By: Linda Pophal
Online sites like nDash are communities that bring together content creators with those who need content. nDash is one of the better known of these sites.
Opportunities at All Levels
Angelo Larocca, a health, food, and website SEO specialist and owner of a group of websites related to health and food, has used content community sites to find freelance talent. Larocca encourages writers, especially new writers, to be realistic in their expectations when looking for work on sites like these, but he says freelancers of all experience levels can find work that’s right for them on these sites.
“It is important to realize that one reality of using freelancing websites is that you are not likely to get higher-paying opportunities as an entry-level freelancer until you have built a reputation for doing high-quality work,” Larocca says. But even entry-level freelancers can begin to build their portfolios through online platforms.
“For example, in order to organically build traffic to my website TheMedMo, I have hired entry-level freelancers to email reporters with relevant inquiries,” Larocca says. “For my price point, I am able to better market my website and from the perspective of the freelancers I have hired, they are able to make money and gain the experience they are looking for.”
For those just starting out, Larocca stresses the importance of being responsive when communicating. That, he says, “will make someone who hires you more likely to give you positive feedback that will also help you gain higher-paying gigs in the future.”
Focus on Continuous Improvement
Even the most experienced writers can continue to improve, says Catherine Vanvonno, PhD, president and CEO of 20four7VA Virtual Staffing Solutions, a remote staffing company.
“No matter if you apply as a freelancer for a content mill, agency, or have direct clients, the most important thing to acquire after honing writing as a skill is having the tenacity to improve with each article or copy created,” says Vanvonno “Building relationships with clients may not yield results in the short term, and the pay may be low when you are starting, but starting on the right foot and improving your portfolio will help you achieve referrals and better income in the future.”
Best Practice Tips
Lindsey Knerl is a full-time freelancer who makes six figures, and uses sites like nDash to fill gaps in her work for her staple clients. She offers a number of tips that she has used to leverage these platforms. At the outset she recommends being proactive in introducing yourself in person. She acknowledges that it can be hard to get noticed among the many freelancers that are also using these sites, but she says, “attending a conference or an event where these agencies have editors attending is a great way to connect and make a good impression.” Knerl says she’s done this through trade association events, and it's helped her to get on the radar of those looking for writers and to land some good contracts.
Another important tip: keep your clips and pricing up-to-date. The various online platforms like nDash offer freelancers an opportunity to post bios, clips and, sometimes, rates. But you want to make sure that what you have posted is recent, relevant and accurate.
“Revisit your profile with these networks at least once a month and add new clips,” Knerl recommends. “Also add keywords and niches that are relevant to your profile, as many search or pair you with clients who use these same keywords.”
Kenzi Wood, owner of Kenzi Writes, sources 50% of her business from an online site for writers and those seeking their help and has found it to be “tremendously successful for finding new clients.” Her secret to success is using the site both as an employer and an employer. “That means I know how the platform looks on both ends,” she says. “After understanding what an employer sees on their end, I was able to customize my pitches to fit better with the client experience.”
In addition, Wood advises, make sure to customize each pitch to meet individual client needs. “I have a template I use to save time, but I always take one or two minutes to personalize it,” she says. “I make sure I include skills, topics, or other requirements from the job listing. Clients know when you’re copy-pasting a response and they’ll ignore your pitch if it isn’t personal.”
Finally, and importantly, make sure your rates are up-to-date and accurate. “There’s nothing quite so awkward as having to refuse a job because you failed to update your super-low rate,” Knerl says.
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About the author:
Linda Pophal is a freelance business journalist and content marketer with a background in corporate communications and marketing in the education, energy, and healthcare industries. She writes for a variety of trade and professional publications as well as corporate clients and is a frequent nDash contributor.