A couple of months ago I posted an article about my freelance blogging strategy. I was ecstatic with my method and initial results. I had instantly snagged a couple of jobs through this method but only one of them turned out to be ongoing. Even though many people had responded to my emails, they didn’t end up hiring me.
I slowly stopped querying the insurance agency website owners and instead started applying to job boards. I wouldn’t hear anything back from these jobs for weeks. Just when I was thinking about giving up on freelance writing, an amazing thing happened: I started receiving multiple job offers!
I have recently landed some jobs that I had applied to over a month ago! This past week I have lined up $630 worth of jobs and I have a couple more in the works. There is one job that could potentially bring in over $1,000 a month. Although I am not quite sure that it will be worth my time when I break out the per pay on the articles. I am still weighing in on this one.
Writing Job Boards
There are so many ways to go about finding writing jobs and I think that you shouldn’t focus on just one method, unless it is producing spectacular results. I had initially ruled out applying to popular job boards just because of the amount of competition I would have. However, when I started losing my steam on querying agency websites with blogs I decided to try the job board route.
Tips for applying to Job Boards
- Determine your target niche
- Only apply to jobs that are relevant to your writing niche
- Make sure you have good samples that will suffice for the job in which you are applying
- Use a strong headline When applying
- Read the directions in full
The most recent job that I got from a job board was for a website that matches consumers wanting auto insurance quotes to local independent agencies. In my email application I used the subject “Your Freelance Writer Who is also an Insurance Agent” I also attached the best insurance related sample articles that I had.
I got the job!
My knowledge of auto insurance, laws, and regulations was the winning factor. Being able to niche out a subject and be an “expert” on a particular topic goes far beyond being a generalist who writes about everything. If I wasn’t an insurance agent I really doubt I would have gotten this job.
Also, if you are applying to a job board make sure that you read the directions in full. A lot of jobs will ask you to put a certain phrase in the subject line or first lines of your email to confirm that you have read the job description. If you don’t have the phrase in the email then your application may be instantly deleted.
Freelance Writing Job Boards
- Pro Blogger Job Board (My favorite)
- Freelance Writing Job Boards
- Journalism Jobs
- Freelance Writing Jobs
Applying to job boards should only be one part of your client hunting strategy. You should also seek out clients yourself and take the time to learn how to market your freelance business.
What are your experiences with Job Boards? Have you gotten any big jobs from them?
$630 is awesome! I need to get back into more writing gigs.
Thank you 😉
Hi Alexa,
I haven’t ventured down the freelance road…yet. I have it on my radar screen but didn’t quite know how to go about it. Thank you so much for the great information. I’ll have to let you know how things shake out for me. I have a four-week consulting gig so I’ won’t be able to give it a shot until sometime in August.
Ree ~ I blog at EscapingDodge.com
Good luck with the consulting gig! Let me know how freelancing works out for you if you give it a try. I am always curious what works for others.
So happy for you ! Well done !
How many articles did you send them ?
Maybe you should plan on rotating your job search. One week, contact insurance agents, Second week, job boards … third week ? repeat ? something new ?
~ Christie
I believe I sent them two articles. I think just the fact that I was an insurance agent got me the job though. That is a good idea too, I need to rotate the job search. And I really need to start focusing on doing one thing at a time. I am starting to get too much going on at once!!
Wow, that’s awesome Alexa! I’ve used a couple of those boards, but not all of them. I have found that it is hit and miss, but getting those ongoing gigs really is nice.
Thank you! Yes, it feels so nice to get on going gigs. Hoping I can land me a few more of them! And congrats to your one year entrepreneur anniversary! 🙂
I make my living freelance writing and I agree that a lot of the pay posted on the job boards is way too low. I get the majority of my jobs through one client that I’ve been lucky enough to build a lasting relationship with!
Good luck with your writing!
thank you. I hope to find one good client that can give me enough work to keep me busy. That would be great! Good luck to you as well!
Wow that sounds really great! I definitely like your writing style…it is clear and engaging so I can see how you get the freelance jobs. I’m trying to work on my writing. I’m hoping with more experience it will improve.
Thanks so much Andrew. When I first started blogging I think my writing was pretty bad, but after a couple of years it has improved. I try to read a lot from writers I like so that a little of their writing style rubs off on me.
Thanks for sharing your story and providing these tips Alexa! I’m just starting to explore the freelance writing world and have been reading up all the content I can get my hands on. I’m on Elance per suggestion of a friend who finds a lot of success through the site. I do agree that some of the offers seem pretty low-ball, but I guess I’ll get the hang out sussing things out the more I explore.
Good luck to you! I tried Elance as well but I never got anywhere with it. I’d be interested to know how it ends up going for you. Maybe I just wasn’t doing something right.
I used to write at ELance, but my goal was different than most. I wasn’t looking for lots of gigs….I wanted to find long term clients. I found two great relationships on ELance that lasted for a long time (one still continues even though I don’t freelance much). While many jobs stunk, it’s possible to find good stuff that works for a long time there.
I keep meaning to get started in looking into paid writing gigs but have not as of yet. This is really helpful for me. I appreciate the post. Looks like you are getting excellent results.
Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll check them out now.
Jobs boards are great but I notice that for most of the jobs the pay is really really low. If you are just starting and need some jobs under your belt they are great. $630 from week is great. I need to up my side hustles and put my skills out there more. Hopefully the pay works out to your advantage.
I’ve just recently started looking into freelancing. I need to get my feet wet first and your post certainly gave me some great ideas. Also? $630 in a week is great!!
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Hi! I just wanted to stop and say that your posts inspired me to muster up the courage to try freelance writing! I am forever thankful for finding your post on Pinterest. I got hired right away from the Pro Blogger Job Board and am very glad to get my foot in the door. Anyways, just wanted to let you know that I really love your blog! 🙂