re welcome, Barry! Hope we’ll see you again at the next Pitchfest in March 2016.
Matt Duczeminski says
Thanks so much Sophie and everyone else! I’m looking forward to becoming more active on BAFB in the near future. You guys are awesome 🙂
Jodi Humes says
It means a lot that you think my topic is ready to be written up! Thanks for the feedback, everyone — and Lauren can expect an email sometime today or tomorrow. 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
Yay Jodi!
Jedha says
Second place WooHoo Happy Face!! That’s just awesome. With so many great pitches I didn’t expect it. I’ve learned a lot from this exercise. Thanks Sophie, Lauren and Alicia – I’m looking forward to writing the post. 🙂
Sophie Lizard says
That’s a great opportunity for me to drop a pro pitching tip for everyone reading these comments:
A pitch that incorporates one of the editor’s passions is more likely to get accepted. I’m a cognitive and behavioural science geek, so that pitch got my attention easily.
If anyone wants to try this tactic, you can often find out an editor’s personal interests by looking through their social media profiles and updates. For example, my Twitter bio tells the world “I love brains,” and my LinkedIn profile lists my interests. A little cyberstalking can really help get your pitches “in the door”!
Jedha says
Ha, I did do a bit of pre-cyberstalking and picked up on that Sophie. Great to know it works as a tactic and so glad I get a chance to show you some brain matter. 🙂
Patrick Icasas says
Congrats to the winners! I feel pretty good that I was able to make it to the short list. Looking forward to next pitch-fest
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Manager says
Congratulations to all the winners! 🙂