Social media has become one of the main ways that people earn a living these days. Whether it’s through advertising, product placements, influencer marketing, writing, etc. Social media is a great place to find opportunities to work with others and actually get paid.
The main thing about social media that we need to keep in mind is that you need to make yourself known. Whether it’s through a specific niche or just by being a freelance writer or whatever the case may be, you need to make yourself known as an expert in your field. The more you can show off your expertise, the more you’ll be recognized and eventually, someone might offer you a gig.
I’ve been an outdoor enthusiast for a long time. I’m also a writer. I have a blog of my own and I also vlog. Over the past several years I’ve built up my brand to the point where I am becoming an influencer in my field.
I follow all of the major companies within the outdoors industry on social media. I interact with them outside of just liking their content; I leave relevant comment on posts, share their posts, etc. I also tag them in posts that I feel are relevant to them in the hopes of getting a re-post or maybe just a like on my photo or whatever. The point is, I am not just trying to share great content, but to also be recognized by the big companies and showing them that I’m a relevant influencer.
It’s worked quite well. I have gained the attention of many well respected brands and have worked with them on various non-writing projects. One publisher in particular recently hired me to work with them to write monthly articles for their website.
Our interactions happened mainly through Instagram. The first couple of interactions were from them asking permission to share a couple photos of mine, of course I said yes. A couple months later, they sent me a DM:
“Hey. Do you do any freelance writing?”
Again, I said yes. They asked for samples of past work so I sent them an email with links to my website and articles from other websites that I had written for within the outdoor industry.
They replied with:
“These examples are so impressive. Well done. I can see that you understand how to communicate in the digital world, and I suspected as much from following your interesting and informative Instagram feed.”
That reply came in June of 2017. It wasn’t until November of 2017 that I was offered a contract to write for their website. Even though it seemed like a “slow” process, that’s how freelance writing can go sometimes; everything needs to be timed perfectly.
Now I get paid $150 a month to write one article per month for their website.
From this has come many other discussions about writing even more for their website. Once you get your foot in the door, many more opportunities can arise. I write for a well-respected publication and not only is my brand being recognized even more so because of my connection with them, but so is the opportunity to write for other outdoor industry publications.
Do opportunities arise like this every single day? No. But finding opportunities like this through social media shouldn’t be ignored.
What I have learned from this experience is that I shouldn’t wait for others to contact me. As a freelance writer we’re always writing pitches and queries and by proving ourselves through social media, we actually have a bit of an upper hand.
After you’ve spent some time interacting with their social media profiles, find their website and see if they’re accepting submissions from freelance writers. If they are, send them a pitch and also mention your social media profiles. It couldn’t hurt, maybe they’ll recognize you from your amazing comments and sharing their content. You never know.
Even if you don’t get the opportunity to work with them right away, it may just not be the right time to add you to their editorial calendar. Keep being top-of-mind by liking, commenting and sharing their content. One day, they may approach you.
If you dedicate yourself to becoming an influencer in your field and interacting with publications that you’d like to work with, you may one day be writing for them all because of social media.
Morgan resides in Texas with her husband, 20 month old daughter and two dogs on their little homestead. She is a freelance writer for the outdoor industry, she also teaches people how to be prepared for emergencies and disasters and everyday life. Morgan’s writing and preparedness tips can be found at: http://roguepreparedness.com
Thanks, Morgan. I am a Sunday school teacher and lifelong Bible scholar, also a highly functional paranoid schizophrenic with a son who is a navy vet. Still trying to find out what God wants me to do with the rest of my life…working in the shrinking field of medical transcription. Thanks for your article. I work part time from home and enjoy contact with the outside world through social media. Thanks again.
Hi Kim! Glad you found some insight from the article! Thanks!
Thank you, Morgan. I too live in Texas but far north of Dallas on the Red River. I am a retired Baptist pastor and over the last 5 or 6 years I have been blogging on a couple of my websites and also on my Facebook page. I have always wanted to know how to get some paying gigs by my blogs and Facebook, but they just haven’t materialized. Thank you again for your insight. Bob
Hi Bob,
One day it’ll click and you’ll figure out what works best for you. Thanks!
Hi Morgan, your article is one of those times where you hit yourself on the side of the head and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It makes perfect sense to be in connection with the people you’d like to write for. Plus, writing your own amazing, professional content. Thank you for your post and I will start today making one new connection.
Hi Wanda,
Good luck with your new connections!
sign me up
Hi David,
Good luck!
Great job.I want the same,how to sign?
Hi Radoslav,
Good luck!
Hi Morgan!! surely enjoyed reading your article. It’s very insightful and I’m definitely going to take your suggestions. I have been getting so discouraged repeatedly trying to reach out and get my passion for writing across to the right match for me. As you stated, patience is a virtue I most assuredly have to exercise! Thanks for the input and I’ll continue the enduring till the end!
Hi Deirdra,
Patience can be difficult but one day, it’ll all come together and your hard work and patience will be rewarded! Good luck!
Hi Morgan,
Thanks so much for your insight and sharing your experience in order to help others.
It is important and relevant to me, now more than ever since I have chosen recently to go back to pursuing my passion and freelance work. In this ongoing quest for projects and more sporadic times, this is especially encouraging.
Hi Anna!
Good luck to you!
Thank you for sharing your insight. I am just beginning the pursuit of writing for self and others through social media. I am hoping to make the kind of connections you shared in your article. I have procrastinated for too long and feel the time is right for me to kick it into gear.
Hi Georgina,
That sounds great. Good luck!
I absolutely am inspired by this article. It was insightful and very original. I am 17 years old and truly would love to step into a world of freelance writing too.Do you think I can do it? I only have little experience in online writing but it just seems a very brilliant opportunity.
You can do it!
Thanks for the info and advice i support your ideas
Thanks! Good luck!
I am absoletly inspired by your article, Morgan. I am not very familiar with social media, only know facebook but don’t know how to get benefit from it,I will follow your suggestion.I am in Indonesia, hope that your sugestion is working also in here. Thanks Morgan
Thanks Morgan for that article. It is suitable for next freelancer. I like reading stories like this. Once again, thank you Morgan