I read discussions on this board all the time in regards to writing assignments that come from PM's. What is the trick to landing some of these underground assignments?
There's not really a "trick" to it so much as hard work (which more than pays for itself over time, when the work starts coming directly in with little marketing work on your end). 1. You need know exactly who you're targeting with a certain service, and then not worry about anyone who doesn't fall within that group. For example, I write business content. I obviously target webmasters. However, you have to narrow that down - I target webmasters with an interest in building quality, authority websites who also have the budget to afford professional niche expert content. That rules out most, so I don't waste my time looking at their ads, responding to their PMs when they make it clear they don't have the budget or are only interested in search engine fodder, etc. 2. You need to be where the potential clients are. That is NOT DP for every writer here. They hear "webmaster forum" and assume it is, but in reality, a lot of writers here should probably be focused more on niche forums where their targeted prospective clients hang out, with DP being more of a supplement. There are underground markets in pretty much every forum. In your case for example, you may want to look into legal forums (lawyers hire a LOT of writers), or any smaller niche forums for those in PI work. You have expertise there that might make you attractive to create articles for them to use in article marketing or even the copy on their websites. 3. When you've identified that target market, and you know where they are, start building your reputation. For instance, here on DP if someone is racking up their post count by replying to ads for writers, they're not spending time posting anything worthwhile in a networking capacity. When you post in relation to job ads here, you often lump yourself in with the really low-rate writers who do nothing but that. You don't want your name associated with that group, or you may find that you're in that group in the eyes of clients - it's about image. Post about things that demonstrate your expertise. Here, for instance, you may want to post about tracking down a site's real owner if they're stealing your content. Go outside of the BST area and the Copywriting area to gain some visibility. 4. Keep talking to other writers. Make sure we know what you specialize in. Make sure you have a website where we can see your samples. Why? Because our recommendations say a lot about us. I wouldn't recommend someone if I've never seen anything they've written - then if they suck, it makes me look bad for referring them. The more other writers here know you and your work, and the more visible you make yourself with us, the more likely it is that your name will come to mind when a client wants something in your niche that we don't write (or don't have time for) ourselves. 5. Just stick with it. It takes time before people start remembering your name and associating it with certain types of posts or content / writing.
I love you! I have done that several times. I have helped a few people who have rendered services for DP and never recieved payment. I even helped one user set up a small claims case to take his scammer to court. But, I do these services at no cost...just to help out. Question? How will this translate into writing assignments? I have found that there isnt a huge niche for security type writing services. I am afraid I wouldnt be able to get a steady workflow based on this niche. But, the attorney forum was the best idea anyone has given me since I started here. Thanks for the advice. That was a killer post!
Look at related niches if you don't think security alone is a good one. Like I mentioned, lawyers seem to constantly be hiring writers - see if copywriting for legal firms' sites is something you want to look into more, or maybe pitch them on the idea of having articles written to help promote themselves. The group generally has a budget to work with, so it really comes down to being able to sell yourself to them. You won't be able to take on all kinds of legal writing, but I'm sure you can find a niche in there. And remember, even if you don't think there's a very public demand for what you want to write, see if you can create that demand.
I'm not sure how to break into the underground. My new plan is to fly to a certain state, with fudge and booze, and have a good time with a certain mod.
lol It's not. Fortunately though I've sworn off both - at least for the week. I do find that my creative writing projects move along much better when I have a few drinks (not talking drunk or anything, and certainly not when working on client projects).
Impress your current clients suitably and you'll get referrals and repeat clients, who will be quite willing to pay you well.
Yeah, I don't think fudge and beer would go well. I'm more of a wine guy though. I'd have to find the fudge as I haven't had any in years.
I was thinking, god that is a recipe for puking if I ever heard one.. Agreed that sometimes a few drinks make the creative juices flow
Not a beer type either. I don't drink a lot of wine either actually, and when I do pretty much only red. I tend to prefer rum and cokes or margaritas for a casual drink - especially when I'm working on a creative writing project over the weekends. And I actually just threw out any leftover fudge I could find today. He was just kidding around because I did a blog post on different types of fudge recently - he likes to give people grief (while I'm not a huge chocolate fan, I have to admit it made for an interesting "work" project). shkad14 - You know - normally I would have ignored the rest of this conversation and deleted the posts, because they don't apply directly to the OP. However, I'm leaving it because it's kind of a good example of using places like DP to network with, and get to know, your fellow writers a bit more, which is a big part of getting involved in the underground market here or in any community.
I agree. It's something about a glass of wine that keeps you from second guessing your creativity. I think I remember a famous writer who'd write after having a couple of drinks. I just can't remember who right now...
Yep, it's red for me only--usually a Syrah. If I'm going to have something else (rare, rare) it would be a Chardonnay.
I have a bottle sitting around - I'll have to put that statement to the test this weekend. Then maybe I should blog about it - suggest that the writing community drink more. Ah, great minds... I'm anything but a wine connoisseur, and rarely drink it at all. All I know is I tend to like merlot, and any light wines just seem too bland - then again I probably haven't tried enough of them to really make that strong of a judgment call.
I would rep you Jenn, but DP doesn't like me being a one-woman man. It said I need to "spread" myself around a little. Time to diversify I guess.
Yeah, whoring it up is totally encouraged here. I wasn't allowed to rep you earlier either. You'll just have to service the greater community. I think Latoya needs rep. And shkad14 for the great question that more writers should have asked long ago. Look at that - it's like a little virtual love fest. So listen to DP - spread it around man. (Edit: Crap - I can't give Latoya rep either.)
Something that I have observed is that if you can get in with a "writers group" then you are going to do well, because if I am not knowledgeable in one area, someone in my group may be and I can pass the name around and vice versa. Just be careful not to step on any toes and you will gradually move up the ladder of success.. Italian
Exactly. The worst thing a new writer can do is think of other writers as competition as opposed to colleagues. That's not to say you won't be in competition at times for specific clients, but that you can maintain relationships with colleagues despite that, which is ultimately good for all involved. You learn from each other, you share gig leads and referrals, and frankly having a solid network makes writing a far less lonely job when you have folks around who know what you're going through.