10 Evergreen Strategies To Boost Your Freelance Writing Career

Are you a freelance writer? Then you’re very important in today’s web marketing.

Every business that’s done online revolves around content marketing. In fact, the web is powered mostly by written words. Your ability to combine common words into concise sentences could lead to income opportunities for you.

But writing in itself cannot make you money as such. You need to apply “CREATIVITY” and “STRATEGY” so that your efforts are not in vain. I’ve interacted with semi-skilled writers, newbie writers and expert copywriters, and contrary to what we’ve been told, making money online as a freelance writer is not based solely on expertise.

I started writing professionally (getting paid handsomely) in 2009 and prior to this time, I built several niche sites that generated meager monthly incomes. By applying creative evergreen writing strategies my income increased dramatically.

What Evergreen Means to Writers!

Before we dive into the evergreen strategies, let’s find out what “evergreen” means.

Before you type those words into your computer, ask yourself if this content will be beneficial in years to come?

The ability of a thing to remain fresh and popular for years is termed evergreen. For instance, evergreen trees are those that retain their foliage throughout the year. As a writer, you should aim at making your content fresh and popular long term.

Before you type those words into your computer, ask yourself if this content will be beneficial in years to come? Don’t be a “fad writer.” Although, there will be times you’ll need to write on current events and developments, but be sure to align this to your target niche and orchestrate it for future usage where possible.

1. Freelance Writing Is A Serious Business

I know a lot of freelance writers who earn a part time income from this business, but a half-hearted approach doesn’t scale.

You need to see this as a serious business. As such, there should be a well structured business plan in place, proper implementation of management principles, and workspace analysis to boost your productivity.

You’re expected to deal professionally with clients. Even if your Uncle is your first client, treat him as a business partner and deliver on your promises. That’s how to keep clients and win continuous good paying projects.

2. Interesting Writers Are The Most Successful

Yes, when you’re interesting, awesome clients will flock around you. And not just that, your readers will fall in love with your content because you make them happy. Writing isn’t only about solving problems (very vital though), it’s about presenting the solution in an interesting way.

Your readers desire to be entertained. Interestingly, this applies to every substance you put out there as a writer.

Make people happy, even as they use your products, read your posts, and subscribe to products you recommend. Add light humors here and there, as it fits your voice as a writer and subject at hand. Be careful to not overdo it with humor or let entertainment confuse the purpose of the article.

Clients are busy people. Often, they won’t pay attention to you if you’re boring. But the moment you pique their interest and inner conviction, you’ve opened up an opportunity.

3. Get to Know Your Clients

How well do you know your clients?

The success of your writing career begins with a deep knowledge about your clients.

The success of your writing career begins with a deep knowledge about your clients. Stop focusing solely on your expertise and what you can do. It doesn’t matter in the eyes of clients. If you can write professionally, there are better writers that are willing to accept lower fees and still deliver quality content.

On your path, work on your clients’ congested mind. Develop a close relationship with clients. The (clients) see other writers as money makers – but you’re a contributor to their business.

Go the extra mile; nothing beats a close relationship with clients. It’s evergreen and will definitely promote you when difficult times come.

4. Twisted Email Marketing Principle

How about email marketing?

Every freelance writer needs to build a mailing list of targeted clients and readers. Ironically, your best clients could come from your ardent readers. Keeping your credibility at a standard level is crucial for your business growth and expansion.

But email marketing doesn’t yield results when you approach it like affiliate marketers. 87% of affiliates have a huge list of subscribers but they’re still broke. Why? Sending out offers consistently won’t earn you any money.

On the other hand, when you build relationship with those people by knowing and solving at least “one problem,” you would’ve earned their trust, which can be turned into what you want (money).

Email marketing is an aged long marketing principle that’s proven to work for those who take advantage of it. In order to make your email marketing career productive, twist your thoughts and channel your mind toward quality service and problem solving.

5. Build Your Business, Not Facebook’s

Social media networks have helped writers attract clients over the past few years. However, a lot of freelance writers are literally wasting time on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

Off course, incorporating any of these social media networks into your freelancing career could be a great decision, but what happens when you don’t know the pros and cons of using them?

Here’s a shocker: Facebook has grown significantly over the past few years, courtesy of bloggers, freelance writers, ecommerce stores, shopping networks, webmasters and online users.

The best approach is to learn how to properly market your writing skills on Facebook and its counterparts. But for now, focus on building your business, write quality, detailed and thought provoking content, and publish on your blog. It’s an evergreen strategy that pays greater dividends than most virtual securities.

6. Eliminate the Dollar Sign On Your Mind

Whether you’re writing for your blog, for clients or promoting your writing skills, eliminating your total focus on making quick money is important. There is so much desperation online as a result of unethical earning promises from dodgy internet marketers.

Making money is good, but definitely not at the detriment of your clients and readers.

I discovered a long time ago that you can’t make significant money online by getting engrossed in marketing hype. I started marketing online in 2008 and throughout that year I earned very little money.

Do you know why? I was so desperate and wanted to make quick commissions on my affiliate offers. But the following year, I redirected my effort toward giving life a meaning and helping others. This is when something “fabulous” happened. My income grew as a result of assisting others.

Making money is good, but definitely not at the detriment of your clients and readers. Get rid of the dollar sign on your mind and focus on helping someone become better, smarter and wealthier. This will lead to greater success for you as well.

7. Challenge the Search Engine With Your Post Title

One simple way to challenge Google to reward your quality content is to write powerful and catchy titles. Your title should be fairly short (71 characters or less). Google and other search engines will only show 71 characters in their search engine results pages (SERPs).

But that’s not all; Google spiders are looking for keywords in your title. Ideally, search spiders read content from left to right (for English), so put your primary keyword at the beginning of your title.

This way, your content will be crawled, indexed and ranked quicker than your rival’s content.

Google is actually looking for writers who create quality and relevant articles. Will you continue to struggle for search engines traffic? Writing catchy, keyword-rich titles that don’t sound pitchy or keyword stuffed is an art. You will learn this part of the writing craft faster by studying copywriter’s work and writing consistently. And it’s an evergreen skill you should get acquainted with. With all the writing opportunities available online today, you’ll be glad you did!

8. Perception Is Reality, Package Yourself

Do you know that whatever someone believes to be true is true to him/her? Yes, if you want to succeed long term in your freelance career, you’ve to “give” clients and prospects a voice in your writing. There should be a personality and and attitude you present to potential clients that they can relate with. How you present yourself in your writing and in person make up a large part of your brand package.

Business packaging is extensive and goes beyond designing charming covers for your eBook. It also consists of your inner personality and how you present yourself to others, especially when you first meet them. Keep in mind, it’s easier to impress others initially, than trying to please them after you’ve messed up.

If you truly want to benefit from your clients, long term, and convert your readers into customers, you need to give them what they want, before deciding on what you want (extra money).

9. Create Cornerstone Content For Brand Building

When I say cornerstone content, I’m talking about articles and blog posts that are detailed, informative, original and helpful.

Brand building is the secret ingredient to overcoming severe competition and earning a living online.

As a freelance writer, I think you should limit pitching your quality work and start building a lasting brand for your business. When I say cornerstone content, I’m talking about articles and blog posts that are detailed, informative, original and helpful.

Here is an example: as a freelance writer, every post on your blog should be cornerstone-based. If you can’t discipline yourself to do this, then ensure you have pages dedicated to your primary topic (writing).

Writing 500 word articles on your blog isn’t going to yield great results in the long run. They usually lose their taste and SEO juice rapidly. But cornerstone content, such as complete how to articles, tutorials, or compilations of high quality resources, will continue to bring free targeted traffic long term. That’s the best way to get more writing projects because you appear relevant and well positioned.

10. Dazzle Clients with a Goal-Markup/Questionnaire

There is something about clients that make me happy. They’re willing to share their goals with you; in a bid to assist you in delivering the best content. After you complete a first project with them it’s now time to draw up a “goal-markup” or “questionnaire” and send it to your client.

Make it simple and easy to understand. Ask your clients what their most important goal is, and how fast they want it achieved. Once you get a reply on this questionnaire, dedicate your time to fulfilling those needs. Start with #1 and run down the list until you complete the whole list.

That’s how to dazzle clients and keep them engrossed to retaining and supplying you with more writing jobs.

Freelance Writing Quote

If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him.— Benjamin Franklin.

Build your business, develop your writing skills and make more money. Remember, what you know gives you an edge in life – know + edge = knowledge. Success is yours!

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