Giving Away Free Articles

16 replies
I’m toying with the idea of giving one free sample article to a certain number of potential clients to drum up business. I’d also like to get some testimonials for my writing site.

The problem is that I keep imagining a lot of people asking for free articles, but never placing actual order. So I’d do all of that work and see no return on it.

So my question for the writers on the boards is have you ever done the “free sample article” thing to drum up business? And, if so, has it worked for you?

And, for potential clients, have you ever hired a writer based on a free sample article?
#articles #free #giving
  • Profile picture of the author Kelly Verge
    I've received free samples a few times in the past. Often, the quality has been less than I would pay for. In a couple of cases I was pleased enough to order more content from the authors. In one case I continue to order even though the price has increased several times because the quality is worth the price.

    I also always write a review. In a couple of cases I'm sure the author didn't use my review as a testimonial. In others, I'm sure they have.

    I think the real risk in doing this is that there are those who will take the free article and never even write a review.
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  • Profile picture of the author damasgate
    I think it would be worth the initial reviews you need to be social proofed. Honestly, if I don't see good testimonials on warriors hire section I don't usually buy.

    That being said, you could probably work out good deals. for example, you could offer a WSO seller to put you as a recommended content outsourcer on their next WSO if you write them discounted articles.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    Besides giving away free articles. Have you considered a blog posting here on the Fourm ? You can use that to promote yourself. You go into the "Wanted" section here and answer a few of the ads, get the job and ask for a testimonal in return. Just some other ideas.
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  • Profile picture of the author SEOWizard417
    Giving out some review copies is a good start. You can get a lot of initial eyeballs on your offer along with the reviews to come.
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  • Profile picture of the author ProPowerSEO
    Can I see an example of some of your work?
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  • Profile picture of the author jpeddler
    Dee,

    Rather than starting with free articles, consider putting together a .pdf portfolio that you can send to everyone - especially outside of the WF.

    A good portfolio should include:

    1. review article sample
    2. articles on the "big 3" - health, wealth and love
    3. if you have a specialty - an article or two in these areas
    4. SEO article sample
    5. rate/fee schedule
    6. delivery time
    7. details (or examples) about anything else you can write - reports, ebooks, guides, press releases, etc.
    8. why you are a solid writer - a brief bio

    I think most already know how I feel about writing cheap articles. If you are going to do it, this enables you to address a much larger audience - with much less work - and lots more efficiently.

    Once you mention the word "free" - you just made your life as a writer much more complicated and a lot more work for very little money. Some will take advantage of you, and there will be those that immediately think:

    Oh, she must be cheap - and, at least in my book - this is a kiss of death. It is much easier to lower fees than raise them. Aim for higher, better-paying markets - they definitely exist and are hungry for good writing.

    These are just basic ideas and you can put together a portfolio any way you like. This is how I would encourage you to begin. You can offer it to anyone interested, so the numbers work in your favor.

    It is an action you only need to take one time, but can present to 100s of prospects.

    Quality shows - regardless of the content you present, and without the necessity to get into a "mass production" mindset and deal with a flurry of zero-cost work.

    It will be the best business brochure you can have to advertise yourself to new prospects.
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    • Profile picture of the author deejones
      Originally Posted by ProPowerSEO View Post

      Can I see an example of some of your work?
      I have several samples at my website, which is in my sig. Just go to the Portfolio page.

      Originally Posted by jpeddler View Post

      Dee,

      Rather than starting with free articles, consider putting together a .pdf portfolio that you can send to everyone - especially outside of the WF.

      A good portfolio should include:

      1. review article sample
      2. articles on the "big 3" - health, wealth and love
      3. if you have a specialty - an article or two in these areas
      4. SEO article sample
      5. rate/fee schedule
      6. delivery time
      7. details (or examples) about anything else you can write - reports, ebooks, guides, press releases, etc.
      7. why you are a solid writer - a brief bio

      I think most already know how I feel about writing cheap articles. If you are going to do it, this enables you to address a much larger audience - with much less work - and lots more efficiently.

      Once you mention the word "free" - you just made your life as a writer much more complicated and a lot more work for very little money. Some will take advantage of you, and there will be those that immediately think:

      Oh, she must be cheap - and, at least in my book - this is a kiss of death. It is much easier to lower fees than raise them. Aim for higher, better-paying markets - they definitely exist and are hungry for good writing.

      These are just basic ideas and you can put together a portfolio any way you like. This is how I would encourage you to begin. You can offer it to anyone interested, so the numbers work in your favor.

      It is an action you only need to take one time, but can present to 100s of prospects.

      Quality shows - regardless of the content you present, and without the necessity to get into a "mass production" mindset and deal with a flurry of zero-cost work.

      It will be the best business brochure you can have to advertise yourself to new prospects.
      Thanks for this. You've made me think about things I hadn't before.

      I definitely don't want to be seen as "cheap," because I know the type of hamster wheel that can lead to. But then the question becomes, "How else can I get people to give me a chance so I can get my foot in the door?"

      Hopefully, I'll find plenty of answers here at the forums.
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    • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
      Originally Posted by jpeddler View Post

      Dee,

      Rather than starting with free articles, consider putting together a .pdf portfolio that you can send to everyone - especially outside of the WF.

      A good portfolio should include:

      1. review article sample
      2. articles on the "big 3" - health, wealth and love
      3. if you have a specialty - an article or two in these areas
      4. SEO article sample
      5. rate/fee schedule
      6. delivery time
      7. details (or examples) about anything else you can write - reports, ebooks, guides, press releases, etc.
      8. why you are a solid writer - a brief bio

      I think most already know how I feel about writing cheap articles. If you are going to do it, this enables you to address a much larger audience - with much less work - and lots more efficiently.

      Once you mention the word "free" - you just made your life as a writer much more complicated and a lot more work for very little money. Some will take advantage of you, and there will be those that immediately think:

      Oh, she must be cheap - and, at least in my book - this is a kiss of death. It is much easier to lower fees than raise them. Aim for higher, better-paying markets - they definitely exist and are hungry for good writing.

      These are just basic ideas and you can put together a portfolio any way you like. This is how I would encourage you to begin. You can offer it to anyone interested, so the numbers work in your favor.

      It is an action you only need to take one time, but can present to 100s of prospects.

      Quality shows - regardless of the content you present, and without the necessity to get into a "mass production" mindset and deal with a flurry of zero-cost work.

      It will be the best business brochure you can have to advertise yourself to new prospects.
      Excellent advice from you as always.
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  • Profile picture of the author stevenfabian
    I think most people are nicer than you would think. If you give out quality and high value for free to people, most of them will reward you with a great review, even if your service is not the best. However, if you can overdeliver in quality you don't really have to worry about not getting any reviews, I guess. Maybe not everyone will return, but most people have generally good intentions. Give it a try, just don't be a slave to freebie hunters for ever!
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  • Profile picture of the author jpeddler
    Dee,

    If you get a chance, you may want to visit this thread:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-re-worth.html

    This thread is more about asking for what you are worth as a writer - if you think you are worth more - and many are.

    It definitely involves you getting out of any comfort zone. I posted a 20 minute video near the end of the thread that may help you too.

    This is one of many writing business models I have mentored other writers to use to increase earnings - substantially. If I can do it and they can do it - I am certain you can too.

    Best of all, there is nothing for you to buy in anything I have posted. The model I am discussing means you need to be proactive and think about what you do a bit differently.

    Hope it is of benefit to you,

    Jake
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    I've personally never given out free samples; but is something that I have toyed with. Maybe you won't see those turn into paying customers; but if you can get a great testimonial out of it, then I would probably consider it worth the trouble.
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  • Profile picture of the author BridgetSielicki
    When I started ghostwriting, I made a freebie offer at another forum I belong to. I wanted testimonials for my website, so I offered a free article to the first 4 people who contacted me, and in return I requested that they give me feedback. I hoped the feedback would come back good (which it did), but if it didn't I would know that there were areas in my writing that needed improvement.

    After the 4 freebies I had some nice testimonials which helped attract new clients, and I also had a couple of the freebie review clients stay with me long term.
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  • Profile picture of the author AmandaT
    The most important thing is having a great portfolio. Set up a portfolio with samples of various articles.

    Try to include reviews, articles in different niches, different formats of articles, casual writing, and formal writing. (Provided you are offering all of those services.)

    If you have enough samples available, serious buyers shouldn't NEED to see review copies like that.

    If you want to get testimonials going, offer some half priced articles so they are still paying. This will help you weed out freebie seekers and get people who actually want a new writer.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    It works but be careful. Rather than write a bunch of original articles for people, write five decent PLR articles for a popular IM topic and give those out.

    Another way to get endorsements for your writing it on Craigs List. Go to the Writing Gigs section of any major city and you'll find a lot of people looking for "interns." These gigs rarely pay but you can get some great reviews for your resume.

    It's a pain to have to do this sort of thing but it's a part of the game called paying your dues. Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author robyna
    I would run a WSO with some PLR articles where you're actually selling the articles. On the sales copy you can ask for reviews to be left in the comments. You'll get a few that way and you'll make some money. It's a win-win!!
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