I searched to see if I could find something similar that had already been written and couldn't find anything.
I apologize if it's already been covered and I missed it.
I wanted to contribute something here that perhaps someone may have been thinking about, but needed some guidance on.
If you have been looking into starting a freelance writing service and wanted to get started within the next few days (or today, if you're really motivated), here's exactly what I did.
This can be set up at no cost, but eventually you will want your own hosting and domain name. If you are on a budget and just need to make some cash to fund your other business interests, then this is for you.
You need some type of web presence and this can be had at no cost at Weebly. Back in the day when I set up my freelance writing service I created my site in a matter of hours.
Honestly the layout wasn't that great and the themes were limited, but fast forward to today and you'll find some pretty sweet and responsive themes.
Visit: Weebly . Com
You'll want to create the following pages:
Send an email out, post about it on your social media profiles/time lines and let people know when you see them.
Don't be pushy about it. Just ask if they know someone who may need writing and content creation services.
There are tons of different ways you can get your first client. The first step is to take step 2 above.
Here are some ways I have gotten clients:
Forum Posting - There are several ways to post your service in forums: Signature Links and Specific Service Related Sections. DO NOT SPAM people. Please don't SPAM people. Did I mention not SPAMming people?
Craigslist - You gotta be quick with this one as there are tons of others sending messages to posters. Be careful with the ads though. After a while you'll be able to tell the legitimate jobs from the bogus ones. There are many out there looking to pay next to nothing for lots of writing. Just be smart about it when you contact someone about an ad they posted.
Service Related Websites - There are websites online that allow you to post your service. Odesk isn't the only one out there. Warrior Forum and Konker (Formerly Source Market) are two where I have posted and gotten tons of work from, as well as regular clients.
Job Boards - These are all over the internet, but again be smart about it when you contact the company or individual.
Content Mills - I have a love/hate relationship with content mills. Back in the day I could clear several hundred in a week on these sites, but as they got saturated with more and more junk, the good gigs dried up. Associated Content, Demand Studios and Demand Media were some sites I wrote pretty regularly for. There are others, but can't recommend a specific one as its been a while since I wrote for any.
LinkedIn - Connect with people you know and those they know as well. I believe they call these 1st, 2nd and 3rd tiers. BE CAUTIOUS with how you connect to your professional networks' connections. Be up front and honest about how you found their contact information. I got a website editing job through this method. It's not my favorite way to do things, but just thought I'd share it.
I often hear people taking half up front and then the other upon completion. In all honesty, I've only done this a few times with new clients.
I send the invoice over before starting, but again this will vary from person to person.
Paypal makes it easy to collect payment. They do charge their fees, but it's much better than having to get your own merchant account. At least starting out, it's much more convenient.
You can email an invoice or send them a payment link that you set up through Paypal.
I've also put some of my clients on a subscription since they needed regular content and billed them recurring monthly or weekly, depending on their needs. So much better than hounding them for payment and it's nice to see that regular payment coming in (until they cancel the subscription, but I'll save that for another post).
All I can say is practice, practice and practice some more.
Spend some time thinking about different angles you can take with your content.
Put yourself on the other side of reading the content. If it sucks scratch it.
Read, read and read some more. Want to get better at writing and public speaking? Read more.
Some Copywriting Books That I Recommend:
"Web Copy That Sells" by Maria Veloso
"Adweek Copywriting Handbook" by Joseph Sugarman
I love what Joe says about writing copy:
The job of the first line is to get people to read the second line.
The job of the second line is to get people to read the third line.
The job of the third line...I hope you figured it out by now.
I'll add more to this later.
Stop thinking and just do.
Good Luck!
I apologize if it's already been covered and I missed it.
I wanted to contribute something here that perhaps someone may have been thinking about, but needed some guidance on.
If you have been looking into starting a freelance writing service and wanted to get started within the next few days (or today, if you're really motivated), here's exactly what I did.
This can be set up at no cost, but eventually you will want your own hosting and domain name. If you are on a budget and just need to make some cash to fund your other business interests, then this is for you.
STEP 1 | SET UP SHOP
You need some type of web presence and this can be had at no cost at Weebly. Back in the day when I set up my freelance writing service I created my site in a matter of hours.
Honestly the layout wasn't that great and the themes were limited, but fast forward to today and you'll find some pretty sweet and responsive themes.
Visit: Weebly . Com
You'll want to create the following pages:
- Home Page - Post some general information about your service.
- About Page - Let them know more about you. People buy from those they know, like and trust. Let them get to know, like and trust you through this page.
- Portfolio Page - Let them see what you can do. Mix this up to showcase your writing ability. Here are some types of pieces you can write: Tips article (i.e. 7 Ways To Get More Clients), Blog Post (i.e. Did Your Site Get Slapped By The Latest Google Update?), Email Auto Responder Messages
- Services Page - Let them know what writing services you offer (Blog Posts, Articles, Website Content, etc). You can also list your fees as well.
- Contact Page - This is pretty straightforward. You need a way for them to contact you.
STEP 2 | GET THE WORD OUT
Let friends and family know about your new service. They may not necessarily need your writing services, but there's a good chance that they know someone who does.
Send an email out, post about it on your social media profiles/time lines and let people know when you see them.
Don't be pushy about it. Just ask if they know someone who may need writing and content creation services.
STEP 3 | GETTING YOUR FIRST CLIENT
There are tons of different ways you can get your first client. The first step is to take step 2 above.
Here are some ways I have gotten clients:
Forum Posting - There are several ways to post your service in forums: Signature Links and Specific Service Related Sections. DO NOT SPAM people. Please don't SPAM people. Did I mention not SPAMming people?
Craigslist - You gotta be quick with this one as there are tons of others sending messages to posters. Be careful with the ads though. After a while you'll be able to tell the legitimate jobs from the bogus ones. There are many out there looking to pay next to nothing for lots of writing. Just be smart about it when you contact someone about an ad they posted.
Service Related Websites - There are websites online that allow you to post your service. Odesk isn't the only one out there. Warrior Forum and Konker (Formerly Source Market) are two where I have posted and gotten tons of work from, as well as regular clients.
Job Boards - These are all over the internet, but again be smart about it when you contact the company or individual.
Content Mills - I have a love/hate relationship with content mills. Back in the day I could clear several hundred in a week on these sites, but as they got saturated with more and more junk, the good gigs dried up. Associated Content, Demand Studios and Demand Media were some sites I wrote pretty regularly for. There are others, but can't recommend a specific one as its been a while since I wrote for any.
LinkedIn - Connect with people you know and those they know as well. I believe they call these 1st, 2nd and 3rd tiers. BE CAUTIOUS with how you connect to your professional networks' connections. Be up front and honest about how you found their contact information. I got a website editing job through this method. It's not my favorite way to do things, but just thought I'd share it.
STEP 4 | COLLECTING PAYMENT
Once you get a paying client, you'll need to collect payment. Be cautious of the ones that want the work first before paying.
I often hear people taking half up front and then the other upon completion. In all honesty, I've only done this a few times with new clients.
I send the invoice over before starting, but again this will vary from person to person.
Paypal makes it easy to collect payment. They do charge their fees, but it's much better than having to get your own merchant account. At least starting out, it's much more convenient.
You can email an invoice or send them a payment link that you set up through Paypal.
I've also put some of my clients on a subscription since they needed regular content and billed them recurring monthly or weekly, depending on their needs. So much better than hounding them for payment and it's nice to see that regular payment coming in (until they cancel the subscription, but I'll save that for another post).
STEP 5 | WRITE
I won't get too much into this as I don't know what your writing skills are like.
All I can say is practice, practice and practice some more.
Spend some time thinking about different angles you can take with your content.
Put yourself on the other side of reading the content. If it sucks scratch it.
Read, read and read some more. Want to get better at writing and public speaking? Read more.
Some Copywriting Books That I Recommend:
"Web Copy That Sells" by Maria Veloso
"Adweek Copywriting Handbook" by Joseph Sugarman
I love what Joe says about writing copy:
The job of the first line is to get people to read the second line.
The job of the second line is to get people to read the third line.
The job of the third line...I hope you figured it out by now.
TIPS
- Be careful with people who want a "sample" piece. Many just want a free article.
- Most people who contact you wont turn into paying work. Be nice and helpful, it may turn into work down the road.
- Underpromise and over deliver.
- GIVE VALUE
- When you are giving a delivery date, factor in how long it will take you and add on a day or two for buffer time in case you get behind, double book or have something come up
I'll add more to this later.
Stop thinking and just do.
Good Luck!
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