Hi writers,

Since I sent out my tweet yesterday calling for freelance writers, I have received a lot of messages, above 100 now.

As I can’t hire more than 5 (max), I realized that even if I wanted to, many freelance writers sent me a ticket not to get them hired.

Thread...

I’m a freelance writer, myself. I did some two years sending a lot of cold pitches, getting jobs and losing them.

I think in the area of applying for a freelance writing job, I should be able to share some correct insights.

In this thread, I will talk about the process

to selling yourself as a freelance writer based on what I’ve learned since my foray into this industry. But first I will look at the common mistakes I’ve seen since yesterday and others that I’ve seen before.

Below are the things many of you got wrong

1. Many that reached out to me indicated no field or area of expertise.

As a freelance writer, no matter how versatile you are, one of the worst error you could commit is to not specify what you are good at when reaching out to a prospect.

“Everyone writes,” as Ann Handley

wrote. Only those writers who have identified their areas of strength will stand out.

2. Many do not have published written samples. Many even assume they can beguile a prospect into believing them by saying they are ghostwriters.

Does ghostwriting mean not having a sample

at all?

How then did your initial clients manage to hire you if you hadn’t published anything before?

Every freelance writer must have samples of published posts. That’s only when you can claim to be a writer.

No samples simply means: I’ve never written anything worthy of

pub.

3. Many rushed into my inbox and typed “I’m interested.” Some said “Hello,” and someone sent “I write, I write.” Really?

Well, I feel sorry. Writing, among other things, is an art of persuasion.

If you cannot, with a few words, show me what I’m hiring,

then you need not bother to call yourself a writer.

4. Many sent long messages. Well, guys, this isn’t a blog post just yet. Rest assured that no prospect will bat you an eyelid if you think they should dedicate their entire life going through your verbiage.

5. Some sent vague messages. I mean something as bad as “I’m interested.”

Well done and thanks for being interested. When you are ready to get hired, you’d tell me why I should hire you.

Someone also sent “Hello.” Smh

6. Many do not have professional headshot and bio.

Imagine a writer with Beyoncé’s image as their avatar and bio containing a dry quote and some unintelligible gibberish.

Well, that’s it for now about the bad writers.

...

Now let’s talk about what you should have done instead, with reference to the good ones.

Below:

1. In the area of sending a pitch to a prospect, observe the following rules:

— Keep it short and sweet
— Be incisive and straight to the point
— Introduce yourself
— Mention your area of expertise
— Reference your social proof
— Avoid text blocks “
— Conclude with a CTA

Or a question.

2. Before you ever apply for any job, get some of your samples published. No serious prospect has time for Google Docs.

3. Social proof is a must. Unless you are a $2 per hour kind of writer, you must have some high-end publications where you’ve been featured.

Another way of getting social proof is by having got result either for yourself and someone else before.

With that you can talk about how you generated XYZ traffic for ABC blog or business through your writing.

4. Obscene image is your version of telling a prospect

to run for dear life. Do not have any social media profile without a clear headshot unless you are already making 6 figures income as a writer.

5. One writer sent me a message and asked what exactly they needed to do. I told her right away.

It’s as simple as that.

Ask a prospect how you can both move forward and you are likely to get a yes.

5. What else am I missing?

I’m tired and need to take a break now.

Please don’t hesitate to add your own tips for freelance writers.