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Freelance writing question

by rconejr
7 replies
Hi guys I'd love your feedback on this. I've been a journalist for 15 years, I still work as a reporter now, but I've been looking at getting some freelance jobs online. I've done freelance work before for magazines and newspapers can turn out creative, well-researched material quick, but I have little experience freelancing for others in regards to online articles or content.

I do have blogs and have submitted a couple of my own articles to article directories. So my question is what type of samples should I use to offer my services as an article writer? Should I use articles from the newspaper I write for, my business blog, my personal blog, or ??? What would any of you who hire article writers prefer to see?
#freelance #question #writing
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Use anything that is good, that shows your talent and skill. As a journalist you've probably had to write on a wide variety of topics so use that to your advantage. I haven't seen your blog but maybe you should consider putting up a professional Website that's totally devoted to promoting your writing.

    It's also likely you have a specialty topic or two that might be valuable in the freelance market. Develop that specialty and promote it hard. Take a look at my site below. It certainly isn't a five-star production but all the info a client might need to at least seek out more info on hiring me is there. Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author rconejr
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Use anything that is good, that shows your talent and skill. As a journalist you've probably had to write on a wide variety of topics so use that to your advantage. I haven't seen your blog but maybe you should consider putting up a professional Website that's totally devoted to promoting your writing.

      It's also likely you have a specialty topic or two that might be valuable in the freelance market. Develop that specialty and promote it hard. Take a look at my site below. It certainly isn't a five-star production but all the info a client might need to at least seek out more info on hiring me is there. Good luck!

      Thanks much or the advice. Your site is a great example.
      Signature

      Shelly Cone
      Beach Betty Public Relations
      www.beachbettypr.com
      Press releases, content writing, PLR

      Do you market yourself to offline media? You need The Perfect Press Release
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  • Profile picture of the author fitzwar
    When i look for an article writer i usually like to see several examples of writing on different subjects. By the sounds of it, you must have plently of articles and examples to show potential clients. You can hire out your services on this forum or Digital Point for an

    # Article Writer
    # Sell blog posts on your blog
    # Write reviews about affiliate products
    # Article Submission service

    Im sure you will find your niche

    PS. Is it just me or is no one hitting the THANKS button today????
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    • Profile picture of the author rconejr
      Originally Posted by fitzwar View Post

      When i look for an article writer i usually like to see several examples of writing on different subjects. By the sounds of it, you must have plently of articles and examples to show potential clients. You can hire out your services on this forum or Digital Point for an

      # Article Writer
      # Sell blog posts on your blog
      # Write reviews about affiliate products
      # Article Submission service

      Im sure you will find your niche

      PS. Is it just me or is no one hitting the THANKS button today????
      Oh I've got plenty of samples I'm proud of but I didn't know if articles that have been published in a newspaper for example would suffice. Thanks for the advice!
      Signature

      Shelly Cone
      Beach Betty Public Relations
      www.beachbettypr.com
      Press releases, content writing, PLR

      Do you market yourself to offline media? You need The Perfect Press Release
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1346636].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    Most Internet Marketing people want to pay cheap prices
    for original articles. There are sites that know the value of
    good content however.

    Most IM guys want articles just to drive traffic to salesletters -
    so the relevant qualities they look for is fast, cheap, and
    just good enough to get in the article directories. If you
    have a flare for writing good titles and snappy prose it
    will probably not be something you'll be rewarded for,
    financially speaking, unless you write for yourself.

    The quality sites that have a brand and community of
    visitors will be more inclined to pay better.

    I recommend you get Peter Bowerman's book "The
    Well Fed Writer" - I think a new edition may be out
    covering today's internet better than the older one.

    Even if you write well you'll find it difficult to stand-out
    from the crowd of freelance writers online - which
    will trap you in the lowers spheres or starving artistry -
    UNLESS you go out of your way to find an angle in
    the way you market your services. A salesletter
    can help - there's no rules about what your salesletter
    for your services should look like or what it should
    say, but as in most skilled trades, it usually pays to
    specialize and let the marketplace know it.

    Hope this helps you get a grip on the situation a little.

    If you need further help, look me up.
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I've been a journalist for 15 years,
      There's your hook. When you mention "freelance writing" here most will assume you are talking about writing articles and associate the articles with IM topics and cheap prices.

      With 15 years experience as a journalist you will find takers at good rates - businesses hire freelancers, too...not just IMers. And businesses don't blink at higher prices. They need brochures, reports, white papers and blog posts - and they pay well for them, too.

      These companies hire based on proven ability and experience so you have an edge to begin with. They are often easier to work with and please than the average internet marketer.

      Get together a portfolio and resume - and aim for high end buyers in a professional way on your site or blog and on provider sites.. Contrary to popular opinion here - not all writers work for starvation fees:p

      kay

      EDIT: For samples, put together a few articles that show your various writing styles. You want to show your flexibility and talents and demonstrate the range of your writing ability/style.
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Live life like someone left the gate open
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew_Wardle
    The great thing about websites is that you can create a lot of pages on one domain!

    I would include samples of every type I writing I had done, making it clear who the sample was designed to satisfy. Create separate pages with "Samples of Articles submitted to Web Directories", "Samples of Articles written for Newspapers", and so on.

    This will satisfy anyone who is looking for a specific type of content, as they can just click through to that page and see what you can do.

    Anyone who wants to research you more thoroughly, possibly with a view to hiring you long term, will see that you are versatile as well as a quality writer.

    Everything which shows off your talent is useful. Include as much of it as you can!

    Andrew
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