I have freelance writing experience. How do I make myself stand out for a writing job?
I have written for local community newspapers in the past. I recently started writing articles again for another magazine. I have a 'online' presence on social media. I regularly blog and use LinkedIn.
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May 22, 2018
What areas do you have experience with? Financial, children, healthcare? Sorry, I answer with another question, but I am looking for a good article and blog writer.
May 22, 2018
Different working platforms for freelancers are your everything, try Indeed, Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, etc. You can add your blog to your portfolio, it will be a huge "plus" for you and can distinguish your profile from others. I always envied people with a writing talent, I can't even define a topic for an informative essay. For example, https://craftessaywriting.com/informative-essay-topics/. You're lucky and can work remotely from everywhere!
May 18, 2018
Things became easier with the Internet, you have a blog - that is great! Try to develop it, gain readers, attract visitors, etc. LinkedIn has huge potential for beginning writers, too. I wouldn't forget developing a LinkedIn account and setting new professional connections. Another very important tip: online plagiarism. You should protect your written content from copycats, unfortunately, there are still a lot of unfaithful bloggers eager to steal someone's content, just choose a suitable plagiarism checker from here https://plagtools.com/. I also recommend checking your own work with these plagiarism detectors, it happens from time to time that your articles, essays, and posts look plagiarized (even when they really don't).
Feb 12, 2016
Hi, Karen!
I recently read an article about this theme. There author answered on question about how does journalist find freelance jobs. http://goo.gl/8bTo6L
I hope that it will useful for you.
Best of luck!
Mar 19, 2014
LinkedIn is a great way to promote yourself and really promote your skills. Is your LinkedIn profile filled out thoroughly and detailed? It is important to make sure it is detailed and really describes your abilities. Be sure to add links to a good amount of your previous work.
Mar 15, 2014
As someone who has hired, edited and worked as a freelancer, here are a few quick tips:
Develop an expertise (or two or three) and go after appropriate publications.
Do not turn in ratty copy -- this will likely end your relationship with a quality publication. Get as close to perfect as you can. Have others read your story before you submit it.
Be available anytime, anywhere, to confer with editors.
Mar 14, 2014
Write. Make it a daily ritual, a habit not just based on actual work. Breath and live writing to create a style that shines through your work.
Publish online. So many writers do not share their writing. insanity. This is the only way to build authority on specific topics, show off your skills and style AND to be fond online.
WRITE. WRITE. WRITE. - About what you're passionate about, what you're interested in....those will get you writing gigs you will be fired up to share.
Simple as that.
Mar 14, 2014
Run a "daily deals" type of promo to get people interested in giving you a go for a super cheap price - put it out on linked in, blog it, JV with others who have bigger database lists and make it limited.
The first 37 biz owners/networkers/speakers/coaches etc to give 5 reasons why writing is so difficult for them will receive a _______________ normally valued at $97.00 for just $27.00.
Quickly get's you what their pain is and how to address it in your ads/promos, gives you a big list who want what you do and after the first 37 - give everyone a buy one get one free coupon that is good till end of april or may 2014 which pushes them to use you.
if you're really good give a money back guarantee. Good luck.
Mar 14, 2014
It's great that you are on Linkedin. I tell my Marketing and Advertising clients/classes/partners plus this week I gave a Marketing presentation at Southwestern School of Law how powerful Linkedin has become especially for HR purposes. Now specifically for you.... I would suggest ways to differentiate. Are you talking ...writing for publications---editorial, advertorial or advertising. Do you have an art director partner? It's really also about networking. And increasing your awareness to gauge their interest >desire > action. Land some projects first. They become bigger assignments later. Hope that helps.
Mar 14, 2014
Hi Karen,
The talent to write is unique and a very valuable skill. I visited your blog… nicely done!
Words are powerful and they get people to take action or not. In this case, you are trying to get your prospective employer to take action to notice you and hire you. My recommendation would be:
Let others tell your story. What I mean by that is use testimonials. Having others write a brief compliment or recommendation about you're writing style or work and post it on your blog and LinkedIn sites (as well as any other social media channel you have) will provide proof of your abilities. If you are already doing this, great!
Additionally, I would recommend focusing on a specific industry, and/or writing style - travel writing, or sports or news etc. This will help to position you're writing 'brand' in an area to build your expertise and gain you credibility. Being a specialist might be more powerful than being a generalist.
Hope this helps and wishing you all the best. If I can help further in your career search, personal branding etc, please feel free to reach out to me offline.
Kind regards,
Velma
Velma M. Knowles, MBA
Knowles Consulting Services, LLC
Build YOUR Relevance!
Mar 14, 2014
Hi Karen, not an easy one and it is a subject that both PRs and copywriters have toiled over for decades.
I think Al offers some great advice. As has already been said by some others, if you can specialise in one or two areas and excel, then you have a chance. The key thing as a writer is that you need to stand out, create a style or an angle for yourself. Whether thats via controversy or setting a trend, its great if you have standout.
I would also suggest looking at other writers that you admire. What is it that makes you admore them? What makes them stand out? Why do you think they are popular. Emulate some of those aspects, but don't copy.
Next step would be to try to get some guest spots, on your chosen expertise, on some popular blogs or news sites. As you want freelance the networking is important, but I wouldn't go overboard on this, don't just contact people for the sake of it. Get your game in order (you may have already done so) then contact people.
May sound harsh, but this is as much about the profile and exposure as it is your ability. Genuinely happy to help if you want a further chat on this. Its a fascinating subject with no right or wrong answer
Mar 14, 2014
Karen, if you're looking for a JOB (vs. getting freelance projects) then the answer is to NETWORK. Call and email literally everyone you know and ask them specifically to help you with writing-job leads. And if they don't know of any jobs, ask them to at least give you a couple more names to call.
In the meantime, create a simple but professional-looking website and FILL it with sample work. Create lots of new articles on lots of different topics. They don't have to have been published; they just have to be good.
Then target literally every publication you might have a shot at writing for, locally, regionally, nationally -- starting first with the categories you know most about, perhaps kids and parents publications. Start sending them short writing samples and referring them to your site for more examples. And follow up regularly. Let them get to know you.
Always, always, look and behave like a seasoned pro and never like a kid trying to get your first job. Be politely aggressive and follow up repeatedly on every possible hint of a lead.
P.S. If you want people to consider you a professional writer, never allow another spelling or grammar or word use error in the writing you show publicly or to possible employers.
Do all that and you'll get a job within six months.
Al Shultz
Mar 14, 2014
Start a blog on medium.com and tumblr.com. Share your stories on twitter while simultaneously starting conversations with relevant users on Twitter. If you're a good writer and feature engaging content, people will notice. Also you can submit articles to laughingsquid.com and ezinearticles.com to be used for publishing.
Mar 14, 2014
As an experienced writer and editor for various publications and businesses, I find that my clients are looking for people with strong areas of expertise, rather than generalists, a good professional work ethic, meticulous attention to deadlines, clean, well-written copy and good communication with your editors/supervisors. I'd emphasize your specialties and provide links to articles that best show off your skills, as well as to your blog. Hope that helps!
Mar 14, 2014
Hi Karen
In addition to the advice you have been given by other experts, I 'd recommen that as you idntify various subjects that you can easily write bout and build a series out of them, each building on the contents of the previous. Fo example if you are quiteconfortable and have experience in raising children of different age sets, you can do a series from age-set of conception to birth, birth to first tooth, from first tooth growth to 1st day of school etc until you get to maybe from 12 to sweet sixteen
You can offer the series to the market for free, no strings attached as you build your readership on your blog or through emailing subscribers.
The other thing I woul recommend is to link your blog/ website with your twitter, linkedin and facebook account. This helps in ensuring that once you update your blog/ website with a fresh article, it is immediately available to your social media acquintances and friends. Your circulation is bigger and hence your visibility.
PS. If the commentary is helpful, please let me know
Mar 14, 2014
Reviews from top bloggers and experts can also be very helpful. Try to get references and recommendations from past clients and linkedin connections as said by Derik Paatan. Lots of luck!
Mar 14, 2014
First of all, you need your own website. The keywords for copywriter are very competitive so try aiming for more local results and long-tailed keywords in your site.
Next, sign up with a copywriting agency. They don't pay very much (around £7.50 for 500 words) but it's a start and will help you to build up your portfolio.
If you can specialise in something, such as blogging or SEO copywriting then focus on that rather than try to cover the entire freelance writing scope.
Lastly, start a blog and attach it to your website. Make it informative and entertaining. Not only will this showcase your writing skills but it will keep your website updated and make provide those all important links.
It's a tough industry and highly competitive, but keep ploughing on and don't let anyone demotivate you. You can succeed but only if you want to :)
Mar 20, 2014
Hi Lisa, thank you for your good tips. I do have a blog http://karenpilarski.blogspot.com/. I have been freelancing for a local parenting magazine. I agree it is a tough industry. Thanks for the pep talk. :)
Mar 13, 2014
Hey Karen,
Standing out and being is definitely a huge factor in attracting more writing gigs and even better getting recognized as The Go-To. Great initiative in having an online presence and regularly blogging. Nowadays however, that is almost a basic need if you want to get noticed. Here are a couple of ways you can Stand Out.
1. Like everyone trying to get traction online, Testimonials and reviews from your previous clients will help. These will build your prospects trust and would be more likely to hire you if they see that you have previous happy clients.
2. Regular activity is a necessity, but what most people are not aware of is that to have more traction, you should be Marketing your services too. Putting up high quality content will get you exposure, but will take time and will give you an organic growth. But actively marketing yourself through your online presence is half of the battle. So try to Market and Blog 50/50% of the time.
3. Get your expertise recognized. I would reference my profile here as an example. If you see I have included logos of various networks that I have been recognized in. This strategy works so well in creating a great first impression. I have Network connections in the Speaking Niche that get so much attention and business by just having these types of recognition. Imagine a Marketing Director looking at potential talent to hire with your photo standing out because you are showcasing that you have already been recognized. (you get my point).
4. Reach out to Key connectors. LinkedIn offers a huge opportunity in their Advanced search options. If you already have a connection that knows a person that you think can help you, just reach out. I am sure they will be happy to assist. (Just like you reaching out here).
Anyway, I can go on and on here. :) But those are things that you can get started with to get more visibility and hopefully more freelancing gigs.
Hope that helps!
Derik P.
P.S. If you like my comments or you see value in them, I invite you to leave me a quick review on my profile here on MosaicHub. And let me know how else I can assist you.
Hi Velma, Thank you for the kind compliment on my blog! My blog is about career, love, children and life. My professional writing focuses on children and community involvement. Thanks! I will connect with you offline.