Unlock Hidden Freelance Writing Gigs: The Surprising Strategy No One Talks About
Word Wise: Practical Writing Tips for Freelancers and Solopreneurs
It’s a personalized approach that leads to anchor clients and plenty of work
- “How do I find freelance writing jobs?”
- “I can’t find writing clients. Help!”
- “Where can I look for freelance content writing jobs for beginners?”
I hear these questions every week from new writers and members of my online writing groups.
I could answer the question by ticking off the usual strategies: LinkedIn networking. Cold calling. Email prospecting. Facebook groups. Job boards like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com. Online forums and in-person writing conferences.
As tactics go, they work. But these eager — and talented — writers can get the same advice from every other freelancer who has had some work-for-hire success.
Yet very few writers use an approach that has poured dozens of clients into my funnel. And I write in a niche that isn’t known for its big budgets and abundant paychecks: nonprofits. Even so, I’ve had enough paying freelance content writing jobs to put my two children through college, help them with grad school, and provide me with a solid retirement.
Typical prospecting works, but not as well as this
The usual methods for getting freelance writing gigs have one thing in common. They’re writer-centric, screaming, “I want work. Here are my interests, my experiences, my portfolio.”
True — with a clear niche and relevant, classy clips, you are appealing to a prospective client, especially one who knows he’s in the market to hire out his content.
However, there are hundreds (thousands) of small businesses and organizations that have never hired a freelance writer before. Many don’t know they need one. Even if they did, they don’t know how to find one.
Until you cross their desk in a way that others do not.
