Hurray…!
You’ve finally launched your website.
As an international writer, you see prospects seek native English speakers
And, you know that it’s now time to put it into action.
You’re excited at seeing your site go live, and you even keep typing your domain name into search engines to see if it appears on the first page.
You’ve written your first blog post. And, wow you like it!
There you go, Monday morning with your cup of coffee you turn on your laptop and, the first thing you do is visit different job boards and even contact local businesses.
You apply for so many jobs like crazy …then sit back, relax and wait for a message.
Two days counting, there’s no message.
You decide to go back to the places you had placed your bids but unfortunately, you discover that most awarded applicants are native English speakers!
You decide to apply again, but days to weeks later there’s still no response.
The next ads you see are specifically looking to hire ‘‘native English speakers’’ and they say it right on your face, ‘‘non-natives, please keep off.’’
It hurts, doesn’t it?
So, what next?
Struggling to land that first client? Check out Elna Cain’s complete course, Write Your Way to Your First $1k, and start learning the steps to earning your worth.
Should you give up trying? Or what do you do?
You’re confident that you have a passion for writing, and you’ve got all it takes to produce stellar content.
Do you really want to know how to handle this whole situation? Read on…
1. Use the Prospects Name When Addressing Them
The way you communicate through writing determines how the prospect perceives you. Do you always tend to ignore your prospect’s name when applying for a job?
Well, mentioning their name is more than just mentioning a name. If there’s a way you can learn about a prospects name, don’t ignore it. Mentioning a prospect’s name helps you pique their interest and keep you in a better position of winning the job.
2. Demonstrate What You Know
You know you produce great content. So what if you’re an international writer?
Why don’t you show clients where you’ve been published? If you’ve published in Entrepreneur, Forbes or even Huffington post, let them know. If you also own a blog, include it in your pitch email and make sure to ask them to read the testimonials of satisfied clients on your website.
Send prospects your best pitch, with no grammar errors. There’s a pitching template on Tom Ewer’s blog, Leaving Work Behind to use so check it out.
Additionally, always take the time to tailor your resume to fit the job description. If you include a career objective, try to match it to the job requirements. If you just can’t craft an eye-catching resume seek the help of an expert who specializes in creating attractive resumes that sell you to clients.
3. Suggest a Mind Blowing Headline and Talk About Solving Problems
Once you understand the job requirements, be sure to suggest a mind blowing headline that will leave a prospective client smiling and nodding his head.
You don’t need to have a degree in journalism or formal education in freelance writing to be able to create a mind blowing headline. Remember that your headline is the first impression you make on a prospective client. To find great tips on writing magnetic headlines, be sure to follow Jon Morrow’s blog, Smart Blogger.
Always keep in mind that what a client mainly needs is a solution to improve his business. Let him know how you’ll help improve his business. Talk more about helping him stand out, rather than entirely talking about yourself.
4. Include a Sample Related to the Job Niche
I know providing your writing for free doesn’t always sit well with writers.
But, if you want prospects to view you as a legit freelance writer that’s credible in the job niche, then it’s a wise decision to provide samples. So, include a sample related to the job niche if you think having him as a client is worth the effort.
But before that, make sure to check the client’s website to make sure he’s genuinely interested in freelance writing services and can offer long-term assignments, but not merely a scam. You can do this by checking their LinkedIn’s profile, Facebook page, Twitter, reviews and even their website (if any).
Since you’re positive that you know exactly what your prospect needs and confident that you can provide content that keeps readers coming back for more, give him the sample. If you’re sure about the quality of your content, you’ll have high chances of getting awarded the job.
Conclusion
Being a non-native freelance writer shouldn’t deter you from pursuing your career.
There are loads of successful freelance writers who have clients coming to them. Writers like Bamidele Onibalusi, Deevra Norling, Henneke Duistermaat and many others have all made it big in freelance writing yet English isn’t their native language.
Signing up to a comprehensive course like Write Your Way to Your First $1k will give you that extra help you need to become a well paid freelance writer.
Do you now believe that non-native English speaker status shouldn’t harm your earning potential? Let us know in the comments.
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