I’ve pitched blogs to several business clients. And just closed a deal (finally) for an advocacy blog/microsite.
It’s not easy. Businesses don’t necessarily believe a freelance writer can write coherently about their business or their industry.
And then there’s the question of money. Blogging often pays poorly, and businesses have a lot of marketing options.
Still, it’s being done. And today’s copywriter is ideally positioned to handle the whole project (instead of letting some agency rake off all but a pittance).
The Wall Street Journal Independent Street blog outlines a Florida-based company selling blogs to businesses (note their rates & their process):
The company brainstorms “hot topics” to blog about with its clients and then its search-marketing-experts-slash-copywriters write “keyword rich” posts on those topics, says Danielle Leitch, executive vice president. The ghostwriter also embeds relevant links in the posts and lets clients review the posts before they’re published.
MoreVisibility charges clients about $500 a month for one weekly post to about $2,000 a month for daily posts. It also charges a one-time fee starting at $2,000 for setting up the blog. The company manages blogs for about 20 businesses, Ms. Leitch adds.
Want to bet their “search-marketing-experts-slash-copywriters” are working for peanuts?
If you’re already blogging – and you’re good at it – then why not scale your revenues by offering businesses a Blog in a Box? (Because I’m a friend to all copywriters, I’m giving that idea away free.)
Basically, make it as easy as possible – the client’s only decisions should revolve around “how much” and “how do you want to pay me?”
Blogging is hardly the highest-paying gig in copywriting, but there is something to be said for that steady, reliable stream of money – especially if you’re new to the game.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
Comments 5
Where were you two weeks ago!? I Just got a job for an existing client to “admin” their site and scoured the internet and linked-in looking for a pricing scheme and could not find one anywhere. I finally underbid because they’re hooked up with a really huge publishing house and I want the work. But dammit! $2000???!!! Crap!
Christopher: Are you suggesting I change the Underground’s tagline to A Few Days Late : A Few Dollars Short?
Good luck! And if you’re working cheap, make sure you get introduced to folks at the publishing house.
there are lots of ways to earn money… but first you must know if you really like your work!
I guess I was spoiled – stumbled onto a gig blogging two short (250 words) movie reviews a week for $1,000 per month. Yes, it took time, but how much can I complain about watching movies – half on DVD – and getting paid for it? This didn’t last forever. Having had the experience, though, I just cannot take the $25 per post listings seriously!
Barbara: Sounds like a nice gig – shame it ended. I have hope that higher-end blogging/engagement marketing gigs will become more prevalent, but there’s little doubt we’re in the midst of a sweeping transition in the copywriting market (the craft itself is changing, but the fundamentals remain the same).
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