I make my living as a full-time professional blogger. Because of this, I obviously have tried a lot of different methods of getting blogging jobs. Each method has its own pros and cons. Here’s what those are based on my own experience.
1. Apply for advertised jobs. The most common way to get blogging jobs is to apply for the jobs that are being advertised. You can check out the Problogger Job Board or Deb Ng’s daily blogging leads to find these jobs.
Pros: These companies are definitely looking for bloggers, the work is available, you can find a lot of leads at once.
Cons: Everyone else is applying this way, too, so you are facing stiff competition. Your application can easily get lost in the crowd.
2. Attend classes for people interested in blogging. There are many classes given for people who want to learn more about blogging to help their businesses. Attend these and bring your business cards along to get new jobs.
Pros: These people are certainly interested in having a blog and they don’t really know how to do it on their own.
Cons: Not many - I’ve actually found this to be the best method of getting new jobs as a blogger. The biggest difficulties are probably scheduling your time to fit in these classes and making sure that you’re talkative enough there so that people know what you do. Additionally, you’ll find all different types of businesses represented at these classes so you might not succeed if you’re looking to blog in a certain niche.
3. Attend networking events in your niche. If you do want to blog in a certain niche then attending networking events, trade shows and Meetups around that niche is a great way to meet people who may want you to blog for them.
Pros: You’ll meet people who don’t necessarily already have a blogger and could use your services in a writing niche that interests you.
Cons: These people may or may not want blogging help. It can take time for these connections to lead to real blogging jobs. You have to really promote yourself at these events to get the work.
4. Email or cold call businesses you’d like to blog for. Identify businesses that you want to blog for. These may have existing blogs that you believe you could develop or they may not yet have blogs. Contact them via phone or email with information about your services.
Pros: You’re tapping into jobs where there is a lot less competition. You’ll get to work with businesses that really interest you since you’ve identified them.
Cons: These people aren’t necessarily seeking a blogger so you’ll face a lot of rejection while you’re looking for work. It can take a lot of time and follow-up to make these leads work.
5. Create a great blog of your own and let people know you’d like to blog for them. If you have a terrific blog that you promote around the web then people will eventually seek out your services. Let them know on the blog how to reach you as a blogger-for-hire.
Pros: These people already know your style and want to hire you for the work that you do.
Cons: It takes awhile to build up the kind of reputation that will have people knocking at your door. This requires patience.
How do you get blogging jobs? What are the pros and cons of your method?
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