Mid-August is that time of year when vacation season is ending, kids are going back to school, and businesses are getting back to operating at full steam.
For independent content writers and freelance journalists, it’s the perfect opportunity to ramp up marketing, including going after new clients or reaching out to outlets you’ve worked with before.
ASJA’s virtual education committee has scheduled a webinar on breaking into working with international clients that takes place Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1-2 p.m. Eastern time. Read more about it here.
In the meantime, here are some existing ASJA resources you can use to learn more about pitching yourself to new clients, working successfully with new and existing clients, and how to avoid potential snafus.
Marketing to Marketers: How to Successfully Pitch Yourself as a Content Marketing Writer. If you’re reading this, you have successfully demonstrated your capacity to make compelling content on topics and trends. But how marketers find you? What content about YOU appears when they try to learn more about you? How do you stand out from the crowd when marketers are seeking ghostwriters, content creators, copy specialists, ex-journalists, or when they’re not even sure who or what they need? Content marketing expert Zohray Brennan explains what marketers look for in writers they work with, and current best practices for content creation. Brennan is a nerdy marketer who enjoys solving business challenges and a MacGyver-like skillset that allows her to understand the right channels, messaging, and strategies that meet clients’ goals. She’s worked closely with top brands in real estate, tech, health care, automotive, and luxury to deliver innovative integrated campaigns that are genuine and deliver clear ROI. The recording of a session originally presented at ASJA’s fall 2022 virtual conference is $20 for ASJA members, $30 for nonmembers.
How to Land and Work Directly with Businesses. Working directly with a business — instead of through an agency — is a nut many content marketing writers would love to crack. This ASJA conference session covers a range of topics related to working directly with business clients, including how to: find organizations to approach; pitch your services; and leverage a relationship to get more work. It also covers how processes for writing and editing may differ working for a business v. an agency, and the differences between working for large and small businesses. Speakers include ASJA member Debbie Abrams Kaplan, who works directly with businesses and through agencies; Cathie Ericson is an Oregon-based content marketer and freelance writer who writes for brands and publishers; Alexandra Frost is a Cincinnati-based freelance journalist, content marketing writer, copywriter, and editor; and Eve Teichman, an editor turned content marketer with a deep knowledge of health care and medical sciences. The recording of a session originally presented at ASJA’s fall 2022 virtual conference is $20 for ASJA members, $30 for nonmembers.
Nail Your Client’s Brand Voice. Want your clients to love your work and hire you for tons more projects? Writing content that nails their brand voice is key. During this session, learn about three different common tones for organizations and how to customize for your specific client. ASJA member Jennifer Goforth Gregory leads this session. Goforth Gregory hosts the popular Freelance Content Marketing Writer Facebook group; her clients have included IBM, Dell, Microsoft, Salesforce, AT&T, and Verizon. The recording of a session originally presented at ASJA’s fall 2022 virtual conference is $20 for ASJA members, $30 for nonmembers.
When Good Clients Curdle, Or How to (Mostly) Avoid Stepping in Doo-Doo. Assignments can go south despite your best intentions. In this post from the ASJA Confidential archives, ASJA member Sandra Gurvis recounts how an article assignment took a dark turn and the steps she took to rectify the situation. She also shares wisdom from Richard Lowe, Jr., aka “The Writing King,” on what to do to minimize the risk of problems with clients developing in the first place.
Tips for a Happy and Productive Partnership With Your Editor. In this post from the ASJA Confidential archives, writer and editor Jodie Gould explains how writers can forge strong, amicable, and productive partnerships with editors, and what editors can do in return.