Freelance Writers: How to Land More Gigs in a Difficult Economy

October 27, 2009

Even though economists are saying that the economy is over – and there are signs pointing to this – businesses are still holding onto their purse strings; watching every dollar they spend.

So, following are a few things you can do to entice them to loosen those strings and give you more freelance writing jobs and blogging jobs.

3 Recessionary Marketing Practices That Can Land You More Writing Jobs

I. OFFER BULK SERVICES

What I mean by this is offer things like blog packs (eg, a month’s worth of posts for one low rate. I’ve been able to land two clients like this recently.

For one client (a pay per click marketing firm), I do a weekly article and blog post. I send it to them every Wednesday.

For the other client (an SEO marketing firm), I write 10-15 posts a month. The posts are due all at one time, before the last day of the month. It’s a standing order.

Freelance Writing Jobs & the Best Thing about Bulk Services

There are three things I like about offering bulk freelance writing services:freelance-writers-beat-the-recession

(i) Income Stabilization: You can count on a certain amount of money coming in each month. This means less pressure to bring in more work.

(ii) Builds Long-Term Client Relationships: Clients rely on you more when you collaborate with them on an ongoing basis. This leads to trust, which leads to sales (ie, more freelance writing work).

(iii) Referrals: The more clients like you, rely on you and trust you, the more likely they are to refer you.

Remember the story of SEO Mary, profile here last week? One of the things she relayed to me in her emails was that the more she marketed and the more clients she landed, she was getting more and more client referrals from them. She wrote:

. . . I have two clients that just came about as referrals from current clients. Wonderful! No dickering rates, just “So and so loves you. You’re hired!

Bottom line – bundling services does a lot for your freelance writing business – allowing you to not only beat the recession, but thrive in good times as well.

II. OFFER A PRICE BREAK

While this is not new or exciting (in fact it’s quite old and boring), it works! A price break can work wonders because it not only entices clients to come on board, it can lead to bulk work (and the benefits associated with it as discussed above).  

Offering a Price Break Tip: Don’t do it in a one-off manner. What I mean is, offer it after a certain number of projects. Doing it likes this encourages customers to stick with you, allowing you to build a loyal relationship. This is worth more down the line to your business than any short-term gains you may be after right now.

 III. GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR MARKETING

In order to get business, you first have to get noticed. There are so many ways to go about this that it’s astounding. For some great ideas on how to get creative in marketing your freelance writing business – and for little to no money, read Creative Marketing Ideas on the Cheap – What Could You Do With Only $100? on StartupNation.com.

There are some truly innovative ideas here (some take guts; but then, that’s what business is – a big ole gut check!).

Hope these freelance writing marketing tips help.

Next Week’s Post: This week’s post went kind of long, so in next week’s post (Tuesday) I’ll give some specific advice on how to market for – and better your chances of landing – bulk freelance writing assignments.

P.S.: Want to train for a recession-proof freelance writing career? Get the FREE Report, Learn SEO: 6 Reasons SEO Copywriting Is the Ideal High-Paying, Work-from-Home, Recession-Proof Career (pdf file).

SEO Copywriter Success Story: Living the Dream

October 20, 2009

In the last post here, I promised you an update on SEO Mary, a freelance SEO writer who was (is) kind enough to let us follow her foray into SEO writing – ie, why she started, how she landed her first clients, how she learned about SEO, the problems she encountered with difficult clients, etc.

Read her story from the beginning here (it’s a hilarious, insightful case study on SEO writing you’re sure to enjoy): Part I;  Part II;  Part III;  Part IV;  Part V;  Part VI;  Part VII. Now, on to the surprising news.

SEO Mary Part VIII: Making Changes

No one could have been more surprised than I was to get the following email. I’ll discuss in a bit why the news surprised me – although I really shouldn’t have been. Last week, I received the following email from SEO Mary:

Note: Some text has been bolded and italicized and subtitles have been added, but the text of the email is exactly what she sent in.

SEO Mary Sends a Surprising Email

Hello from “SEO Mary.” Good morning, Yuwanda. I’ve been meaning to e-mail you for about a month, but quit-your-jobdecided to wait until you returned from Jamaica. I want to give you (and perhaps your readers) an update.

I’m now working full-time as an SEO content writer. Have been so for about a month. I finally left my full-time job and I couldn’t be happier. Even in THIS economy.

It was just . . . time to leave my employer. I’ve been miserable ever since I started there. Miserable, as in crying as I saw the building rise up on the crest of the hill as I drove in to work. I spoke with my husband and he knew how unhappy he was. I’ve been working part-time with (source was named) and, while the volume wasn’t as much as I would like, took the leap of faith and quit the dreaded “day job” in early September.

Leaving a Job She Truly Hated – Even When She Was the Main Breadwinner of Her Family

And, here’s the kicker, I was the main breadwinner for my family of three! My husband is working in a seasonal job and it does not pay a living wage.

Regardless, I’m not worried. I know SEO writing is THE niche for me. I get up every day rarin’ to go. I love my life right now.

Ahhh, She Makes Me Blush!

And I owe it all to you. If I hadn’t found your blog many years ago and then watched as you discovered SEO writing, wrote your e-book, etc. two years ago, I wouldn’t be here today. I also had researched SEO article writing and saw the low pay. But with your book, and following what you did exactly (do what the successful people do, is my motto), I’m now growing my business and will undoubtedly be able to support my family within six months.

Any success I may earn all started with you. You have changed my life for the MUCH better!

I’m thinking of starting a blog on my journey from working for someone else to leaping from it in this poor economy and going on to support my family. When I do, I’ll send you the link so that your readers may watch my progress.

### [END OF EMAIL]

Why SEO Mary’s Email Took Me by Surprise

Quite frankly, most people don’t have the courage to make the leap. I’ve seen this sooooooo many times. For those of us who have previously worked for someone else and now make a full-time living as freelance writers (or any type of business) – we know how freeing this feeling is.

And, we try to explain to others that you just have to . . . well, take the bull by the horns and just do it. Make a plan, of course. I’m not advocating simply up and quitting your job. But most people stay stuck and use every excuse in the book to stay stuck – out of fear.

In a later correspondence with SEO Mary, she wrote:

“I’m So Happy Now”

. . . you’re so right — I am so happy now. I am so glad I did this. In fact, my parents are ailing . . .  and I’m heading out . . . for two weeks next week [to see them].

Have the Time to Attend to What’s REALLY Important – Family

I had planned to do this at the day job, but — oh the hassle of asking for FMLA. Plus, FMLA is unpaid. Now, I can work some. Also, I had planned on taking just one week of FMLA. Now I have the freedom to go for two weeks, and I may go again next month.

Note: While SEO Mary is going to visit her ailing parents, I went to Jamaica for three weeks. The point is, this career allows you the freedom to do what’s important to you.

The Bottom Line on Freelancing as An SEO Writer (Or Any Type of FT Freelance Career)

“Experts” can preach until the cows come home. We can give you systems, processes and advice that have worked for us. BUT, nothing happens until you make it happen. And, there are no guarantees. There never is with any type of business.

But if you’re really sick and tired of living the way you’ve been living, the only way to get something different is to do something different.

Here’s wishing SEO Mary good luck and if/when she sends in another update and/or a link to a blog she told me she was working on about her SEO writing journey, of course I’ll share it with you.

Want to Start a Career as an SEO Writer?

We have three products in this niche – all for various skill sets and groups.

Inkwell Editorial SEO Writing Product #1: How to Make $250+/Day Writing Simple, 500-Word Articles. Read case studies and testimonials of others who’ve duplicated my success using the exact steps I outline.

 This ebook is for wannabe or existing freelance writers who want to add this skill to their portfolio of services.

Inkwell Editorial SEO Writing Product #2: How to Write SEO Copy That Sells: An SEO Copywriting Training Manual for Small Business. Read a 13-page preview of what this SEO copywriting training guide contains.

For small business owners and/or freelance writers who need a step-by-step guide to how to write SEO copy. There is no marketing portion to this guide. It differs from the one mentioned above in that it is teaches you how to train your staff (or yourself) to write SEO copy.

Inkwell Editorial SEO Writing Product #3: SEO Copywriting Ecourse.

This ecourse is for those who: (i) are new to freelance writing and/or who’ve never even heard of the acronym “SEO;” and (ii) new or existing freelance writers who want to learn – from the ground up – how to write SEO content and run a fast-paced freelance writing business.

You’ll learn how to handle clients, a full marketing plan you can hit the ground running with, how to price services and more. In short, it’s for those who feel they need some intense handholding initially, but are ready to fly with the right information, secure in the knowledge that that they can handle whatever comes their way.

FREE Report.  Learn SEO: 6 Reasons SEO Copywriting Is a High-Paying, Work-from-Home Career (pdf file).

Next Tuesday’s Post: Next week I’ll discuss some “recessionary” marketing tactics for freelance writers.

Best,
Yuwanda

SEO Copywriting Services: Is This Niche Becoming Too Crowded?

October 14, 2009

Recently, I received an email from an SEO writer about the business. She brought up some interesting points that I receive queries about a lot – especially from newbies.

I responded to her personally, but as a lot of this site’s posts come from questions readers send in, I wanted everyone to benefit from the correspondence, so following are my [modified] responses to her.

SEO Copywriting Services: Is This Niche Becoming Too Crowded?

seo-copywriting-services

The freelancer who wrote in asked me if the SEO writing niche is as wide open as it was two years ago.

I answered:

In my opinion, the field is as wide open, but it is maturing. This means more professionals are entering the field, which makes competition for jobs stiffer.

HOWEVER, we are so early into SEO (I still have to explain it to more than half of the new clients I get) that this field will be wide open for at least the next 5-10 years. The reason is, many who are online still use the web just to send email, perhaps interact on Facebook and make travel/dinner reservations.

When it comes to higher-end use like setting up a blog, publishing ebooks, listening to podcasts and even Twittering, most people’s eyes glaze over – they have no idea what you’re talking about.

Why SEO Copywriting Writing Is an Advanced Skill That You Can Capitalize On

Never forget how much more ADVANCED you are as a web writer than most. If you don’t believe me, ask your friends and family who use a computer about some of the things listed above. Ask specifically about SEO. I’ll be that the vast majority will go blank, especially when you query them about SEO.

Why You Shouldn’t Worry about the SEO Copywriting Niche Becoming “Oversaturated”

Therefore, as an “early adapter,” you have the upper hand; a chance to make your mark and differentiate yourself before the field becomes oversaturated. FYI, this is something I don’t think you need to ever worry about as an SEO copywriter.

SEO writing is a skill. And much like many other professionals in crowded fields (eg, real estate agents and recruiters), it’s how YOU run your business that determines your success; not how “crowded” a field is. Otherwise, I’d never make a sale as an ebook writer.

Marketing Your SEO Copywriting Services: How Many Responses Should I Expect When I Query

The freelancer who wrote in said she was worried about her query to response rate. She wanted to know what she was “doing wrong.”

I answered:

This is the busy season for editorial (eg, freelance [SEO] writers, web developers, bloggers, etc.).  HOWEVER, we are still in a recession (despite what economic experts have said recently). This means businesses are evaluating every dollar they spend, so you have to send out more queries to land the same number of clients as you did w/ fewer queries before.

The fact that you’re landing new clients (she was averaging about one every 10 days or so — which is phenomenal by the way) demonstrates that there is a lot of business out there. As I say in the post, Freelance (SEO) Writing: Do You Have What It Takes to Succeed? When NOT to Take the Plunge, “. . . this is where you really become a bona fide entrepreneur. You face a situation, figure out a solution and move forward . . .”

SEO Copywriting Services: Two Ways to Land More Clients

Note: This freelancer had purchased my ebook on SEO copywriting more than a year ago.

1. Change the marketing letter up: While it definitely works (as you’ve experienced), personalize it; make it yours. Again, make your business . . . your business. My ebook definitely started you down the right path, now it’s time to start growing as a small business owner. And that means taking chances on trying new things.

Some will work out; some won’t. But you’ll learn from each success and failure. And, this is what entrepreneurship is all about. Again, read the post Freelance (SEO) Writing: Do You Have What It Takes to Succeed? When NOT to Take the Plunge.

I reference this post again because I received some heartfelt responses to it touching on how it has helped some to “push through their fears” and look for solutions to their small business (which is what freelance writing is) problems.

2. Target a niche: For example, when I first started, I used my experience in the mortgage/real estate industry to target different clients. If you don’t have a niche, simply create one by writing 4 or 5 sample articles to add to your portfolio, then target businesses within that niche. You can even set up a separate website (eg, SEOMortgageWriter.com (just a sample; not an actual site)).

I’m a big believer in the concept of “nicheing it to success.” This gives you a leg up on the competition (at least in that particular niche) and once client use you to write one kind of copy, they usually contract with you to write other stuff as well. I’m sure you’ve experienced this.

SEO Copywriting: Why This Profession Is High-Paying & Growing

This profession is growing by leaps and bounds. Proof? According to the January 2009 article on BusinessWeek.com, Web Work: Searching for Hitmakers:

The number of SEO jobs listed on Indeed.com, a help-wanted site, grew 20% in 2008 . . . Salaries range from $30,000 to well into six figures [I can attest personally to this] . . .

The same article goes on to state that the type of talent sought were [SEO/Online] Strategists, Link Builders . . . and of course, SEO Copywriters.

Why SEO Copywriters & Other Web Professionals Are Sought-After Talent

SEO and other web professionals are sought after for three reasons in my opinion:

(i) there is a paucity of real talent in this niche (again, it’s still very new);

(ii) web marketing is cheaper than traditional marketing (eg, newspapers, radio), so more companies are using it; and

(iii) it’s easy for advertisers to track their results and change their campaigns if they’re not getting the ROI they expect (this again makes it a very attractive marketing medium).

Providing SEO Copywriting Services: Some Final Thoughts

SEO copywriting is no different from any other business, ie:

It is sensitive to the economy – which means you have to market more to bring in the business;

It matures as a profession – which means you have to be creative in how you market to bring in the business; and

It is a BUSINESS – which means you have to treat it like one and not back down from the challenges that providing SEO copywriting services presents.

P.S.: Next Week’s Post. Remember SEO Mary? Read her entire story to date via the links below. I have an exciting update on her story coming next Tuesday. You won’t believe what she went and did! Stay tuned.

The Story of SEO Mary: Part I;  Part II;  Part III;  Part IV;  Part V;  Part VI;  Part VII

P.P.S.: Updating InkwellEditorial.com. FYI, for right now, I’ll be updating this site once a week. I intend to post more probably at the beginning of the new year. I still have a lot of loose ends with the site redesign to tie up (you’ll see what I mean when you click on the links above to read about SEO Mary). AND, I’m super swamped with other revenue streams (eg, the SEO Copywriting Training course) and client projects.

Enjoy the week everybody, and I’ll see you back here next Tuesday.

P.S.: Want to train for a recession-proof freelance writing career? Get the FREE Report, Learn SEO: 6 Reasons SEO Copywriting Is the Ideal High-Paying, Work-from-Home, Recession-Proof Career (pdf file).

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