I have noticed a significant pickup in business in the last few months, along with a strengthening in pricing power. No, you are never going to get rich as a freelance writer on the web, but you might be able to eke out a comfortable living. Two factors are important in getting your name out there:

1)    Content: I’m referring not only to content on your own website, but also attributed content on your customers’ sites. When someone reads a blog with your name attached, you have the potential of capitalizing on a long-term marketing asset. And when you add fresh content to your own website, you’ve made Google happy – do it enough and you’ll improve your keyword search results, maybe getting all the way to Page One.

2)    Links: If you can get an author’s attribution combined with a backlink to your website, Google will again reward you (over time) with a higher Page Rank and better search results. You can also plant links to your site through posts to forums, readers’ replies and article directories. Multiply this effect through social media and you can convince Google to show you some respect.

One reason I like picking up new clients is that I get to write on different topics – its often a learning experience, which I find pleasant. Here are some recent new customers:

• A West Coast realtor who has several sites covering home sales, property management and short sales. He’ contracted for one or two weekly blogs for each site. I have enjoyed learning about the communities in which he operates, as well as the property regulations in his state.
• This same realtor has a sideline selling solar panel kits, another fascinating area that combines science with marketing.
• An online seller of German auto parts. I have been posting blogs showing how to replace various parts he sells. Makes me feel greasy – in a good way.
• A Floridian provider of sales lead lists. He has a couple of sites for which I write weekly blogs. Lead lists are important for telemarketing and direct mail campaigns.
• Crowdfunding is a hot topic, and I get to write a weekly blog about it. If you aren’t familiar with it, check out some of the crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter.
• A hedge fund site has commissioned two blogs a week on selected topics. As you may know, I started web writing at hedgefundwriter.com, which I still maintain. It’s nice to go home again, so to speak.

If you are a freelance writer, drop me a line and let me know how you are doing.