| If you're a writer who can write short, snappy, but | | | | • Make your pitch - a one to three sentence |
| chock-full-of-information articles, then the Web is | | | | proposal that shows readers what makes you and |
| your perfect home. For anatomical reasons, web | | | | your writing unique. Some marketing experts refer to |
| surfers cannot read long articles with text-rich | | | | this as your unique selling proposition, or your USP, |
| paragraphs - but they're after information, and if you | | | | the promise of fulfilling an unmet need. Others call it |
| can provide it, then you're a winner. | | | | the "Elevator Pitch," or what you would tell a |
| But how do you let the world know that you can | | | | prospective client if you were caught for a few |
| write well? And how can the world know that you | | | | seconds together on the elevator. |
| are willing to offer your services as an article writer? | | | | The key to making a pitch is brevity: say in a few |
| The key is to successfully market yourself by | | | | words all that makes you special. |
| marketing your articles. But if you can't send out | | | | • Make a call to action by inviting people to visit |
| dozens of emails to prospective clients, or spend | | | | your website and take you on as a writer. This can |
| hours designing a website, what can you do to get | | | | be done in a simple sentence that will tell prospective |
| people to hire you? | | | | clients that you are the person for the job, and that |
| The key is to write one, and only one | | | | if they do not take you on, they will regret their |
| ground-breaking article, and to include a resource box. | | | | choices for the rest of their lives (of course, in not |
| A resource box contains information about you, and | | | | too many words). |
| it will usually be at the end of your article. But to | | | | • Lastly, give your contact information. Give only |
| make your Web visitors curious, you have to make a | | | | your professional email addresses, not your "cute" |
| resource box so brief and loaded with information, | | | | e-mail addresses, such as This does not reflect well |
| they'll want to hire you after they read the first five | | | | on your credibility as a writer, and it will make you |
| words of it. | | | | appear juvenile, no matter how "cute" your e-mail |
| So what should be in your resource box? | | | | address is. Stick to (Yahoo and Google Mail are |
| • Give your name - not your full name that | | | | acceptable providers). If you do not have such an |
| stretches all the way out of your birth certificate, but | | | | address, get one. |
| the name you would like to be placed on checks, and | | | | "Your Name" email addresses are not only more |
| how you would like request letters to be addressed. | | | | professional-looking, they are easier for your busy |
| Oftentimes, online writers rely so much on their email | | | | clients to remember. |
| addresses and contact details that they forget to | | | | If you follow your writing rules when making your |
| put their names down. | | | | resource box - that is, if you keep it short and |
| • Give your website address, if you have a | | | | to-the-point, you'll be sure to get a lot of clients |
| website. Direct your prospective clients to formal | | | | clamoring for your services in no time. All you have |
| samples of your writing - not to your informal blog | | | | to do is advertise well and frequently, and make your |
| where you have details of what happened during | | | | writing shine. |
| your day, all in "Net-Speak." | | | | |