How to Get SEO Writing Work from "Middleman" Providers (Advice About)

This post is in answer to reader Misti Sandefur, who responded to yesterday’s post entitled "How to Set SEO Writing Rates to Make $250-$500+/Day."

Misti commented:

QUESTION: Thanks for the tips. However, I would like to know how you found out who the "middle man" worked for? So far, on all the bid sites where I've read the details, they never mention who they work for, and that's why I asked this question.”

My response:

ANSWER: Misti, I never found out who the contractors worked for -- of course, none will tell you this.

In forums especially, many “middle men/contractors” flat out state that they are freelancers looking for help on client projects. Where they weren't middlemen, they'd just say they were a webmaster building a site on "X" and need "x" number of SEO articles written and were willing to pay "$x".

When I first started to research this niche, I ran across the copywriting forum at Digital Point. This forum encouraged and discouraged me at the same time. Why?

Why There Will Always Be a Need for SEO Content Writers

Well, I got encouraged because I saw that there was a lot of work for SEO writers. And, as content drives search engines, I knew that this was going to be an evergreen profession. Like the telephone, it will be around forever.

While the form and function of it may change, the internet will always need new content. An evergreen need for a service I can provide – well, you can’t get better than that for a business model.

BUT, I was extremely discouraged because of the pay offered. Writing this post, I clicked over just to give you a sample.

Following are some of the rates offered by clients to writers:

Six 400-word articles on acne, wrinkles, aging skin: $3.50/per article.

100 articles ($3 for 500 words) of 500 words each on a specific topic.

Just for comparison sake, Inkwell Editorial (my company) pays $15 per 500-word article (see #2 of this post).

Some rates offered by writers to clients:

High quality article writer, $4 per 500 words article

Original Articles-$2 for 200 words/$3 for 500 words/$5 for 700 words/$7 fr 1000 words

I will write 400 word articles for $8 in batches of 10

I charge $1 per 100 words for articles and $60 per Press Release of 500 words.

Now, for me, these were low. I simply can’t afford to work for these rates. But, I’m not knocking writers who do.

This is free enterprise at work; there were lots of takers for these projects. They may be freelancers with no expenses, or very low ones; be college students looking to pick up some extra cash; someone in debt working to pay off a Visa bill; etc. For whatever reason, these rates work for them.

This is why I say in yesterday’s post, “To be successful in business, you have to consider all components, not just rate.”

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://inkwelleditorial.com/
http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
http://seo-article-writer.com/
http://seo-articles-for-sale.com/
http://money-making-videos.blogspot.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Career Newsletter
P.S.: Read about my $250/day as a freelance writer -- with less than two weeks of marketing!
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Current Issue: How Much do Freelance Web Writers Really Make? This issue features a roundup of freelance writer income from around the web. Features salaries from a few hundred a month, to a website that earns over $30,000/month -- and the site owner doesn't even sell anything! Subscribe to read this inspiring issue.

Previous Issue. Ghostwriting: Want to know what type of work is out there in this genre? How much it pays? Where to find it? How to go about getting it? Ghostwriter Amanda Evans gives us the skinny on this freelance writing niche.
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Copyright © 2008 InkwellEditorial.com: 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. Except where noted, no part of this site may be reproduced in any manner without the express, written consent of the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted.

How to Write SEO Articles: Post #2 of Freelance Writer's Technology Month

Did you know that this month is Freelance Writer’s Technology Month? What’s this all about. For a full understanding of what follows, I advise that you read this post first.

Now, on to today’s post . .

How to Write SEO Articles

In yesterday’s post, The 4 Fundamentals of Making Money Online, we laid out the big picture of how to make money online.

The first of these fundamentals was content. Content is what drives traffic to websites. Sites without content don’t get found – even photo sites. The photos have descriptions, which is how you find the picture you’re looking for online.

So, words, words, words … they are extremely important to your online business.

But, there is a way to write the content so that you get found online. Here I will attempt to walk you through the basics of writing effective content (SEO articles) so that you drive more traffic to your website – which is what SEO is all about.

Click here to read the full post, SEO Content Development: How to Drive More Traffic to Your Website by Writing SEO Articles.

P.S.: Special 4-Day Offer! Get Inkwell Editorial’s freelance writing e-course AND all of its ebooks for only $19.95. Simply log onto http://www.freelancewritingwebsite.com/ and select the first payment option.

If your order is received by midnight on 11/11, you will automatically be sent all of our ebooks, and the e-course. Why? I’ll be starting the affiliate program early next week, which means the price is going to be increased ($39.95 or $47 – haven’t decided which yet). So, this is your last chance to get copies at rock bottom prices (offer expires at Midnight on 11/11/07 EST).

Remember to send in your feedback on this series. I'm at info at inkwelleditorial.com.

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://www.inkwelleditorial.com/
http://www.inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Career Newsletter

UPDATE 11/30/07: Following is a link to every post in the Freelance Writer's Technology Month series.

Intro Post: New Series - Freelance Writer's Technology Month

Post #1: The 4 Fundamentals of Making Money Online

Post #2: SEO Content Development: How to Drive More Traffic to Your Website

Post #3: Niche Marketing: How to Choose a Profitable Niche

Post #4: Software Tools for Niche Websites

Post #5: Turn $1/Day into an Online Empire: How to Make Money with Minisites

Post #6: 4 Controversial Ways to Get More Traffic for Your Website

Post #7: 5 Ways to Get a Job Writing SEO Articles

Post #8: How to Determine What to Charge as an SEO Article Writer

Post #9: How to Optimize Your Website to Get More Traffic

Post #10: Social Bookmarking Software & 9 Money-Making Conclusions from Freelance Writer’s Technology Month
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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." Read the first issue here and subscribe to read current and previous issues.

Current Issue: Ghostwriting. Want to know what type of work is out there in this genre? How much it pays? Where to find it? How to go about getting it? Ghostwriter Amanda Evans gives us the skinny on this freelance writing niche. Subscribe.

Previous Issue: Sue Fagalde Lick, author of Freelancing for Newspapers. Whether you are an experienced or inexperienced freelance writer, this is one market that eagerly accepts freelancers, as Sue outlines in her book. Subscribe.Gain clients, web traffic and brand awareness. How? Let us interview you for our popular newsletter? Full details.
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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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