Blog Archives

Freelance Work Freak-Out? 5 Surprising Tips from a Pro

Posted by: Evan Jensen — 17 Comments ↓

Surprising Tips to Get Freelance Work. Makealivingwriting.com

Feeling like you’re in the middle of a freelance work freakout?

You know…the horror-movie type of freakout where the lead character is running around screaming, tearing their hair out, and making rash decisions.

For writers, it might look something like this…

You’re desperately trying to get freelance work. You’re worried about your current clients. Maybe you’ve been ghosted by a solid prospect ever since COVID-19 hit. Or that check you were expecting for a project still hasn’t shown up.

Sound familiar?

If you’re having one of these freakout moments, it’s time to take a step back. Clear your mind. Think. Go for a run. Now is not the time for making hair-on-fire decisions.

In fact, you can still make a good living as a freelance writer. Even though we’re likely heading into a recession, you can still be a six-figure freelancer. And it doesn’t have to take years to get there.

Freelance writer Jessica Mehta hit that goal as a relative newbie. Want to know how she did it? Check out these surprising tips to move up and earn more.

Read more ›

Tagged with: , , , , ,

Content Mill Announces Unusual Requirements to Help Writers

Posted by: Evan Jensen — 52 Comments ↓

Unusual Requirements for Content Mill Work. Makealivingwriting.com.

Need more freelance work? A leading content mill just stepped up to the plate to help freelancers in an usual way.

If you’ve been thinking about chasing content mill work as a freelance writer, now might be the first time in content-mill history to consider it.

Why? For every day of the shelter-in-place orders around the world, the demand for high-quality, well-written, and engaging content keeps rising…something content mills haven’t always provided.

But that’s about to change.

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve done a thorough assessment of our platforms,” says Content Mill Consortium spokesman Westley Roberts. “We need to do a better job at compensating freelance writers and helping our clients hire great talent. And that time is now.”

The plan, spearheaded by one of the top content mills in the industry, outlines changes to improve rates and connect freelance writers with quality clients, says Roberts. But there are also some unusual requirements the plan includes to help the best freelancers rise to the top.

Ready to move up and earn more? Here’s what you need to know.

Read more ›

Tagged with: , , , , ,

Content Writing Wins: Tell Us About Your Most Viral Blog Post

Posted by: Evan Jensen — 29 Comments ↓

Content Writing Contest: What's Your Most Viral Blog Post? Makealivingwriting.com

What’s your best, most shared, traffic-generating blog post? We want to hear about your content writing wins.

Turn off the news for a minute. Step away from the non-stop coronavirus updates. Take a chill pill (as in…coffee, chocolate, or some other delightful treat you stocked up on the last time you braved the grocery store).

And dig up the best-performing blog post you’ve published or written for a client.

We’re hosting a contest to show off your best work, share tips on content writing that get results, and (drum roll, please) give out some pretty sweet prizes.

What made your best blog post get more clicks, likes, shares, and site traffic?

If you don’t have metrics for your best content writing work, that’s OK, too. Anecdotal proof (like comments on a post, even if they’re from your mom) that show off your content writing superpowers works, too.

Maybe you’ve even written a blog post that went viral…you know like every blog post Jon Morrow writes. Now’s your chance to tell us about your top content writing win.

Here’s a few examples and details about the contest:

Read more ›

Tagged with: , , ,

Quit Your Job to Freelance? A Teacher’s 5 Sink-or-Swim Moves

Posted by: Evan Jensen — 16 Comments ↓

Quit Your Job to Freelance? Here's the Plan. Makealivingwriting.com

If you’ve been thinking about ways to quit your job and freelance full time, you’re not alone.

There’s a lot of unknowns right now. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little more control over your income, your schedule, and your life?

When you’re a freelancer, you’re not at the mercy of a global pandemic, a hard-to-work-with manager, or the day-to-day drudgery of work you hate.

You make the rules. You’re the boss. Your schedule, your workload, and your income depends on you.

If you’re thinking about this, chances are pretty good you’ve got questions:

Do you have what it takes? Can you get freelance writing clients? Will you be able to pay your bills and do meaningful work?

The answer: Yes, you can. I quit my job as a mid-career teacher to be a freelancer. But instead of taking the side-hustle-for-years route, I decided to go with the sink-or-swim approach.

Ready to quit your job to be a freelance writer? Here’s what you need to know:

Read more ›

Tagged with: , ,

A Blog Editor’s Wish List: Avoid These 4 Gaffes to Pitch a Popular Blog

Posted by: Evan Jensen — 10 Comments ↓

A Popular Blog Editor Says: Avoid These Pitch Gaffes. Makealivingwriting.com. Makealivingwriting.com

If you want to write for a popular blog, you might be quick to second guess your chances of getting published. Don’t do that, OK.

Why? There’s an estimated 500 million blogs on the internet, and many of those pay freelancers $100 to $500+ to write blog posts to engage readers, drive traffic, and generate sales.

Right now popular blog editors in every niche need freelance writers. And they’re flooded with pitches. Only most are bang-your-head-against-the-wall terrible.

For example: “I like to read and I’m passionate about writing. Will you hire me?” It’s like spraying my eyes with toxic chemicals. Never…Ever…Ever…send a blog editor a pitch like this.

So how do yo pitch editors for popular blogs and get noticed? Study the guidelines and read the blog before you pitch an editor. That’s a good place to start. Duh!

Most editors also have a wish list of what they’re looking for when they review a pitch, along with a trigger finger for certain types of gaffes and mistakes.

Want to write for a popular blog? Avoid these mistakes to get an editor’s attention.

Read more ›

Tagged with: , , , ,

Blog Writing Workout: 10 Expert-Blogger Tips for Rock-Solid Success

Posted by: Evan Jensen — 9 Comments ↓

Rock-Solid Success Tips for Blog Writing. Makealivingwriting.com

If you’re chasing blog writing clients or you’re trying to manage a lot of work at the same time, you might be feeling a little out of breath.

You know…maybe you’ve got blog writing gigs with multiple clients in different niches. Or maybe you’re trying to get more freelance work writing blog posts, and pitching a ton of prospects.

There’s a lot to think about when you take that route.

You’ve got to keep track of things like editorial calendars and deadlines, come up with ideas, write great headlines, and know enough about SEO to go the distance.

It can be a fast-paced, publish-often challenge. And it can pay well. But if you’re not in shape, you might be sucking wind, along with your hourly rate for blog writing.

So how do you boost your blog writing skills to climb the path to freelance success?

You could wander around and probably find your way eventually. But you’ll get there faster if you follow someone who knows the way.

Check out these pro-blogger tips for rock-solid success.

Read more ›

Tagged with: , , ,