Writing for the Local Market

By Jeff Van Leuvan

The lifeblood of a small business is its customer base and business owners are constantly being squeezed from every direction by national retailers, a shrinking economy and by local and state governments. They want to concentrate on running their business but are bombarded daily by a multitude of difficult situations that require their attention and distract them from the everyday duties that enable them to make a profit. They don’t have time to write copy for brochures, newsletters or updated web site content. In fact, a small business owner will usually put off these tasks as long as he can, often farming out the task to a relative or friend with mediocre results. In addition, the efforts are not part of a coordinated campaign to go after new business and, as a result, will frequently fall short of the mark.

This is where the freelance writer enters the picture.

In this day and age, local businesses need to communicate effectively with their customers and prospects. Whether they need a press release written or a newsletter sent out, most business owners simply don’t have the time for these endeavors and need the services of a local freelance writer to help them get it done. They may be experts on their products or services but they aren’t always experts on how to promote their treasured enterprise. By helping them communicate with their target market, you are adding to their bottom line while reinforcing the strength of the community.

Writing for the Local Market offers the struggling freelance writer a way out of the world of online content mills that pay peanuts (or less) and shows the way to a home-based writing business that can be taken to any level you choose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeff Van Leuvan
• Release date: Jun 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498943147

Jeff Van Leuvan

I have been in the truck body and equipment segment of the transportation industry for over 35 years. Selling to truck dealers, contractors, truck lines, and railroads has allowed me to gain a wealth of experience by assisting this wide variety of customers. Over the years I discovered many of the written materials available to me as a salesman were either inadequate or poorly written so I started producing my own. More effective written communications led to additional sales and stronger business relationships. My sales experience can help you with your marketing communication and public relations efforts. After 36 years of sales and marketing experience in the transportation industry, I have a firm grasp of how people think and react to the written word in business-to-business communications.

Book preview

Writing for the Local Market

How to Start a Freelance Writing Business in Your Own Hometown

Copyright © 2014 by Jeff Van Leuvan

All rights reserved worldwide.

All Rights Reserved: No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/ publisher or the terms relayed to you herein.

Limit of Liability: This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. However, no guarantee of results is given. The use and outcome of tips and methods shared in this report are the responsibility of the reader.

Visit the author’s website:

http://www.WriteLocal.net

Connect on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/writelocal

Connect on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffvanleuvan

Table of Contents

1.  Who will benefit from this book?

2.  The need for local writers

3.  Will they pay for it?

4.  Who do I write for?

5.  What do I write?

6.  What do I charge?

7. Finding prospects for your writing business

8. How to get started

9.  Following up and create value

10.  You can do this

1.  Who Will Benefit from This Book

Many things have been written about the best way for a newbie to enter the freelance writing business. Writing for content mills such as elance.com and odesk.com have been an easy way to make cash as a freelance writer. Although the pay is not that great, many freelancers will do what it takes to make $50-100 per day on these sites. That usually involves writing 10 – 20 articles a day, which can sometimes be a grueling experience.

For those writers who are looking for a step up from these online sites, I offer an alternative.

Businesses and organizations in your local area need the writing services you provide, even though they may not always be aware of it. The lifeblood of a small business is its customer base and they are constantly being squeezed from every direction by national retailers, a shrinking economy and by local and state governments. They want to concentrate on running their business. They don’t have time to write copy for brochures and newsletters. In fact, a small business owner will usually put off these tasks as long as he can, often farming out the task to a relative or friend with mediocre results. In addition, the efforts are not part of a coordinated campaign to go after new business and, as a result, will frequently fall short of the mark.

Many established commercial freelance writers will caution against doing work for mom and pop businesses because it is often difficult to convince them to part with their hard-earned money for writing services. While this is often true, most business owners realize their limitations and are open to the idea of freelance help. It just depends on how you approach them about it.

So if you are willing to build your freelance writing business by starting small, I will show you the best ways to approach local business owners and grow your business organically rather than becoming dependent on online writing sites. This book is not intended to catapult you to freelance fame by writing case studies and white papers for Fortune 500 companies. Instead, it provides a workable outline for starting a writing business that you can take to whatever level you desire.

2. The need for Local Writers

The owners of small local businesses are constantly