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18 Content Writing Jobs To Make More Money As A Freelancer

September 19, 2016 by Elizabeth 2 Comments

18 Content Writing Jobs To Make More Money As A Freelancer

18 content writing jobsDid you know that writers can make over $50,000 a year? If you are considering a freelance writing career, then this is a great time to start. There is a massive need for content and incredible, high-quality writers are needed, even more, to craft them.

People often think freelance writing is primarily about blogging, article writing, or writing corporate blogs. New freelancers tend to box themselves in these stereotypical content writing jobs. It’s time to think out of the box and get more out of your freelance writing career.  

Commonly Applied-for Content Writing Jobs

Blog Writer

Blogs needn’t be for personal information. Blogs that people find useful and relevant are shared more often. Companies with a successful content marketing campaign will have at least 3-5 blog posts a month. General info, tips and how-to’s related to health, travel, fashion, education, beauty, wedding, photography, music blogs, entertainment blogs, etc. A beginner may earn anywhere between $20 to $30 per blog post.

Article Writer

Do you know that blog post and article writing are two different things? Before writing a print or web article, know the do’s and don’ts and make sure you’re thoroughly acquainted with the magazine’s current content and tone. There are many websites and companies that need high quality article writers who have a good command over the language and a more sophisticated writing style. Do your homework; send queries or finished, well-researched articles to magazines and potentially earn over $500 per article!

SEO Copywriter

Content writers who know rudimentary SEO and CMS skills can pursue these jobs. These jobs typically pay higher than regular blogs and articles.

Ghost Writer

Busy CEO’s, executives, leaders, celebrities who don’t have the time (or the skill) hire ghostwriters to write their blogs or books. Reflect whether you’d be OK to give credit to someone else for a job you did. If you don’t mind that then you could easily take up this job for experience and learn from the criticism and feedback. Ghostwriting is a lucrative niche.

The problem with these common content writing jobs:

Writers often struggle to find well-paying blog sites, and articles… but really, you can make a lot more by just specialising in content writing jobs other than blogs or articles.

There is more to content writing than blogging!  

Different content writing jobs exist. These are outside of writing articles, blogs or even ebooks. Sometimes you find what you like because of the skills required. Other times, you may stumble upon these new opportunities. If you do, make sure you grab them, each time! Here is a quick list of other content writing jobs that you can explore and earn more while you’re at it.

Why we love these 14 other content writing jobs (and you will too!)

Email Marketing

You need copywriting skills, jammed with analytical skills, marketing, and research to ensure consistent email quality. If you have these skills, then consider venturing into this thriving market. If you want to know how to become an email marketer, then here is a great article by Career Lancer.

Writing Bios and About Pages

Writing about oneself or one’s business can be difficult. Trying to find the right balance between being informative and not sounding arrogant can be even harder for some. Writing bios and about pages is the perfect job for an unbiased content writer. You may want to read this informative article by Heather Hummel on HuffPost for more on bios.

Resume Writing

As long as there are jobs, there will be the need to create, design, and edit resumes. If you have a knack for interviewing people or have superb editing skills that people envy, put a price on it. There are plenty of opportunities online. The pay depends on the type of resumes; for instance, an entry-level resume can earn you up to $400!

Social Media Coordinator

You need to be a writer to write engaging content, implement changes in the media platforms, market products and services, facilitate conversation and share information, besides analyzing the best route to meet customers’ needs through social media. A social media manager earns between $34k to $56k a year! Here’s a handy infographic guide to get social media jobs, created by The Daily Muse.

White Papers

If you enjoy doing research and are able to intelligently piece critical information together, then writing white papers can be a very rewarding alternative to blogging. Instead of doing a one-off white paper, Gordon Graham says you can focus entirely on this niche. Since white papers take up plenty of time and effort, firms readily outsource this work to content writers. A beginner can make up to $3000 per white paper, if the finished product is polished and well-researched.

Presentations

There are a number of businesses like insurance companies, startups and sales teams that need effective presentations. They need to drive the message and engage their potential customers, not bore them away with heavily worded technical jargon. A content writer can help streamline their message for the presentations, and help them relay it in a way that’s meaningful to their audience. Content fees for PowerPoint jobs typically range upwards of between $70/hour – $125 per presentation, depending on length.

In-Person Event Writer

People are hard pressed for time these days. When time is a constraint, the in-person event writer is asked to attend meetings, seminars etc. then collate information, and/or deliver the content through social media or email.

Videos

Vlogs or Video blogging are on the rise. In fact, Variety conducted a survey in the US that shows teenagers like vloggers better than mainstream celebrities. Vloggers connect with audiences through Youtube, Instagram, and other sources. Because YouTube is the second largest search engine after Google, content writers are required to fulfill the SEO need to write meta titles, meta tags and keyword based descriptions. These are just as relevant for YouTube as they are for websites. Integrate SEO skills and you’ll position yourself as an even more valuable contributor.

Podcasts

A podcast writer needs to be clear and concise. The delivery should not sound like a speech, but spontaneous and natural. Use of simple, conversational language is important here. Moreover, podcasts need a short write-up to describe each session. Show notes, as they are called, need to be enough to arouse curiosity, while not revealing so much that the audio is ignored. It’s tricky, and that’s why a content writer may get paid well here.

Print and e-Newsletters

To expand their reach, businesses send out mass print or e-newsletters to subscribers.  Writers in this huge niche are involved in research, design, content writing, calls to action, testing, and tracking responses. Knowledge of HTML and analytical skills add to a writer’s value to clients in this field.

Webinars/ Webcast

People want to learn new skills quickly, and during hours that fit their personal schedules. These days, seminars, lectures, presentations, training events, or workshops are conducted over the internet to meet the preferences and convenience of users. More than 60% of marketers use webinars as part of their content marketing campaigns. Content writers are needed in this niche more than ever before.

Brochures

Writing a brochure requires some unique skill. A brochure writer must engage, create a rapport, then convince a customer to either buy the product or request more information. Often working closely with a graphic designer, a brochure writer can easily charge $100 – $150 per assignment.

Bid Writers

A bid writer works on documents that help companies win contracts to provide their services. Good communication, excellent research and writing skill is required from a content writer here. A beginner can earn from $60 and $150 per hour. Note that experience adds even more value to the bid writer, since the more understanding a writer has of a company’s services, the more likely the company will win a signed contract or purchase order.

Medical Writer

A medical writer works closely with doctors and scientists. Writers need to understand and create clear and effective documents relating to research, drugs, diagnoses, treatments, and other related medical information. In addition, the document created by the medical writer must have a proper structure and format. The pay depends on many factors, and usually requires experience within the healthcare industry.

The Best Part About Finding Your Niche

The best part about exploring all these other content writing jobs and what we love about them, is that, you can:

  • Narrow down your potential clients.
  • Serve the right ones better.
  • Do what you love!

Freelance content writing is one of the best emerging options for those who want to ditch the cubicles and the rigid working hours.

Explore your possibilities and you’re sure to find your specialty.

As a newbie freelance writer or even an established one, start paying more attention to other content writing jobs, and not just blogs or articles. Take some time to reflect on your skills and interests. Specialize in a couple of niches, based on your strengths. Hone those skills to attract new and better clients in those specific areas.

Finally, don’t forget that you can always approach media and marketing agencies that service specific industries or genres, such as the technology, fashion, travel, religious, or professional sectors; for content writing jobs other than just general blog or article writing. If you have a keen interest in a subject, or experience within one particular industry, you may carve out your niche as the go-to writer.

There is always room for growth – if you let yourself think outside of the box.

So what are the other content writing jobs that you know about? Comment below!

18 content writing jobs infographic2-01

 


Freelance Content Writer Elizabeth AlexElizabeth Alex is a freelance content writer for hire. Follow her on her website, Honestliz.com, Facebook and Twitter.

 

Filed Under: Copywriting, Freelancing Tagged With: content, freelance copywriting, freelance writing, freelance writing from home, traps to avoid in freelance writing, writing

8 Ways To Make Your Clients Love You

August 1, 2016 by Elizabeth Leave a Comment

8 Ways To Make Your Clients Love You

.make clients love youWouldn’t you just swell up in pride when a client delights in you and says, “We appreciate You” or “Good to have you onboard!” These are not polite diplomacy remarks. These are real comments, given by some genuine clients, for being awesome.

Now look at these compliments – How would you feel if you get one of these – ?

  • Because you are a star!!! Thanks for your work on this. 🙂
  • Look forward to some more excellent work from you 🙂
  • You were a soldier in this.

These are just some of the compliments from my clients. Don’t assume it may take a long time for you to make your clients love you. For me, I have delighted clients from the first project on! I have been freelancing only about a year and in this (very) short span of time, I have managed to create a great rapport with all my clients.

Follow these simple tips if you want to get more and better freelance jobs.

Tip #1. Be Passionate

About your work.

Maybe you got into the freelance business out of necessity. I know I did. I wanted to be a full-time parent and it was only after I started writing, I discovered my passion for it.

Pro Tip: Work with all your heart and all your mind, and it will show in your work. 

If you have any kind of mind block for your assignment, your client, or maybe you are simply bored — as a ripple effect, all of these aspects will trickle down to your work and that is never a good thing.

Your clients want to work with people who are like them. And if they are passionate about their business, and you are not – it simply would not work.

If you are compelled to freelance but are not “feeling” anything for it, try to be grateful for the many benefits freelancing offers – the flexibility and the freedom is great compared to the million others who have to work inside tiny cubicles, all day, all week.

Tip #2. Treasure Your Clients

So maybe you are passionate about your work and you have great clients to work with. It’s when you start taking them for granted, things start to fall apart. You start missing deadlines or you fail to update them about your impromptu mid-week break. These are simple things that can spell DOOM for your freelance writing career. Don’t do these things to lose your client.

When you treasure your clients, you care about their business. You care how much your work will affect their business. You wouldn’t be in it for the money. That will show your clients what a treasure you are to keep! 

Pro Tip: Never Take your Clients For Granted

don't take clients for granted

Tip #3. Be Accountable

When you accept to work on a certain project or assignment, make sure you are 100% committed. If, for any reason, you cannot deliver your best or deliver anything at all – you need to keep your clients in the loop about it. If you work on hourly basis, don’t cheat on your productivity. If you say yes to a client, then be sure to deliver and do it quick.

Pro Tip: Be honest about what you can and cannot do. 

Tip #4. Be Quick to Deliver

For clients, time is money. The faster you deliver, the sooner it will help your clients. When your clients give you a deadline and you deliver before time, you earn a ton of brownie points! You get more work because the client appreciates your delivery timelines. When you work with this attitude, your productivity hits the fan and you get more and better freelance jobs.

Pro Tip: Deliver before the deadline. 

Tip #5. Deliver the Best

Exercise caution when you want to be quick to deliver. Do it only when you really can. Of course, doing it regularly has its perks, but delivering half-baked assignments will probably get you fired. Quick or not, persuade your soul to deliver only the best work, each time, every time.  

Tip #6. Be Dependable

When you only deliver the best each time, and within stipulated timelines, your clients learn to depend on you. Say Yes every time they come to you with an assignment. Even if it means for you to burn the midnight oil, burn it! …and deliver so they keep coming back for you.

Pro Tip: Work extra hours, only if you can. 

be a proactive freelancer!

Tip #7. Be Proactive

When you have completed a deliverable, be sure to be enthusiastic and ask your client if they have more work to give you. You don’t have to wait around for your client, you can take the first step. This will show your client that you are proactive and ready for more work.

Pro Tip: Ask for more work. 

Tip #8. Build Relationship

Care to know their birthdays, their children’s birthdays, anniversaries. Be tuned to what your client is feeling. Share some of your personal stories. When there is a real and a genuine connection, your client will never forget you. You will be the first person they think of when things need to get done.

Pro Tip: Get on a video call at least once a month.

Do you have some sure fire ways to make clients love you? Share how you do it in the comments below.


Writer Elizabeth AlexElizabeth Alex is a freelance content writer for hire. Follow her on her website, Honestliz.com, Facebook and Twitter.


 

 

Filed Under: Freelancing, Inspiration Tagged With: connection, copywriting tips, customer service, freelance writing from home, leadership qualities of freelancers, marketing tips, work from home

The Three Best Ways To Lose Clients As A Freelance Writer

July 21, 2016 by Elizabeth 5 Comments

The Three Best Ways To Lose Clients As A Freelance Writer

ways to lose clients as a freelance writer

Yes, you read that right!

In the world of working from home and especially freelance writing, getting to work with good clients is winning just half the battle. If you want to make a steady income, then securing long-term clients is everything. You don’t want to lose them by making silly mistakes or being ignorant of some of the obvious ones.

Some Background

I have been a successful freelance writer for just over a year now. I have had the privilege of working with some of the most wonderful clients from around the world. Clients from Singapore, the United States, Israel, Canada and many others.

I have also hired writers. Owing to my second pregnancy and childbirth, I had to hire writers to help keep my freelance work afloat. So in the span of just two months, I had to gracefully let go and even ruthlessly fire many writers for these mistakes and more.  

Sure, getting fired sucks and I am guilty of hurting the self-esteem of a few writers. So, if you are reading this, then good on you, mate! You’ve come to the right place. These are real things some freelance writers do, and you can avoid, to get fired in no time.

Don’t Plagiarize Your Work

One of the writers I hired had given me an exhaustive resume – proving she was a writer. I assigned her a test job, which she did well and I was so impressed!

I should’ve done a plagiarism check though because the five articles that followed were all dangerously plagiarized!

There are clients who cut you some slack; they can let you go with just a warning. But I couldn’t do the same in my post-delivery mental state of affairs. We had to dissociate immediately.

Remember, the golden rule of freelance writing is to avoid plagiarism, by all means. This stands true whether you are a reporter, a student, or a blogger.

Why plagiarism sucks so much? Because it’s worse than stealing. You can’t even be penalized for it, you only stand to risk your good reputation. It’s the clients who face potential lawsuits and what not. Submitting plagiarized work is the worst thing you can do to your clients. And it’s the best way to hurt your own reputation as a freelance writer.

Pro Tip: Always give credit to the source, the author deserves it; plus linking to credible sources increases your credibility too!

Don’t Give Fake Credentials

I wanted to explore the realm of freelance transcription work once. I had worked only one transcription project so far, yet, I boasted to a potential client that I had “enough” experience to take up the job. Turns out, the job didn’t pay well and I was incredibly frustrated spending so much of my time on it. Owning up to my mistake, I had to politely end the contract.

If you listen to this podcast featuring Kim Egan, she shares that there is a remarkable power in being your true self. Egan says, “When you are comfortable in your own skin and are the person you really are, then you actually attract people you meant to work with. If you were being false and were not being true to who you are then you’d be in business with people you don’t like or care for. AND they wouldn’t like you because you’re being false.”

This was perfect for what I had just been through with this transcription client. Not only was I not completely truthful from the beginning, but the client was not a pleasure to work with at all.

Pro Tip: Be open and honest about what you can do, your timelines, and your limitations.

lost trust is hard to earn back!Don’t Flake out

I hired another writer and it just got worse for me. Their assignment came in a day late and it was half-baked as well.  There was no notification of the delay and not even proofread. I was in the soup! Since I had other deliverables, not only was I hard-pressed for time to do this job, but the delay would have potentially tarnished my reputation with this client.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only writer who flaked out on me.

You see, it would be a different ball game if you notified the client about a break from work or vacation time. What sucks is when a writer accepts the assignment, sits on it for a few days and then comes back saying they cannot do the assignment for whatever reason (or not at all). Now that sucks hard.

With repeated flake-outs like this, clients will not hire you again in the future nor give you more work now. It would be so hard to trust you again.

Pro Tip: Inform and apologize for any inconvenience caused to your client, as soon as possible. Make sure you don’t do this often. Emergencies only.

Hope these tips help you. Do you have some tips too? Leave a comment here.


Writer Elizabeth AlexElizabeth Alex is a freelance content writer for hire. Follow her on her website, Honestliz.com, Facebook and Twitter.

Filed Under: Freelancing Tagged With: content writing tips, copywriting advice, freelance writing, working from home

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