Freelance Writing Advice on Starting an SEO Writing Biz If You Have Limited Time and/or a Disability
Publisher Note: Within the next couple of weeks (maybe even as early as next week), to read the posts on SeoWritingJobs.com, you will need to be a subscriber. Don’t worry, there won’t be a subscription fee. The content will still be free. What’ll happen is, I’ll post excerpts, but you’ll need to be a subscriber to click through and read the content in its entirety.
How to Subscribe: Go to SeoWritingJobs’s sister site, InkwellEditorial.com. There’s a subscription box in the right-hand column of every page on the site. Now, on to today’s post …
In the past week, I received two emails from wannabe SEO writers about how to start if you have limitations (ie, a disability, time constraints and/or a slow PC). Following are the questions sent in and my answers to them.
Question #1
Hi, in your blog [she was referencing this blog post], you stated “For example, if a client says they want 10 articles in 24 hours, you might say, “That’s a little tight, I can have them to you in 48 hours though… 48-72 hours is perfectly acceptable”.
This short turnaround time is the main reason I haven’t contacted any seo companies. I’m disabled, and there’s no way I can even write 10 articles in a week. The most I can submit weekly is 2, but if that’s not acceptable, what are the chances they would want to work with someone like me (with physical limitations).
My Answer:
L-:
Most clients like work within a week. And, some do order only 1 or 2 articles at a time.
However, if you’re that limited in your output, while you may land clients, in my opinion it would be hard for you to hold on to them once they learn how limited your turnaround time is.
FYI, I wouldn’t tell clients about your disability; after all, if you can do the work in the time they want, then fine. But, my fear is that you’d get in over your head.
An alternative is to charge enough so that you can outsource some work. That way, if you get an order for say 10 articles in a week, you could still get the work done. For more on outsourcing, see this article on InkwellEditorial.com: http://inkwelleditorial.com/how-to-grow-your-seo-writing-business.htm.
I hope this insight helps, and good luck!
Question #2
Note: This person sent in three questions. This is the answer to the third one.
3) Re: Client wants 10 articles in 48 to seventy-two hours.
For me this is not possible because of time constraints and a very slow pc. Would I seem unprofessional to potential clients if I let them know upfront that I can do only 4 (or however many) in a week, or should I leave it open then negotiate later?
My Answer:
As I responded to the inquirer above, if you’re this limited in your output, in my opinion, it will be hard for you to maintain clients. While you may initially land them, again, once they find out how limited you are in your output, they won’t stick with you.
I’ve said before on this blog and on my posts on SEO writing on InkwellEditorial.com, one of the reasons I think I was so successful so quickly as an SEO writer is that I took on almost everything (if my price was met) and I offered quick turnaround.
As a side note, my background is in publishing, so meeting client deadlines has been ingrained in me.
SEO writing tends to be a fast-paced business. It’s one of the reasons I love it. The reason it tends to be this way is that once clients are satisfied with your work, it’s not uncommon for you to become their “go to” SEO copywriter.
And, if you tell them that you can only do two or four articles a week, it may cause them to pause, for it says a couple of things about you and the way you run your SEO copywriting services “business,” ie:
i) This is a side gig for you: While many SEO writers are part timers, clients don’t have to know it for it says nothing about a writer’s professionalism.
BUT in the client’s mind, it plants the idea that they may be unprofessional.
Look at it this way, a client may be spending hundreds and/or thousands of dollars a year on their content development. It’s a vital part of their business; it’s their face to the world online. If you were a business owner, would you trust someone who can only do two or four articles a week with your content needs?
Again, this has nothing to do with the professionalism of the writer or the quality of their work. It could be superb. But the client may never get to know that because they want to entrust their content needs to a professional – and a professional can certain produce more than this, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to make a living.
So goes the potential client’s line of thinking.
See what I mean?
ii) Reliability: When clients place writing orders, they like to be assured that the content will be delivered on time. Again, if your output is so low they may first think, “Man if he/she can only do two or four articles per week, can I trust them to deliver it on time? He/She must be really pressed for time. I don’t think I can afford to take that chance.”
Again, nothing to do with the reality of what you as an SEO writer can deliver. BUT, it’s the perception in the client’s mind of what you may not be able to deliver that will stop you from getting the work.
Ever heard the idiomatic expression, “Perception is reality?”
It certainly applies here.
The Bottom Line on Starting an SEO Writing Business When You Have Limitations – Whatever They May Be
I’d advise finding something else to do. You’ll probably constantly be stressed or overworked about what you can’t provide. Freelancing should be a joy for the most part, not another source of stress in your life.
BUT . . .
If you absolutely want to get into SEO writing, then tell clients straight up what you can provide – and assure them with every fiber of your being that you will always meet deadlines.
OR . . .
You can say nothing to clients, but line up other SEO writers to outsource work to. This can be a pain in and of itself though. And, if you’ve never operated a business and/or had to hire/fire subcontractors, I wouldn’t go this route.
Again, it would just be too stressful. While there is some major SEO writing talent out there, like anything, you have to wade through a lot of garbage to find the good ones. And, remember, you have to charge enough to clients so you can pay SEO writers you contract with a decent cut per article.
Don’t forget to check out the outsourcing article on InkwellEditorial.com. It contains 7 Tips on How to Grow Your SEO Writing Business through Outsourcing
Hope this helps.
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Freelance Writing “Mentorship” Program
Not a week goes by – literally – where I’m not asked to be someone’s freelance writing mentor. And lately since I’ve been answering questions sent in by existing and/or wannabe freelance writers here and on InkwellEditorial.com, these types of requests have increased. Got one just this morning.
Unfortunately, I just don’t have time to do this. A couple of years ago, I wrote a three-part series on what to look for in a freelance writing mentor. Reading this will give you some insight into what to look for.
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SEO Writing Ecourse News
FYI, the next SEO writing ecourse commences on April 26th. As of today, there are 15 slots remaining. You’ll learn four ways to make money online using your newly acquired skills that will give you financial security. Get full details on the SEO copywriting training this ecourse offers.
Best,
Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com
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Great post. You know I am an avid reader of yours, Yuwanda. I just wanted to make a quick note, even though I am a Seo Content Writer, I changed my role as Internet Marketing Consultant. I just coached a client and instructed her how to write, which took less time than writing my self. In addition, I added value by showing her where to showcase her talents on line. And I agree with outsourcing the work, everyday I discover that I am more of a Consultant and Editor, however, I write when I want to. I hope the writers start viewing themselves as more than writers. Plus if they want to make some money, they can create info products like audios, e-books, special reports for a fee. And people will pay, including me, I have a monthly budget for e-books and most of the e-books I purchase are $ 39.00. So, that’s food for thought. I hope this helps fellow readers!
Good points Nina, especially that “writers start viewing themselves as more than writers.” I figured this out years ago. That’s why I diversify my income streams, just as you suggest. As writers, we have the skills but too many of us don’t put them to use for our own personal gain.
I’ve found that with many clients, you almost have to be an Internet Marketing Consultant because many of them are just as lost as most when it comes to this whole “SEO thing.”
Best, and thanks for writing in.