By: Caitlin Lemon
Freelance writing gets a bad rap. The mere mention of it conjures up images of going hat-in-hand looking for any gig that pays.
You want to boost your income so you can finally break up with your 9-5 and stop stressing over money. Yet, it feels like you're in a race to the bottom, stuck in a famine cycle writing for a measly $0.01 per word (yikes).
It doesn't have to be this way. Here are the best content platforms to boost your freelance writing career in 2021.
Sign Up for nDash
Forget working for pennies on UpWork and get on nDash. Here, you're in control of your freelancing career. You set your rates and decide what industries you want to write in. Setting up an account is free. Just make sure you fill it out completely and include a professional photo (no tinder selfies).
Once you're approved, you can pitch companies or even sell articles for brands to purchase. On here, you'll find small and large businesses alike looking for freelancers just like you. Brands can also reach out to you directly, versus you scrolling Craiglist all day (Seriously, if you're looking to level up your freelancing career, stop doing that). And forget writing per word, which isn't an ideal model for your freelancing business. Most writers earn between$150-450 a project!
Set Up Alerts on FlexJobs
Wait, isn't Flexjobs for people looking for full-time work? Not anymore. Flexjobs is a remote job platform that lets you search by skill, experience level, and location. They've got lots of contract jobs in addition to helpful articles on managing your freelance career (check out this one on 4 Tips for Freelancing Success). One of the top perks of using this platform is that they vet every posting, so you don't have to worry about scams. Another bonus? You can set alerts for specific gigs delivered right to your inbox (i.e., freelance technical writing jobs, Boston, MA).
Flexjobs is a paid platform with a cost of $2.50 per week (which still costs less than your iced caramel macchiato at Starbucks). However, they frequently have sales, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain, especially if you're a newbie and need to save money.
LinkedIn is the one social media platform that matters if you're a freelancer. This is the place where editors, content directors, and decision-makers for brands hang out. So if you're not already on there, you're already behind.
Take time to craft a solid LinkedIn headline and "About" page. Think about what your dream publications or brands are typing into the search bar. Don't put "unemployed" or "open to new opportunities." Also, use a professional photo (have your spouse or roommate take one on your phone). Remember, this is a platform with CEOS and executives on it. Don't upload a selfie of you making a duck face.
And we know what you're thinking: "But this is social media, not a content platform." True, but on LinkedIn, you have the option to offer freelance services to potential leads, which they feature on your profile. And there's a rumor that the social media platform will debut a service for hiring freelancers later this year. It's also a free way to showcase your latest work and market your business, so get on there.
Cold Pitch (The Right Way)
The idea of cold pitching can often leave a bad taste in our mouths. Mostly, that's because our inboxes are filled with bad pitches every day. Understandably, you don't want to be one of those people. The good news is, you don't have to, as long as you write your cold pitch the right way.
For many freelancers, pitching is a fundamental part of landing new clients. You need to make sure yours stands out from the crowd. Show that you're familiar with the publication (or company), don't just say: "I love your mission." Instead, try "I saw that ABC Hospital was ranked the number one hospital in the nation by EFG Magazine-congratulations!" Brands can smell out a pitch you've copied and pasted 100 times- take time to tailor your pitch to each prospect.
Also, and we can't emphasize this enough, read any guidelines before sending the pitch. Some places want a quick pitch. Others may require you to submit the article in full. You also don't want to spend time crafting a personal essay to a magazine that explicitly says they don't accept them. Make sure you're crystal clear on what you need to do to get your query read.
Take Your Freelancing Career to the Next Level
It's time to dump Craigslist and Upwork. If you're serious about a career as a freelancer, you've got to get off the low-paying content mills. By leveraging these content platforms, you have the power to grow your career and your income, finally ending the famine cycle for good.
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About the author:
Caitlin Lemon is a freelance copywriter and content strategist passionate about rescuing brands from beige content. She lives in Charlotte with her two rambunctious dogs and opinionated cat. You can see more of her work at caitinlemonwrites.com. You can find Caitlin on nDash for all of your writing needs.