Guidelines for Building a Freelance Writing Portfolio by Blogging

As many of you know, I contribute to AssociatedContent a lot. One of my subscribers over there asked an interesting question that I answered in my regular Wednesday post at BloggingTips.com.

He, in essence, wanted to know how to build his freelance writing resume by blogging. Even though he's a newbie to freelance writing, I felt compelled to answer because: (i) well, he asked; and (ii) as I say in today's post, I think many of us who have much more experience are hesitant to answer these types of posts in detail because we get them all the time and seem to answer them in 100 different ways.

Knowing What NOT to Do Is as Important -- Or More -- Than Knowing What to Do

But, as this had to do with blogging in particular, which is a relatively new medium (compared to say newsletters or article marketing), I thought it deserved and in-depth post (if for no other reason than to tell him what NOT to do). You can read the full missive here.

Don't forget to read the comment (the first one as of this writing). It's quite illuminating I thought. I have personal experience with this and have been thinking about doing a post on it for a minute now. In due time . . . in due time.

TOMORROW'S POST: We'll turn the tables and I'll answer a question sent in by an SEO writer who is kind of a victim of her own success. Don't forget to check out the freelance job listings below.

Stay tuned!
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://inkwelleditorial.com/
http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
http://seo-article-writer.com/
http://seo-articles-for-sale.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career Newsletter
P.S: Notice how a lot of writing jobs now have "SEO" requirements? Learn how to make at least $250/day writing simple 500-word SEO articles? Read how here.
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Today’s Freelance Writing Jobs / SEO Writing Jobs
Note about job listings: I list positions that offer immediate work – and future work. Keeping your pipeline full requires taking a long-range approach and thinking out of the box (eg, sending in your credentials to FT postings). That's why explanations may be given w/some listings.

Funny Writers Wanted

Freelance Copy Editor/Proofreader

Legal Writer, Editor, Copy Editor (If you have legal experience, even though this is a FT position, it's an excellent one to apply to for freelance work b/c it's a niche that not many have experience in)

Multiple Freelance Writers Needed

Freelance Writer Needed for “Parenting & Pregnancy” related Blog

Newsletter Writer

Guide/Researcher/Writer

NYC Real Estate Blogger (another one along these lines is here)

Content Copywriter Wanted (lots of content for lots of sites! This means ongong work, so apply!)

Freelance Writing Jobs from the Public Request Section of Constant-Content.com (read more about this here).

Title: Mortgage Newsletter (This is my niche, if I have time, I'm goiong to apply to this myself!)
Description: This is an article for a lead-driven mortgage site. The focus on the recent FED rate decrease and what it means to the avg consumer? Also, the article should inform the potential new homeowners as they explore the housing market. The main focus should be driving refinance mortgage quote requests though.
Price: $50-100
Article amount: 1
Content length: 300-600
Subjects: Real Estate, Mortgages, Refinance, Loans, FED Cuts
Notes: Needed by 3/28/08

Title: Cheap Cell Phone Faceplates
Description: Info.com, a company that produces informational niche web sites, is currently putting together a site about cell phone accessories. We’re seeking copy for a topic on this site, “cheap cell phone faceplates.” This topic includes six pages (which need to be about 500 words each). Here are the pages we need: 1. Cheap cell phone faceplates landing page (an introduction and overview of the following pages). Keywords: Cheap cell phone faceplates, cell phone faceplate, Motorola faceplates, cell phone faceplates 2. Motorola faceplates Keywords: cheap cell phone faceplates, Motorola faceplates, cell phone faceplates, Motorola cell phone accessory 3. Nokia faceplates Keywords: cheap cell phone faceplates, nokia faceplates, cell phone faceplates, nokia accessories, Nokia cell phone accessory 4. Nextel faceplates Keywords: Nextel faceplates, cheap cell phone faceplates, cell phone faceplates, cell phone faceplate 5. Kyocera faceplates Keywords: Kyocera faceplates, cheap cell phone faceplates, cell phone faceplates, Kyocera cell phone accessory 6. Samsung faceplates Keywords: Samsung faceplates, cheap cell phone faceplates, cell phone faceplates, Samsung cell phone accessory This assignment has several SEO requirements. Incorporate the keywords (listed beneath the pages in order of value) into your copy. The first page (or landing page) requires two or three engaging introductory paragraphs, followed by introductions and short summaries of the pages the reader will find under this topic (Motorola faceplates, Nokia faceplates, etc.) Prompt the reader to stay on the site for more information. Subsequent pages should be around 500 words each. Break up your paragraphs, so the reader does not get overwhelmed by copy. Keep your writing straightforward and geared toward the contemporary North American consumer.
Price: $20-30
Article amount: 6
Content length: 500
Subjects: -Cheap Cell Phone faceplates -Motorola faceplates -Nokia faceplates -Nextel faceplates -Kyocera faceplates -Samsung faceplates
Notes: -Info.com uses AP Style. -Not every page needs to be exactly 500 words. -For SEO purposes, keywords (even those that are misspelled) need to appear in your copy exactly as they are written. -Writers whose samples are well-written, require minimal edits, and contain an authoritative but lively voice will be contacted for ongoing work. -We will need full rights to any articles we purchase, and they cannot contain material that has existed in any other form in another publication.

Title: Bluetooth
Description: Info.com, a company that produces informational niche web sites, is currently putting together a site about cell phone accessories. We’re seeking copy for one of the site’s topics, “Bluetooth.” This topic includes four pages (which need to be about 500 words each). Here are the pages we need: 1. Bluetooth landing page (an introduction and overview of the following pages). Keywords: Bluetooth, cell phone accessory, Bluetooth headset, Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth wireless, Bluetooth technology 2. Bluetooth headsets Keywords: Bluetooth, Bluetooth headset, Bluetooth headsets, cell phone accessory. Bluetooth wireless, Bluetooth technology 3. Bluetooth cell phones Keywords: Bluetooth, Bluetooth phones, Bluetooth wireless, Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth cell phones 4. Bluetooth adapters Keywords: Bluetooth, Bluetooth adapters, Bluetooth adapter, Bluetooth wireless, cell phone accessory, Bluetooth cell phones. This assignment has several SEO requirements. Incorporate the keywords (listed beneath the pages in order of SEO value) into your copy. The first page (or landing page) requires two or three engaging introductory paragraphs, followed by introductions and short summaries of the pages the reader will find under this topic (Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth cell phones, etc.) Prompt the reader to stay on the site for more information. Subsequent pages should be around 500 words each. Break up your text into manageable paragraphs, so the reader does not get overwhelmed by copy. Keep your writing straightforward and geared toward the contemporary North American consumer.
Price: $20-30
Article amount: 4
Content length: 500
Subjects: - Bluetooth landing page - Bluetooth headsets - Bluetooth cell phones - Bluetooth adapters
Notes: -Info.com uses AP Style. -Not every page needs to be exactly 500 words. -For SEO purposes, keywords (even those that are misspelled) need to appear in your copy exactly as they are written. -Writers whose samples are well written, require minimal edits, and contain an authoritative but lively voice will be contacted for ongoing work. -We will need full rights to any articles we purchase, and they cannot contain material that has existed in any other form in another publication.