Show of hands. How many are struggling to get started as freelance writers, and even worse, getting clients to say yes? You’ve literally been dreaming of your first freelance writing job?
I understand the frustration of being a beginner because I passed through that stage, too.
You seem to be making headway, only to realize that you’re paddling upstream. None of the traditional hacks seems to work for you.
You decide to throw in the towel.
DON’T!
Because I’m here to restore your fading hopes of making clients say yes.
Briefly About the Author
My name is Denzil Otieno, a young Kenyan freelance writer and blogger. I was trained by Walter Akolo, the founder of this blog. Therefore, I’m honored to be at home a second time since my first guest post last year.
Want to connect with me? Read from my blog and say hi to me on my comments section. Let me know that we met on this blog. You’ll make me happier than the American TV series ‘Gotham’ does.
Freelance Writing Overview
Freelance writing is fast becoming a highly sought after career.
A survey by Freelance Writing revealed that most part-time freelance writers earn an average of $10k per year while full-time writers earn up to $40k annually.
Additionally, most freelance writers predict that they will be in the business for more than five years. That means that most writers are already treating freelance writing as a full-time career.
These are phenomenal stats that you shouldn’t ignore. You need a better strategy to position yourself as a beginner writer and land more freelance gigs ahead of the experts.
Why It’s Becoming Hard to Land First Freelance Writing Job
Below are the reasons why getting freelance gigs is difficult for some people:
1. Clients Prefer Referrals
Nowadays, clients don’t want to waste their time going through a series of applications. They ask for referrals from friends and get the projects running.
But there’s a problem. Only those who do superb work get referrals. Therefore, when you do good work, your existing client keeps on referring you. So you end up having a tier of clients.
If you haven’t had success with referrals, you need to make sure you deliver the best to your client. If you aren’t sure about what your client wants, ask. Don’t make irrational decisions.
2. Mediocre Writers are Crowding the Industry
I’m aware it’s such a pain. But truth be told, there are mediocre freelance writers who aren’t fit for the industry.
They don’t seem to improve and don’t bother about their quality. Their primary goal is to earn money – that’s all.
Their shoddy work demotivates clients and makes them skeptical about hiring more freelancers.
Buddy, stop blocking the way for serious and dedicated writers. If freelancing isn’t your thing, pack your things and leave.
To up your game, have a Unique Selling Point (USP) to help you stand out from the mediocre.
You don’t have to be the best, but at least show that you’re trying to improve.
3. Content Format is Changing
Today, some publications aren’t even accepting free guest posts, and do you know why?
Companies are no longer just interested in list posts and how-to posts. Instead, top dollar companies are looking for in-depth guides.
There are companies paying up to $5,000 for a single case study. Therefore, if you want to get your first freelance writing job, keep your eye out for better ways to create content.
4. You are Busy Waiting for Opportunities to Happen
Opportunities don’t just happen, you create them.
Don’t just wait for a job post to appear so that you apply for it.
Imagine competing with hundreds or even thousands of job applicants. Does it look like you have 90+% guarantee you’ll get the gig?
To beat the competition, create the opportunities and hijack them before the clients sends them out for the whole world to apply.
For example, if you have a client who only needs blog posts written, ask him if you can optimize and update his older posts after your first project.
You’ll be creating an opportunity for yourself, and it’s a no brainer. The client can easily hire you for your proposed gig if they already love your previous submission.
The Psychology Behind Getting a Freelance Writing Job
Psychology in freelance writing? Let me explain.
Since I dove into the freelance writing world, I have learned and understood the psychology behind these jobs.
And this is what I have learned:
- Offer value and get pure value in return
- Test the waters before diving in
- Break the rules of professionalism
- Be human
Sounds vague, right?
Don’t worry. I’ll explain the four principles one-by-one so that you aptly understand what I mean.
1. Offer Value and Get Pure Value in Return
Offering value to get value in return means:
Offering value: Giving valuable information to your client regarding his or her project without bearing in mind the client will hire you. In simple terms, you half solve your prospective client’s problem even before they give you a freelance writing job.
Getting value in return: You have offered value to your prospective client. And convinced them that you’re a good fit for the job because you have given them a hint on how you can solve his problem. You both strike a deal and boom; you get your pure value in return.
For example, Walter intends to increase organic traffic to his website. He needs a proficient SEO article writer who can write a well-optimized SEO article. He has invited you to apply for this job.
Let’s write a cover letter that offers value.
Hey Walter,
I’m a savvy SEO writer who will help you optimize your posts to rank higher on search engines.
Most writers get it all wrong when you tell them to write an SEO optimized blog post. What they do is to keyword stuff the article making it sound like an academic essay – so annoying!
Writers forget that keyword insertion shouldn’t be overdone. Instead, it should act as a spice that adds flavor to your article. Meaning overdoing it is like adding too much salt to your stew.
On the contrary, I follow a clear path to optimizing my clients’ articles. Here’s my process:
- Research relevant keywords
- Use various tools to generate long-tail keywords
- Write down both the primary keyword and the long-tail keywords
- Plan subheadings using the long-tail keywords
- Write the article while naturally inserting both the primary keyword as well as the long-tail keywords (0.5-1% of the total word count for the primary keyword. Long-tail keywords can appear once.)
- Use the Yoast Plugin to check if your SEO score is perfect (the icon should turn green.)
- Edit the permalinks and meta description box. Use your keyword on the permalink. Remove unnecessary characters like dates from your permalink.
- Publish the post
Here’s a sample of my writing [link].
I’ll be happy to see you soaring in search engines.
Many thanks,
Denzil
You can see that we have offered value to Walter beforehand. He can now do the task by himself if he wishes or decide to hire you to take the project if he’s too busy to handle it.
2. Test the Waters Before Diving In
Testing the waters means you first become a client and see what goes on behind the scenes before you can approach real clients. Going behind the scenes will help you understand:
- What clients are looking for
- How a good pitch looks like
- Why some freelancers never get freelance gigs
Besides, being a client will help you realize what clients are always looking for because you will:
- Have the freedom to select freelancers during the hiring process
- Be in a position to weed out some freelancers
- Know what pitches please you
- Receive offers from people with different experience levels and decide who’s the best fit.
In a nutshell, you’ll be in control, making every decision. Now, your reasons for choosing a specific freelancer and leaving out the rest are what real clients are looking for.
For example, when I was writing an eBook, I didn’t know some eBook designing basics. But from our interview with a freelancer, I learned that the manuscript was better if formatted.
I decided to hire the freelancer because she gave me a heads up to something critical. So next time I’ll be applying for an eBook project, I’ll make sure to include the manuscript formatting as part of the project.
3. Break the Rules of Professionalism
Sure, you can break the rules of professionalism.
Don’t be a blind seeker. Be red and white and then red again – show your true colors.
Because you’re dealing with human beings and you aren’t going to be serious forever.
At some point, you’ll need to tease your client a bit and make them feel that they’re not dealing with a robot.
In a nutshell, treat your client as a human being. Have time to work on your projects and time to talk about general life issues with your client.
When you have completed your tasks, and the client has approved them, crack jokes, exchange ideas, and talk about your personal lives together.
It doesn’t just break the boredom, but also strengthens your relationship with the client.
It is at this point that I always find the opportunity to suggest similar gigs or ask for referrals from my client.
And you can guess the answer I mostly get – YES!
Note that this method doesn’t work with all clients. If a client isn’t comfortable with this, you can remain purely professional. Only use this method with a client who’s open to it.
4. Be Human
A ton of freelance writers often overlook the importance of being human.
It starts from your pitch to how you handle your clients once you secure the gig.
Have that human feeling – address your client by name, congratulate them, thank them, welcome them, among other things.
For example…
I usually welcome a client on Upwork when he or she has recently joined and hired less than three freelancers. This is how I do it:
Hey Brian,
Congratulations on starting a new site. The design looks good, and I love your color scheme. I can also see you’re new to this platform. Welcome to Upwork/ Fiverr (any site)
As you can see, I’ve acknowledged the progress of the client and also noted that he’s new. I’ve then welcomed them.
Honestly, who doesn’t love to be welcomed or congratulated for work well done? Best of all is that it doesn’t cost you a penny to welcome or congratulate someone.
Being human is important because you want to create an excellent first impression. If you do it wrong, don’t expect anything good.
It’s like the first impression you give to your desired girlfriend. The more presentable you are on your first date, the higher the chances you’ll become a match made in heaven.
Over to You
This is a guide that should help you land your next freelance writing job. I intended to just let you know the psychology behind freelance writing jobs but went ahead to give you insights about what to do.
Usually, learning is only complete when you have implemented what you have learned. If not, expect no success coming your way. If you have any questions, please leave a comment so that I can answer them. Talk soon!
On the contrary, I follow a clear path to optimizing my clients’ articles. Here’s my process:
Research relevant keywords
Use various tools to generate long-tail keywords
Write down both the primary keyword and the long-tail keywords
Plan subheadings using the long-tail keywords
Write the article while naturally inserting both the primary keyword as well as the long-tail keywords (0.5-1% of the total word count for the primary keyword. Long-tail keywords can appear once.)
Use the Yoast Plugin to check if your SEO score is perfect (the icon should turn green.)
Edit the permalinks and meta description box. Use your keyword on the permalink. Remove unnecessary characters like dates from your permalink.
Publish the post—-I have already done Walters course but all the above terminologies sound all Greek (apart from SEO) Where can i learn about the optimization tricks? I am also trying to get started though I know I haven’t applied for enough jobs. Thanks in advance.
I know, right?
Did you make any headway regarding all this?
Hello Denzil thanks for your information please can we get in touch please
Am very grateful for the information.
Am also interested in starting the work otherwise that I learn some tips from you (otieno)
Am optimistic to start the job
Thank you so much. I am enlightened. You have gone to great heights to explain like you would to a five year old.
I am new here, I enjoy writing and soon I will be doing the training with Walter. I believe I will do exceptionally well.
Many blessings for being a blessing.
Thank you Denzil for that information. At least I have understood some facts on freelancing.
Hi Denzil,
I am inspired as a beginner.
Thank you for sharing this in-depth.
hi Denzil….I am a newbie in academic writing, I’m really struggling to get clients….any ideas? I would also love to undertake Walter’s classes ….how do I go about it?
Hi Lucy,
That’s great! You can check out my training details here https://freelancerkenya.com/article-writing-and-blogging-training/
I’ll be happy to see you succeed.
Am so so encouraged. good work Denzil
Hi Dorcas, thanks.
Hi denzil I am a new .thank you so much for the post…..it’s very informative and has opened my mind to online working ….hope to start freelance as soon as possible
Hi Esther, you’re welcome.
Hi Denzil,
Thanks for this article. I am a starter. I did my course with Walter in May.
I have just submitted my first job on upwork. I read a lot on Freelancing but my progress is too slow.
I have never quite understood the concept of cold pitching. where do people get these clients?
Hello Emmy, you first need to identify your niche to help you look for your ideal clients. You can get your ideal clients by searching ‘your niche + companies’ on either Google or on LinkedIn search box.
You can also get prospects on fortune 500. In short, knowing your niche is critical as it will guide you in identifying who your ideal prospects are.
Hi Denzil.
I’m quite new in this field and I must admit that I find this post very informative and helpful,thanks.
Hi Denzil.
Thanks for your blog. It’s quite informative and insightful.
My problem is that I am so full of procrastination hence the feeling that writing jobs are for the super bright. I have worked online before as a transcriber, but for 2 years now I have not been able to as I am involved in different activities. I desire to bounce back as a writer.
My question is: before you began earning online through writing, is it that you had to study intensively on your own to learn this much. Or Walter’s training did the magic for you?
All the best. You are the next Walter ?
Hi Faith,
Your comment has touched me and I will open up.
First, I must confirm that coming across Walter was a big stepping stone.
Before I purchased his course, I schemed him to know whether his success stories were genuine and honestly they were.
I went ahead and took the course. I remember on the first day, I was half the course. It goes without saying that I was hungry for knowledge – not many aspiring writers are.
Without Walter’s course, I would have been trapped by the account selling cons, I wouldn’t have known about online writing, and most importantly, I wouldn’t have grown professionally upright. Walter guided me the right way.
Once I was done with my course, I didn’t stop there. I went ahead to test different hacks to see what and what didn’t work – again, most people don’t do this.
I must also say that I have taken more than 5 courses worth hundreds of dollars in less than a year. I’m sorry to say that most trainees are so much afraid to invest.
I may not mention some of these courses here, but I can confirm that one of them cost me $2,000. And when I say $2,000, I don’t mean that you should do the same.
The point is that you need to keep going. There’s no limit. Aim higher every day and think of ways you can improve people’s lives once you have some knowledge.
Lastly, let’s learn to partner with one another. Partnering with people is what has helped me reach this far. Again, I’ve studied freelancers in Kenya and it’s a disappointment most aren’t willing to partner.
If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a reply and I’ll respond.
Many thanks,
Talk soon,
Denzil
Thank you Danzil for taking your precious time to reply to me in length. I am humbled.
Back in 2014, I started on Walter’s course which was so helpful, but I didn’t complete because of the overwhelming transcription work at that particular time. I promised myself to re-do it later on and that still stands. I look forward to paying for it soon.
As you said, I confirm that freelance writing is not for the lazy ones.
I guess by partnering you mean having someone to walk with through the freelancing journey. When I started out as a transcriber, there a guy we were moving together but somewhere along the way I was left behind when I got a baby. I don’t complain though, coz his company was indeed helpful. He is into academics now and is doing pretty smart. I am encouraged.
I have been through academic account buying horror which got my brother and I frustrated due to account closure, my Upwork account (which I had acquired all the way from Elance) was suspended and before it’s closer I had worked for a client on-site, and another off-site whereby he conned me.
However, I am have not given up and will live up to my promise of retaking Walter’s course. I love learning so the self-drive is intact. Soon I will get back to the race.
Thanks again,
Faith
Hi Faith,
I’m sorry for all that happened.
A trainer and a partnership are two different things.
When I talk of partnership, I mean you need to find someone else with whom you can put your ideas together and make something great.
Not many can do that locally and I have seen it, but I thank God I found the right people who have partnered with me.
For example, you’re a writer, find a web developer and create a bond. You’re a programmer, find a writer and make something together.
That’s what I meant. Anyway, I encourage you to revisit the course and this time, be “hungry” for the knowledge. Ask as many questions as you can and Walter will always get back.
Wish you well. I hope to read your success sooner or later. God bless you, Faith!
Timely for beginners.Thank you
You’re welcome, Wanjiku ?
Thank you for this post Denzil.
Very informative. The first point really sank in, and I plan to use it.
Cheers.
Whoa, Denis. Test and let me know how it goes.
Am I the only one who was trained but has never earned anything, a year down the line?
Hi Oduor, maybe try and check if there’s anything you didn’t implement. Success comes with implementing everything you learn. So, failing to implement some strategies could have cost your success.
Spot on and an eye opener for me. Keep up the good job.
Thanks, Mathews. My hopes and prayer are to see you succeed.
Hi Denzil,
An informative piece of work. Congratulations for the far you’ve reached and i wish you all the best.
I’m also currently under Akolo’s training and wish that i can also get to this point.
God bless you
You’re welcome, Ruth. Keep fighting everyday and let the sky be your limit.
This is awesome Denzil
Great tips
Thanks, Maryann. I hope you’re also heading somewhere. Nice to have you at Denzil Digital.
Thanks a lot Denzil..
I just started freelancing and I’ve been feeling overwhelmed but your article really eased me up.
Thanks once again
Hello Denzil, this is Manoti. Am a newbie and actually didn’t know where to start. I met with Walter and its really great to have him helping me in this journey. He has sent me the link to here and everything is amazing. This message has just opened my mind and now I see it possible. Thank you very much.
Thanks Mutunga. Just make sure to implement what you learn and you’ll stand out.
So informing and interesting,thanks Mr Denzil for this post
Hey Brown,
I’m glad you found it informative and helpful.