Should Podcasters Use Freelance Writing to Grow Their Brands
What to Consider
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Thoughts on Freelance Writing to Build a Podcasting Brand
When I started working on this post, I was thinking about how long I’ve been a freelance writer. I’m pretty sure that I began getting paid to write for other people in 2015. I’d quit my job at the end of 2014 and had decided to go out on my own. I said “yes” to everything because I needed income coming in. Also, even though I’d made money online, it as inconsistent in many ways I needed to build up consistent cash flow. So, I embraced freelance writing.
In the beginning I got paid $15 a post and I loved it because I had a friend who had a ridiculous number of posts that they needed for their website. They had a ton of freelance writers they were working with and I could work on as many or as few posts as I had the capacity for because they had an affiliate website that needed a ton of content.
As my confidence and skills grew I realized that even though $15 felt awesome in the beginning, I could ask for more.
So, I did.
There were some unexpected outcomes that happened as I began accepting more and more freelance assignments.
Large websites were backlinking to my website-increasing my website’s brand authority and by default-my own brand authority.
Companies began reaching out to me to work on writing content for their platforms. I still pitched but I was “in-demand”
My freelance writing projects opened up the doors to other unexpected projects.
How Freelance Writing Improved My Content
Podcasters will often talk about the problem with search and ease of discoverability to their content. In fact, previous case study guest Ana DeShawn launched her app “The Qube” to solve the search problem.
Writing for brands helped me learn while getting paid by someone else the following:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)-I actually knew what this was because I was learning how to use it on my own website. But, writing for companies such as Experian (the credit score website) banks and other types of companies helped me understand what they were doing to increase organic traffic to their websites. Their goals were to grow ad, affiliate and product revenue on their websites.
Backlinking Strategies-I learned why it was important to get a website, media outlet or other content creator to link back to the work that I was doing. Backlinking signaled to Google that my website had authority. Backlinking also gave unexpected social street cred that I could share on social media.
Improved My Podcast Content-I learned how to script talking head episodes, better optimize my episode show notes AND how to design and plan my podcast content and long-term editorial strategy.
Improved ALL of My Newsletter/Email Content-Without freelance writing, it would have taken me a lot longer to improve my copywriting skills, a key component to designing an effective newsletter or email monetization strategy.
Improved My Blogging and Affiliate Marketing Strategy-Working with larger brands gave me an insider’s understanding of the following:
Content strategy for the year and WHEN that content should be released. Head’s up, you don’t write winter content during the winter. You actually release much earlier than you would expect.
The importance of evergreen content. Blog posts, podcast episodes, vlogs, etc. Evergreen podcast episodes are huge reason why I was able to take 4 months off of my personal finance podcast and still have growing downloads and signed brand partnerships.
Downsides to Freelance Writing
There are a lot of headwinds that are impacting freelance writing. I’m sharing an in-depth video for paid subscribers about the positives and negatives of freelancing. But, I thought I would share a few things to consider for all subscribers.
Freelancing Can Become a Distraction-There’s a point where freelancing can become a huge distraction depending on how much work you’ve decided to take on. It has the potential to become an entire business vs. a revenue stream-something that people need to think about. If you’re building an online brand there’s a fine line that you have to navigate.
Freelance work can impact your mood-There can be incredible highs and lows associated with freelancing When you’re making good money it’s great. When your projects slow down-it has the potential to impact your mood.
You Have to be Tough to Navigate Industry Headwinds-There are A LOT of headwinds impacting the freelance industry (not just writing). There is proposed legislation that likely won’t pass anytime soon with the current makeup of Congress BUT could significantly impact a freelance business. Technology such as ChatGPT is impacting earnings per project in a number of content verticals and even eliminating writing staff in a number of different media companies.
However, there are MILLIONS of US and other businesses that need content generated for them on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. These businesses include: universities, ice cream shops, local restaurants, non-profits and more. You can absolutely make money doing freelance work and leverage it to grow your online brand. It’s just not going to be easy. I continue sharing my thoughts and experiences freelancing if you scroll down to the bottom (paid subscribers)
May Monetization Strategies Review
Each week I will record and share some additional thoughts and strategies to consider based on the monetization strategy shared. I’ve made money with each strategy. Each monetization strategy has both benefits and challenges to consider.
Week #1 Affiliate Marketing (May 4, 2023-Shared)
Week #2 Solve One Problem (May 11, 2023-Shared)
Week #3 Brand Partnerships (May 18, 2023-Shared)
Week #4 Crowdfunding (May 25, 2023-Shared)
Week # 5 Freelance writing (May 31, 2023-Shared)
Upcoming Events
Denver Podcasting Meetups
I’m hosting a meetup at a local coffee shop sometime in June TBA
Podcast Movement-Meetup tour will be held in Denver on June 30, 2023. See you there!
Click here for a free ticket/reserve your spot
Portland 6/26/2023
Seattle 6/27/2023
Vancouver 6/28/2023
Presenting Sponsors
Swell AI
I’m so excited to be partnering with Swell AI. This tool is the way I like AI to be used:
Generate show notes
Create social media posts
Creates transcripts for PREVIOUSLY RECORDED content!
Podcasting can be so time consuming. Save your time and simplify your process with Swell AI.
Podcast Movement Denver
I’m so excited to partner with Podcast Movement this year. I love that it’s being hosted in my hometown of Denver.
Build your social and professional network
Share your expertise (even if you’re not a speaker)
Meet industry professionals
Learn from the community
And enjoy all of the parties! I love attending Podcast Movement and know that you will too.
Thinking About Freelancing? (Paid Subscribers)
Watch the following video where Michelle shares here experience freelance writing. She shares why it was such an important part of building her business, some concerns she has about the industry and some things you should consider before saying “yes” to your first freelance project.