Mar
8
The Bold Move Gets The Gig
Filed Under writing from home
Whether you’re a fiction writer or a blogger, a medical writer or a content guru, if you’re successful chances are you’ve had to get bold to get ahead. Books are boring, blogs are dull, magazines are stiff, and websites no longer rule. Just like the squeaky wheel gets the oil, the bold move gets the gig.
Folks hiring bloggers generally look for an edge. They want a personality behind those words. Of course, they also want someone who will show up and get the job done. But in blogging, boldness clearly matters.
How does the bold move theory translate to other writers? The query letter. The job application. The sales letter. The reviews. Whatever you do, don’t be boring.
A personal example:
Lots of freelance writers who aspire to be freelance bloggers ask me how I get such high paying blogging jobs. My answer is, I don’t wait for gigs to get posted, and I don’t wait for clients to come to me. I’ve only gotten one really good blogging job from an ad. And the truth is, much of my potential client base (lawyers) doesn’t even know they need a blogger until I tell them.
I scored my favorite client (a competitor of another firm I wrote for) by visiting his blog and dropping comments. I liked his style. He “got” blogging. But I noticed right away that he had more blogs than the average high-end women’s shoe store had Pradas. Did the guy never sleep? Surely he outsourced, or if he didn’t he soon would have to or drop over from exhaustion. I emailed him, introduced myself in a writing style that matched his posting style (witty, charming, with professional undertones), and told him if he ever wanted to get more sleep to drop me a line. Within a few weeks, he had a job for me.
How can being bold get you your next big gig?
Supplement some of your job-board surfing time with real networking. I don’t mean visiting fellow writers’ blogs or swapping comments on Digg. I mean networking that will get you in contact with the right people — the ones you want to work for. Does the guy you’d most like to write for have a blog? Read it and comment. Make it clear you’re interested in and understand what he does. Want to get a feature article in a national medical journal? Chat up your cardiologist at your next visit. Specialists are wealths of information and resources. Do you want to write website content for musicians? Drop by your local music shop and get to know the folks who run it.
Professionals often don’t know they need websites. Small business owners might not understand how a press release could explode their sales. But if you want to write it, you’ll have to tell them what they need and how you can give it to them. Are you bold enough?
What’s the boldest move you’ve ever made to get a gig?
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7 Responses to “The Bold Move Gets The Gig”
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About Amy Derby
Formerly a corporate paralegal, I ditched the pantyhose to begin freelancing in 2004. I enjoy long walks to the coffee maker, never setting an alarm clock, and not wearing a bra to the (home) office. I can be reached at amy.derby (at) gmail.com.
This is a great idea, but cold queries make me a little uncomfortable. I think I have this notion that they come off spammy, but I guess that’s not the case. I’d love to learn more about this method!
Melissa Donovan
Writing Forward
Melissa, that’s how I feel about cold calling; I don’t like to come across as a telemarketer.
I prefer to frequent the person’s blog, or if they don’t have a blog, read everything I can about them on their website. I surf for interviews, articles they’ve written (or articles about their businesses), anything that’ll give me some insight about how they operate and who they are.
I like certain personalities. Stiff, stuffy people I avoid. When pitching blogging clients who don’t already have blogs, I like to go in knowing they’re someone I can write for every day without having to write like snob.
Once I’ve decided I’d probably click with the person, I make sure I know everything I can possibly know about what they do (their legal practice, the cases they’ve won, their prospective client base).
Then I whip up an email. How professional it is depends on the person. Some folks don’t respond to sales pitches, so I try to keep it real while putting it on the level of “I can make you money.”
Of course, my method isn’t right for everyone. For one, it’s time consuming. But I need very few clients at a time to sustain a good income. Because I post multiple posts for several clients each day, I also don’t want to stretch myself too thin. So if I spend several hours trying to win over this type of client (and I’ve won all but two I’ve tried to get), it’s time well spent. I don’t have to do it very often, because I’m usually booked solid. For someone pitching a one-off job, my method might not be worth it unless it’s a gig that pays well.
How’s that for a rambling response?!!
Smart idea. I might need to do this. I don’t really have a niche industry but it could still work, right?
I think you already do your own version. For example, the pediatrician’s office copywriting job. You don’t need to email if you’re there in person.
Well Amy, I just might hire you as my agent! I like to do the writing, pitching and sales, that’s not me. But I guess I have to learn…
I do notice web sites that I think would benefit from a blog, and I guess it wouldn’t hurt to drop them a line saying so. Or maybe hit up a few of my existing clients
Melissa Donovan
Honestly Melissa, it’s not me either. But I found out that by doing it by email, it’s not as scary. For me at least.
Existing clients would probably be a good place to start. At least you already know them, and they know your work.
I have a more detailed post on pitching by email coming up soon.
Hope you had a good weekend!!
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