Scott Oldford Site

Tag: new freelance writer

  • 4 Easy-to-Avoid Freelance-Writing Mistakes Every Rookie Makes

    4 Easy-to-Avoid Freelance-Writing Mistakes Every Rookie Makes

    Congratulations! You landed your first client.

    Getting a positive response to a pitch or application can give you a writing high that lasts all week…that is, until you start working with the client and things start going wrong.

    As a new freelancer, getting any job may be so exciting we’re willing to accept jobs that aren’t always the best fit. I certainly made some mistakes (and continue to make new ones) that ate up a lot of my time and energy at the beginning of my freelancing career.

    The good news is I kept track of my rookie freelancing mistakes when landing a new gig, so you don’t make the same mistakes!

    1. Not clarifying if you get a byline

    The job ad said “writer”, not “ghostwriter”, so I assumed I would have a byline…wrong.

    When landing a new client or gig, this is one of the most important things you can ask, especially if you’re working to build your portfolio. Having a byline helps build your brand and can even draw inbound leads — a dream for all new freelancers!

    Clarify up front if you’ll be able to have a byline. If the answer is no, ask if you’ll be able to link to the writing in pitches, or if you can get a testimonial. If the answer is still no, think carefully about if the time is worth it. You may want to raise your rates if you’re not getting any exposure.

    There’s nothing as disappointing as spending a lot of time writing a perfect article, only to not get the recognition for it you thought you would.

    2. Writing about a topic you don’t believe in

    You’ve responded to an ad or cold pitched, and they’ve responded. You’ve talked about average word count, if you’ll have a byline and how to submit. You’ve even agreed on cost per word and how you’ll get paid.

    It’s finally time to write.

    Then they send you the topic and your heart drops. Not only is it something you’re completely uninterested in, it’s also something you don’t believe in or agree with.

    There are certain niches where this happens more than others, but it can happen to anyone. In my case (health niche), I was being asked to write about a specific supplement. I don’t really believe in supplements and diet pills, and I hadn’t used this one myself, so I felt really uncomfortable with the post.

    I wrote it anyway, but I wish I hadn’t. Not only did it take forever (since I wasn’t familiar with it), but I hated every second of it. Freelance writing isn’t all fun and games, but the writing part is still supposed to be enjoyable!

    Plus, my name was now attached to a piece I didn’t believe in.

    When the client asked me to do another piece reviewing and recommending a very specific diet pill, I declined. I wish I had declined the first offer, too. Not only did I spend a lot of time on the writing, it actually made me dread writing. And even though it was bylined, I don’t like to use it in my portfolio. I did make some money, but I wish I’d spent my time on more positive work.

    3. Not adjusting rates for word count/research

    You may have a standard rate per word or per project you charge, and if the client is willing to pay, you’ll accept.

    Especially starting out, the rates you’ll accept are probably pretty low. You’re just trying to build your portfolio, connections and skill set.

    But just because the rate is the same as other work you do, doesn’t mean you should accept it without knowing other parameters. Writing a 3,000 word article might take more than three times longer than a 1,000 word article, depending on the research or interviews involved. My cost per word was the same, but my effective hourly rate sank dramatically at this word count.

    The same thing can happen if the article is research-intensive. I had another client that wanted an average of 25 sources for a 1,000 word article. While I’m happy to accomodate, I can’t accept the low end of my rates for that work.

    If your time is your most valuable asset, you need to take on work that has a good effective hourly rate.

    4. Not reading any legal documents or disclaimers

    While this happens infrequently, sometimes clients will have you sign a non-disclosure or some other legal document. Make sure you read these documents before signing.

    I once had a client put a 10-year non-compete in my non-disclosure agreement. Luckily, with a lawyer for a father, I always read any contracts before signing. As a freelancer, a non-compete is simply unacceptable. I recommend asking if they’ll remove that language.

    If they won’t, don’t sign it.

    Above all, always value yourself, your work, and your time.

    Don’t take work just because you’re excited about finally getting a gig and making some money. Ask the right questions, read requirements carefully, and price accordingly.

    And don’t be afraid to walk away if the opportunity just isn’t right.

  • Writing for the Web: 4 Ways to Step Up Your Game as a New Blogger

    Writing for the Web: 4 Ways to Step Up Your Game as a New Blogger

    This post is sponsored by Start Blogging Online, your resource for building a blog, generating traffic, creating passive income, and more!

    As most regular bloggers will tell you, writing for the web is an utterly different beast than writing for a magazine or newspaper.

    It takes a certain ability to catch a reader’s eye and, in 1000 words or less, tell them everything they need to know about a subject. Your piece has to be entertaining or thoroughly useful to hold readers’ full attention in a sea full of other articles attempting to do exactly the same thing.

    A year ago, I had never considered the idea of writing for the web; without a well-timed suggestion from a friend I probably never would have. Since then, I’ve gained an appreciation for the skill and have even had experienced small successes getting published.

    Here are a few of the major tips and tricks I picked up along my online writing journey.

    1. Write about what you know

    This seems like a no-brainer, but it can be extremely easy to get too focused on pitching the best piece for a website and lose sight of your piece.

    Yes, it’s important to choose topics related to the overarching niche of the website, but try to avoid situations that involve writing about a topic you’re not interested in.

    Writing is best when the author cares, and becomes even better when there is passion behind the words.

    A good rule of thumb is to never publish a piece you wouldn’t put your real name or regular pseudonym on.

    If you find yourself writing an article based around ideals you don’t actually support or facts you don’t believe in, it will never turn out as well as it could have. Find a way to make your work something you can defend.

    2. Learn how Google (and other search engines) work

    When I started writing for online outlets, I had no idea how Google, or any other search engine for that matter, worked. I had never given any critical thought to how search engines are able to index the majority of the internet and categorize it in a way that boosts user experience. The whole process is actually extremely sophisticated.

    Understanding a bit about how search engines work is instrumental in making sure the pieces you write get seen by your target audience. Making small adjustments to title tags and phrasing to make articles easier to find can make all the difference in gaining authority as an internet writer.

    Although Google is the largest search engine and makes up more searches than all other engines combined, it’s important to understand the slight differences between search engines so you work can rank highly in no matter which search engine a potential reader uses.

    3. Pitch something straightforward

    Editors are busy people who receive hundreds of emails full of amazing pitches just like yours every day.

    In my experience, they aren’t interested in being flattered or reading personal anecdotes about how you relate to their blog; editors want to know what you’ve got to offer as quickly as possible. For most sites, a two to three sentence outline of what you want to write about, why it’s important, and why you’re the person to write it is sufficient.

    The style of the pitch also plays a key role in getting responses. For instance, unless an editor has a dogged ability to read hundreds of emails in order from oldest to newest, he or she is going to click on the attention grabbing headlines first.

    If you have an attention-grabbing working title, use it as the email header to pique an editor’s curiosity before they even open your message.

    Finally, never apologize or use apologetic language in your pitch emails. This language gives editors an easy way to reject your piece without seeing a draft, especially if they are on the fence. Confidence is key; remember that you are the one offering them a service by writing for their outlet.

    4. Always, always follow through

    When you do get a response from an editor, don’t slack off. You’re in, but you still have to prove yourself.

    Produce a quality piece in a timely manner (two weeks max unless otherwise specified), send follow-up emails, and say “thank you.”

    If and when you do get editor feedback, always be appreciative and take their suggestions seriously. Building relationships is essential for online writing and it never pays to burn a bridge when taking five minutes to write an email would have helped.  

    When your article is finally published, show that you are an engaged contributor. Share your work as much as possible on social media. Respond to any comments you receive in a positive and appealing way.

    Proving that you are both easy to work with and involved with the blog’s reader base is a great way to build relationships and score regular contributor status.  

    Writing for the internet can be tricky,  and sometimes just feels frustrating. Whether you’re just starting out or are a veteran, always remember that you have a perspective and style that readers value. Taking the time to write about topics you care about, understand aspects of search engines, pitch great ideas to editors, and following up on feedback are major steps to make sure your words are read and enjoyed againand a gain.

    What other tips do you have for writing for online outlets?