Comments on: The Secret to Freelance Blogging http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/ the business of blogging and new media Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:49:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Chris Garrett http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4940 Chris Garrett Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:10:05 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4940 @David - Let us know how it works out when you do :) @Edward - You could say your guidance is a form of payment? @Glen - Cool, thanks :) @Gyanish - Only you can decide if a contract is necessary but I would get in writing the agreement, who gets what, to avoid confusion or arguments. @Stephen - OK, I will look to do that :) @scot - Good stuff @raj - We all have to start somewhere and yes I think the top end involves doing more than just writing, probably running the whole blog and all that entails. @David – Let us know how it works out when you do :)

@Edward – You could say your guidance is a form of payment?

@Glen – Cool, thanks :)

@Gyanish – Only you can decide if a contract is necessary but I would get in writing the agreement, who gets what, to avoid confusion or arguments.

@Stephen – OK, I will look to do that :)

@scot – Good stuff

@raj – We all have to start somewhere and yes I think the top end involves doing more than just writing, probably running the whole blog and all that entails.

]]> By: raj http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4896 raj Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:42:18 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4896 Great article, Chris. But seriously, $20/post? I was being waaaay underpaid. I say WAS. Things are mostly better now, but I still have to do far too much writing each day to make a decent living. But that goes both ways. I certainly can't afford to pay anywhere near that much per post for any of my own sites. None of the junior bloggers I've previously hired had all the skills to warrant taking a leap of faith. I did bump them up in fee as I was able, but I'm nowhere close to $20, and most of the blog owners I know can't pay that. What Marshall Kirkpatrick quotes is nice. I'm assuming that such bloggers would be working full-time, though, including moderating comments, commenting elsewhere, etc. Freelance bloggers such as you and I have to supplement contract blogging with linkbait, copywriting, consulting, etc., to work up to that point. Great article, Chris. But seriously, $20/post? I was being waaaay underpaid. I say WAS. Things are mostly better now, but I still have to do far too much writing each day to make a decent living.

But that goes both ways. I certainly can’t afford to pay anywhere near that much per post for any of my own sites. None of the junior bloggers I’ve previously hired had all the skills to warrant taking a leap of faith. I did bump them up in fee as I was able, but I’m nowhere close to $20, and most of the blog owners I know can’t pay that.

What Marshall Kirkpatrick quotes is nice. I’m assuming that such bloggers would be working full-time, though, including moderating comments, commenting elsewhere, etc. Freelance bloggers such as you and I have to supplement contract blogging with linkbait, copywriting, consulting, etc., to work up to that point.

]]> By: scot http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4871 scot Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:13:10 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4871 doing it now doing it now

]]> By: Stephen Cronin http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4797 Stephen Cronin Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:18:47 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4797 Chris, I'd be interested if you were to do a series on the topic. I'd like further information on how to go about it. I'm probably a fair way from actually doing it, as I'm only starting out with blogging, but it definitely appeals to me. Chris, I’d be interested if you were to do a series on the topic. I’d like further information on how to go about it. I’m probably a fair way from actually doing it, as I’m only starting out with blogging, but it definitely appeals to me.

]]> By: Gyanish Gungaram http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4780 Gyanish Gungaram Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:37:29 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4780 I just partnered with an established blogger. I'm currently blogging for one of his blogs. There is no formal or official piece of paper declaring whereby he has to pay me much, or I have to blog that (number) of posts for him. Do you think it is necessary to establish an official contract between us or is just a word for word association enough? I just partnered with an established blogger. I’m currently blogging for one of his blogs. There is no formal or official piece of paper declaring whereby he has to pay me much, or I have to blog that (number) of posts for him.

Do you think it is necessary to establish an official contract between us or is just a word for word association enough?

]]> By: Glen Allsopp http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4735 Glen Allsopp Sat, 11 Aug 2007 10:38:42 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4735 Great write up, will be useful to our readers when I give out the next batch of link love Cheers, Glen Great write up, will be useful to our readers when I give out the next batch of link love

Cheers,
Glen

]]> By: Edward Dowd http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4728 Edward Dowd Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:32:41 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4728 I have hired a blogger to help me blog on a side project. I will pay him per post on how succesful the article is. I have to guide him though as he is particularly new to blogging. I edit, and promote the content he makes because he doesn't have enough knowledge of what it takes to succeed. Hopefully though he will be able to take more responsibility and he'll probably make more money as a result as well. I have hired a blogger to help me blog on a side project. I will pay him per post on how succesful the article is. I have to guide him though as he is particularly new to blogging. I edit, and promote the content he makes because he doesn’t have enough knowledge of what it takes to succeed. Hopefully though he will be able to take more responsibility and he’ll probably make more money as a result as well.

]]> By: David Airey :: Graphic Designer http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4727 David Airey :: Graphic Designer Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:19:05 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4727 This is something I'll have to consider when approaching prospective clients. I enjoy writing blog posts, so it makes sense. Invaluable info here, which I've bookmarked, and Dugg. Cheers Chris. This is something I’ll have to consider when approaching prospective clients. I enjoy writing blog posts, so it makes sense.

Invaluable info here, which I’ve bookmarked, and Dugg. Cheers Chris.

]]> By: Chris Garrett http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4725 Chris Garrett Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:51:12 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4725 @Dave - Yup, uncertainty can spoil a business relationship down the line. Best to start well. @Jason - If you do come back and let me know what you learn :) @Simonne - Actually the UK is not exactly up to speed with this stuff either (although I see signs this is changing), I have blogging clients everywhere but! :) @Khalid - Yes, the tone of voice, topic, style, everything has to fit and enhance rather than detract. It can be delicate to not alienate the audience. @Steve - The best thing you could do is to write on a topic you know inside out, therefore less research, and find a company or blog you could do an adhoc arrangement for so you are not tied to a regular gig but can get paid per post as you have time. Storing up a set of posts when you are quiet is also a good idea. You might have to do some gratis guest posts to get your name out, put in the attribution footer that you are available for paid gigs. Good luck and let me know how it works out if you do go for it :) @sam - Usually the arrangement is the staff do the news and company stuff and the hired blogger does the additional content. Some also hire ghost bloggers but I don't really go in for that (although I came close at one point). Company blogs are not always corporate blogs. Think of store and in flight magazines that are like lifestyle glossies. These companies want to attract an audience with interesting and helpful content rather than an insight into company culture. It's just a different type of blog really and you can have a mix too. @Ashish - Glad to be of service :) @Michael - I never refuse a link ;) I find some of my blogging gigs start out with "how do I ...?" and end up "can you do it?" :) @Steven - Your audience know and like your writing so announce to them. The best places outside of your own readers is to look at <a href="http://forum.authorityblogger.com">my forum</a> and <a href="http://jobs.problogger.net/">Darrens job board</a>. Perhaps if there is enough interest in this I should do a series? @Dave – Yup, uncertainty can spoil a business relationship down the line. Best to start well.

@Jason – If you do come back and let me know what you learn :)

@Simonne – Actually the UK is not exactly up to speed with this stuff either (although I see signs this is changing), I have blogging clients everywhere but! :)

@Khalid – Yes, the tone of voice, topic, style, everything has to fit and enhance rather than detract. It can be delicate to not alienate the audience.

@Steve – The best thing you could do is to write on a topic you know inside out, therefore less research, and find a company or blog you could do an adhoc arrangement for so you are not tied to a regular gig but can get paid per post as you have time. Storing up a set of posts when you are quiet is also a good idea. You might have to do some gratis guest posts to get your name out, put in the attribution footer that you are available for paid gigs. Good luck and let me know how it works out if you do go for it :)

@sam – Usually the arrangement is the staff do the news and company stuff and the hired blogger does the additional content. Some also hire ghost bloggers but I don’t really go in for that (although I came close at one point). Company blogs are not always corporate blogs. Think of store and in flight magazines that are like lifestyle glossies. These companies want to attract an audience with interesting and helpful content rather than an insight into company culture. It’s just a different type of blog really and you can have a mix too.

@Ashish – Glad to be of service :)

@Michael – I never refuse a link ;) I find some of my blogging gigs start out with “how do I …?” and end up “can you do it?” :)

@Steven – Your audience know and like your writing so announce to them. The best places outside of your own readers is to look at my forum and Darrens job board. Perhaps if there is enough interest in this I should do a series?

]]> By: Steven Bradley http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4723 Steven Bradley Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:56:07 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4723 Thanks Chris. I wouldn't mind seeing a post with some advice and resources about who to contact to break into freelance blogging. I think once you've established yourself it's easier to negotiate, but for someone just starting out where would you suggest they look for blogging gigs? Thanks Chris. I wouldn’t mind seeing a post with some advice and resources about who to contact to break into freelance blogging. I think once you’ve established yourself it’s easier to negotiate, but for someone just starting out where would you suggest they look for blogging gigs?

]]> By: Better Blogging with Michael Martine http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4722 Better Blogging with Michael Martine Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:25:17 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4722 I have put in my About page that I do ghostwriting, but nobody has yet taken me up on it. I don't see it as more lucrative than blog consulting, though. ;) I just wrote a post yesterday about <a href="http://www.michaelmartine.com/2007/08/09/how-to-start-a-business-blog-part-3-choosing-authors/">writers for business blogs</a>. I think I should update it with a link back to here. I have put in my About page that I do ghostwriting, but nobody has yet taken me up on it. I don’t see it as more lucrative than blog consulting, though. ;)

I just wrote a post yesterday about writers for business blogs. I think I should update it with a link back to here.

]]> By: Ashish Mohta http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4720 Ashish Mohta Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:26:32 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4720 You just gave me my goal chris!!! Thanks You just gave me my goal chris!!! Thanks

]]> By: sam sanders http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4719 sam sanders Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:00:13 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4719 I can see a personal/category blog hiring our their posts to freelancers, but companies? ("companies realise the benefit of having a blog but their staff do not have the time to keep up the content.") Isn't a company blog supposed to be about the culture / inside view of that company, written in their voice? How is a freelancer going to capture that? I can see a personal/category blog hiring our their posts to freelancers, but companies? (“companies realise the benefit of having a blog but their staff do not have the time to keep up the content.”)

Isn’t a company blog supposed to be about the culture / inside view of that company, written in their voice? How is a freelancer going to capture that?

]]> By: Steve Smith http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4718 Steve Smith Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:32:23 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4718 I do some freelance writing now and would do blogging if someone was to pay me. For me the issue of doing or not doing is the time. If I didn't have my IT geek day job I could spend more time developing my writing income. But I'm having trouble just keeping my own blog content coming. So adding additional writing would just make get me more behind. So it's the chicken and egg thing. I can't quit the day job because of the income and don't have the big time block to put into writing because of the day job. I think I will eventually have to make a break though. Any tips on making the jump to fulltime writing? I do some freelance writing now and would do blogging if someone was to pay me. For me the issue of doing or not doing is the time. If I didn’t have my IT geek day job I could spend more time developing my writing income. But I’m having trouble just keeping my own blog content coming. So adding additional writing would just make get me more behind.

So it’s the chicken and egg thing. I can’t quit the day job because of the income and don’t have the big time block to put into writing because of the day job. I think I will eventually have to make a break though.

Any tips on making the jump to fulltime writing?

]]> By: Khalid Hajsaleh http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4717 Khalid Hajsaleh Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:21:47 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4717 Chris, I think you hit the nail on its head. We hire bloggers on regular basis to do work for our clients. I am going to make this piece a mandatory reading for all of them. I think the two biggest challenges of working with a blogger is figuring out an acceptable pay arrangements and making sure the blogger style is matches your needs. Khalid Chris,

I think you hit the nail on its head. We hire bloggers on regular basis to do work for our clients. I am going to make this piece a mandatory reading for all of them. I think the two biggest challenges of working with a blogger is figuring out an acceptable pay arrangements and making sure the blogger style is matches your needs.

Khalid

]]> By: Simonne http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4716 Simonne Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:17:31 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4716 That is exactly what I wanted to do in my country. Unfortunately, many companies here consider the online presence as not being so important. Besides, beaurocracy makes product managers to stay aside from whatever may burden their daily schedule (and a blog would involve some responsibility from the company's side). Briefly, I started promoting corporate blogging and I ended up by making websites, managing PPC campaigns and SEO, which is also not bad. I like your point no 8: I never thought to discuss ownership of unpublished content. I'll keep it in mind for future projects. That is exactly what I wanted to do in my country. Unfortunately, many companies here consider the online presence as not being so important. Besides, beaurocracy makes product managers to stay aside from whatever may burden their daily schedule (and a blog would involve some responsibility from the company’s side). Briefly, I started promoting corporate blogging and I ended up by making websites, managing PPC campaigns and SEO, which is also not bad.

I like your point no 8: I never thought to discuss ownership of unpublished content. I’ll keep it in mind for future projects.

]]> By: Jason Alba http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4713 Jason Alba Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:10:42 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4713 <p>This is an excellent post. I currently don't blog for hire, although I have guest posts on various blogs, and have thought about blogging for others for pay. If I go that route I'm definitely going to come back and refer to this post - thanks Chris!</p> <p>Jason Alba<br /> CEO - <a href"http://www.JibberJobber.com">JibberJobber.com</a><br /> :: managing career contacts ::</p> This is an excellent post. I currently don’t blog for hire, although I have guest posts on various blogs, and have thought about blogging for others for pay. If I go that route I’m definitely going to come back and refer to this post – thanks Chris!

Jason Alba
CEO – JibberJobber.com
:: managing career contacts ::

]]> By: Dave http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4712 Dave Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:09:27 +0000 http://www.chrisg.com/the-secret-to-freelance-blogging/#comment-4712 Great info! KNOWING responsibilities and who owns what is always critical in a business situation. I am not currently doing this but wouldn't mind doing so. Great info! KNOWING responsibilities and who owns what is always critical in a business situation. I am not currently doing this but wouldn’t mind doing so.

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