Many freelance web content writers are highly talented, but struggle to find a steady stream of paid work. This can often be because they market their skills in a haphazard way, without working out a strategy.
Establishing an online presence is an essential part of such a strategy. By positioning yourself online as a go-to web content writer, you’ll gradually build a reputation as an expert in your field and land a steady job as a result.
Uploading a profile (short bio) and portfolio (samples of your writing) to freelancing job-sharing websites like PeoplePerHour.com, Guru, Elance, and iFreelance can be powerful additions to your online presence. Companies from around the world post paid writing jobs on these sites that writers can bid on.
This article will explain how to create your profile: what to include, what to leave out, and how to set yourself apart, to increase your chances of having paid writing projects ‘in hand’, all year long. Imagine that!
Preparing to Write Your Profile: Take a Step Back First
– Do not just register on the site, log in and start writing your profile and upload samples of your portfolio. Take some time to think everything through first.
– Take a notebook and a pen, and brainstorm. Make a mind map. Take all the time you need. Think about the services you offer, your strengths, what makes you different…
– To get ideas (but without copying) read the profiles of other writers. What do they say about your skills, experience, payment terms, etc.? Read half a dozen profiles and take rough notes. Not only will this give you ideas, but it will also help you become more familiar with the sites.
– Now start writing a first draft of your profile in Microsoft Word. (Write two or three drafts and then print the document and let it ‘rest’ for a few days. Then read it again with a fresh eye and make any necessary edits)
Writing your profile – Techniques to use
– Opt for short sentences and a simple writing style. Remember, you’re selling writing, so the way your profile is written will be potential clients’ first impression of your writing standard and style.
– Keep it honest. Do not oversell or exaggerate.
– Keep it positive. Don’t say what you can’t do. Focus only on what you can.
– Adopt a customer-centric mindset. Don’t ramble and don’t brag about what a great writer you are. Instead, talk excitedly about what your writing can help clients achieve, how it could benefit them… think YOU YOU.
– Differentiate yourself in some way. There are thousands of writers all over the world. What makes you different? Is your writing clever? Are you cheaper than the rest? He has a lot of experience? Are you a niche writer who specializes in writing about travel? Whatever it is that separates you from the rest, focus on that and include it early on in your profile. You could even include it in your profile title. You never know, if it’s written in big, bold letters, you just might catch the eye of a potential customer who’s looking for someone exactly like you.
More tips and tricks
– Choose an eye-catching image. Instead of just using a headshot, how about going for something more original? As a tip, consider using an image that corresponds to your USP. If you’re saying you deliver brilliant writing, FAST, how about using an image of a cheetah or Olympic sprinter? You get the gist!
– List the main services you offer near the top of your profile. If a potential client reads your profile quickly, they will find the vital information quickly and, hopefully, their skills will match your project. When you mention a skill, point the reader to a good example of it in your portfolio on the site.
– Assume nothing. Don’t just write ‘SEO’, write it in full (search engine optimization) and briefly explain what it is.
– List the sectors and industries for which you have written.
– Indicate how many years of experience you have.
– Tell customers you can meet deadlines and give them a schedule.
– Include genuine testimonials (those that indicate how your writing has actually benefited clients, rather than just saying how great the writing was for them).
– Explain how you would approach a project (research approach, reporting process, number of drafts…)
– Include your payment terms (ask for 50% of your fee up front, maybe?)
– BE CAREFUL about including personal contact information as this could get you removed from the site.
– Offer an additional incentive: “I’ll write 10 articles or blog posts for the price of 9!” Or how about offering to review the client’s website for free (as an added gift) once they’ve given you a paid writing job?
Finally…
– In general, strive for make an emotional connection Be positive, kind, human and approachable. Project yourself not as a typewriter, but as a living, breathing person: someone else would want to know, be involved (on a business basis), both short-term and long-term. Taking this approach will give your profile a heart and soul and give you an edge over other writers who simply craft your profile in the form of an anonymous (and forgettable) list.
Good luck!