FOREWORD

The following is an excerpt (a pullout) from the ebook, Get Freelance Writing Jobs: How to Create an Online Writing Portfolio That Lands Jobs Fast! Advice for Web Writers.

This is the portion that details how to spy on the competition; detailing 10 specific things to look for when researching other freelance writers that will help you compete with the more experienced ones right away! FYI, this is discussed in STEP II in the full version of the ebook.

PREFACE

One of the things that scare the bejeezus out of most new freelance writers is not having any experience; hence, no writing samples to show clients.

The Writing Samples Quandary: One Thing That Terrifies Many New Freelance Writers

If a client asks to see their “portfolio of work,” most are stumped; they’re literally terrified of being asked this question. But, there’s no need to be.

You can create an online writing portfolio in just a matter of hours – really! And, start landing freelance writing jobs – online and off -- almost immediately. How do I know?

Well . . . because I’ve done it!

I created my SEO writing portfolio in a matter of hours – and went on to land 14 jobs in one week (and many more since then), which I detail in the ebook, How to Make $250+/Day Writing Simple, 500-Word Articles.

The Importance of Having an Online Writing Portfolio: How It Catapulted My Career

I have made such a good living writing SEO content since 2007 that I have been able to:

(i) Start/grow an SEO writing company (http://NewMediaWords.biz);

(ii) Move into a strictly managerial role in at this firm – as of summer of 2011, I rarely write for clients anymore, I mostly outsource and oversee projects;

(iii) Focus on writing and publishing my own ebooks and e-classes (http://bit.ly/hOqZfs), which accounted for more than half my annual income for the first time ever in 2010;

(iv) Pay off a ton of debt; and

(iv) Travel, live and work abroad, which I talk about in the free ebook, Living the Freelance Life! Learn How I Live Internationally and Have Made My Living Completely Online (Since 2007) & You Can Too! (subscribe from any page of InkwellEditorial.com to get it).

A Freelance Writing Portfolio Reference Guide: Who This Ebook Can Help

This ebook is a step-by-step guide that shows you exactly what you need to do to put together an online writing portfolio that will impress clients – and start landing you freelance writing jobs quickly.

No Experience as a Freelance Writer; No Writing Samples – No Problem!

Just because you don’t have experience does not mean that you can’t market for – and land – freelance writing jobs. After all, we all have to start somewhere, right?

Well, the info here will not only get you started – it’ll put you on the fast track to landing jobs just like experienced freelance writers.

With that being said, following is a complete Table of Contents, which details the five steps you need to take to create an impressive freelance, online writing portfolio.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (of entire ebook)

PREFACE, Page 2

The Writing Samples Quandary: One Thing That Terrifies Many New Freelance Writers, Page 2

How I Created an Online Writing Portfolio in a Matter of Hours & Landed My First Job, Page 2

The Importance of Having an Online Writing Portfolio: How It Catapulted My Career, Page 4

A Freelance Writing Portfolio Reference Guide: Who This Ebook Can Help, Page 4

No Experience as a Freelance Writer; No Writing Samples – No Problem! Page 4

STEP I: DETERMINE YOUR NICHES, Page 7

To Get Freelance Writing Jobs Fast, Why It’s Important to Niche It, Page 7

How to Develop a Niche in 3 Simple Steps, Page 8

The Easiest Way to Get Writing Samples If You Have No Experience, Page 9

5 Elements Samples that Land Freelance Writing Jobs Must Have, Page 11

3 Kinds of Writers: Which Category Do You Fall In? Page 11

Why Good Samples Can Leave Some Clients Speechless – and Willing to Pay More, Page 12

Do Your Writing Samples Have These 5 Elements? Page 13

Freelance Writers: When and When Not to Use Copy You’ve Written for Clients in Your Portfolio, Page 18

3 Ways to Skirt the “Don’t Use Client Samples In Your Portfolio” Rule, Page 19

Why It’s the Norm for Freelance Writers to Give Away All Rights to Content, Page 19

Writing Sample Example, Page 21

Writing Sample Example: 5 Key Elements Highlighted, Page 23

STEP II: STUDY THE COMPETITION, Page 26

How Many Competitor Sites Should You Research, Page 26

10 Specifics to Study When Researching Other Freelance Writer (Competitor) Sites, Page 26

STEP III: CONDUCT KEYWORD RESEARCH, Page 38

How to Conduct Keyword Research: A Quick Overview, Page 38

How to Determine Which Keywords to Use in Your Writing Samples, Page 42

Keyword Research: How to Tell If an Audience is Big Enough to Write For, Page 43

Section Conclusion, Page 43

STEP IV: WRITE, Page 44

Don’t Make This Mistake When Deciding Which Keyword Phrases to Use in Your Writing Samples, Page 44

Where to Use Keywords in Your Freelance Writing Samples, Page 45

Section Conclusion, Page 45

STEP V: PUBLISH ONLINE, Page 46

Getting to the Point Where You Don’t Need Writing Samples, Page 46

Section Conclusion, Page 47

CONCLUSION, Page 48

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Page 49

Good luck in your freelance ventures!

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com