Freelance writing is incredibly competitive. For every job listing you see, there are probably hundreds of people clawing for it. That means you need to stand out with the first message you send if you want a shot.
That first message is what we call the pitch. As far as freelancing goes, the single best thing you can do to increase your income is learn how to write a great pitch. If you can back that up with a good work ethic, then you’re golden.
In this article, we’ll talk about what makes for a good or bad pitch. Then I’ll walk you through some examples you can use as starting points for your next pitch. Let’s get to it!
What Makes for an Excellent Freelance Pitch
Let’s say you’re hiring for a freelance blogger position and you get two applicants. One of them submits the following email:
Hello Alexander,
My name is John Doe and I’m interested in the position. I have experience writing about tech and you can check out my portfolio here.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
The tone is polite, the message is short and to the point, and it includes a link to a portfolio. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with that pitch, except for the fact it’s about as generic as a blank piece of paper. Here’s a better take:
Hello Alexander,
My name is John Doe and I wanted to reach out about the tech writing position. I took a look at your blog and I noticed you mainly focus on in-depth tutorials, which are right up my alley.
I have over X years of experience writing for tech publications such as Y and Z. You can find some of my most recent work here.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Now we’re getting somewhere! The tone is pretty much the same, but right off the bat, that imaginary applicant sets himself apart by showing that he did some research about the client.
Right after, they broke down their experience and added a link to their portfolio. There’s definitely room for improvement, but it’s still miles ahead of the previous example.
Hypothetically, if I post a job and I only get two applicants, then I’ll probably take the time to check out both portfolios and see who’s the better writer. In practice, however, the field is always much more crowded.
If your pitch doesn’t stand out in some way, potential clients probably won’t make it as far as your portfolio.
Getting that first email back is the hardest part of the client on-boarding process. If you can figure out how to increase your Pitch Reply Rate (PRR) – which is an acronym I just invented – you can increase your earnings dramatically.
2 Examples of Excellent Freelance Writing Pitches
When it comes to pitching clients, I recommend you stay away from templates because you will want to develop your own voice.
My goal with this example is to help you understand what works and what doesn’t. That way, you’ll have an edge when you send that next email and you can choose what aspects to incorporate depending on what the job entails.
1. Pitching an Idea Right Away
Sometimes, it pays to be bold. In most cases, when you publish a job opening, most writers will follow a similar template. They’ll tell you they’re interested, what their qualifications are, and ask you to read some samples.
It’s a solid formula, but one quick way to stand out is to hit the ground running and pitch an idea right away, like so:
Hello Alexander,
I’m very interested in the job opening for a freelance tech writer.
I’ve been reading through your blog and I noticed you’ve been focusing on web hosting comparisons lately. One angle you haven’t covered yet is discussing which options are more friendly for users without a tech background, though. I was think about something along the lines of:
X Steps to Picking the Perfect Web Host for Beginners
X Top Web Hosting Options for First-Time Users
I’ve written extensively about web hosts in the past for several websites and you can read some of my work if you visit my portfolio.
I hope to hear back from you soon and thanks for your time!
Worst-case scenario, you just wasted five minutes brainstorming topic ideas. Best-case scenario, they like your idea so much they want you to start right away.
Your goal, with this approach, is to show that you understand what the job is about better than every other applicant. If you can manage that, then you can probably talk your way into a sweet writing gig.
2. Showcasing Relevant Articles from Your Portfolio
In the past, I’ve talked about why specialization is key for freelance writers. It enables you to command higher rates and it narrows down the playing field, so there’s less competition.
If you’re applying for jobs in very specific niches, I’ll go ahead and assume your portfolio is focused on articles that highlight your experience. That’s a great start, but you still run the risk of clients not having time to browse through all the way.
Instead of relying on luck, why not handpick your best work right away? Like so:
Hello Alexander,
I’m very interested in the job opening for a freelance tech writer.
I’ve been reading through your blog and I noticed you’ve been focusing on web hosting comparisons lately. If you take a look at my portfolio, you’ll notice I’ve published a lot of in-depth pieces about web hosting. Here are two of my most recently-published pieces:
Bluehost Web Hosting: Is It the Right Option for You?
Siteground vs. Bluehost: 2 Top Web Hosts Compared
I have over X years of experience in the field and I think I’d be a great fit with your blog’s voice, based on the articles I’ve read, so I look forward to hearing from you!
Your aim, in this case, is to pick the articles from your portfolio that particular client is more likely to appreciate. To do that, you’ll need to have a pretty good idea of what type of content they like, which means doing some research into them.
A simple Google search can give you all the information you need about most clients. It’s the first thing I do in most cases after I see a job listing I’m interested in.
The downside is that research can take time. That’s why I like to set at least a few hours aside every week to look for new jobs because I know that pitching – if done correctly – isn’t something you can tackle in five minutes.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter how talented you are as a writer, if you don’t know how to market yourself, freelancing is going to be an uphill battle. That means choosing a great niche to work in, putting together a portfolio, and knowing how to approach clients with a great pitch.
I don’t like the idea of using templates for pitches because every job is unique. However, there are a few elements most successful pitches share, including:
- Playing up your strengths
- Breaking down the value you bring to the table
- Showcasing some of your best work
- Being short and to the point
Do you have a strategy for pitching freelance clients? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below!
Image credit: Pixabay.