Finding a freelance website writer is easy. After all, there are thousands of writers out there. Finding the RIGHT writer is a much harder task. However, once you have scoured through hundreds of profiles and found a writer that sounds perfect for your project, your job is not over. You still need to convince this writer to work for you.
What? You mean a freelance website writer wouldn’t just jump at the chance to begin working for an unknown client? While the writer may be more than happy to complete your project, he or she needs to know a little bit more about you and your project before deciding if this is a good project or not.
This is why it is important to know how to make that first contact in an appealing and honest way. Before you send out your next contact letter (and risk alienating that perfect writer), keep the following tips in mind:
- Scope – Give the writer some idea of the scope of your project. Are you looking to hire someone for a single blog post, full website rewrite or a full-time, ongoing assignment?
- Pay – While you may not discuss pay in full right away, it can’t hurt to give some idea of the range you are looking at, to save time on both ends. For example, if you are approaching a writer on WriterAccess, you may mention you are planning to send assignments at a certain star level—or mention that you are willing to negotiate.
- Time – Do you need help right away? Mention this. Some writers may be backed up with other work right now and can let you know that he or she wouldn’t be a good choice for something with a strict deadline.
- Some Background – Unless you are dealing with highly classified information, it is nice to include a link to your existing website or social media profile. This makes it easier for the writer to see what you may need and if he or she has the skills necessary to get the job done right.
- Be Friendly – Don’t just stick to the facts, add in a little friendly filler or banter. Writers are real people. We want you to treat us as such. Something that lets us know that we are not being sent a form letter goes a long way to developing a relationship and convincing us to write back.
As you can see, it’s not that difficult to create a simple first contact message that conveys all the important information. Don’t go overboard, but don’t be skimpy either. Provide a few important details and a little friendly banter and you will most likely get a response from your potential writer. Hopefully, it’s the response you are hoping to get!
Keyboards on laptops and Foster her kitten, killing video game dragons and editing things she has written, sitting down to a meal of spicy Buffalo wings—these are a few of Tracy S’s favorite things.
