POST #31: 40 Days to a Successful Freelance Writing Career

PUBLISHER NOTE: If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know about the upcoming freelance writing seminar this month. Details.

Many have inquired about what will be discussed at the seminar. So, in order to answer your questions and to get you prepared for what to expect, I started a series of posts entitled "40 Days to a Successful Freelance Writing Career (which will continue, despite the notice below)."

Freelance Writing Seminar Cancelled: Unfortunately, due to my stepfather's illness, which I wrote about in the last newsletter, the seminar has been cancelled. But, you can still take a class on how to start a freelance writing career. Click here for details.

To start at the beginning of the "40 Days" series, click here. And, welcome to the blog. Now, on to today’s post . . .

Why You Should Take on Those “Crummy” SEO Writing Jobs

I read a very inspired post the other day on this subject. Usually, freelancers frown on these type of projects – and for the most part, they very well should.

When it comes to freelance writing, SEO article writing (aka keyword articles) are considered the bottom of the barrel. BUT, as CatalystBlogger Jennifer points out in her very sound piece, it can be an ongoing, lucrative gig.

Why There Is So Much Work for SEO Article Writers

These type of articles feed the search engine monster. So, when spiders for search engines like Google, Looksmart and Yahoo crawl your site, you need to give them something to chew on -- so to speak -- so they recognize you in the search results.

Every new website that comes online, and every old website who's performance is not optimal, needs content to drive traffic their way. Keyword articles do this. And, this is why the work for this type of writing is so plentiful -- and is likely to be for years to come.

I’d just like to add a few points to her article – not about the SEO writing, but about the mindset going in.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
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FREE E-Report: How to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer! Simply send in your email address and the report will be emailed to you absolutely free.

Coming Soon! Freelance Writing Tees: Laugh-out-loud tees highlighting the ups, downs, joys and sorrows of being a freelance writer. You won’t want to be caught without one!
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As I said in my comment to Jennifer’s post, I find freelance writers usually fall into two or three camps, outlined below.

Remember, if your goal is to make a full-time living as a freelancer, you are going to have to take on some projects that are not, shall we say, optimal. It doesn’t mean you revert to being bullet point “b” above, but it does mean you might want to become a “c”.

The 3 Types of Freelance Writers (Which one are you?)

a) Those who look down upon anything that pays less than what "they" consider a decent rate:

b) Those who will work for peanuts; and

c) Those who will consider each project on its merits -- long-term income generation, ease of work and what it provides to them personally.

Of these, obviously, “c” is the type of freelancer who has the best chance of succeeding. “A” will likely have long droughts, because they are holding out for “their” price. Sometimes, your price is not what the market will bear. And, you’ll either have to come down, or find another way to make a living.”

"B” will work him/herself to death because they are likely to look at any paying gig as an opportunity to get their foot in the door. What door, I don’t know. No freelancer should spend too much time at the bottom of the barrel.

The freelancer I profiled in the first issue of Inkwell Editorial’s newsletter, Michelle Devon, spoke of how she took on projects that she didn’t want to take on.

Writing SEO articles can be just the type of gig to get you through dry spells. So, don’t be so quick to dismiss them the next time you run across an ad. They might be just what your bank account ordered.

Good luck!
Yuwanda (who is this person?)
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What’s in Inkwell Editorial’s Newsletter? There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial's newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, "starving freelancer." Subscribe to read all previous issues.

Current Issue: For all you artists our there (illustrators, cartoonists, photographers, this one is for you). I interviewed successful cartoonist Dan Rosendach. He’s been a freelancer since 1976 and lays out some very interesting marketing tactics for keeping the business rolling in.

Next Issue: 10/17. Sue Fagalde Lick, author of Freelancing for Newspapers, has graciously agreed to be interviewed. Whether you are an experienced or inexperienced freelance writer, this is one market that eagerly accepts freelancers, as Sue outlines in her book.

Gain clients, web traffic and brand awareness. How? Let us interview you for our popular newsletter? Full details. Read the first issue here.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. Freelance success stories, e-courses, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Get the e-report, How to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer -- free! Log on to http://www.freelancewritingwebsite.com/ for details.
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