Pretty bizarre way of marketing freelance writing

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by harvester, Mar 12, 2009.

  1. #1
    This is a pretty bizarre way of marketing freelance writing.
    I just wrote an article for one of my websites and suddenly wondered whether I should try to sell it instead. This is a complete reversal of the usual method, where one writes for someone else's market - this was written for my market!
    It seems to be a pretty productive technique; I can use it even if someone else doesn't want to use it, so there's no question of my wasting my time. Obviously, it's only productive if the writer has a website where the article can be published. I have several, and this article was written for my film-making site.
    I'll check out some of the markets for freelance writers in the posts here before deciding what to do with it.
    Just wondered whether anyone else uses this technique.
     
    harvester, Mar 12, 2009 IP
  2. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #2
    A lot of writers "write for themselves" before pulling in clients (such as blogging). The difference is that they generally don't wait and try to sell the articles first - they use the blog (or site) as a portfolio piece in itself to attract clients interested in a similar market. For example, they might write about SEO practices if they want to be hired to write SEO articles or they might start a music blog if they want to write about music for clients.

    Since you'll generally earn more writing custom articles than selling pre-written ones, I'd recommend that as the better way to go - use the prewritten material on your own site, and let it attract clients who want fresh content in the niche.
     
    jhmattern, Mar 12, 2009 IP
  3. Hesster

    Hesster Peon

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    #3
    I've done this for writing practice articles. I just throw them up on C-C for usage rights and make sure to add my byline. If they sell, great. If not, then at least potential clients have another way to find my work on the internet.
     
    Hesster, Mar 12, 2009 IP
  4. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #4
    That can work too, but if you can monetize them and use them in building your platform then why not do that instead of just throwing them on C-C?
     
    jhmattern, Mar 12, 2009 IP
  5. harvester

    harvester Well-Known Member

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    #5
    thanks for that, it looks as if you can do both, but you can monetize it if it's on your own site, unless CC has rules about this kind of 'duplicate content.' No problem if it does, there are plenty of other outlets, Hub Pages etc., it might better to re-write it slightly first though.
    A couple of snippets of trivia: it took me 3\4 of an hour to write it, it's 350 words long and I starting writing it at 6.30am. Early morning is a good time for me to get writing.
    take care.
     
    harvester, Mar 12, 2009 IP
  6. beigmatt

    beigmatt Peon

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    #6
    Copyrighting is so full of bull. I cant believe people waste their time in this drama.
     
    beigmatt, Mar 12, 2009 IP
  7. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #7
    That's slick coming from someone who apparently can't tell the difference between copywriting and copyrights. Assuming you're actually talking about copywriting, I'll be sure to mention how "full of bull" it is the next time a client tells me my copy increased their conversions by 80% or a client gets picked up in major media outlets because of it. :rolleyes:
     
    jhmattern, Mar 12, 2009 IP
  8. superjacent

    superjacent Peon

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    #8
    Intelligent reply (not) and adds value to this thread. At least explain your negative position. Your explanation may be of value to others.
     
    superjacent, Mar 13, 2009 IP
  9. homeworkin

    homeworkin Guest

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    #9
    Writing copy has opened doors for me from the very first time I volunteered to edit a sales letter for a coworker. I owe my previous career and all of my online success to being able to write reasonably intelligently.
     
    homeworkin, Mar 16, 2009 IP
  10. anewstarting

    anewstarting Member

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    #10
    hey i too tried C-C...but got suspended...donno why...??? do you have any idea whether they take non-US writers...???
     
    anewstarting, May 17, 2009 IP
  11. proclaim

    proclaim Peon

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    #11
    You could also write a bunch of articles (assuming this is a profitable niche that a lot of people are in) and sell them as PLR Packs. I'm not too sure about Digital Point, but I know Warrior Forum has a WSO (Warrior Special Offer) section where people buy those up.

    PLR pack is basically Private Label Rights, where you're giving people the opportunity to use them on their sites.

    (Hope it's not "off limits" to talk about another forum - just trying to add value!)
     
    proclaim, May 17, 2009 IP
  12. wanderinglex47

    wanderinglex47 Active Member

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    #12
    Ha, funny that I found this thread. I'm using this technique since I got into article writing. Somehow writing what I want then selling them seems easier.
     
    wanderinglex47, May 17, 2009 IP
  13. webgal

    webgal Peon

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    #13
    Well it certainly helps to have published information to draw in clients of that genre.
     
    webgal, May 17, 2009 IP
  14. xInd

    xInd Notable Member

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    #14
    I have done both in the past, but generally tend to stick to writing for my own sites, and for clients. Between client references and sites of my own, I'm building a decent portfolio again.
     
    xInd, May 22, 2009 IP
  15. ashleyuk

    ashleyuk Banned

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    #15
    Also check, Sometimes freelance writers write for themselves and sell them too. Duplicate contents and they sometimes edit a few lines and sell sell sell
     
    ashleyuk, May 22, 2009 IP
  16. sandivalentine

    sandivalentine Member

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    #16
    I've also written articles about freelance writing, SEO, etc. and linked them back to either my WAHM blog or my copywriting site - works well to drive traffic, plus I can use the article as a sample if needed.
     
    sandivalentine, May 23, 2009 IP
  17. ashleyuk

    ashleyuk Banned

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    #17
    You can also submit these articles at reputed article directories such as ezinearticles or even social bookmarking sites bringing traffic and sooner or later an attention of a anxious buyer who wishes to hire you for his work
     
    ashleyuk, May 25, 2009 IP
  18. Kidijs

    Kidijs Active Member

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    #18
    Well, I don't really agree with ashleyuk. That's a game of pure luck, since people rarely search for writers on EA, unless you explicitly say in your bio that you are one.

    I'm currently trying to use Twitter to promote my writing (and also to keep me progressing) - any ideas on how should I structure my Tweets (keywords and whatnot) to attract potential buyers?
     
    Kidijs, May 25, 2009 IP
  19. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #19
    If you want to use Twitter, use it for the networking value - not to blatantly promote and try to land clients. If you go that route, you'll just lose followers. I'd suggest trying the blogging route first. You can't really say much in 140-character blurbs - not enough to convince people you can handle more at least. If you want clients to hire you for articles, write articles (blog posts). If you want them to hire you for copywriting, write copy (and showcase it in a public portfolio). If you want people to hire you for forum posting or ghost tweeting, then make Twitter more of an emphasis.
     
    jhmattern, May 25, 2009 IP