Content Creation: 4 Savvy Tips To Sell Your Writing NOW

Content sells; it helps businesses to make money. So, if you’re a freelance writer looking for writing opportunities, keep content creation gigs on your radar now.

BIG tip: the best writing jobs aren’t advertised. You’ll need to pitch for them. We discussed pitching for new business in our article on writing challenges; it’s an essential skill. 

Content creation: content makes money for your clients

Stats from Backlinko:

Nearly half of B2B organizations said they’re planning to boost their content budget in the next year. Just 4% of respondents plan to slow down their spending.

Good news for writers.

Even more good news: there’s a LOT of junk content around. Explore companies in your areas of interest: can you spot ways in which you could improve on their content?

Use the tips below. They’ll help you to win content creation projects.

1. List your areas of interest, then pitch companies

Tip: use your current expertise; build expertise.

What do you know? Make a list of areas in which you’re interested and/or have some expertise. You don’t need to be an expert; use your research skills.

Here’s a list of trade publications to get you brainstorming areas of interest/ expertise.

You can certainly write for trade publications and websites, but consider all the companies servicing an industry—hundreds of thousands of them. Most will have websites, so make a list of industries you could target. Then make lists of companies you could pitch—and go ahead and pitch them.

If you hate the thought of pitching companies, pitch agencies. Consider agencies in areas like web development, graphic design, marketing and content marketing.

2. What do they need? Explore company websites

This year has brought many changes. With all the restrictions on business and movement, companies are finding that their websites are more important than they’ve ever been.

This focus provides opportunities for savvy freelancers.

List your areas of interest first. Then explore companies serving an industry or sector. Start with local companies: they tend to be more receptive to local freelancers. (“Local” can mean in your country.)

Make pitches/ proposals.

Explore each company’s website. What does the site need?

Commonly, business websites need:

• An improved home page. For example: check the URL: is the page called “home”? Is the page a text-free zone, with huge, blandly generic images?
• A revamped “About Us” page. Many of these pages are jargon-filled horrors. They’re not likely to generate interest, let alone trust in the company. (BTW, be gentle when you suggest revamping anything…)
• More customer-oriented pages, such as FAQs, shipping options, product overviews and reviews, etc.

3. Be aware that a pitch is just an intro to you and your services

Vital: a business knows its own business best. So, when approaching companies, be respectful. Ask questions, rather than making statements.

No response to a pitch? That’s OK. You’re an outsider, but this works to your advantage, in many ways. Don’t be surprised to be offered projects for which you didn’t pitch, sometimes weeks and months after an initial approach and pitch.

Tell yourself (because it’s true) no approach you make is ever wasted. You’ll always learn something from it.

4. Remember to start with your own content

Content creation begins at home. Every page on your website is vital. Create content for your own site and blog.

Happy writing. Begin pitching your content creation services now. The gigs are out there and you can get them.

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