So you don’t want to spend hours upon hours drafting up query letters, pouring your heart and soul into a relatively short email, just for an editor of a publication to turn you down, or worse – not even give you the time of day.
I’ve been there and, after being ignored over and over again, I decided I needed to make a change.
I didn’t even want to write for magazines, so what was I doing pitching to them? I set out to research what my other opportunities were as a freelance writer if I didn’t want to write for publications.
I didn’t even want to write for magazines, so what was I doing pitching to them?
I joined some freelance writing sites, signed up for a handful of newsletters, and started doing my homework. I found that businesses would pay me to handle their writing jobs that they don’t have time for or don’t know how to do.
I became increasingly interested in business writing so I delved a bit deeper – where I hit the jackpot!
I decided that I wanted to write for Business-to-Business (B2B) companies. These companies sell to other businesses that are in need of their products and services.
The best part is, there are B2B companies for almost any type of niche imaginable. If you know where to look and learn how to write a killer Letter of Introduction (LOI), you could be making thousands of dollars per month.
Here are three things to look for when prospecting B2B companies.
Look Beyond Start-Ups
Always look for companies that bring in AT LEAST $1 Million in revenue each year. Companies that make at least that will be able to afford your professional rates.
While it might be fun to write for a start-up, these companies usually are on a tight budget and you might end up working more for less money.
Do Your Research
Do some research and find out what kinds of writing they are currently using, and which ones are missing, but could be beneficial to them.
Do they have white papers on their site? Does their blog need updating? Are their case studies current, or do they even use them?
There are several areas to look for when scoping out a business and the more information you have on their written marketing materials, the more you will stand out to them when you send your LOI.
Send Your LOI to the Right Person
Who is their marketing head? It is best to send your LOI to the Marketing Director or someone similar.
They will be the most helpful in responding to your inquiries and will probably be the ones that have the power to hire you. If you pursue smaller B2B companies that don’t have a marketing department, you should contact the owner.
Also, try your hardest to find direct email addresses, because sending your LOI through a general email form may just get your correspondence shuffled to File #9 (The trash can!).
If you don’t want to write for magazines or newspapers, and you like receiving professional rates for meaningful work, write for B2B companies.
Whether your niche is in healthcare, government, food, or technology, there is a B2B company that needs writing services. Remember, you started your freelance writing business because you were looking for something different and you love to write. Find the type of writing that you enjoy most and go for it. In this industry, the options are endless.
Tell us about your experience finding your niche.
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