Freelance writing research process 101

If you're a freelance writer, chances are you're always on the lookout for new and better ways to research and write articles. After all, efficiency is key when you're making a living off your writing.

This article will cover some of the best ways to research and write articles to help you maximize your time, and make more money.

Why should you have a research process when writing articles?

Writing a great article all starts with a stellar research process. If you don’t know your audience, dive deep enough, or consult experts, your content will fall flat.

Additionally, a research process will help you:

• Save time. When you have a process, you know exactly what needs to be done and in what order. This can help you avoid spending time on tasks that are not essential to writing a great article.

• Produce a better article. By taking the time to research your topic thoroughly, you will be able to produce an article that is more informative and accurate.

• Avoid plagiarism. When you have a process, you will glean your own insights, and you’re less likely to accidentally plagiarize another author's work.

• Stay organized. When you have a process, you can keep track of all of your research materials in one place. This can help you avoid losing important information or forgetting to include something in your article.

Now that you know the benefits of having a research process, let’s discuss the essential elements of a research process.

Hello, World!

Conduct audience research and discover your audience's problems

If you want to write a great article, you need to start by understanding your audience. Who are they? What do they care about? What are their pain points? What influencers do they follow? What products do they buy? What interests them on social media?

Audience research is the tool that will help you answer these questions. There are a lot of ways to conduct audience research, including using audience research tools like SparkToro and conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

The best thing to do is to have ongoing and organic conversations with members of your audience. Engage with people on Twitter and LinkedIn, chat with customers IRL, and have an online community where your audience can provide ongoing feedback.

Sending your client a content brief

Sending your client a content brief is an important step in the research process. Most high-earning freelance writers won’t start an article without a content brief.

A content brief should include the following:

• A description of the target audience

• The problem that the target audience is facing

• The goal of the article

• Target keywords

• The main points that the article will cover

• The tone of the article

• The target word count

• Competitors

• Any relevant deadlines

A content brief will help to make sure that everyone is on the same page regarding the audience, purpose, and goals of the article.

It will also help to keep the writing process on track and guarantee that the final article meets the needs of the target audience.

Doing preliminary research on a topic

When you're ready to start preliminary research, there are a few strategies you can use to quickly gather information about your topic.

One effective way to get an overview of a topic is to do a search across social media, including Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Social media will give you accurate insight into what people are saying about your topic right now.

Another idea is to scour Google for new trends, recent data, and industry reports. A tool like Waldo (a Google Chrome Extension for enhanced research) will help speed up your research process by helping you identify the right resources with a few hotkeys.

You can also use Google News to get a sense of what's being written about currently in the news. If you're looking for more in-depth information, you can search for academic papers on Google Scholar. Make sure they have been published recently.

Finally, don't forget to check out the resources available on your client's website. They may have helpful blog posts, infographics, or even data sets that you can use in your article.

Creating an outline

Once you have a general understanding of your topic and what your audience wants to know, it's time to start creating an outline for your article. This will be a roadmap for your research and writing, and will help you keep your article focused and on-track.

There are a few different ways you can approach creating an outline. One method is to start with a general introduction to your topic, followed by the main points you want to make. Each of these main points can then be further divided into sub-points.

Alternatively, you can start with a list of questions your audience is likely to have about your topic, and then answer these questions in your article. This can be a helpful way to structure your article, and make sure you're covering all the relevant information.

Whichever approach you choose, make sure your outline is clear and concise. It should be a helpful tool for you during the research and writing process, not a hindrance.

Conducting expert outreach for quotes

When you're writing an article, it's important to get quotes from subject matter experts (SMEs) in the field to help support your argument. But how do you go about getting these quotes?

The best way to get quotes from experts is to reach out to them directly. This can be done through email, social media, or even in person if you're attending an event where they're speaking.

When you contact an expert, be sure to explain who you are, what you're writing about, and why you think their quote would be valuable. You should also provide them with any specific questions you have that they can address in their quote.

If you don’t have a relationship with the subject matter expert or don’t feel comfortable reaching out directly, you can put a request for a quote on HARO, Qwoted, or Terkel.

Reviewing new reports, recent statistics, and relevant data

As you're conducting your research, you'll likely come across new reports, statistics, and data sets that are relevant to your article topic. It's important to review this new information and integrate it into your article if it's relevant.

New reports can provide valuable insights that you didn't have before, and recent statistics can help to support your argument or provide new evidence for your claims. New data sets can also help to support your article and provide additional information for your readers.

When reviewing new information, be sure to critically evaluate it and determine if it's truly relevant to your article. Don't just add new information for the sake of adding more information; only include it if it will truly benefit your readers and add context to your article.

Engage in communities that are relevant to your article topic

When you're researching an article topic, it's important to engage with relevant communities in your niche. This will help you get a better understanding of the topic, and you may even find some new perspectives that you hadn't considered before.

You can engage with communities by participating in online forums, reading blogs and articles written by experts in the field, and attending conferences and events related to your topic.

If you can, try to meet people in person who are experts on your topic. This can be difficult if you're not based in the same city as the experts, but it's worth the effort if you can swing it. You can also reach out to experts via Zoom, social media, or email.

Now it’s time to start writing

Once you’ve conducted thorough research, you’re officially ready to start writing. Remember, your research provides context for the arguments you’re making in your articles.

State your case and then support it with insight from subject matter experts, recent data, community insight, and examples you’ve sourced in your research.

Should freelance writers charge $1 per word?

Yes, writers have to be good with words. But, producing an excellent piece of content requires A LOT more work and expertise than putting pen to paper.

Here is what you're REALLY charging for:

1. Content marketing - The purpose of writing content for a company doesn't start and end with entertainment. The purpose is to connect with an audience during some stage of the sales funnel. A good writer knows this and knows how to engage customers with the right messages.

2. Research - The research that goes into creating content is INTENSE. Writers learn everything about the company, topic, industry, trends, relevant reports, etc. Writing good content means bringing extremely detailed insights to light in a way that is accessible to all

3. Time & expertise - Let's get hypothetical. Say you take a smart industry expert (e.g., DTC business owner) that is NOT a writer and also an expert content writer in the DTC industry. You place them both in a cute she-shed and ask them to complete the same writing assignment.

Predicted results:

Writer - The content writer is going to get the job done faster. The article will be structured better, more fun to read, and it will rank on Google. Even though the writer is not a DTC business owner, the writer's article will be better in every way.

Non-writer expert - The expert clearly has all the industry knowledge (that's why writers interview experts). But, they don't have years of writing + marketing experience under their belts or the extra time. And that's okay. That's why writers exist.

Your clients hire you to write for the same reason you hire an accountant to do your taxes, go to a doctor to perform a colonoscopy, and employ a cake maker to bake your wedding cake.

These pros have the expertise, and going the DIY route ends in disaster. We've all seen Nailed It!

4. Processes - An excellent content writer knows how to hear an idea, and take that idea from inception all the way across the finish line. When someone hires me, I don't ask them what they need me to do. They tell me what they want, and I communicate to them exactly how and when I'm going to get it done.

5. Industry knowledge - Writers stay current on everything that is going on in the writing world, content marketing world, and in the world of their niche. It's not uncommon for me to spend an entire workday reading, learning, engaging, and ideating. I take this into account when I set my prices.

6. Style - Content writers know that people don't read the same way online that they do when they read a novel. Writers know how to style a piece so that it's engaging but also scannable and rankable. (Is rankable a word?)

7. 6th-grade reading level - Yes, good writers get paid big bucks to write at a 6th-grade reading level. There's a reason why the Young Adult genre is the most difficult genre to write and why it's so impressive when an author actually pulls it off well. It's hard to simplify complex ideas.

8. Interviewing - A large portion of writing is interviewing, and it's not easy. You have to know how to get right to the point and ask the right questions to the right people. It’s a true skill.

9. Network - Writers niche down and build a network with that niche. Access to this network is worth $$$.

There you have it! I encourage you to raise your prices by at least 10% for your next client.

Client intro email example for freelancers

Yay! A new client is knocking on your door (aka sent you an email to inquire about you and your awesome services). Now what?

What are you supposed to say to pique their interest, give them all the facts, and get them to hire you (or encourage them to move along if they aren't worth your time)?

I'm not sure there is a hard and fast rule of what to say to a client, but I like to cover all the important details in the first email. 

This way, clients know exactly what they get and what I need when they work with me.

Here's what I say. Feel free to use this first contact email to generate ideas, steal it outright, and/or tweak it for your audience.

________________________________________________________________

Hello [Client]!

Thank you for getting in touch. I look forward to chatting with you to learn about your content marketing needs.

Here's a little more about me and my processes for your reference:

• I have been writing blogs, ebooks, reports, and other assets for 10+ years for SaaS, ecomm, and marketing companies like Salesforce, Hashtag Paid Inc., Omnisend, HostGator, Campaign Monitor, and many more.

• If you would like to see my writing samples, please visit my site.

• Prices start at $1/word. This rate includes the time required for research, years of writing experience, extensive SEO knowledge, screenshots/examples, expert sources (which also helps with distribution), the highest quality of content, and one round of revisions. I do offer ghost-writing for a 20% additional fee.

• I require a $1000 minimum engagement rate, and a minimum monthly rate of $3000. I thoroughly onboard all of my clients, and dive head-first into the research to learn all about your company, competitors, and relevant industry data. I’m in this for the long haul and I am ready to produce content that generates results.

• My process is as follows:

1. You assign me a topic + any relevant keywords, and I will send you a content brief

2. I create an outline and send it to you in a Google Doc for your approval

3. I send you a draft (~5-7 business days for turnaround)

4. You leave edits in the draft (prices include one round of revisions)

5. I’ll address the revision requests and send you a polished, gorgeous final draft

6. I invoice at the end of the project (Net-0 payment terms)

If this sounds good, I'd love to move forward. If you want to chat, please schedule a meeting here when it's convenient for you.

I look forward to working with you.

Thank you,

________________________________________________________________

And that's how I roll. 

Your first draft doesn't have to be bad

There’s a piece of advice floating around the writing world that’s accepted as a golden nugget of wisdom.

It’s used so often; it’s almost cliche.

The advice?

Write a crappy first draft.

Here's the main idea. To overcome writer's block, you should get something down on paper—no matter what it is. The act of writing your thoughts down—no matter how garbage they are—will propel you forward.

This is terrible advice to give a freelance writer.

Here are some of the reasons writing a crappy first draft in the face of writer’s block is a bad idea:

• It’s time-consuming. Instead of writing one decent draft that requires little editing, you end up doing the same assignment twice or thrice. What could have been accomplished in 2.5 hours takes 5-6 hours.

• It’s frustrating. If you’re not feeling it and your brain and heart aren’t in the zone, you’re going to hate your life. It’s kind of like forcing yourself to eat a yucky protein shake when your body is craving a steak. You end up drinking a protein shake and then going to bed HANGRY, or drinking the gross shake and having the steak too.

• It’s like buying stock when everyone else is selling. Writing is a volatile action. Sometimes the stars align, and To Kill A Mockingbird is born. Other times, you and I (but probably not Harper Lee) end up in tears with piles of crumpled up paper around the trash can. I’m not saying you shouldn’t experience volatility as a writer. All writers have ups and downs, and there is a time and a place to push through. I am saying that you’re better off leveraging your creative and emotional up times when it comes to client work.

• It tears down your confidence. I’ve written my fair share of crap drafts, and it always makes me feel like I suck at writing. I’ve also written some killer articles that result in inner high fives, extra confidence, and growth. I prefer the latter.

• It causes resentment. Why did I accept this assignment? + It’s too hard + I can’t do it = resenting yourself. Why did this client send over such a challenging topic + They need to communicate better? + I don’t even know where to start = resenting your client. No one needs that.

These are the main reasons why writing a crappy first draft is a bad idea. But, this begs the question, “how do I write a decent first draft every time?”

Great question! I’ll tell you.

1. Write when you’re fresh

You’re already a great writer. I’d be willing to bet that the times you experience writer’s block is when you’re overwhelmed physically, emotionally, or mentally.

Instead of trying to push through the down times, schedule your daily writing when you’re most energetic and rested. For me, this is early morning.

Like everyone, I have a busy life with a lot of demands (aka kids). If I try and save the tasks that pay for my life when I’m least energetic, confusing writing ensues.

2. Schedule time to rest and play

Writing is just like exercising. If you want to get stronger, you have to do it a lot—almost every day. BUUUUT…you also have to schedule in time for recovery.

And, this is what is cool about freelancing. You can *mostly* control your schedule. Don't pack it so tight that you never have time to breathe. 

3. Channel that “crappy first draft writing” into a less pressing writing task

Every writer gets writer's block. It isn't easy to organize your thoughts and get them on a page cohesively and powerfully. 

If you run into writer’s block with a particular client task, it is good to start writing. However, turning toward a creative writing project, or even another client project that’s like clockwork, is a more effective way to get the wheels turning.

 4. Work from a content brief

Writer’s block is often the result of not understanding what your client wants. Maybe you don’t know what their content marketing goals are. Perhaps you don’t understand the client’s target audience and their pain points. Maybe there are a thousand different directions you could take the article, and you don’t know what points the client wants you to highlight.

If you don’t use a content brief, it’s no wonder you have writer’s block. You’re walking in the dark.

You should send a content brief to your client for every project. Period.

(Did you know a proven content brief—and the one I use—is one of the many resources in my Freelance Writing Business Guide + Kit?)

If you only want to purchase the content brief for $39.00, you can buy it here.

5. Write an outline

If you’re trying to write the whole first draft all at once with no direction, your draft is going to be bad.

Even the Cheshire Cat says so.

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?

The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.

Alice: I don’t much care where.

The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.

Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.

The Cheshire Cat: Oh, you’re sure to do that, if only you walk write long enough.

The Cheshire Cat is onto something here. If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re going to get lost.

This sage advice from literature’s favorite wackadoodle cat applies perfectly to the writing process.

If you want to get somewhere with your work, you have to plan and prepare. Don’t start writing a soliloquy. Start with the bare bones of the project, outlining the intro, main ideas, calls to action, etc. 

Once you have a good skeleton, PUT SOME MEAT ON THOSE BONES.

If you start with an outline, chances are you’ll end up with a decent first draft.

There you have it! I hope your next draft is fantastic, or at least not crappy.

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