This guide is for writers who are tired of scraping by and ready to start earning what they’re really worth. It pulls together things I’ve tried, lessons from other writers, and a bunch of personal tweaks that have worked well for me.
This is for writers who want to:
Step 1: Think Differently
A lot of writers compete on price. That’s why they stay stuck. There are tons of businesses out there that won’t touch a writer charging less than $0.10/word. Some won’t even consider you under $1/word.
Charging more doesn’t just help your income. It actually puts you in a smaller, more professional pool. And clients at that level tend to treat you with more respect.
Step 2: Build a Real Presence
You need a professional setup. That means:
On pricing: Use “Starts at” pricing to keep scope creep in check. Don’t quote full ranges unless you want clients asking for more work without more pay.
On samples: Write about 5 top-tier samples for your niche. If you don’t have any yet, do a few discounted projects or even free ones in exchange for testimonials.
On niching: Specialize. Generalists are everywhere. Niche writers are harder to find and can charge premium rates.
Step 3: Start Looking in the Right Places
Most of my best clients came from:
Look for companies in your niche that already invest in marketing. Use LinkedIn or tools like Hunter.io to find the right contact. Then reach out with a personalized email.
Don’t just take any client. Be selective. The more intentional you are, the better your client base will be.
Step 4: Cold Email Like a Human Being
Forget mass-email blasts. You’re reaching out to real people, not just inboxes. Write personalized emails that show you did your homework.
Email Structure Example:
Make it conversational, not robotic. Keep it under 10 sentences.
Pro tip: Use the subject line to reference something specific. “About your SEO case study from June 2024” will get way more opens than “Quick question.”
Step 5: Follow Up Without Being Annoying
People are busy. One email might not cut it. I usually follow up once a week for up to 4-6 weeks, because you don't want to spam these guys.
Example follow-up #1:
Example follow-up #2 (a bit playful):
These emails are meant to help you stand out from any others they are getting. It shows that you're human and keen to work with them.
If they haven't responded to you after you've reached out a second time, they aren't interested. Just move on and look for more potential clients.
Step 6: Don’t Work With Nightmare Clients
You’re allowed to say no. In fact, you should. These are some of the red flags that I've picked up from clients:
You’ll figure out your own red flags over time. But the bottom line is, you don’t have to put up with disrespect just to make a few bucks.
Step 7: Always Use a Contract
If a client refuses to sign a contract, that’s usually a bad sign. A simple agreement protects both sides and shows professionalism.
Some clients will send you their contract instead. That’s fine too, as long as you read it and agree to the terms.
Exception: If you're working with people on a trusted forum and you both have strong reputations, you might be okay skipping it—but still, be cautious.
Step 8: Get Paid Up Front
Set the expectation that payment comes first. No work until money hits your account.
This isn’t negotiable with most serious clients. And honestly, if they don’t like it, they’re probably not worth the hassle.
Again, for forum clients with strong feedback, you might make an exception—but don’t make it a habit.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got questions about this guide, drop them in the thread. I’ll reply when I can.
This is for writers who want to:
- Charge more and stop getting lowballed
- Be seen as legit professionals
- Attract clients who actually value content
- Stand out in a sea of “cheap and fast” writers
- Build a real, sustainable writing business
Step 1: Think Differently
A lot of writers compete on price. That’s why they stay stuck. There are tons of businesses out there that won’t touch a writer charging less than $0.10/word. Some won’t even consider you under $1/word.
Charging more doesn’t just help your income. It actually puts you in a smaller, more professional pool. And clients at that level tend to treat you with more respect.
Step 2: Build a Real Presence
You need a professional setup. That means:
- A simple website with your own domain
- Professional email (no @gmail or @yahoo)
- Samples that show you know your stuff
- Optional: a few testimonials
On pricing: Use “Starts at” pricing to keep scope creep in check. Don’t quote full ranges unless you want clients asking for more work without more pay.
On samples: Write about 5 top-tier samples for your niche. If you don’t have any yet, do a few discounted projects or even free ones in exchange for testimonials.
On niching: Specialize. Generalists are everywhere. Niche writers are harder to find and can charge premium rates.
Step 3: Start Looking in the Right Places
Most of my best clients came from:
- Targeted Google searches
- Local networking
- Cold emails
Look for companies in your niche that already invest in marketing. Use LinkedIn or tools like Hunter.io to find the right contact. Then reach out with a personalized email.
Don’t just take any client. Be selective. The more intentional you are, the better your client base will be.
Step 4: Cold Email Like a Human Being
Forget mass-email blasts. You’re reaching out to real people, not just inboxes. Write personalized emails that show you did your homework.
Email Structure Example:
Make it conversational, not robotic. Keep it under 10 sentences.
Pro tip: Use the subject line to reference something specific. “About your SEO case study from June 2024” will get way more opens than “Quick question.”
Step 5: Follow Up Without Being Annoying
People are busy. One email might not cut it. I usually follow up once a week for up to 4-6 weeks, because you don't want to spam these guys.
Example follow-up #1:
Example follow-up #2 (a bit playful):
These emails are meant to help you stand out from any others they are getting. It shows that you're human and keen to work with them.
If they haven't responded to you after you've reached out a second time, they aren't interested. Just move on and look for more potential clients.
Step 6: Don’t Work With Nightmare Clients
You’re allowed to say no. In fact, you should. These are some of the red flags that I've picked up from clients:
- Micromanagers
- People who refuse to sign a contract
- People asking for discounts or refusing to pay upfront
- People with unusually high demands from you or your work
- Anyone who’s rude or talks down to you
You’ll figure out your own red flags over time. But the bottom line is, you don’t have to put up with disrespect just to make a few bucks.
Step 7: Always Use a Contract
If a client refuses to sign a contract, that’s usually a bad sign. A simple agreement protects both sides and shows professionalism.
Some clients will send you their contract instead. That’s fine too, as long as you read it and agree to the terms.
Exception: If you're working with people on a trusted forum and you both have strong reputations, you might be okay skipping it—but still, be cautious.
Step 8: Get Paid Up Front
Set the expectation that payment comes first. No work until money hits your account.
This isn’t negotiable with most serious clients. And honestly, if they don’t like it, they’re probably not worth the hassle.
Again, for forum clients with strong feedback, you might make an exception—but don’t make it a habit.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got questions about this guide, drop them in the thread. I’ll reply when I can.
