Freelance Writing Archives

Written by Stefanie Flaxman | March 6, 2018 | 7 Comments

‘No’ Is My Favorite Word

On your own, without any way to gauge whether or not your ideas are practical or wise, you might get carried away with your creativity.

That’s why the word “no” is an essential part of the professional creative life.

Hearing it helps me incorporate another perspective into my vision. I actually like hearing it so much that I consider it my favorite word.

If your client, editor, or boss says “no” to something you want to create:

It’s an opportunity to trust someone else’s decision, rather than blindly believe the best option is what you want to do.
It teaches patience because perhaps you’re not yet ready for what you think you want to do.
It allows you to improve your work and find a new, more appropriate way to execute your idea.

“No” might not be your favorite word, but if your business offers services, adding it to your vocabulary when selecting clients is an advanced, killer move.

A lot can be gained from turning down the wrong client, and those benefits trickle in when you treat your own business as a client instead.
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Written by Sonia Simone | December 6, 2017 | 4 Comments

A Chance to Join the Copyblogger Certified Content Marketers

Editor’s note 12/13/17: The Certification program closed to new students on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. If you’d like to be notified the next time we reopen, sign up for the waitlist here.

The other day, I was talking to a friend who has a very cool business. Lots of customers, lots going on, very profitable.

He just has one annoying problem: He’s had a really hard time finding strong writers.

He tried a bunch who have a decent knack for putting words together, but not much understanding of business strategy, so he spent hours (that he does not have) explaining basic copywriting techniques.

The other bunch he tried are strategic ninjas. Also rock stars, gurus, and warriors. The ones who “sell ice to Eskimos.” Who eat powerhouse copy strategy for breakfast. Raw. Whose copy grabs you by the throat and won’t let go.

The only problem is, his customers hate that kind of copy. It doesn’t work — at all — for his audience.

“Dude, I have a whole list of writers I can recommend to you,” I told him. And there was literally a sigh of relief. He’s talking right now with some well-qualified, smart, strategic writers — the kind who don’t make everything sound like a boot camp.

You can get on that list.
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Written by Sonia Simone | November 30, 2017 | 4 Comments

Writers: It’s Time to Get Paid What You’re Worth

Editor’s note 12/13/17: The Certification program closed to new students on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. If you’d like to be notified the next time we reopen, sign up for the waitlist here.

This week is for our professional writers — whether you’re a freelancer or you work for a bigger organization.

We’re tired of you missing out on the great gigs and the plum jobs, while you watch people zoom past you who can hardly type The Cat on the Mat.

Poverty is overrated. Let’s get you the respect — and the pay — you deserve.

Your first order of business is to get on the list to be notified when we reopen our Certified Content Marketer program very soon.

The program has two key parts. First, we’ll teach you the content strategies that let you create exceptional results for your clients. Second, we offer the opportunity to become Copyblogger Certified, putting your name in front of the clients who are willing to pay for the best. There are advantages to signing up early, so get on the waitlist so you can be among the first to check it out.
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Written by Brandon Davis | November 28, 2017 | 3 Comments

7 Ways to Coach Writing Clients on Finding Their Remarkable Voices

Cover your ears for a second.

My wife can sing. I can’t.

There, I admitted it.

But, we do have one thing in common — we both think we can. Only one of us is right (ahem).

In the world of business, we all put out a tune. A vibe. A voice. Customers flock to companies that give them a good experience, not just “okay” goods and services. It’s called a “corporate brand.”

Your job is to help your clients find their voices — their rhythms and their “keys.” Are they sending out a track so bland, flat, and “elevator worthy” that it is either ignored or irritating? Many do.

This is where you come in. You’re their Voice Coach.
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Written by Stefanie Flaxman | November 27, 2017 | 9 Comments

30 Tips that Help You Become an In-Demand Freelance Writer

You may or may not know that I haven’t always been Copyblogger’s editor.

For many years, I was a Copyblogger reader. I didn’t know Brian. I didn’t know Sonia.

But I pretended that I did. Of course I didn’t tell anyone that … I just received so much guidance from Copyblogger that helped me position my writing and editing services for success that it felt like I knew them.

Although it was just a website with content I read, Copyblogger supported my business journey.

I’m bringing this up today because I’m happy to pay it forward, if you will, and share a list of Copyblogger’s top 30 tips that help you become an in-demand freelance writer.
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Written by Sonia Simone | November 16, 2017 | 4 Comments

Killer Resources for Freelancers … and an Option for Those Who Don’t Want to Go It Alone

This week, Stefanie Flaxman and I yielded the floor to a pair of smart gentlemen who we don’t hear from quite as often as we used to.

And we featured a writer you haven’t seen on Copyblogger before. Her debut post for us is a must-read for writers who like being able to pay their bills.

On Monday, Kelton Reid talked about why we don’t need to be afraid that we’ve reached “peak podcast.” He also has a helpful suggestion for that dreaded question you face at family holiday parties. (No, not that question, the other one.)

We run very few guest posts these days, but on Tuesday, Certified Content Marketer Alaura Weaver offered us a terrific one. She wrote about what it takes to make the transition from wistful “wannabe” writer to an authoritative, well-paid professional. She’s not afraid to get specific, including real-world numbers on what qualified writers get paid for different kinds of content.

And on Wednesday, Copyblogger’s founder Brian Clark revealed what he’s been working on lately: the brand-new Rainmaker Digital services division.
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