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Blogging and writing for free - why it pays off

Monday, September 24th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Here’s a recent grumble from a freelance writer who’s making the transition to writing for the Web.

She’s given me permission to edit and publish her email message, as long as I guard her identity:

I know you recommend writing for free to make your name online… but I NEVER write for free. I’ve been burned by deadbeat clients and I’ve worked hard to get to the point where I make a dollar a word. Blogging is just writing for free. Why would I do that?

Here’s my response:

Dear ______

Thanks for getting in touch.

I know it’s hard to stomach “writing for free”, but blogging and posting free articles to directories etc is not writing for free, it’s writing for self-promotion - it’s a marketing tool.

Many, many writers have had the same qualms you have. However, after they try blogging, they write that they wish they’d started blogging years ago.

When you sell print articles, although you get a byline, you’re essentially invisible. The only people who recognize your byline after years of writing are your friends, relatives, editors and other writers.

Blogging however gives you a platform. It makes you visible. People find you through the search engines. Some of my most profitable gigs come to me and other bloggers via the search engines - we don’t have to hunt for gigs.

Over time, the platform you build via blogging helps you to:

* Charge top rates (people can see your writing, they know you’re worth it);

* Get all the writing gigs you want at top rates;

* Get a following of readers. This is wonderful, because the next time you want to write a book, having a readership is a huge plus. It can ensure that you get a contract, AND that the advance is substantial. Your readership gives you clout.

There are dozens of other benefits. Try blogging. You’ll like what it does for your career.

Cheers

Angela

Resources to help you to get started blogging and writing for the Web

* My ebook Blogging For Dollars

* Writing For The Web

* Beat Your Paycheck: Web writing secrets

[tags]blogs, blogging, write for money, writing for free, freelance writing, Web writing[/tags]