Being a writer, whether you’re a copywriter or a content writer, is a great way to live the life you choose. You can work from home, or anywhere else you please, you can choose your customers and your hours. It gives moms the opportunity to have the best of both worlds and it gives everyone the freedom they desire. However to make the most of this amazing career, it helps to have clients knocking down your door, and writing projects coming out your ears! Here are the steps to become a sought after writer.
#1 Market yourself with a website. Whether you’re writing sales copy or content, many of your clients will be internet marketers, you’ll want to demonstrate your ability to understand their sales and marketing goals by having your own website and utilizing Internet marketing strategies to promote and grow your business. Additionally, the single most popular place for internet marketers to search for contractors and providers is online which means you have to have an online presence to even stand a chance.
#2 Network, be social! Forums, article marketing and social networking are all a great way to share your knowledge, meet potential clients and interact. Share your skills, knowledge and personality online. It is said that the single biggest asset a small business owner has is their personality. Use yours to shine and stand out above your competition. Quite often, people will like you and look for a reason to work with you.
#3 Be ultra professional. You’re being hired to represent your client so that’s important, but perhaps more important is your ability to communicate effectively, follow up and meet deadlines.
#4 Specialize. As a writer, the single biggest thing you can do to increase demand for your services is to specialize. Choose an industry, choose a format you like to write in, and are skilled at, and specialize. For example, you can specialize in:
* Writing sales copy for coaches.
* Writing sales copy for non-profits
* Writing blog posts for technology sites
* Writing product reviews
* Writing SEO content
* Writing white papers
* Ghostwriting reports or ebooks
And so on, the sky is really the limit when it comes to writing and specialization.
#5 Price your services competitively. People will pay for exceptional service and writing quality. Provide it and you can set your rates at the high end of your industry. First, of course, you’ll have to determine what that is. The good news is that while there is a tremendous amount of competition online, rates aren’t determined by geographic region as salaries are. Research what other writers charge for specific services, learn what you need to know to be an expert in your chosen niche, and earn those high rates.
#6 Help people hire you. People are confused about how to hire a writer. Make it as easy as possible, be ready and willing to educate them and outline your writing process and policies right from the beginning. For example, do you require a 50% deposit? What is your standard turn around time? Do you offer revisions and rewrites? If so, how many?
#7 Reward referrals and don’t be afraid to ask for them. Also, ask for testimonials and use them. Word of mouth marketing is one of the best forms of marketing and it’s free – you can’t beat that ROI! One satisfied customer who tells three friends who tells three more friends each and suddenly your schedule is full!
Becoming a sought after writer requires a strategy and a little time and patience. Follow these seven steps and you’ll have as much work as you desire.