There is a lot of ambiguity in today’s freelance writing profession when it comes to blog post and articles. In addition, how much should each of those types of writing be compensated?
I recently got a lot of criticism in response to my recommendation that freelance writers stop writing a blog post. Many writers couldn’t figure out what the difference was.
So let’s have a conversation about it. Because things are changing in the world. Knowing the differences between these two forms of writing might also assist you in earning more money.
For years, the distinction between blog posts and nonfiction articles was obvious:
Blog And Article Convergence
More and more, blog posts started to resemble articles. The bar began to rise as the Internet grew increasingly clogged with blogs.
More interviews began to show up in blog posts. They provided some amazing data. As bloggers sought to stand out and provide value, their posts became longer, to the point where 1,000 words has become commonplace, and 2,000-word entries are not uncommon. The importance of SEO keywords has dropped as Google cracks down on keyword-stuffed content. In addition, as blogs grew in popularity, several of them hired editors.
In the sphere of article writing, there was a lot of movement. Many print publications have begun to produce online copies of their material. Magazine headlines, like blog article titles, needed to drive traffic all of a sudden, therefore new headline styles emerged. More thought-provoking pieces from thinking leaders were presented. Some authors also create blogs where they can publish their own work.
Word counts for print shortened as ad revenue moved online. Some publications are now only available online. Their appearance loosened and grew more easygoing.
To summarize, the two writing styles began to converge. Definitions become hazy, resulting in a great deal of ambiguity.
Except for one thing: blog postings are often low-paying, while articles pay more.
Anxiety On The Part Of The Client
Uninformed clients who are unfamiliar with these two types have muddied the argument around them for years. As a consequence, finding writing gigs and correctly bidding on them has proven challenging for writers.
Despite the fact that many consumers refer to the 300-word quickie pieces they desire as “articles,” they still want to pay $5 for them.
Because “it’s a blog post,” many customers would also want you to write 1,000-word blog posts with two interviews and a research statistic for $20.
It’s your job as a freelance writer to cut through the BS and figure out exactly what the job entails, and then discuss how much that job should pay.
What Are Some Ways For Writers To Generate Extra Money?
Customers, on the other hand, are always looking for ways to save money. Writers are responsible for informing consumers about what they are asking for and what is a fair price for the task they want you to complete.
The good news is that by combining blog posts and articles, writers should be able to earn more money. Blog postings are evolving, and they’re no longer the outcast of the article world. As a consequence, they should be paid more in line with the number of publications they produce.
It is up to the author, however, to take the required steps to benefit from this market change.
The following are the steps to take:
Make a name for it. Make sure a consumer specifies what they mean when they say they want articles or blog posts. Are there any interviews planned? How many are there in total? How long does the item last?
Persuade them to change their minds. Persuade them that what they want is an article written by professionals. It will boost your conversion rates right away. Make a case for why this is a stance for article writing.
Articles should be made available for purchase. Persuade clients who aren’t sure what they want that you should produce an article for them rather than a blog post if they want their content marketing to be productive. Share the news that Google is punishing material that is brief and keyword-focused.
Upgrades to your blog should be available for purchase. Sell them on the significance of taking their blog to the next level, to a more reported-story, magazine-style format, and what that may mean for their reputation and visibility if they’re looking for guest posts for an established website.
What Should You Charge For An Article Vs. Blogging?
While most bloggers are lucky to make $100 each post — and I recommend establishing that as your minimum for blogging — article fees are sometimes far more. I’ve written numerous for $300-$500 depending on length and complexity, and many more for $600-$2,000.
Many smaller daily journals pay $75-$100 for short articles, but if you write for them, you’ll have more stunning clips for your portfolio. You’ll also learn how to report a story, which can help you get better-paying jobs with companies or newspapers in the future.
Obtaining Success
Articles and blog posts in the manner of articles, on the other hand, convey more authority. They have a greater impact on your client’s customers. Projects will be more successful, and consumers will be more likely to hire you to write for them in the future. It’s a win-win situation: you can charge more up front, and the client will almost surely give you additional work since they’ll be pleased with the results.
If better-paying magazine markets are on your 2021 to-do list, this will assist you in achieving that objective.
If the notion of producing an article-style blog post or full-fledged articles intimidates you, learn more about writing articles.
Some writers are frightened by the idea of finding specialists, conducting interviews, or analyzing studies. But trust me when I tell you that this is something you can learn. I learned everything through trial and error on the job.
